influenced by concerned citizens’ comments Across Contra Costa County in 2026, fans of books and community space are facing temporary closures as multiple library branches undergo major renovations and infrastructure upgrades. These projects address long-deferred maintenance, including roofs, HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure, lighting, accessibility improvements, and air quality upgrades. Libraries Currently Undergoing Major Renovations AccordingContinue reading “2026 Library Renovations: Contra Costa County Updates”
Category Archives: Transparency
When Questions Get Shut Down, It Tells You Something
On Saturday evening an El Cerrito resident posted a Vote Yes advertisement on NextDoor promoting the library tax. When community members began asking reasonable questions—about costs, long-term impacts, and accountability—the response wasn’t engagement. It was restriction. Comments were immediately closed. No further discussion was allowed. And prior comments were erased. The post stayed up. TheContinue reading “When Questions Get Shut Down, It Tells You Something”
From $157,000 to Nearly $800,000: Why Trust Is Fracturing in El Cerrito
Residents are not confused. They are reading. On page 24 of the City’s own impact report, the current library’s annual operating cost is listed at $157,615. On the same page, the report acknowledges that operating and maintenance costs could reach $797,000 annually for the El Cerrito Plaza library — a more than 400% increase. AgendaContinue reading “From $157,000 to Nearly $800,000: Why Trust Is Fracturing in El Cerrito”
El Cerrito’s $2.3M Taxpayer Loss
On the agenda for the February 17, 2026 City Council Meeting — Agenda Item 8.A, tomorrow Tuesday Most people will never notice this item on the City Council agenda. It sounds routine. A technical “true-up.”An “accounting adjustment.”A request to close out old accounts. It doesn’t sound controversial.It doesn’t sound urgent.It doesn’t sound expensive. But buriedContinue reading “El Cerrito’s $2.3M Taxpayer Loss”
El Cerrito’s 17¢ Story Doesn’t Add Up
EC Library: They’re Asking You to Pay $340/Year — But the Math Says $860 Influence by social media posts and comments For months, voters were told a simple, digestible number: 17 cents per square foot.A 2,000-square-foot home = $340 per year. It sounded responsible. But critical financial information was not disclosed. At the February 3rdContinue reading “El Cerrito’s 17¢ Story Doesn’t Add Up”
El Cerrito’s Workplace Standards
El Cerrito’s Leadership Crisis: Culture, Costs, and Consequences El Cerrito is in trouble. Services are declining, costs are rising, and the city’s workplace culture is not productive. This environment doesn’t just erode morale—it drives away top talent and makes recruitment nearly impossible. What’s left is mediocrity at best—and dysfunction at worst. Residents Deserve Better ElContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Workplace Standards”
El Cerrito Deserves Better: Why It’s Time to Move On from Gabe Quinto
For more than a decade, Councilmember Gabe Quinto has sat on the El Cerrito City Council. With his visibility at community events and a polished public persona, he’s managed to remain in office. But when you peel back the layers, one fact becomes undeniable: he has done nothing to strengthen this city or to meetContinue reading “El Cerrito Deserves Better: Why It’s Time to Move On from Gabe Quinto”
Libraries are good. This plan isn’t.
El Cerrito deserves a great library—but not at the wrong price. The City’s plan locks residents into $75M+ in new taxes for a ground-floor space in a BART housing project that the City won’t even own. We need a better plan—one that gives El Cerrito a true library, not just another forever tax. 👉 IfContinue reading “Libraries are good. This plan isn’t.”
Image First, City A Distant Second
The City Manager is supposed to be the city’s CEO and chief strategist — the person responsible for setting priorities, stewarding resources, and ensuring residents receive the services they depend on. But in El Cerrito, the record tells a different story. The City hasn’t really recovered from her lack of focus. El Cerrito’s finances remainContinue reading “Image First, City A Distant Second”
El Cerrito’s Library Plan: Big Price Tag, Shrinking Foot Traffic
The City of El Cerrito is pushing ahead with plans for a 21,000 square-foot library at a cost of over $75 million—and the price could ultimately reach $100 million. The proposed funding mechanism? A $300 per year parcel tax that residents would be locked into forever with periodic escalation. At first glance, investing in publicContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Library Plan: Big Price Tag, Shrinking Foot Traffic”
El Cerrito Library Campaign v3.1
The Committee for a Plaza Station Library wants your support—and your money. But before you sign their petition or vote to raise your taxes, here’s what you should know. According to their own campaign filing, the Committee spent $12,125.68 in the last quarter alone. That includes: $203.89 paid to John Stashik’s Premier Graphics for 500Continue reading “El Cerrito Library Campaign v3.1”
The Real Reason El Cerrito Isn’t Talking About Unrestricted Reserves Part II
Since FY22–23, El Cerrito’s unrestricted General Fund reserves have been in steady decline. And it’s no accident. Behind the scenes, the City has been quietly drawing down those reserves—while hoping the public won’t notice. Why? Because they’re counting on voters to approve the so-called “Forever Tax” to plug the holes. In 2023, the City CouncilContinue reading “The Real Reason El Cerrito Isn’t Talking About Unrestricted Reserves Part II”
Demanding Honest Climate Leadership
By a Concerned El Cerrito Citizen At the July 15 City Council meeting, something fundamental became painfully clear: the real greenhouse-gas giants—the military-industrial complex, Big Oil and refineries, industrial agriculture, and the chronic underfunding of clean, long-range mass transit—are going unchallenged, while working-class residents, seniors, and disabled individuals on Richmond Street are the ones being askedContinue reading “Demanding Honest Climate Leadership”
El Cerrito’s Budget: Eight Years of Red Flags, Backed by Data
El Cerrito’s budget problems are no secret—but too often, they’re discussed in the abstract. This post provides clear, verifiable evidence that over the past eight years, the City has been living beyond its means. The numbers are drawn directly from official city documents and CalPERS reports. The analysis is nonpartisan and was created to inform—notContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Budget: Eight Years of Red Flags, Backed by Data”
Why Should We Trust the City’s Financial Information?
When public agencies ask for more funding, whether through tax measures or budget reallocations, they often ask residents to trust their financial stewardship. But what happens when the numbers they present don’t align—even in their own reports? Recently, while reviewing El Cerrito’s financials, a concerning inconsistency emerged. The unassigned General Fund balance for FY 2023Continue reading “Why Should We Trust the City’s Financial Information?”
Ask the Right Questions – Get Honest Answers
— El Cerrito’s $100M Library Tax Initiative Deserves Scrutiny As El Cerrito residents gather for the 4th of July Festival—complete with vendor booths, food trucks, and carnival rides—you’ll likely see another attraction: petitioners collecting signatures for the $100 million Library Parcel Tax Initiative. But before you sign anything—or agree to fund a project that bindsContinue reading “Ask the Right Questions – Get Honest Answers”
Another Tax, Same Old Story: What’s Really Driving El Cerrito’s Library Measure?
This blog is informed by the concerns and research of engaged El Cerrito residents. El Cerrito voters are once again being asked to open their wallets—this time for a new library. But before signing on to another tax, residents should ask: Who really benefits? The Pattern: Promise a Service, Divert the Funds This isn’t theContinue reading “Another Tax, Same Old Story: What’s Really Driving El Cerrito’s Library Measure?”
Walking Richmond Street — A Community Journey
This Fourth of July weekend, while many are celebrating with barbecues and fireworks, one El Cerrito resident is inviting neighbors to celebrate in a quieter, more reflective way. Mimu Tsujimura, a local resident and gentle presence in our community, is offering something both simple and profound: a series of walking conversations on Richmond Street. HerContinue reading “Walking Richmond Street — A Community Journey”
Why El Cerrito Shouldn’t Trust Them with One More Dime
For years, El Cerrito residents have been misled — by City Attorney Sky Woodruff, who quietly shapes how ballot measures are presented, and by former Councilmember Greg Lyman, whose decisions nearly bankrupted the city. Now they’re back, pushing a new library tax through a campaign riddled with misleading claims and questionable tactics. This time, theyContinue reading “Why El Cerrito Shouldn’t Trust Them with One More Dime”
Transparency Theater — The Reality Behind Richmond Street
El Cerrito’s City Manager would like you to believe that the Richmond Street Complete Streets project is a model of transparency and community engagement. In her June newsletter, she thanks residents for attending the June 26 Open House, touting it as a meaningful opportunity for public input. She references nearly a year of outreach, surveys,Continue reading “Transparency Theater — The Reality Behind Richmond Street”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 