Tag Archives: community

El Cerrito Moves Forward with Richmond Street Bike Plan—Without Richmond Street residents on Board

On July 15, 2025, the El Cerrito City Council voted to proceed with a controversial redesign of Richmond Street, which eliminates nearly two-thirds of on-street parking. Despite passionate opposition from many residents, the revised plan is moving forward with little interest in compromise from city leadership. Residents who live on Richmond Street say they hadContinue reading “El Cerrito Moves Forward with Richmond Street Bike Plan—Without Richmond Street residents on Board”

EL CERRITO MAYOR, COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER SOLD OUT RICHMOND STREET RESIDENTS FOR AN $8 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT

Despite hosting public meetings and inviting resident feedback, the City of El Cerrito had already accepted $8 million in federal funding before residents were shown the final plan. The public input process was performative—a façade of engagement after the decision had already been made. The Richmond Street Complete Streets Project will remove 160 out ofContinue reading “EL CERRITO MAYOR, COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER SOLD OUT RICHMOND STREET RESIDENTS FOR AN $8 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT”

El Cerrito’s Financial Reckoning: A Call for Long-Term Responsibility

A recent public comment submitted by a concerned El Cerrito resident—featured on page 735 of the June 3, 2025, City Council agenda packet—highlights urgent and deeply troubling issues regarding the city’s financial practices. The letter, written by Janos Szlatenyi, outlines not only a critique of the city’s current fiscal approach but also a clear warning:Continue reading “El Cerrito’s Financial Reckoning: A Call for Long-Term Responsibility”

When “Public” Doesn’t Mean Accessible: The Reality of Public Information Requests

Public information requests are supposed to be a cornerstone of transparency—giving residents access to records that show how cities operate, spend taxpayer dollars, and make decisions that affect our daily lives. In theory, these laws empower citizens to hold their local government accountable. But in practice, the process often feels like anything but open. AllContinue reading “When “Public” Doesn’t Mean Accessible: The Reality of Public Information Requests”