Oakland Post, week of June 28 - July 1, 2023

By Harvey Schwartz

Cleophas Williams, My Life Story in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 10, is a welcome addition to the rich literature about the famously progressive ILWU. Williams (1923-2016) was a four-time Local 10 president, the rst African American to hold that o ce, and an iconic gure in the union’s history. Former Local 10 Secretary-Teasurer Clarence omas describes him in the volume’s introduction as the Jackie Robinson

civil rights advocate and an elected job dispatcher in his local. He won the rst of his four terms as Local 10 president in 1967.

Oakland Post

“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com

Year, No. 24 Weekly Edition. June 28 - July 4, 2023

Affirmative Action Slapped Down

e book is a collection of Williams’

Lemon- omas, with the support of Cleophas’s widow Sadie Williams and Sade’s daughter Jackie Chauhan. e great strength of the book is its accessibility. It presents Williams’s recollections in rich narrative form in his own powerful voice.

Cleophas Williams is divided into two distinct and informative sections. e rst focuses on Williams’s personal life from his youth in the Deep South during the Great Depression of the 1930s through his early career as a longshore worker and Local 10 activist in Northern California between 1943 and 1967.

Williams relied on his strong family background, his religious faith, and his belief in education to survive and persevere despite the challenges

By Post Staff

After numerous town halls and public hearings and much public input, Oakland City Council adopted a balanced budget for 20232025. While closing a historic $360 million deficit, the budget focuses on delivering effective, equitable services.

Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas led the Council’s budget amendments with her Budget Team, consisting of Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan (At-Large), Carroll Fife (District 3) and Kevin Jenkins (District 6).

“We are standing together despite facing the worst deficit Oakland has ever seen. I am proud of the work City Council did to provide more support for the vital services Oaklanders rely on (in) building upon Mayor (Sheng) Thao’s proposed budget,” said Bas.

In the second section of the book, Williams explores the intersection of union politics and race in Local 10, which has had an African American majority since 1959. In running for o ce, Williams had to contend with a conservative, white-led faction in the local. Going beyond this problem to review other issues, Williams analyses race and politics in a er World War II. Williams vividly describes pre-container break-bulkcargo handling and has insightful observations about the 1946, 1948, and 1971 longshore strikes. He recalls how ILWU founder and longtime International president Harry Bridges defended African American longshore workers from job losses during a post-war decline in cargo tonnage, and he recounts Black-led

ers Association put it — in 1981.

Swanson for State Senate Campaign Raises $30,000 at Scott’s Bunch

Cleophas Williams can be read pro tably by all members of the ILWU, regardless of their local or their background. Everyone who is interested in work and unionism will bene t from reading it. e book contains a useful glossary, a helpful index, a nd numerous attractive illustrations.

Harvey Schwartz is curator of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Oral History Collection at the union’s library in San Francisco. His writings include “Solidarity Stories: An Oral History of the ILWU”(2009); “Building the Golden Gate Bridge: A Workers’ Oral History” (2015) and “Labor under Siege, Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU’s Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era”, co-authored with Ronald E. Magden (2022), books published by the University of Washington Press. He holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Davis and specializes in West Coast maritime history.

“Our balanced budget expands our community safety work by focusing investments in violence prevention programs, including more support to address sex trafficking; adding community ambassadors in our business corridors, focusing on our most impacted areas; adding civilian investigators to solve crimes; supporting small businesses by continuing our facade improvement program; activating our public spaces; providing critical funding for more affordable housing; and supporting arts, culture, parks, youth and senior programs,” she said.

Supporting the council’s amendments to her budget proposal, Mayor Thao said, “I am deeply grateful for Council President Bas, Councilmembers Fife, Kaplan, Jenkins, and Kalb, who voted to pass this

Continued on page 8

By Post Staff

This week the Sandré R. Swanson for State Senate campaign reported receiving $30,000 in donations from their first major fundraising event of the summer.

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma was a special guest speaker at the event. Treasurer Ma also made a major personal donation and described her friendship and support of Sandré from the time they served together in the California State Assembly.

The Sunday brunch was held at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant at

Jack London Square in Oakland, CA. Scott’s owner, Raymond Gallagher has joined other business leaders like, Ces Butner, founder, of Horizon Beverage, and Carol H Williams of Carol H Williams Advertising in making generous contributions to the ‘Swanson for Senate’ campaign.

Like all other state campaigns, the Swanson campaign is seeking donations this week to meet the June reporting deadline.

“This is an important deadline for all campaigns to show some

Continued on page 8

By Ken Epstein

An investigation conducted by the Alameda County Civil Grand Jury has revealed that employees in the office of former District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, including prosecutors, may have violated state and county laws and regulations by using work emails and county-owned equipment to raise money and campaign for their boss in the 2018 election, according to the recent annual Grand Jury’s report.

“When the District Attorney’s Office management learned that there was improper behavior among District Attorney staff, they took no immediate corrective action, and staff faced no consequences related to that behavior,” according to the report, which was released on June 23.

The grand jury’s investiga-

tion, which reviewed hundreds of documents and interviewed more than 30 people, concluded that about 25 staff in the district attorney’s office campaigned during work hours, using county-owned computers and the county-operated email system to raise money for O’Malley’s 2018 reelection campaign.

“(Violations) included requests from district attorney staff to donate to O’Malley’s campaign, as well as attending campaign events, distributing of campaign flyers, and participating in photographs that district attorney staff believed were used to help her candidacy,” the report said.

In addition, the emails were coordinated with police unions in other cities and counties to request their attendance at cam-

Continued on page 8

Mayor Sheng Thao Removes Former Judge from Police Commission

By Post Staff Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has removed former Alameda County Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte from the Oakland Police Commission.

An appointee of former Mayor Libby Schaaf, Harbin-Forte’s term on the Commission ended on Oct. 16, 2022, and she has remained on the commission at the discretion of the Mayor’s Office.

“Judge Harbin-Forté’s seat on the Commission was a holdover position, which she graciously served at the pleasure of the Mayor’s Office,” Thao said in a statement to KTVU. “I will be using the current vacancy to appoint my own person. I thank Judge Harbin-Forté for her service on the Commission.”

The decision to remove Harbin-Forte comes in the midst of infighting among members of the Oakland Police Commission and concerns raised by police reform advocates that the commission’s dysfunc-

tion has kept it from fulfilling its duties to ensure police accountability and initiate the search for a new police chief.

Police reform advocates and several members of the commission spoke recently at a press conference on the steps of City Hall calling for the removal of Harbin-Forte and Commission Chair Tyfahra Milele.

Speaking in an interview with KTVU, Regina Jackson, currently a commissioner and three-time former chair of the commission, praised Mayor Thao’s “bold action that will allow us to focus on work that will help guide us out of [federal oversight] and toward effective police accountability.”

“Sustainability and credibility in the Oakland Civilian Oversight structure is the paramount mission at hand,” Jackson added. “Thank goodness for checks and balances.”

In an interview with KTVU Wednes-

day, Harbin-Forte blamed the mayor for caving in to people who sought to remove her from the commission.

“I see it as a badge of honor,” HarbinForte said. “It means that somebody was scared about what we were doing.

“The mayor has been helping to ensure that the control of the Oakland Police Department will stay in the hands of the federal monitor.

“I think that it’s unfortunate that she has chosen to mislead the public, to mislead Oaklanders and buy into the rhetoric of others who don’t have the best interest of all Oaklanders at heart,” Harbin-Forté said.

Speaking at a recent Police Commission meeting, chair Milele accused those who want her removed of a “coordinated attack staged by the colluding members of the [Police Commission], the [Coalition for Police Accountability], and the chair of the selection panel.”

Sandré R.

Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte (Ret.) Superior Court of Alameda County

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. File photo.

“Affirmative Action allowed me and Michelle to prove we belonged”

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

“The Supreme Court decision set us back more than four decades”

CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE

“Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life”

JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON

“The truth is –Discrimination still exists in America— we can’t go backwards”

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

LDS Church, NAACP Join Forces to Combat Infant Mortality

Church’s $500,000 donation will help renovate NAACP Memphis Branch for MyBaby4Me meetings, other community functions

MyBaby4Me classes are held.

“Happy Juneteenth and Freedom Day. We embrace and cherish and believe in the truthfulness of the principle of freedom in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, and it’s in that spirit that we join you today,” said Elder Matthew S. Holland, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Church’s North America Southeast Area presidency, during a press conference.

MyBaby4Me is one of several educational and humanitarian initiatives by the Church and NAACP to benefit the Black community and promote self-reliance.

In June 2021, the Church pledged $2 million a year for three years to help fund these types of projects.

Judge William H. Stephens, 88

Judge William Haynes Stephens, known as Bill, died peacefully on May 17, 2023, at age 88. A trailblazer in many regards, he will be remembered as a man who truly forged his own path through life.

firm for three years before leaving to start his own private practice in Sausalito.

By Sydney Walker

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - In a ZIP

code with one of the United States’ highest infant mortality rates, the MyBaby4Me program has been offering hope to dozens of new and expectant mothers and their families since November 2022.

At the Memphis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on Monday, June 19 — the holiday of Juneteenth that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. — the NAACP and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced efforts to ensure the longevity and success of MyBaby4Me.

The Church is donating $500,000 to help renovate the NAACP Memphis Branch, where

Elder Holland said the Church’s involvement in the program is reflective of the Savior’s two great commandments — to love God and love others. “We are honored as a Church to be able to do this, and it’s a signal of our trust in these great leaders and what they’re doing and the proven program, MyBaby4Me,” he said.

he objective of the renovation is to help create an inviting community gathering spot for MyBaby4Me meetings and other NAACP and community functions. Workers will also install a commercial kitchen to feed the women and children participating in the program.

“I am so excited about this day,” said Vickie Terry, executive director of the NAACP Memphis Branch, who first told Elder Holland about her concern for infant

Bill was born in New Orleans on March 2, 1935, to Myrtle Haynes and William Charles Stephens. During World War II, Bill moved to Sacramento, CA where he attended Sacramento High School, graduated at the age of 16 and enrolled at what was then San Jose State College, becoming the first in his family to attend college.

Bill graduated in 1956. Over the next eight years, Bill worked as an accountant and an assistant personnel officer for the California Department of Water Resources.

In 1964, Bill enrolled at Hastings Law School in San Francisco. Bill graduated from Hastings in 1967 and began his law career at the National Labor Relations Board before switching to become a deputy public defender for Contra Costa County.

In 1969, Bill joined the San Rafael law firm of Bagley & Bianchi, and moved to Mill Valley, the city he would reside in for the rest of his life. Bill worked happily for the

During his time as an attorney, Bill served as director of the Marin County Bar Association and director and president of the Marin County Legal Aid Society.

He would also hold positions in numerous community-focused organizations in Marin, serving as chairman of the Marin County Human Rights Commission, director of the Family Service Agency of Marin, and director of La Familia of Marin Inc., a community group for low-income, Spanish-speaking residents.

He offered additional legal counsel to the Marin City Community Services District as well as Opportunity Through Ownership, a small business development corporation promoting entrepreneurship among disadvantaged persons.

For over 30 years Bill mentored the youths of the Performing Stars’ enrichment program enhancing their academic performance and professional readiness to overcome social-economic

Elder Matthew S. Holland, General Authority Seventy, joins Vickie Terry, executive director of the NAACP Memphis Branch, and others at branch headquarters in Memphis, Tenn., on the morning of Juneteenth, Monday, June 19, 2023. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the NAACP announced efforts to ensure the longevity of MyBaby4Me, a program that helps reduce infant mortality. Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

William ‘Bill’ Haynes Stephens was appointed to a city judgeship by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 1979.

Elder Matthew S. Holland, General Authority Seventy, second from right, joins Vickie Terry, middle, executive director of the NAACP Memphis Branch, and others at branch headquarters on the morning of Juneteenth, Monday, June 19, 2023. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is giving $500,000 to help renovate the branch. This renovation will create an inviting community gathering spot for MyBaby4Me meetings and other NAACP and community functions. Workers will also install a commercial kitchen to feed program participants. Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Fourth Annual ‘Juneteenth in the Town’ Jubilee Draws Over 250 Guests

community and its positive impact in the Bay Area and nationwide. Guests were dressed in African and cocktail attire while enjoying special guests, entertainment, soulful food with African Spirits, and fellowship with dynamic Bay Area leaders.

This year’s jubilee, Adams said, “was ‘Amplifying Unbounded Possibilities’ where we celebrated and recognized key individuals in our community who are making a difference every day during the Community Awards.”

CITY OF OAKLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFQ)

FOR AS-NEEDED ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION HEARING OFFICER

Contract Amount:Not to Exceed $245,000

Terms: 3 Years

Project Description: This RFQ is issued by the City of Oakland, Finance Department - Revenue Management Bureau to solicit proposals for experienced Administrative Adjudication Hearing Officers (“Hearing Officer”) to render decisions on parking violations. The Hearing Officer must have knowledge of local and State parking violation laws and be able to work on as-needed basis for at least a three-year period.

Pre-Proposal Meeting: July 7, 2023 – 10:30 AM (Pacific)

Join Teams Meeting https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZWEwZWMyOTktZjAzY i00ZWJiLWFjYzItNjg4MTQ5MzMyYjIz%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3 a%22989a2180-6fbc-47f1-8032-1a9ee969c58d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%227319f ef6-e833-45aa-abb3-50f90424d5fc%22%7d

Meeting ID: 239 365 649 71 Passcode: uqzh4a

Download Teams | Join on the web Or call in (audio only) +1 925-326-7518,,236678425# United States, Concord

Phone Conference ID: 236 678 425#

Proposal Submittal Deadline: Friday, July 14, 2023, by 2:00 P.M. via iSupplier

By Post Staff

The fourth annual “Juneteenth

In the Town” Jubilee was held on Friday, June 16, at For the Culture restaurant located at 710 Clay St.,

by former City Councilmember Loren Taylor and the event coordinator was Cathy D. Adams, president of CDA Consulting Group.

The event showcased the beauty, history, culture, and transformational power of Oakland’s Black

Actor Delroy Lindo made a surprise visit to the event and presented the award to Chef Nigel Jones, owner of Calabash Restaurant. Oakland City Councilmembers Dan Kalb, Kevin Jenkins and Janani Ramachandran were also in attendance.

NOTE: (1) Proposals not received at the above location by the stated deadline will be returned unopened; (2) If using a courier service, please secure guaranteed delivery to the required location and time as noted above.

Reminders:

• The following policies apply to this RFP: Equal Benefits • 50% L/SLBE (waived but L/SLBE participation is strongly encouraged) •Living Wage • Campaign Reform Act • Professional Services Local Hire • Prompt Payment • Arizona Boycott • Dispute Disclosure • Border Wall Prohibition • Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Ordinance.

• Did not receive and invitation? Start Early with iSupplier registration. Upon completion of registration, send an email to iSupplier@oaklandca.gov listing “RFP for Automobile subrogation” as the subject and advise of an invitation to the RFP. DWES will add your business to the RFP invitation.

• All who wish to participate in this RFP must register (at least 5 days prior to submittal due date) through iSupplier at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/register-withisupplier) to avoid last minute submittal complications and receive addenda/ updates on this RFP. For additional help registering and submitting your proposal to iSupplier please watch the user guide videos at (https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/isupplier-user-guides).

• Experiencing bumps when registering? Send email to isupplier@oaklandca.gov to advise that you need HELP to expedite registration for this RFP.

Answers to Questions:

1. For project-related questions contact the Project Manager Shahla Azimi via email at skazimi@oaklandca.gov, (510) 407-8336.

2. For Isupplier related question after registration contact the Administrative Analyst II, Rachel Tavistock at rtavistock@oaklandca.gov, 510 238-3232. Asha Reed, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council, (Friday, June 30, 2023) The City Council reserves the right to reject all proposals.

Left to right, For the Culture owner Chris Rachal, former Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor; Chef Nigel Jones, owner Calabash Restaurante; event organizer Cathy D. Adams, president of OAACC and CDA Consulting Group; and actor Delroy Lindo. Photo by Auintard Henderson.

Left to right: Base Ventures Kirby Harris, Kaitlin McGaw, co-founder of the Grammy award-winning Alphabet Rockers; Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce CEO Cathy D. Adams, CDA Consulting Group; Tommy Shepherd, co-founder Grammy Awardwinner, Alphabet Rockers; East Oakland Youth Development Center CEO Selena Wilson; Lakisha Young, founder and CEO of Oakland Reach; former Oakland City Councilman Loren Taylor and Chef Nigel Jones. Photo by Auintard Henderson.

Alameda County Board of Supervisors President Nate Miley, District 4. Photo by Auintard Henderson.

Story and a literaprogressive was the that the omRobinson Williams’ manuscript, other omDelores support Williams Chauhan. is its Williams’s form informative Wilyouth Great through his worker Northern 1967. family and survive challenges

BOOK REVIEW: Cleophis Williams: My Life Story in the ILWU, Local 10

of poverty and southern Jim Crow racism. In California, he became a civil rights advocate and an elected job dispatcher in his local. He won the rst of his four terms as Local 10 president in 1967.

By Harvey Schwartz

Cleophas Williams, My Life Story in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 10, is a welcome addition to the rich literature about the famously progressive ILWU. Williams (1923-2016) was a four-time Local 10 president, the first African American to hold that office, and an iconic figure in the union’s history.

Former Local 10 Secretary-Treasurer Clarence Thomas describes him in the volume’s introduction as the Jackie Robinson of the ILWU.

The book is a collection of Williams’ writings, including a previously unpublished 92-page manuscript, brief occasional pieces, and other offerings. It was compiled by Thomas and edited by his wife, Delores Lemon-Thomas, with the support of Cleophas’s widow Sadie Williams and Sadie’s daughter Jackie Chauhan.

The great strength of the book is its accessibility. It presents Williams’s recollections in rich narrative form in his own powerful voice.

In the second section of the book, Williams explores the intersection of union politics and race in Local 10, which has had an African American majority since 1959. In running for o ce, Williams had to contend with a conservative, white-led faction in the local. Going beyond this problem to review other issues, Williams analyses race and politics in the local in complex and sometimes troubling terms. At one point he perceptively observes, “Racism made monsters out of us all…. We seek a utopia but we are not there yet.”

Cleophas Williams’ story is divided into two distinct and informative sections. The first focuses on Williams’ personal life from his youth in the Deep South during the Great Depression of the 1930s through his early career as a longshore worker and Local 10 activist in Northern California between 1943 and 1967.

Williams relied on his strong family background, his religious faith, and his belief in education to survive and persevere despite the challenges of poverty and Southern Jim Crow racism.

In California, he became a civil rights advocate and an elected job dispatcher in his local. He won the first of his four terms as Local 10 president in 1967.

In the second section of the book, Williams explores the intersection of union politics and race in Local 10, which has had an African American majority since 1959. In running for offie, Williams had to contend with a conservative, white-led faction in the local.

is second section of the book begins with the period immediately a er World War II. Williams vividly describes pre-container break-bulkcargo handling and has insightful observations about the 1946, 1948, and 1971 longshore strikes. He recalls how ILWU founder and longtime International president Harry Bridges defended African American longshore workers from job losses during a post-war decline in cargo tonnage, and he recounts Black-led

Going beyond this problem to review other issues, Williams analyzes race and politics in the local in

Judge William H. Stephens...

Continued from page 2

challenges. Beyond these shores, Bill’s mission with Village Baptist Church’s Better African Foundation promoted better life in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin through medical, educational, and cultural initiatives.

In the spring of 1976, Bill entered the election to become a judge in the Marin County Municipal Court. In his own words, he wanted to “restore some of the lost public confidence in judges.” Showing his commitment to serving with impartiality, he rejected public endorsement from other lawyers and set up a blind trust to receive donations toward his campaign. Even with public endorsements including the Marin Independent Journal, Bill narrowly lost the race.

Based on his valiant showing, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Bill to the Marin Municipal Court in 1979. After serving nine years on the Marin Municipal Court, Bill sought a seat on the Marin Superior Court and won by a landslide victory.

Bill would serve as a judge for 11 more years on the Marin County Superior Court. In his last years, Bill spent much of his time in his Mill Valley home and Southern Marin community that he dearly loved. By friends and family, he will be deeply missed.

Bill is predeceased in death by his father William C. Stephens; his mother Myrtle Jackson; his brothers Robert and Larry Stephens; his son Michael Stephens; and his former partner Andrea Forest. He is survived by his sons Stuart, Patrick, and Haynes Stephens; his granddaughters Sabrina, Britainy, and Madison Stephens.

A memorial service will be held at the Cornerstone Church in Marin City on Sat., July 15, at 11 a.m..

complex and sometimes troubling terms. At one point he perceptively observes, “Racism made monsters out of us all…. We seek a utopia, but we are not there yet.”

DeClare Publishing, 2023 Order in hardcover, ebook and paperback www.MillionWorkerMarch.com

This second section of the book begins with the period immediately after World War II. Williams vividly describes pre-container, break-bulk, cargo handling and has insightful observations about the 1946, 1948, and 1971 longshore strikes.

Though Juneteenth is Over, FamilySearch, RootsTech

Offer Classes, Tips on African American Genealogy

He recalls how ILWU founder and long- time International president Harry Bridges defended African American longshore workers from job losses during a post-war decline in cargo tonnage, and he recounts Black-led Local 10 efforts to protect the Australiaborn Bridges from deportation.

Local 10 e orts to protect the Australian-born Bridges from deportation. Williams also traces Local 10’s sustained push to integrate many of the best jobs on the Bay Area waterfront. He retired from the job — but not from the struggle, as members of the ILWU Paci c Coast Pensioners Association put it — in 1981.

Williams also traces Local 10’s sustained push to integrate many of the best jobs on the Bay Area water- front. He retired from the job — but not from the struggle, as members of the ILWU Pacific Coast Pension- ers Association put it — in 1981.

FamilySearch presented 6 free online RootsTech classes taught by experts and genealogists on various essential topics

By Trent Toone

Church News

FamilySearch celebrated Juneteenth by offering free RootsTech online classes focused on African American genealogy.

Cleophas Williams can be read profitably by all members of the ILWU, regardless of their local or their background. Everyone who is interested in work and unionism will benefit from reading it. The book contains a useful glossary, a helpful index, and numerous attractive illustrations.

Cleophas Williams can be read pro tably by all members of the ILWU, regardless of their local or their background. Everyone who is interested in work and unionism will bene t from reading it. e book contains a useful glossary, a helpful index, a nd numerous attractive illustrations.

Harvey Schwartz is curator of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Oral History Collection at the union’s library in San Francisco.

Harvey Schwartz is curator of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Oral History Collection at the union’s library in San Francisco. His writings include “Solidarity Stories: An Oral History of the ILWU”(2009); “Building the Golden Gate Bridge: A Workers’ Oral History” (2015) and “Labor under Siege, Big Bob McEllrath and the ILWU’s Fight for Organized Labor in an Anti-Union Era”, co-authored with Ronald E. Magden (2022), books published by the University of Washington Press. He holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Davis and specializes in West Coast maritime history.

Six new live and interactive classes taught by experts and genealogists and hosted by FamilySearch’s deputy chief genealogical officer Thom Reed, became available on June 19 at RootsTech. org/events, according to a Family. Search news release.

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR WASHINGTON MANOR PARK IRRIGATION WELL REPLACEMENT

COSL PROJECT NO. 2022.3060 BID NO. 22-23.014

1 BID OPENING: The bidder shall complete the “Proposal to the City of San Leandro” form contained in the Contract Book. The proposal shall be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete proposals will be considered non-responsive. Sealed bids containing the completed Proposal Section subject to the conditions named herein and in the specifications for WASHINGTON MANOR PARK IRRIGATION WELL REPLACEMENT addressed to the City of San Leandro will be received at City Hall, 835 East 14th Street, 2nd Floor San Leandro at the office of the City Clerk up to: 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at which time they will be publicly opened and read.

2.WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of a new irrigation well and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown on the plans and described in the specifications with the title indicated in Paragraph 1 above, and on file in the office of the City Engineer. Reference to said plans and specifications is hereby made for further particulars.

3.OBTAINING THE PROJECT PLANS AND CONTRACT BOOK: The project Contract Book may be obtained free of charge from the City’s website at: https://www.sanleandro.org/Bids.aspx.

Bidders who download the plans are encouraged to contact the City of San Leandro Engineering and Transportation Department at 510-577-3428 to be placed on the project planholder’s list to receive courtesy notifications of addenda and other project information. Project addenda, if any, will be posted on the website. A bidder who fails to address all project addenda in its proposal may be deemed non-responsive. Printed, hardcopies of the contract book can be purchased from East Bay Blue at: https://www.eastbayblueprint.com. Search the public projects planroom to find the subject project.

4.OBTAINING THE APWA STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (GREEN BOOK): The APWA Standard Specifications (Greenbook) may be purchased by contacting BNI Building News, 1612 South Clementine Street, Anaheim, CA 92802, (714) 517-0970 or (888) 264-2665.

5.PRE-BID CONFERENCE: Pre-bid meetings will be held via Zoom as follows:

• Friday, July 14th, 2023 at 10:00 am. This meeting will also be simulcast on Zoom: the virtual meeting can be accessed by internet as follows: https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/84145786119?pwd=VUYrbjFmQVJKT2VZOEJhUV

N3NmdyUT09

Meeting ID: 841 4578 6119

Passcode: 569302

• Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 at 3:00 pm. This meeting will also be simulcast on Zoom: the virtual meeting can be accessed by internet as follows: https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/87013447297?pwd=ZmVaZGRDMSttL1JOOTIzdV

NIM2txZz09

Meeting ID: 870 1344 7297

Passcode: 968186

The information presented at each of the conferences will be identical. Questions regarding the plans and specifications may be submitted in writing to the project engineer until 5:00 p.m. five (5) days before, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, bids must be received by the City. The City will not respond to oral questions outside of the pre-bid conference. The response, if any, will be by written addendum only. Oral responses do not constitute a revision to these plans or specifications.

6.SAN LEANDRO BUSINESS PREFERENCE AND PARTICIPATION GOALS: The work performed under this contract is not subject to Section 1-6-225 of the San Leandro Municipal Code regarding local business preference and participation.

7.SAN LEANDRO COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT: The work performed under this contract is not subject to an amended Community Workforce Agreement adopted by City Council Resolution 2015-104.

Dated: June 8, 2023, Kelly B. Clancy, City Clerk

Though mounted during the month of June, it is not too late “to discover more about your African American ancestry through dozens of webinars from past RootsTech events,” the news release says.

Juneteenth is a significant celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It symbolizes the strength, resilience, and triumphs of the African American community throughout history.

Individuals of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned genealogists, are encouraged to participate in the transformative journey of discovery, connection, and celebration of African American family history.

Led by esteemed experts and genealogists well-versed in African American research, the RootsTech Juneteenth–related classes will address essential topics, such as how to get started, helpful resources, effective research strategies, overcoming genealogical

hurdles, leveraging DNA testing for African American genealogy, and accessing lesser-known records and resources.

Participants will gain valuable knowledge, tips, and techniques to advance their family history discoveries. Most classes offer a free, downloadable syllabus.

The classes that may still be found online are: “Juneteenth: Understanding This History and Why It Is Important,” by Janice Gilyard; “How I Found an Enslaved Ancestor in My Family Tree: Aaron Anderson,” by Karen Strickland; “From Ali to Clay: Taking the Family Narrative to DNA” by Cheri Daniels, Donald Shores, Sherman McRae, Keith Winstead, and Eric Brooks; “Unveiling Partnerships: Accessing and Using Cohabitation Records at FamilySearch.org” by Taneya Koonce; “A Lineage Society for Descendants of Enslaved Africans: Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage,” by Evelyn McDowell and Ruth Hunt and “America’s True Forgotten Patriots” by Ric Murphy.

The recently established hotline has already garnered 182 reports of hate.

VETERANS OF OAKLAND CALIFORNIA

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2727, located in Oakland, CA is seeking new members to join its Post.

Must meet eligibility as follows:

1. Proof of Service by providing a copy of your DD Fm 214

2. Must have been awarded a recognized campaign medal or badge

3. Served in Korea between 30 June 1949 until present, or earned Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay as evidenced by your DD Form 214.

4. Overseas service in hostile areas.

If eligible, Post 2727 will pay the membership fee for the pt 2 years of your membership.

For more eligibility details and to apply, please contact one of the following individuals:

Arthur Butler, 253-343-8554

Aumont Phipps 510-677-4843

Al Dean 510-332-2891

Swanson for State Senate...

Continued from page 1

financial viability”’ said Carol Jones the event Mistress of Ceremony. Jones, who was Assemblymember Swanson’s district director, said “the campaign really appreciated having a successful event this week, before the June 30 midnight deadline.”

She concluded the program by

Former D.A. O’Malley...

Continued from page 1

paign events and to discuss campaign strategy.

According to the grand jury report, county ordinances, policies and state laws governing campaign activities include:

• Government Code §8314, which forbids using public resources for unauthorized use, saying it is unlawful to use public resources for political campaign activities.

• California Government Code §3205, which says employees of a government agency shall not solicit political contributions from an employee of the same or another government agency.

• California Penal Code §424, which makes illegal misappropriation of public funds by public officials or any other individual who has been entrusted with public funds.

• Alameda County Administrative Code Chapter 3.40.020, which provides that the county’s communications system shall only be used in the conduct of county business and that no county officer shall use or permit the use of the system for other than county business.

O’Malley won reelection in 2018, defeating civil rights attorney Pamela Price. O’Malley retired at the end of her term in 2022, and Price won election as district attorney against an opponent backed by the former D.A.

Among other policies, Price’s progressive campaign pledged to shake up the staff in the district attorney’s office, end racial disparities in prosecutions, stop mass incarceration, and end prosecution of minors as adults.

According to its website, the civil grand jury works “as an arm of the Superior Court, (and) is comprised of 19 citizens authorized to investigate local government to ensure that public agencies are working in the best interests of the public… (giving) the grand jury a unique role in securing local government accountability and in examining allegations of misconduct.”

Based on its interviews, the grand jury offered two reasons that may have motivated inappropriate staff behavior:

The 2018 election was the first in many years where an incumbent district attorney faced a challenger: “The Grand Jury learned that staff of the Office of the District Attorney had very strong concerns about the outcome of the election,” the report said.

Further, staff was deeply worried that Price would shake up the D.A.’s staff. “The fear that the

saying “we are asking people to visit our website at www.sandreswanson.net to make any donation today, before the deadline on Friday, June 30.

You will learn more about the campaign and help Swanson for Senate.”

If elected to the State Senate 7th District seat Sandré Swanson would be the only African American in that chamber from Northern California.

election of a new district attorney, who had hinted at staff layoffs or terminations, was so overwhelming that staff failed to recognize their disregard of policies regarding campaign-related behavior as potentially illegal,” according to the report.

In its interviews the grand jury found that “while some staff recognized that these emails violated policies forbidding use of the county email system for political purposes, many engaged with colleagues and others in the campaign for district attorney …. No one appears to have spoken up to remind others of policies prohibiting use of county equipment and time on activities related to a political campaign.”

In a statement released this week, District Attorney Price wrote, “The Grand Jury exposed behavior that is unacceptable and especially inexcusable for lawyers. Our new administration will not make those same mistakes or violate the laws and policies ignored by the previous administration. We will not sacrifice our integrity or the public trust for political gain.

“In the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office of today, you can no longer prosecute the law and violate the law at the same time,” she said.

Price said that because she was involved in the original complaint, the DA’s office was recused from the grand jury investigation.

The Oakland Post attempted to contact O’Malley for a response to the allegations but by the newspaper’s deadline had received no reply.

In addition to the original complaint filed with the grand jury in September 2021, a complaint was also filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), and the California Attorney General. On May 10, 2023, the FPPC complaint was resolved as “No Violation Found.”

While the grand jury conducted a similar investigation of the 2022 election, it found “only a handful of inappropriate campaign-related emails.”

The grand jury’s recommendations included “rigorous education” of all county employees “about policies related to State and County rules regarding their behavior during political campaigns.”

In addition, the grand jury also said county employees and the public “need to know that complaints will be investigated, that consequences of policy infringement will be administered promptly and fairly, and that a complainant will know that their complaint has been addressed.”

City Council Adopts Budget...

Continued from page 1

budget … (which invests) in the full landscape of public safety, resulting in more officers moving forward, while simultaneously investing in violence prevention.

However, three council members did not support the new budget, disagreeing with the proposal to merge several city departments. Councilmember Noel Gallo voted no, while Janani Ramachandran and Treva Reid abstained.

The three council members opposed Mayor Thao’s plan to merge several departments, which is included in the budget and which mayor said will save $2 million a year and provide more efficient city services.

Under the reorganization plan, Community Homelessness Services will be merged with the Housing and Community Development Department. A new agency, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, will be created by merging Parks, Recreation and Youth Development and Human Services. Also, the Department of Economic and Workforce Development will merge with the Department of Planning, Building and Economic Development.

The adopted balanced budget will:

• Strengthen fire safety by utilizing grant funding to reverse a proposed rolling Fire Station brown out, allowing the City to maintain fire and emergency service in all communities

• Support Community Safety by adding funding for 24/7 crisis response, community ambassadors in business corridors, two civilian police investigators and dedicating resources to allow MACRO to fill vacant positions more quickly

• Invest $2.85 million more in violence prevention programs, including $600,000 focused on sex trafficking

• Provide $216 million for the creation and acquisition of affordable housing and a Councilcreated Rapid Response Homeless Housing Acquisition Fund with $8.8 to house unhoused residents

• Increase Cultural Affairs grants by $300,000 each year, providing business support by continuing the Facade Improvement Program and staffing for multilingual business assistance

• Increase funding for parks maintenance and facilities improvements, and add more than $10 million for traffic safety improvements

• Expand hours and services at Oakland’s Head Start and Early Head Start program and supporting senior programs

Said Councilmember Jenkins, “These difficult decisions we’ve made … signify not just our determination to increase affordable housing and tackle homelessness and violence, but also our edication to nurturing a clean and beautiful city.”

“We were able to work collaboratively and to listen to the concerns of Oaklanders,” said Councilmember Kaplan. Along with funding for affordable housing, the council created a new fund that will help rapidly acquire existing buildings to house the unsheltered, she said.

“In the toughest of budget cycles, I feel encouraged by the leadership and work of our staff, our city administration and our Council toward closing this historic deficit while preserving criticalservices and investing in our future,” said Councilmember Fife.

prevention, expanded investments in community safety ambassadors and OPD walking officers in business corridors to progress on the District 7 and citywide priorities.

“While the inclusion of a number of District 7 budget priorities and policy directives were adopted into the Fiscal Year 2023-2025 budget, I registered an abstention vote. Significant investments are still needed towards youth and senior services, illegal dumping and blight removal, traffic safety, and addressing the additional funding gaps in community safety: prevention, intervention, and healing. Furthermore, I did not support the budget including the Mayor’s proposed consolidation of several city departments without conducting a details feasibility study, race and equity analysis and providing supporting data on how the reorganization will resolve cross-departmental inefficiencies and improve accountability to save up to $2 million per year due in a $4.2 billion budget—without disrupting core city services. Previous reorganizations have proven to be complex, costly, and lengthy for the City of Oakland. I submitted a policy directive for the City Administrator to return to Council in September with a report on the proposal to merge the departments along with an analysis from an organizational consultant. Providing a prudent analysis and sound strategic plan is needed to understand how the consolidation will best serve our residents and businesses with the goal of successfully implementing the proposed cost savings and efficiencies.

“I will continue to ensure equitable investments, resources, funding sources, policies, and practices prevail for all Oaklanders to recover from the economic hardship and devastating life impacts faced by the pandemic. Including my policy directive being adopted into this budget for the City Administrator to develop written policy frameworks for equitable service delivery in each department to deliver critical and essential services and timely responses for all Oaklanders to thrive with a just recovery. The work continues to increase accountability, transparency, and results to get Oakland back on track and regain our financial footing as we come through this historic budget deficit.”

Ramachandran said it is dangerous to approve these mergers without sufficient research because the city has not done a feasibility study to guide its decision and has not collected information such as the number of staff that will be affected or show how the mergers will improve services.

A number of community and labor groups, organized as the People’s Budget Coalition, distributed a statement backing the new budget. In recent weeks, the coalition had pushed for amendments to Mayor Thao’s proposed budget.

“Despite the largest deficit in the history of Oakland, the Oakland People’s Budget Coalition succeeded in advancing more funding for violence prevention, affordable housing and homelessness solutions,” the statement said.

Oakland Zoomobile Stopping by Richmond Libraries for Summer Adventures

Explaining her opposition to the new budget, Reid said the reorganization is a bad idea because some of the merged departments have not had stable leadership in the last year because department heads retired or left their jobs.

“We’re not giving consideration to the other paths that can be discussed and considered, and that is challenging,” Reid said.

Reid provided the following remarks on her role in the recent budget process:

“I secured substantial enhancements to housing resources and the purchase of hotels for transitional housing, filled critical staff vacancies, expanded MACRO, senior center, and park improvements, sustained early childhood education, increased cyber security, continued investments in violence

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price. Alameda County DA’s Office

Alameda County District Attorney Calls for Gun Reforms Before State Legislature

District Attorney Pamela Price joins the Prosecutor’s Alliance of California, Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Violence, Giffords

By Traci Grant

On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price joined the Prosecutors’ Alliance of California and gun reform organizations to speak in support of key gun reforms before the California Senate Public Safety Committee.

Price urged the Committee to support Assembly Bills 732 and 733 (Fong), among other common-sense gun reforms.

AB 732 helps take guns out of the hands of criminals by reducing the amount of time an out-of-custody defendant has to relinquish a firearm following a conviction, and requires the Department of Justice to provide local law enforcement agencies a monthly report identifying persons who have not relinquished firearms.

AB 733 stops the sale of surplus guns to the public once used by law enforcement, ensuring the guns do not end up on our streets and that tax dollars are not used to subsidize the distribution of firearms.

“Studies show that our streets are safer when we reduce the number of guns in our community,” said District Attorney Pamela Price.

District Attorney Price also supported several other bills in-

Law

cluding AB 301 (Bauer-Kahan) which includes the purchase of body armor as a potential piece of evidence that may be considered in the issuance of gun violence restraining orders.

The Alameda County D.A.s office also spoke in support of AB 1089 (Gibson) which combats three-dimensional (3D) printed ghost guns by making it illegal to print, possess or distribute designs for a 3D printed gun and AB 1420 (Berman) to strengthen and improve oversight over gun dealers.

“There is too much gun violence in our community. Too often anger, resentment and unresolved mental health challenges meet and cause injuries or death to our community members. We must combat the influx of ghost guns, keep guns from those who cannot legally possess one, and support victims of gun violence,” added Price.

“I want to thank the members of the Senate’s Public Safety Committee for advancing AB 301, 732, 733, 1089 and 1420,” said Price. “We are also extremely grateful for the numerous advocacy organizations that helped push for these urgently needed reforms.”

Traci Grant is the Communications Director for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Over $1.8 Billion in Broadband Funding for California

will help ensure that Broadband for All becomes a reality for Californians to achieve the goals of the Broadband for All Action Plan, outlined by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-73-20 and the California Broadband Council.

“This year’s Oakland City Budget was the worst deficit in the city’s history with a $360 million gap…a culmination of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and eight years of the previous administration’s decisions and policies that helped exacerbate Oakland’s current homelessness and housing crisis,” the People’s Budget Coalition wrote.

“We demonstrated that especially in a deficit, it is critical to prioritize funding for programs and services that serve communities and residents most impacted by years of inequity, displacement and disinvestment,” the coalition statement said.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) announced Wednesday that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is allocating $1,864,136,508.93 in funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to help close the digital divide in California.

“Here in the East Bay, access to high-speed internet is a matter of racial justice, economic opportunity, and equity for all,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “High-speed internet service is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

It is essential to pursue a better education, access healthcare and social services, and increase civic participation.

“This historic investment offers new resources to ensure that residents, community organizations, and small businesses in our district have accessible, affordable, and high-speed Internet, and that no person is left behind.”

These substantial investments

This funding builds off of a $6 billion investment from the 2021 California state budget and will help ensure that unserved and underserved areas of the state will receive high-speed Internet coverage.

The BEAD program is the federal government’s largest and most ambitious investment in high-speed, affordable broadband in history.

The $42.45 billion program will provide federal funding in the form of grants to eligible states, territories, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico for broadband planning, development, mapping, equity, and adoption projects and activities by the program’s conclusion and will create upwards of 150,000 good-paying jobs laying fiber optic cable and building out networks.

The program was created through President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in 2021, which Congresswoman Lee voted for. Courtesy U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee’s press office.

Photo of Main Library courtesy of Richmond Public

Congresswoman Barbara Lee