Tag Archives: Janet Kern

Jim Oddie: remembrance of things past

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

“If you want to know what I’m gonna do, just look back at what I did.” So former Councilman Jim Oddie assured voters – twice – during the League of Women Voters forum last Tuesday. Well, today the Merry‑Go‑Round will … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The best disinfectant

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

Want to know what decisions Council made at its lengthy closed-session meeting Monday about the future employment of City Manager Jill Keimach and the prospect of litigation arising from Ms. Keimach’s allegations of illegal interference by Council members Jim Oddie … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Ballot bollocks

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

This November, the ballot for Alameda voters will contain a measure to incorporate the existing rent stabilization ordinance into the City Charter.  Ordinarily, the Merry-Go-Round wouldn’t pay much attention to the actual ballot question the electorate will be asked to … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Speaking objections

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

This week, two comments on . . . public comments. I. Imagine the following scene: It’s Tuesday, March 7, around 7:00 p.m.

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The selling of the UMA

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

There is something very troubling about the way in which the City, through its ballot arguments and mailers, is marketing the “Utility Modernization Act” to Alameda voters. For those of our readers familiar only with the rent-related items on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Let the campaign begin!

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

The campaign season is now officially open in Alameda, and the Merry-Go-Round is ready to rumble.

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See you in court!

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

If Council passes the resolution to place a measure “confirming” the Rent Stabilization Act on the November ballot, it will have taken the first step toward ending up where the Council members invariably swear they never want to go:  in … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Housing | Tagged , , , | 12 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 →

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Rent control, Alameda-style

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

When Council directed City staff last November to prepare an ordinance imposing rent control in Alameda, our elected officials probably expected to see a proposed law modeled on the rent control ordinances already enacted by seven other Bay Area cities. … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Housing | Tagged , | 13 Comments

How not to write a law

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Robert Sullwold

When we read the stories about how, on November 7, the landlord at the 34-unit Bayview Apartments on Central Avenue had begun the process of clearing out tenants by serving 60-day “no-fault” notices to vacate, we wondered right away: Wasn’t the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments