In 2016, Debora Allen joined BART BOD promising to bring common-sense leadership to the BART Board of Directors. She focused on improving the safety of BART riders and workers, bringing financial transparency to BART’s $2.4 billion annual budget, and maintaining political independence from special interest groups. From the onset, Allen understood the immense challenges facedContinue reading “Rebecca Saltzman’s Bid for El Cerrito: A Leap from BART’s Fiscal Challenges”
Category Archives: Transparency
The El Cerrito Library: A Tale of Workshops, Secrecy, and Misguided Plans
The City of El Cerrito continues to hold “public workshops” that are nothing more than pep rallies for the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) library. At the last event held at the library, no information was distributed, and no relevant questions were answered. The city has little involvement in operating the library. The County has total controlContinue reading “The El Cerrito Library: A Tale of Workshops, Secrecy, and Misguided Plans”
Greg Lyman: A Record of Financial Mismanagement and Misleading Narratives
During Greg Lyman’s tenure on the El Cerrito City Council from 2008 to 2020, the city’s financial health sharply declined, culminating in a bond rating drop from AA- to BBB-. Lyman’s leadership failed to adapt to the city’s financial “new normal,” despite attributing the need to draw on reserves to the 2008 recession. This short-sightedContinue reading “Greg Lyman: A Record of Financial Mismanagement and Misleading Narratives”
Greg Lyman: El Cerrito’s Power Broker of Fiscal Irresponsibility – It’s Time to Change the Guard
Greg Lyman, a former City Councilmember turned El Cerrito power broker, currently serving as Treasurer for two city council candidates he endorsed. Lyman has consistently pushed policies that exacerbate the city’s fiscal woes. Known for his influence on local decision-making and El Cerrito City Council candidates, Lyman has supported expanding city spending, including bloated administrativeContinue reading “Greg Lyman: El Cerrito’s Power Broker of Fiscal Irresponsibility – It’s Time to Change the Guard”
CalPERS Update: El Cerrito UAL Payments to Exceed $10 Million in 2031
City staff would lead you to believe that the unfunded liability fluctuates. However, over the last 5+ years, the amount has only increased. The latest CalPERS actuarial report reveals that El Cerrito’s pension liability (UAL – unfunded accrued liability) has risen to $89,246,893, up from $84,956,834. This poor financial planning will cost El Cerrito taxpayersContinue reading “CalPERS Update: El Cerrito UAL Payments to Exceed $10 Million in 2031”
El Cerrito’s GFOA Budget Award: A Hollow Victory for a City in Financial Turmoil
It turns out that the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) did, in fact, award the City of El Cerrito with a budget award. But before we break out the confetti, it’s important to understand what this award actually measures—and what it doesn’t. The GFOA budget award, despite its name, isn’t actually a “budget award” inContinue reading “El Cerrito’s GFOA Budget Award: A Hollow Victory for a City in Financial Turmoil”
A Tale of Two Cities: How El Cerrito Can Learn from Hercules’ Financial Struggles
As residents of El Cerrito, it’s important that we take a hard look at our city’s fiscal health and understand the broader context within which we’re operating. The recent ranking by the California State Auditor places El Cerrito in a precarious financial position—13th most likely city in California to face bankruptcy. But what does thisContinue reading “A Tale of Two Cities: How El Cerrito Can Learn from Hercules’ Financial Struggles”
El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement: A Legacy of Deficits, Missed Promises, and Depleted Reserves
El Cerrito has faced budget deficits in 18 of the last 21 years. Since 2003, the city has been plagued by financial shortfalls, repeatedly dipping into emergency reserves and relying on short-term loans, known as “TRANS” (Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes), to stay afloat. By 2017, the reserves were fully depleted, leaving the city with noContinue reading “El Cerrito’s Financial Mismanagement: A Legacy of Deficits, Missed Promises, and Depleted Reserves”
Accountability on the Agenda: Electing El Cerrito City Council Members Committed to Oversight
With election season here and three out of five City Council seats up for grabs, it’s a critical time for El Cerrito residents to cast their votes for representatives who will rigorously hold the City Manager accountable for her performance. After serving 12 years as Assistant City Manager, Karen Pinkos took over the role ofContinue reading “Accountability on the Agenda: Electing El Cerrito City Council Members Committed to Oversight”
The Problem of Splitting Purchase Orders: A Disturbing Practice in El Cerrito’s City Management
In recent years, many El Cerrito residents have grown increasingly concerned about our city’s transparency and fiscal management. One troubling practice that has repeatedly surfaced is the use of “split purchase orders” (POs) by city management to circumvent the approval process. This approach raises serious ethical questions and undermines the checks and balances designed toContinue reading “The Problem of Splitting Purchase Orders: A Disturbing Practice in El Cerrito’s City Management”
The League of Women Voters Forum Highlights Transparency Gaps and Senior Center Needs in El Cerrito
Yesterday’s League of Women Voters forum for the El Cerrito City Council candidates made one thing clear: there is a significant divide in priorities when it comes to the future of our city. Independent candidate William Ktsanes stood out with a strong and heartfelt focus on transparency and addressing the long-overdue need for a dedicatedContinue reading “The League of Women Voters Forum Highlights Transparency Gaps and Senior Center Needs in El Cerrito”
Neighboring Cities’ Approach to Free Speech and Open Government: A Stark Contrast to El Cerrito
This past Sunday at the Solano Stroll, a resident of El Cerrito had the chance to speak with candidates running for office in Berkeley and Albany about their positions on open government, transparency, and free speech. Based on their responses, it seems that supporters of open government would feel much more comfortable in these neighboringContinue reading “Neighboring Cities’ Approach to Free Speech and Open Government: A Stark Contrast to El Cerrito”
Editorial: El Cerrito Isn’t the Center of the Universe
Living in El Cerrito, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a bubble. There’s a prevailing sense that everyone shares the same views on politics, social issues, and how life should be lived. But the reality is that everyone doesn’t see things the same way. El Cerrito, like many small California towns, can become isolatedContinue reading “Editorial: El Cerrito Isn’t the Center of the Universe”
The Merits of Moving On: A Strategic Perspective on Long-Term Goals
In the the June budget meeting, the City Manager presented the council with a balanced budget, expressing deep emotion and gratitude toward her finance team. Her voice wavered, almost to the point of tears, as she thanked them for their dedication and hard work. For many, this moment might have seemed like a triumph—a testamentContinue reading “The Merits of Moving On: A Strategic Perspective on Long-Term Goals”
Time for a Change: Why El Cerrito Can’t Afford to Keep This City Manager
Did you know that two years ago, the El Cerrito City Council renewed the City Manager’s contract a full year before it was set to expire? This premature decision not only ignored her ongoing poor performance but also missed a crucial opportunity to bring in new leadership capable of making the tough decisions that ourContinue reading “Time for a Change: Why El Cerrito Can’t Afford to Keep This City Manager”
Vote NO on Tax Measures Without a Sunset: El Cerrito’s Never-Ending Taxation
El Cerrito’s City Council is returning, pleading for more tax revenue from its residents. In 2022, it was the parcel transfer tax. Now, they want to pass Measure G, which means our sales tax will be 10.25%—and make it permanent. Yes, you read that right. Despite the voter mandate to sunset this tax in MarchContinue reading “Vote NO on Tax Measures Without a Sunset: El Cerrito’s Never-Ending Taxation”
El Cerrito Secures $39 Million for Affordable Housing: Is the $300 Forever Tax Necessary?
The City of El Cerrito recently secured $39.1 million in funding to build the first of six affordable housing structures near BART, marking a significant investment in the city’s future. This news, while positive on the surface, raises an important question: Is the proposed $300 forever tax truly necessary? The $39.1 million from the stateContinue reading “El Cerrito Secures $39 Million for Affordable Housing: Is the $300 Forever Tax Necessary?”
The Need for Courageous Leadership in El Cerrito City Council
In recent years, El Cerrito’s City Council has faced numerous challenges, particularly when it comes to the city’s finances. Yet, despite the gravity of these issues, we continue to see a troubling pattern in council meetings: the 5-0 vote. Time and again, council members unanimously support decisions that, to many, seem fundamentally flawed—especially when itContinue reading “The Need for Courageous Leadership in El Cerrito City Council”
Priorities Misaligned: The Unused Potential of the Life in Christ Property
It’s a common refrain these days that there’s “no money” for essential services in El Cerrito, especially when it comes to our senior community. Yet, just this past January, the City made a substantial purchase, paying $1.5 million for the Life in Christ property on San Pablo Avenue. This site is located between the parkingContinue reading “Priorities Misaligned: The Unused Potential of the Life in Christ Property”
Democratic Forum for El Cerrito Council Candidates: A Closer Look
On Saturday, August 17, 2024, the El Cerrito Democratic Club hosted a forum featuring four candidates vying for seats on the City Council. As the forum unfolded, it became clear that the issues facing our city are both urgent and complex. If you missed the live discussion, I strongly encourage you to view the recordedContinue reading “Democratic Forum for El Cerrito Council Candidates: A Closer Look”
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 