Best quotes of 2024
Thao: 'I want to be crystal clear. I have done nothing wrong.' Swalwell: 'The cops catch and Price releases.' Dro council applicant: 'My greatest concern is that I got to pee all the time.'
“QUOTABLES”
FBI RAIDS
“I want to be crystal clear. I have done nothing wrong. I can tell you with confidence that this investigation is not about me.” —Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao expressing her innocence during her first press conference since the June 20 raids. June 25 - “Defiant and conspiracy minded.”
THAO RECALL
“This recall effort is led by losers.” —Leigh Hanson, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s chief of staff, following the filing of an intent to recall Thao in early January.
“She says we’re a bunch of losers, but look at what these losers have done.” —Brenda Harbin-Forte, leader of the Thao recall in May, after announcing their campaign has 40,000 signatures, more than needed to place the question on the November ballot. May 21 - “A recall doubleheader in November?
“If being an incompetent mayor means cleaning the streets, it means getting crime down, it means making sure the Department of Violence Prevention is fully serviced, then I’m guilty of that, then call me incompetent all day long.” —Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao making her case to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee to oppose her recall. Sept. 5 - “Alameda County Dems suspend vote, approve opposition to Price recall by acclamation.”
PRICE RECALL
“The cops catch and Price releases.” —Rep. Eric Swalwell at press conference in October announcing his endorsement of the recall of DA Pamela Price. Oct. 3 - “‘The cops catch and Price releases’: Swalwell deals a blow to DA Price, endorses her recall from office.”
“What she said she was going to do was disrupt the judicial system and that’s what she’s doing. She didn’t say which way she was going to disrupt it.” —Brenda Grisham, co-leader of the Price recall. June 14 - “Price vs. recall.”
“Tweet less. Prosecute more.” —Rep. Eric Swalwell, posting on his congressional campaign page on X in May, in response to trash talking from DA Pamela Price. May 16 - “Alameda County's historic recall election is set for Nov. 5.”
“We can’t control what the district attorney does, but we can control how much work we do.” —Alameda County Sheriff’s Sergeant Marcus Cox addressing concerns expressed by Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council members about DA Pamela Price. Mar. 20 - “Should Alameda County's registrar also serve as head of IT?”
CRIME IN OAKLAND
“We want ceasefire now in Oakland.” —Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam referencing the violence in Oakland during a discussion for a proposed county proclamation on the Israel-Hamas war. Mar. 27 - “Call in the punt team.”
OAKLAND’S BUDGET WOES
“Is it still bad?” —Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb asking Finance Director Erin Roseman about improvements in the city’s Real Estate Transfer Tax receipts. “Still bad,” Roseman said. “That’s not the answer that I wanted to hear,” Kalb said glumly. May 8 - “Rooted in budget shortfall.”
“It gives me great concern when we use the b-word.” —Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife during a budget meeting in early July after Councilmember Noel Gallo raised questions about bankruptcy. July 3 - “Don't say the b-word in Oakland.”
“Where’s the money, Ray?!” —Seneca Scott, a leader of the Thao recall and critic of Oakland’s establishment, haranguing Ray Bobbitt, the spokesman for the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, about his inability to make scheduled payments for their purchase of the Coliseum. Oct. 30 - “Running neck and neck.”
CITY COUNCIL TURNOVER
“I am burnt out. My tank is empty.” —Berkeley Councilmember Rigel Robinson’s statement in January announcing his resignation from the District 7 council seat.
“My presence here is a testament to the power of students and young people in Berkeley and beyond. This past month, especially, has shown that our generation is a force to be reckoned with.” —Berkeley Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra statement after winning the District 7 special election. May 10 - “Next-gen councilmember's blunt debut.”
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
“Our duty is to serve Fremont residents, not someone who will drive an RV into Fremont and leave the next day.” —Fremont Councilmember Yang Shao in response to the city’s growing problem with RVs near parks and schools. May 22 - “Fremont's significant drop in homelessness is overshadowed by RV problem.”
“We would like to make sure the money coming back to Fremont doesn’t get sucked up by Oakland, the big monster.” —Fremont Councilmember Raj Salwan questioning how much money his city would receive from a potential regional housing bond measure. Mar. 22 - “‘Oakland, the big monster.’”
“I don’t think those two groups are coming together.” —Alameda County Housing Director Michelle Starratt acknowledging housing providers and tenants’ groups in the unincorporated areas are not in agreement about tenant protections. Mar. 27 - “Call in the punt team.”
HAYWARD SCHOOL BOARD
“Some of these parents here, they should take a rope and string you up.” —Hayward school boardmember Joe Ramos addressing a school district employee during a meeting about her role in a district program named “woke kindergarten.” Ramos did not seek re-election in November. Jan. 26 - Don’t expect sheriff’s oversight to begin anytime soon.”
ALAMEDA COUNTY DEMOCRATS
“The truth is I f—k with whoever f—ks with me.” —Mario Juarez, the Oakland buisnessman and political insider that may be part of the FBI’s public corruption case in March after he sent attack text messages that targeted Loren Taylor, then an opponent in the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee March Primary. July 9 - Good times, bad times.”
“I don’t know what the hell is going on. This is a mess. This is the kind of thing that makes the Alameda County Dems look like idiots.” —Trish Munro, a former Livermore councilmember and member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, in September on controversy over a second vote to affirm opposition to the DA Pamela Price recall. Sept. 5 - “Alameda County Dems suspend vote, approve opposition to Price recall by acclamation.”
SAVING ST. ROSE HOSPITAL
“He wasn’t going to put a noose around his neck on that one. We all knew that.” —Supervisor Keith Carson’s response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of legislation that would have forgiven millions in state loans to the struggling Hayward hospital. Sept. 24 - “Questions surface about St. Rose Hospital's sustainability following governor's veto.”
NOVEMBER ELECTION
“Businesses see red tape in Pleasanton, and a red carpet in Dublin and Livermore.” —Pleasanton mayoral candidate Jack Balch at a candidate forum in September campaigning for better relations with the business community. Sept. 25 - “Alameda County readies safe gun storage ordinance.”
“The haters didn’t have a chance, but they made it closer with all the lies and hate.” —San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo’s thank you message to San Leandro voters following his successful re-election in November. Dec. 2 - “Preparing for Trump.”
COMEDY QUIPS
“My greatest concern is that I got to pee all the time.” —Ken Pon, an applicant for the open San Leandro City Council seat, during an interview in February, deadpanning about the lack of public bathrooms in the city’s downtown areas. Feb. 14 - “San Leandro's council appointment debate is terribly deadlocked”
“I’m the guy that still owes $1,700.” —Alameda Councilmember Tony Daysog sheepishly admitting during a council meeting that he’s the unnamed person with an outstanding balance for campaign costs from the 2022 election. April 4 - “People's Tribunal finds Swalwell guilty.”
“Let’s use clear evidence, clear data. Not scare tactics. Not fear tactics that come from a bad Cheech & Chong movie.” —Union City Councilmember Jaime Patiño said in July after a bid for a third retail cannabis permit appeared headed for a thumbs down. July 31 - “'When we have an earthquake there is going to be major issues.’”
“Then your best self should not keep interrupting me.” —Alameda Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer’s response to Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft urging the council to “bring their best self to the table. June 6 - “Thao recall takes next step.”
