Tag Archives: Ann Marie Gallant

The Princes of Alameda

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

For years, the Merry‑Go‑Round believed that the savviest political operator ever to occupy an office at City Hall was former City Manager John Russo. But in our estimation Mr. Russo now has got himself a rival for the crown:  City … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Development, Firefighters, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Real Alamedans united

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

At the Merry-Go-Round, we’ve always had a soft spot for grassroots organizations formed by ordinary citizens to use the electoral process to achieve shared policy objectives, especially when the ruling class won’t listen to them. This is why we admire … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Development, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Alameda’s favorite Uncle

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

The Merry-Go-Round knows better than to interject ourselves into the debate over the best way to protect the City of Alameda and its residents from Donald Trump and the Republican party. We’re confident that our Council members will pass a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Budget, City Hall, Development, Firefighters, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

United they stand

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

Some time very soon – we predict – a flyer will arrive on Alamedans’ doorsteps or in their mailboxes endorsing candidates for Council, Auditor, Treasurer, and School Board. It will be printed on glossy paper.  It will be well-designed and … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Closed sessions, closed mind

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

This was going to be a primarily informational column about which of your neighbors Council selected to make recommendations about who should be appointed as Alameda’s new city manager. We’ll save that report for the end.  But, as we found … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Fixing the OPEB problem — legally

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Robert Sullwold

This Tuesday, Council will get its first briefing on the “Other Post-Employment Benefits” problem – i.e., how much the City is paying, and how much it will pay in the future, for retiree health benefits. The former Council got a … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Paging Ms. Albuquerque!

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Robert Sullwold

Thank goodness the taxpayers of Alameda have Mayor Marie Gilmore and Vice Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft around to protect them from the shortsightedness of the supporters of open space! This spring, the open-space advocates managed to get 6,437 signatures on … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Development, Firefighters, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Is everybody happy?

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Robert Sullwold

Two weeks ago, Mayor Marie Gilmore kicked off her re-election campaign with a rousing speech touting the many ways in which the Russo/Gilmore administration had improved the City in the last three years. Oh, wait a minute. The Mayor actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can you handle the truth?

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Robert Sullwold

In urging City Council last December to approve new four-year contracts with the public safety unions, City Manager John Russo came up with a last-minute argument calculated to quiet the budget conservatives.  True, Mr. Russo admitted, the contracts would increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Short takes: DelBono, Chen & the AA+ grade

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Robert Sullwold

While researching a piece for the Merry-Go-Round, we occasionally come across information that, while not pertinent to the piece itself, strikes us as worth passing on.  For example, did you know about firefighters’ union honcho Jeff DelBono’s passion for ferries? … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Budget, City Hall, Development, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment