Tag Archives: Kevin Kearney

The scorecard on Trish Spencer

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Robert Sullwold

Here’s your Alameda mayoral campaign quiz for the day: During the last two years, which candidate has voted in favor of the following “progressive,” pro‑bicycle, and pro‑development proposals brought before City Council: Renaming Jackson Park to Chochenyo Park; Authorizing planning … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Budget, City Hall, Development, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The new new thing in pensions

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Robert Sullwold

Ever since we can remember (in our case, that’s 2012), the City has been struggling to find ways to ensure that it will be able to pay its retired employees the pensions it promised them. The problem is simple:  As … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Spend away!

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

Three weeks ago, the Merry-Go-Round reported on City Finance Director Elena Adair’s forecast that, if all of the additional spending proposed for the next two fiscal years were to take place, the “available balance” in the General Fund would drop … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

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.

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Putting our money where their mouths are

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Robert Sullwold

Back in June, gloating over a projected $30.8 million balance in the General Fund as of the end of this fiscal year, Council instructed staff to come up with a list of recommendations about how to “allocate” – i.e., spend … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Whom do you trust?

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Robert Sullwold

All right, dear readers, the Merry-Go-Round has a question for you: Suppose you wanted an authoritative evaluation of the impact on the City’s financial condition of a proposed deal between the City and its public safety unions that establishes a … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Mr. Kennedy Goes to Council

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Robert Sullwold

Every time City Treasurer Kevin Kennedy makes his annual appearance before City Council to discuss the City’s financial condition, one can’t help but think of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  Senator Jefferson Smith spends hours trying to get the legislators … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, City Hall, Firefighters, Pensions | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The bully’s pulpit

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Robert Sullwold

Mayor Marie Gilmore is wont to bemoan the failure of the public to attend meetings at which issues regarding City finances are discussed. As it happens, the Mayor herself was absent last Thursday from the special City Council meeting called … Continue reading →

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