City Government

Shake Up City Hall: Schaaf Wins Re-election but Loses Two Council Allies

Published

6 years ago

November 8, 2018

Mayor Libby Schaaf easily won reelection this week, while the victory of three new representatives to the City Council could mean a shift in power dynamics in Oakland city politics.

Nikki Bas

The results are subject to change, especially in close races. One-hundred percent of the precincts have reported the votes that were cast, but thousands of mail ballots have yet to be counted.
As of early Wednesday morning, Mayor Schaaf won with 55.98 percent of the vote.
Activist, journalist and actor Cat Brooks came in second with 22.78 percent, and civil rights attorney Pamela Price was third with 12.62 percent.
Community activist Nikki Fortunato Bas defeated District 2 incumbent Abel Guillén, a close Schaaf ally. Bas won 51.04 percent of the vote, while Guillén received 42.42 percent, and Kenzie Donte Smith came in third with 6.3 percent.
Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan’s chief of staff Sheng Thao won in District 4 with 53.59 percent of the ranked-choice votes. Pam Harris, a nonprofit executive, who was backed by Mayor Schaaf, came in second with 46.41 percent, and Nayeli Maxson was in third place.
Schaaf lost a reliable ally when District 4 Councilmember Annie Campbell Washington chose not to seek reelection. The mayor originally backed Charlie Michelson, who dropped out in mid-campaign but still remained on the ballot, receiving 13.66 percent of the vote.

In the closely watched District 6 race, Loren Taylor beat 16-year veteran Councilmember Desley Brooks with 61.51 percent of the vote to Brooks’ 38.49 percent.
Targeted by Mayor Schaaf and her allies, Brooks faced opponents and PACs that outspent her by nearly 5 to 1.
In the District 4 school board race, retired Oakland school administrator and former school board member Gary Yee won with 62.21 percent over parent activist Clarissa Doutherd’s 37.62 percent.

Loren Taylor.

Doutherd was backed by the Oakland teachers’ union while Yee had the support and financial backing of the local pro-charter school organization, GO Public Schools.
School boardmembers Aimee Eng in District 2 and Shanthi Gonzales in District 6 won reelection, with no opponents on the ballot.
Courtney Ruby, a former city auditor, won the race for city auditor with 61.93 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent Brenda Roberts, who received 37.75 percent.
Mayor Schaaf’s education initiative, Measure AA, was the only local measure that lost. It needed a two-thirds majority to win but fell short with 61.79 percent of the vote.
The cannabis tax break, Measure V, won with 78.22 percent.
The vacant property tax, Measure W, won with 68.65 percent.
Real estate transfer tax Measure X won with 66.54 percent.
Measure Y just cause renter protections won with 56.06 percent.
Measure Z, hotel worker pay and protections, won with a 74.6 percent yes vote.
In a statewide race that received national attention, Jovanka Beckles lost to Buffy Wicks in Assembly District 15, garnering 44 percent to Wicks’ 56 percent.
State superintendent of public instruction candidate Tony Thurmond is trailing Marshall Tuck, 49.4 percent to 50.6 percent. The California Teachers Association backed Thurmond, while charter school organizations and billionaires supported Tuck.
District 13 Congresswoman Barbara Lee was overwhelmingly reelected with 87.7 percent of the vote versus Green Party candidate Laura Wells, who received 12.3 percent.
Proposition 8, which would have regulated kidney dialysis treatment charges, was defeated 61.6 percent to 38.4 percent.
Proposition 10, which would have repealed a state law that restricts cities’ ability to pass rent control laws, was defeated 61.7 percent to 38.3 percent.
In Peralta Community College Board of Trustees race, Area Three representative Linda Handy won reelection with 54.26 percent. Cindi Reiss defeated William “Bill” Riley, 68.65 percent to 30.48 percent.
Two funding Peralta funding measures passed—Peralta Colleges Measure E, 81.03 percent to 18.97 percent, and Peralta Bond Measure G, 74.48 percent to 25.52 percent.

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

20 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”