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Community Members Oppose Mega Crematorium in Oakland

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Though the Neptune Society of Northern California has won city approval to build a mega crematorium near the Oakland International Airport, opponents remain determined and rallied this week at the meeting of the city’s Community and Economic Development Committee meeting at City Hall.

“I think the project is completely inappropriate to environmental justice,” said Councilwoman Libby Schaff at Tuesday’s CED meeting.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo recently ruled that an ordinance in opposition to the project that was passed unanimously by the City Council could not be used against the Neptune Society because the company’s permit predates the council decision.

“For a resident [already] experiencing issues of violence and [now] you tell them there building a crematorium burning 3,000 bodies, that’s shock and awe,” said Nile Malloy of Communities for a Better Environment.

Community members are angry about the permit Neptune Society received, which did not call for the company to go through a complete legislative process. Construction of the crematorium could begin as early as next year.

“This speaks to the tone-deaf people in public office. Acceptable levels of toxins? Who is it acceptable to? Not the community,” said Rev. Alan Buford of Allen Temple Baptist Church.

“You need to think about what Oakland is being known for. Other cities are attracting baseball teams, we’re attracting SWAT teams, war game practices and crematoriums,” he added.

The crematorium issue is expected to be discussed in a closed City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct 1 at 2 p.m. Those who have concerns about the crematorium are encouraged to arrive early and speak at open forum before the meeting officially goes into closed session.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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