Terry Sandoval, longtime East Bay labor leader and chair of Alameda County Democratic Party, dies
Contentious council night in the East Bay
—IN MEMORIAM—The East Bay’s union labor community and political class was saddened on Monday with the passing of Terry Sandoval, a behind-the-scene asset for labor in Alameda County and the chair of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee. She was 62. The cause of death is unclear, but Sandoval’s death was unexpected.
—Sandoval served as political director for the Service Employees International Union-United Health Workers. She was previously the political director for the Alameda Labor Council. In January 2021, Sandoval was elected as chair of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee.
—An outpouring of appreciation for Sandoval’s work in organized labor and her mentorship of many local officials followed news of her passing on Monday. In a statement, the Alameda County Democratic Party praised Sandoval’s legacy.
—“Whether you knew Terry for a moment or for a decade, she made such a difference in the lives of so many. A fierce advocate for working families, she was at the forefront of uniting the labor movement and the Democratic Party for our shared struggle. She always centered and elevated the voices of working people to advocate on their own behalf,” the party wrote.
—In addition, Wednesday’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting is cancelled in order for its members to remember Sandoval.
ON THE AGENDA
ALAMEDA
—RENT MORATORIUM VOTE—Alameda’s rent moratorium could be on the chopping block at tonight’s Alameda City Council meeting. If Alameda decides to end the rent moratorium, it would be one of the first in the region to do so. Enacted during the early going of the pandemic, the moratorium has long been opposed by landlords. Tenants though have consistently held the upper hand as the pandemic has caused employment and the economy to roller coaster over the past two years. But with a sense the Omicron variant is petering out and vaccines and the booster are protecting a vast majority of people, a return to normalcy appears to include a return to pre-pandemic rent increases.
—The Alameda Renters Coalition, the tenant group so influential over the past six years in Alameda politics said they were blindsided by Tuesday’s agenda item. Even with a progressive council, the rent moratorium is in serious jeopardy after Alameda Councilmember John Knox White suggested on social media on Monday that he might support ending the moratorium. Doing so on the five-person council, will certainly align him with the council’s two moderates.
FREMONT
—ANOTHER MEI/COX DUSTUP—Last month, Fremont Councilmember Teresa Cox, the city’s lone Black councilmember, had her Black History Month proclamation ignored by Fremont Lily Mei. Cox said she felt dissed. Being that March is Women’s History Month, Cox offered her own proclamation for the occasion. And Mei, through the Fremont city clerk, answered rudely.
—Cox’s proclamation asked that past and current female Fremont councilmembers be honored, in addition to posting the proclamation on the city’s website and at city hall. Cox also wanted a brief recess following the proclamation for refreshments (Taking a recess and having cake is a Fremont thing that I’ve never seen any other city in Alameda County do).
—An email from Fremont City Susan Gauthier to Cox, noting approval of the proclamation, but with “ a few modifications from Mayor Mei” reads:
We will NOT be posting the proclamation of our city website.
We will NOT be placing this proclamation on display at city hall.
We will NOT be taking any break for a photo session nor serving refreshment for this at city hall…
—It’s unclear who is supplying the aggressive sentiment? Mei, the city clerk, or both?
SAN LEANDRO
—DUELING UKRAINE RALLIES—It just keeps getting weird in San Leandro politics. San Leandro Councilmember Corina Lopez is leading a group holding a rally in support of Ukraine today at Root Park, set for 5:45 p.m. The event was posted to social media.
—Then, San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo sponsored his own Ukraine rally, also for tonight, also at Root Park, but at 6 p.m. Lopez and Azevedo are both candidates for the city’s open mayoral race this November, but even so, this is something out of the underrated comedy, “The Campaign,” starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis.
—Today’s East Bay Insiders newsletter is late arriving today because of Fat Tuesday. I was helping fry 300 Portuguese malasadas earlier today. It’s a Catholic and family tradition that we have not celebrated in two years. Here’s a few dozen for your perusal. For Lent this year, I’m giving up the use of semicolons and, maybe, soda.