It's still rock and pol to me

Extremist moniker is being thrown around a lot this primary season; 'Dro police chief story nears boiling point; Alameda may disband city commission; Sheriff's Oversight draft ordinance released

ELECTION 2024

14 days to Primary Day

STATE SENATE

—MY LIFE—Much of today’s newsletter was written while I jammed on some Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and a lot of Billy Joel.

You used to call me paranoid
Pressure

—During that time I learned on 12 separate occasions that 7th State Senate District candidate Kathryn Lybarger is an “anti-housing extremist.” All the ads were paid for by the Uber Innovations PAC.

You're just like everybody else
Pressure
You've only had to run so far

—It’s real-time example of how repetitive placement of these ads can slowly embed themselves in your mind.

And you cannot handle
Pressure

—The ad, which appears on television and online (I viewed 10 of 12 ads on YouTube), makes reference to a $1.1. billion U.C. Davis research hub in Sacramento named Aggie Square.

—AFSCME Local 3299, the union which Lybarger leads, threatened a lawsuit to stymie approval of Aggie Square using the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a cudgel. An agreement was hammered out in 2021 to allow the project to move forward.

—The move is hardly an example of extremism in housing policy, but we’ve seen quite a bit of hyperbole in a few other contentious primary campaigns, including another East Bay state Senate race.

—The 9th State Senate District race to represent a large swath of Contra Costa County, along with newcomers, San Leandro and unincorporated Alameda County, is another example of overheated rhetoric… and deception.

—A 15-second in support of Tim Grayson labels his fellow Democratic opponent Marisol Rubio as “radical” and extolling an “extremist agenda” and a proponent of the “defund the police” movement.

—The spot is paid for by California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses PAC that has spent $235,000 to support Grayson and oppose Rubio since Feb. 1. But who’s bankrolling the IE? It unknown.

—That’s because the California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses PAC was created on Jan. 25, just days after the most recent campaign finance deadline.

—This means the IE’s contributors can remain anonymous, at least until this week when the second pre-primary campaign finance reports begin trickling out.

—Rubio, a San Ramon councilmembers, does not have a very clear record as a “defunder,” but she has frequently called for police accountability.

—In addition, to Lybarger and Rubio, Alameda County District 4 supervisorial candidate Jennifer Esteen has also weathered through mailers labeling her as supportive of defunding the police, and an ally of DA Pamela Price.

—Curiously, Nikki Fortunato Bas, the Alameda County District 5 supervisorial candidate that actually has a paper trail calling for defunding of the Oakland Police Department’s budget, has made it within two weeks of Election Day pretty much unscatched from political attacks on her public safety record.

—TODAY’S EDITION IS FREE TO ALL!: Subscribe today to receive all the East Bay political news in your inbox every weekday morning at 6 a.m.

CITY NEWS

SAN LEANDRO

—CHIEF CONCERNS—The big question left unsaid in the District 1 appointment process is, “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

—Insiders believe the recent special closed session council meetings are about litigation involving San Leandro Police Chief Abdul Pridgen, who was placed on administrative leave in September.

—This evening’s special closed session involves an agenda item about “existing settlement negotiations.”

—If Pridgen doesn’t accept a settlement, the potential for serious upheaval at San Leandro City Hall is heightened.

—We’re talking about a story akin to the current controversy that followed the firing of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong.

—Like Armstrong in Oakland, Pridgen is African American and popular in San Leandro. Even the city’s loudest police accountability activists have expressed respect for Pridgen and his efforts to reform SLPD.

—The executive summary created after the independent investigation of Pridgen and allegations that he violated department policy are not believed to have moved the needle toward clear wrongdoing on his part.

—If Pridgen is ultimately shown the door, a firestorm is likely to ensue in San Leandro politics.

—The public was already upset about the lack of transparency the city showed when placing Pridgen on leave last fall. If Pridgen’s potential dismissal occurs without the release of the independent investigative report, it’s going to scream cover-up to most San Leandrans.

—Firing Pridgen also comes with great risk to San Leandro City Manager Fran Robustelli. It was less than a year ago that she gave Pridgen a glowing public review, along with a contract extension.

—If you assume the San Leandro Police Officers Association is behind the strategy to push Pridgen out, then Robustelli could be caught between what the POA desires and what the city council wants—keeping the reform-minded Pridgen.

—Circling back to the District 1 council appointment, all these Machiavellian moving parts underscores how pivotal this selection is going forward and why the council is currently deadlocked, and maybe leaning toward punting the pick to a costly special election.

ALAMEDA

—DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN—Alameda is on the verge of essentially dismantling its groundbreaking Open Government Commission. A proposal on Tuesday night seeks to shift the commission’s power to adjudicate complaints to a hearing officer.

—Under one option the Open Government Commission, which was created with much fanfare in 2011 by Alameda’s lauded Sunshine Ordinance, would assume an advisory role to the city council. Under an alternate option, the commission would cease to exist.

—The matters coming before the Open Government Commission have become increasingly complex, according to a staff report. In addition, some commissioners have questioned the objectivity of the city attorney’s office in their deliberations.

—In recent months, some of the issues brought to the commission have bordered on inane.

—Supporters of Alameda Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer have used the commission to litigate issues unrelated to government transparency, such as whether the city manager and some councilmembers treated Spencer rudely during a previous council meeting.

FREMONT

—SLOWER STREETS—Fremont, like most East Bay cities, is grappling with the scourge of reckless driving. A recent audit of Fremont’s roadways found speed limits on some segments should be reduced by five miles per hour. Thirty of 171 roadway segments in Fremont will have reduced speed limits, according to a staff report.

COUNTY NEWS

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

—OVERSIGHT ORDINANCE—A draft Sheriff’s Oversight Ordinance comes before the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Public Protection Committee on Wednesday.

—The proposed ordinance includes a seven-member board made up of appointees from each of the five supervisors, and two at-large picks.

—Membership is not exclusive to Alameda County residents. Those from Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties can apply. Individuals formerly employed in law enforcement can also be considered.

—In addition, the draft ordinance creates an Office of Inspector General and executive director position.

—Questions about county counsel’s role within the oversight board remains undefined in the draft ordinance.

—Some proponents of the oversight board believe county counsel’s involvement creates a conflict of interest.

—Supervisor Elisa Marquez, the chair of the Public Protection Committee said last month the draft ordinance will come before the full Board of Supervisors on Feb. 27.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

—MONEYBALL—Form 497 large campaign contributions filed on Feb. 19.

ALAMEDA COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

—Nikki Fortunato Bas (District 5), David Larson of Oakland, $1,000; Myrna Schwartz of Oakland, $1,000. TOTAL: $2,000.

—John Bauters (District 5), International Association of Firefighter Local 55 PAC, $5,000. TOTAL: $5,000.

ALAMEDA

—Alameda Forward (Measure E - Alameda USD parcel tax), Alameda Education Association PAC, $3,000; Otis Elementary PTA, $2,000. TOTAL: $5,000.

STATE LEGISLATURE

STATE ASSEMBLY

—Mia Bonta (18th Assembly District), California Pharmacists Association PAC, $1,500. TOTAL: $1,500.

—Alex Lee (24th Assembly District), Teamsters Local Union 350 PAC, $1,500. TOTAL: $1,500.

STATE SENATE

—Dan Kalb (7th Senate District), Helene Grossman of Palo Alto, $1,000. TOTAL: $1,000.

—Tim Grayson (9th Senate District), Darden Restaurants, Inc., $2,500. TOTAL: $2,500.

—Jerry McNerney (5th Senate District), California Nurses Association Political Action Committee Sam Contributor Committee, $10,900; Ben Allen Los Angeles, $4,000; Jason Titus Palo Alto, $1,000. TOTAL: $15,900.

—IE SPENDING—Form 496 Independent Expenditure Committee (IE) spending in support and opposing candidates or ballot measures filed on Feb. 19.

ALAMEDA COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

—Nate Miley (District 4), California Apartment Association Housing Solutions Committee. SUPPORT (Web Ads—$55,000). TOTAL: $55,000.