More Assaults on Measure Y and Open Government

There is apparently now a proposal to eliminate the Park Rangers and have their duties assigned to Measure Y officers. You can read about it here:
www.orpn.org/parkrangers3.htm




In addition, there was a proposal a couple months back to start using Measure Y funds to pay for 14 PSOs previously paid for out of the general fund. I did a public records request, and received several documents with redacted (blacked out) e-mails and portions of e-mails. No explanation was given for the redactions. Later, I was told that the justification was "attorney-client privilege." However, Oakland's own Sunshine Ordinance requires that every redaction must be accompanied by a footnote with a legal justification for the redaction and legal citations. I have specifically asked for this on two occasions, and the City has not responded. Moreover, my position is that any attorney-client privilege has been waived, since the City issued a public opinion on the legality of the funding switch. This is just further evidence of the City saying one thing (we're for "open government") and doing another. This does not exactly inspire trust....

No settlement anytime soon

The City wants to delay further settlement discussions until after the June 12, 2009 hearing.

In the meantime, here is a link to last week's East Bay Express article on the proposed layoff of 140 police officers, and how that would actually mean a layoff of 203 officers, because it would mean the City can't collect Measure Y taxes and/or fund the 63 Measure Y officers.

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/the_importance_of_the_oakland_cop_layoff_plan/Content?oid=979305&cb=15f7eb6ba1d78ed95ae1cfea4f8240b1#readerComments

Baby steps

Had our settlement meeting this afternoon. Of course, I can't say what went on, but I am not giving up on the idea that maybe we could actually work something out. I'm hoping that we can have a follow up meeting soon.

The Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly

Just because the Court has issued its "Proposed Statement of Decision" does not mean that the case is over. Both the City and I have filed "Objections" to the proposed statement of decision, and a hearing has been set for June 12, 2009 for the Court to consider further arguments regarding the issues.

In the meantime, the City and I have agreed to have some settlement talks this Thursday, May 7. I have previously provided settlement demands to the City, which they have considered in closed session Council meetings. They have never responded. Now that the legal landscape has changed, I am hoping that they will realize that they need to take this lawsuit seriously, and will be willing to commit to the obligations outlined in Measure Y, as well as the overt promises that were made during the Measure Y campaign. If they aren't, I hope they realize the consequences of having to make an additional $15 million in cuts to this year's budget!