City Government
Housing Issues Will Be a Priority for District 2 Councilmember Abel Guillen
Abel Guillen, recently elected as the District 2 representative on of the Oakland City Council, has already begun reaching out to fellow councilmembers as he prepares to take office in January.
“During the campaign I met with Desley Brooks, Dan Kalb and Noel Gallo” he said. “My goal is to meet with all the council members. I’m meeting with Rebecca Kaplan this week.”
He plans to plunge from day one into the issues that affect his district and the community as a whole
“Housing is a big issue,” said Guillen.” I will champion efforts citywide to create more affordable housing options linked to public transit programs,” he wrote in his campaign literature.
Among the complex housing problems facing councilmembers and Mayor-elect Libby Schaaf are the need for homes for the thousands of new people moving into Oakland, raising rents and continuing foreclosures that are driving many people out of the city and the pressure to provide space for high-price condominium developments that most people in Oakland cannot afford.
The New Brooklyn Basin development is being built along the Embarcadero, bringing 3,100 market-rate units and many new voters to Guillen’s district.
District 2 incumbent councilmember Pat Kernighan did not run for reelection. The district includes Chinatown, Crocker Highlands, San Antonio, Grand Lake and East Lake neighborhoods.
Guillen said he will also focus on basic city services – public safety and repairing streets – potholes become a greater problem during winter months – and graffiti and blight removal.
Prior to his election, he served on the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees. He is a professional financial advisor, working with school districts and other public agencies to secure bond funding to build schools and other structures.
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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: Nate Holden, State Senator and Longtime Los Angeles Councilmember, Dies at 95
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn described Holden as “a lion” in the State Senate and a force to be reckoned with on the Los Angeles City Council.” Hahn added that she learned a lot working with Holden when she was a new councilmember.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Nathaniel “Nate” Holden, a prominent figure in the city’s politics, passed away at the age of 95, his family confirmed on May 7.
Holden, who represented South Los Angeles for 16 years on the City Council and served one term in the California State Senate, was widely regarded as a forceful advocate for his community.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn described Holden as “a lion” in the State Senate and a force to be reckoned with on the Los Angeles City Council.”
Hahn added that she learned a lot working with Holden when she was a new councilmember.
Holden’s journey to political prominence began in the segregated South, where he was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1929. He often recalled the childhood moment when he first heard the governor of Georgia vowing to continue suppressing Black people.
“Doing the best you can for the people. Law and order. Make sure that people’s communities are safe. I did it all,” said Holden, reflecting on his legacy.
Holden is survived by his sons, including former California Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represented a district in Southern California that includes Pasadena and Altadena in Los Angeles County and cities in San Bernardino County.
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