Berkeley

Opinion: Neighbors Care About the Fate of Homeowner Leonard Powell—But the City and the Court Do Not

Published

6 years ago

May 10, 2019

Who cares about Leonard Powell, an African-American, South Berkeley resident being able to keep his home of over 45 years? His neighbors care – they have come to court to support him.

The community group, Friends of Adeline, cares. They have raised the alarm about the attack in their community.

Thousands of ordinary people from all over the country care. They have sent their small donations to help Leonard Powell keep his house.

Unfortunately, the courts do not care. The sixth judge who has been overseeing this case continues to refuse to rule that Mr. Powell should get his home back.

No judge has been watching closely enough to keep all the predators from trying to take money from Mr. Powell.

Even Habitat for Humanity, the large nonprofit organization, has cooperated with the City of Berkeley so that they can get the local Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money that has been going to South Berkeley-based Rebuilding Together for housing rehabilitation.

Habitat said they worked on the Mr. Powell’s Harmon St. house because they “felt our community-based model would be a good fit with the goal of keeping Mr. Powell in his home in safe and sanitary conditions.” But they somehow participated in running up the renovation costs from $300,000 to $780,000. Did they care?

Why hasn’t the City of Berkeley cared about one of its own longtime residents?

Inspectors signed off on the completed work in September of 2018. Now, six months later, the “new” exterior paint is peeling off the more than $700,000 remodel. The “new” space heaters are inefficient, dangerous for children and take up much space. The downstairs kitchen cabinetry is unfinished. Do the people who ordered the work care?

The Bay Area Receivership Group, Gerard Keena, has charged Mr. Powell over $30,000 in the last few months after the job was completed. While blocking an agreement to allow Mr. Powell to return to his home, they continue to charge him to store his property and to pay for their legal fight against Mr. Powell.

Is this caring, or is it Senior Abuse?

Please call the following to demand they stop this abuse

Berkeley City Attorney 510-981-6950;

Receiver Gerard Keena 510-995-0158

Habitat for Humanity 510-251-6304

For more information contact friendsofadeline@gmail.com or (510 338-7843.

Eugene Turitz

Posts by Eugene Turitz

Bay Area

Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley Celebrates 90th Anniversary

Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., who has served as Progressive Missionary’s pastor since September 1977, said the church also delights in the fact that it has hosted only five pastors in its 90-year history, including Pastors James E. Moore, H. A. Green, F. Douglas Farrell, and Edward Stovall, who served for 37 years.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

Oakland Post

Progressive Missionary Baptist Poster. Dr. Earl C. Stuckey, Sr., Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley with his wife, Kay Frances Stuckey.

By Oakland Post Staff

The Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of Berkeley is celebrating its 90th church anniversary on Sunday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at 3301 King Street in Berkeley.

The celebration will feature Pastor Darnell Manuel of the Union Baptist Church in Vallejo as guest speaker, along with many other special presentations.

Those who wish to share in Progressive’s history can purchase a 100-page full-colored souvenir book for $25.

The church boasts a number of notable people who either regularly attended or became members of the church since its inception, including former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland mayoral candidate Loren Taylor, and one of the organizers of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Helen J. H. Stephens.

Pastor Stuckey often remarks how longevity flourishes at the church — it boasts 13 centenarians (people who have reached 100 years or more). Currently, it has one centenarian who is still surviving, Mrs. Dorothy Chambers, and 14 members who have reached 90 years or more.

Recently, on Feb.17, the pastor and his wife Kay Frances, celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Faces Around the Bay: Author Karen Lewis Took the ‘Detour to Straight Street’

“My life has been a roller-coaster with an unlimited ride wristband! I was raised in Berkeley during the time of Ron Dellums, the Black Panthers, and People’s Park. I was a Hippie kid, my Auntie cut off all our hair so we could wear the natural styles like her and Angela Davis.

Published

1 month ago

April 28, 2025

Oakland Post

Karen Lewis. Courtesy photo.

By Barbara Fluhrer

I met Karen Lewis on a park bench in Berkeley. She wrote her story on the spot.

I got married young, then ended up getting divorced, raising two boys into men. After my divorce, I had a stroke that left me blind and paralyzed. I was homeless, lost in a fog with blurred vision.

Jesus healed me! I now have two beautiful grandkids. At 61, this age and this stage, I am finally free indeed. Our Lord Jesus Christ saved my soul. I now know how to be still. I lay at his feet. I surrender and just rest. My life and every step on my path have already been ordered. So, I have learned in this life…it’s nice to be nice. No stressing, just blessings. Pray for the best and deal with the rest.

Nobody is perfect, so forgive quickly and love easily!”

Lewis’ book “Detour to Straight Street” is available on Amazon.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

2 months ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.