Tag Archives: Lena Tam

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 2013-17 IAFF MOU, Affirmatively further fair housing, Andrew Thomas, Ann Marie Gallant, Beverly Johnson, Doug deHaan, Housing Element, John Knox White, John Russo, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Marie Gilmore, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, RHNA, Rob Bonta, Tony Daysog, Trish Spencer | 22 Comments

What’s happened to the OGC?

Posted on June 6, 2021 by Robert Sullwold

To the dismay of some, the campaign to “defund the police” hasn’t made much headway – so far – in Alameda. But another effort is well on its way to success: we call it the campaign to “de-fang the Open … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall | Tagged Bryan Schwartz, Catherine Pauling, City Attorney, John Knox White, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Michael Roush, Open Government Commission, Paul Foreman, Serena Chen, Sunshine Ordinance, Tony Daysog, Yibin Shen | 3 Comments

Another first for Vella and Oddie

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Robert Sullwold

2020 was a banner year for campaign spending in the City of Alameda.

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged Adam Elsesser, Amos White, Cypress Equity Investments, Exelisis, Gig Codiga, IAFF Local 689, Jim Oddie, John Foster, League of Women Voters, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Marie Gilmore, Measure Z, Michael Sorochinsky, Penumbra, Rob Bonta, Teamsters Local 856, Trish Spencer, Variphy | 5 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 Alameda Citizens Task Force, Alamedans United, Ann Marie Gallant, Doug deHaan, Hartz Holdings, IAFF Local 689, IBEW Local 595, Indivisible, Jeff Mitchell, Jennifer Roloff, Jim Oddie, John Roberts, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Marie Gilmore, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, North Cove Waterfront, Northern California Regional Carpenters Council, Operating Engineers Local 3, Paul Foreman, Rob Bonta, Scott Haggerty, Shawn Wilson, Stewart Chen, Tony Daysog, UFCW Local 5 | 26 Comments

Thousands for defense. . .

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

The same forces – primarily, labor unions and Democratic party stalwarts – that paid to get Malia Vella and Jim Oddie elected to Council now are financing their defense against the charge that they attempted, in violation of the City … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged Bill Coblentz, Boxer & Gerson, Campaign finance, Dennis Popalardo, Domenick Weaver, FPPC, Gray Harris, Jeff DelBono, Jill Kleimach, Jim Oddie, John Keker, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Nancy O'Malley, Nancy Pelosi, Paul Rolleri, Rob Bonta, William H. Orrick III | 6 Comments

The hidden costs of development

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

If you believe Willdan Financial Services – and why wouldn’t you? – 3,227 persons will be living, and another 5,016 working, every day at Alameda Point when the site is fully built out. In addition, again according to Willdan (in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, City Hall, Development | Tagged 1435 Webster, 2100 Clement Ave., Alameda Landing, Alameda Marina, Boatworks, Debbie Potter, Del Monte warehouse, Development Impact Fee, Doug Long, Elena Adair, Encinal Terminals, John Russo, Lena Tam, Marie Gilmore, Marina Shores, Paul Rolleri, Shipways, Stewart Chen, Tim Lewis Communities, WIlldan | 9 Comments

Firehouse rules

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

Once upon a time, there were a couple of basic rules for Alameda Council elections: No first-time candidate ever will be able to spend her way onto Council. The incumbent always wins.

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged Alamedans United, Frank Matarrese, IAFF Local 689, Jeff Cambra, Jeff DelBono, Jim Oddie, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Marie Gilmore, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mike Henneberry, Pat Bail, Rob Bonta, Stewart Chen, Tony Daysog, UFCW Local 5 | 10 Comments

Following the money

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

When Marie Gilmore unexpectedly lost her bid for re-election as Mayor in 2014, there were some who blamed organized labor for not providing her with the level of financial support necessary to ensure her victory. Well, no one’s going to … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged Alamedans United, Gray Harris, IAFF Local 689, IBEW, Jennifer Roloff, Jennifer Williams, Jim Oddie, Lena Tam, Margie Sherratt, Maria Vella, Marie Gilmore, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Matt Hettich, Mike Henneberry, Rob Bonta, Ron Cowan, Solana Henneberry, Tim Lewis Communities, Tony Daysog, UFCW Local 5 | 18 Comments

Invasion of the Auslanders

Posted on October 2, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

For those who suspect – nay, fear – that out-of-town special interests are throwing around a lot of cash this year in an effort to influence the outcome of elections in Alameda, the campaign disclosure statements filed last week provide … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged Alameda Renters Coalition, Alamedans for Fair Rents, Alamedans United, California Apartment Association, Frank Matarrese, James D. Falaschi, Jennifer Roloff, Jim Oddie, Lena Tam, Malia Vella, Marie Gilmore, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Rob Bonta, Stewart Chen, Tim Lewis Communities, Tony Daysog | 15 Comments

Stand up and be counted

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

The initiative sponsored by the Alameda Renters Coalition to amend the City Charter to restrict rent increases and prohibit “no-cause” evictions is still seeking a champion among the candidates running for Council.

Posted in City Hall, Housing | Tagged Alameda Renters Coalition, Catherine Pauling, Jennifer Roloff, Lena Tam, Maria Vella, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Monty Heying, Rent control, Tony Daysog | 20 Comments

	Publius on Council’s slush fund
	Karen on Council’s slush fund
	Publius on Council’s slush fund
	Publius on Council’s slush fund
	Eric Strimling on Council’s slush fund