City Government

Will Army Base Workers and Businesses Get a Helping Hand or the Axe?

Published

11 years ago

August 23, 2013

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen. The anxiety level is high. This is no way to run a business.”

This is the way Bill Aboudi of Oakland Maritime Support Services (OMSS) sums up how he and others are feeling as they await the fate of their jobs and businesses at the city’s old Army Base property.

On one hand, city staff is working feverishly to help them to move to an alternative site on city land at the North Gateway of the Army Base, located by the East Bay Municipal Utility District plant.

Assistant City Administrator Fred Blackwell and Councilmember Lynette McElhaney are working to make the move happen, as is the master developer of the base project, Phil Tagami of CCIG.

On the other hand, the workers and business people would not be surprised to be met in the next few weeks by sheriffs ready to throw them into the street.

The city already has sent out evictions notices to 18 small businesses and hundreds of independent truckers who are based at OMSS. They could be evicted by Alameda County Sheriffs by Sept. 3,when the city plans to clear the property to start its long awaited Army Base development project.

Officials involved in the project has failed to return repeated calls and emails from the Post asking about what they are doing to save the jobs and businesses.

Tagami’s office referred the Post’s questions to the city. Neither Mayor Jean Quan, Assistant City Administrator Blackwell nor the City Administrator’s Office returned requests for interviews.

“I continue to be positive that something will be worked out, “said McElhaney in an interview Thursday.

“In the past few months, we’ve started seeing trucks returning to West Oakland neighborhoods in part due to the uncertainly about what will happen to the Army Base,” she said.

With the increase of trucks on the streets, “We are seeing human excrement and public urination in the neighborhoods again,” said McElhaney.

The city is trying to find an alternative place for OMSS after Port officials and the Port Commission blocked the temporary move of OMSS to its land, despite an initial agreement worked out with the city, according to McElhaney.

The port claims that it has the capacity to provide all the truck parking and support services that are presently offered by OMSS.

What the port is doing is “absolutely leading to the harm of West Oakland residents,” McElhaney said. “City staff has told us there is no alternative to truck parking and the trucking services that OMSS provides.”

When the council member attempted to discuss the need to support OMSS before the Port Commission made a decision, commissioners did not return her calls, she said.

While the city is trying now to find a home for OMSS, it has ignored for many years the need to develop ways to support trucking and minimize the environmental impacts of the big rigs on which the port depends, according to the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) and other community groups.

Only last month, the city finally agreed it will develop a plan to deal with the trucking, sometime in the next two years.

“The city and the port have not made arrangements to handle truck parking and trucking services. We can demonstrate that the city ‘s inaction, lack of planning, has caused trucks to move back into West Oakland,” said Brian Beveridge of WOEIP.

“It means that this project increases negative impacts on the community, which jeopardizes federal funding,” he said.

Dr. Randy Hicks hold up the 4 eviction notices he received.

Dr. Randy Hicks operates one of the small businesses at OMSS where for the past 10 years he has been running a clinic six days a week. His office does physicals and the drug and urine testing required of drivers by the federal Department of Transportation.

“We have received four different eviction notices since Monday,” said Hicks. “My employees are freaking out. They don’t know if they are going to have a job, if they need to start looking.”

He said he believes his practice is the only one that serves truckers in Oakland though there are a couple in Hayward. He says he does about 50 or 60 drug tests a week and the same number of physicals.

“The drivers can come here on their lunch breaks. They can just do their physicals and get back to work,” said Aboudi. In the past they used to go to a doctor’s office in Jack London Square, which would cause them to lose about a half day of work, he said.

“I ask the city, ‘What do I tell the people here at the base?’ They say, ‘Tell them they have to move,” Aboudi said.

“I ask them, ‘Where are they going to move?’ They say, ‘We’re working on that.’”

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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

7 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

9 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.”