I had read somewhere that in order to maintain “order” at Occupy Oakland on Tuesday, the Oakland Police Department relied on mutual aid from lots of neighboring Police Departments and Alameda County Sheriffs Department and I wondered to what extent Alameda Police officers were involved. So I reached out to Police Chief Mike Noonan who has been so responsive and forthcoming — actually both public safety Chiefs are really models of public responsiveness — but since he is out of town, but still answering emails, he directed me toward Captain Paul Rolleri who coordinated Alameda’s team.
I’ll just post the response he sent me verbatim:
We did receive a request for assistance through the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. We responded by sending a team of seven people, including a lieutenant, sergeant, and five officers.
The APD team was assigned to assist in perimeter containment of the encampment at Frank Ogawa Plaza. They were present during the morning portion of the operation, and worked from approximately 2AM until noon.
The APD team was not directly involved in any arrests. Following the initial dismantling of the encampment, our personnel assisted in scene security in the immediate vicinity of Oakland City Hall.
We did not receive a request for additional assistance when the protesters returned in the evening, and had no personnel present.
So there you have it folks, no APD officers were involved with any of the tear gassing or flash bombing of protesters since most of the really egregious police acts happened during the time APD was not there.
If you are looking for a good roundup of stories about Occupy Oakland, check out Oakland blogger Becks’s Living in the O.
I imagine they’re pretty glad to have dodged THAT rubber bullet.
Comment by Denise Shelton — October 27, 2011 @ 9:37 am
http://redgreenandblue.org/2011/10/26/occupy-oakland-police-fracture-marine-vetrans-skull-then-attack-those-who-try-to-help-him/
Comment by M.I. — October 27, 2011 @ 11:14 am
I have been hoping to see some exploration of the ausd school board and its decisions, the superintendent’s performance etc. but there has been no attention paid to it. I have decided that if noone else is ready to take a look at what goes on, the current fiascos that have gone down—and the disrespect for the community and its teachers some one has to start the conversation –so –here goes.
I am 82 years old, and have been an active school supporter –from PTA president to ESL volunteer, interview team member, master plan participant etc for more than 40 years. I am appalled to see us sliding back , giving up the gains in morale and dedication that we have worked for.
The current board (and three members are up for election next year) awarded the current superintendent a 4 year contract with an annual 3% raise and bonus for performances (more on that another time) and full health care, with no cap in a plan of her choice
What were our teachers given? NADA ZILCH . Teachers instead accepted 8 furlough days , no increases and higher individual contributions to the districts provided health plan (The average family pays approximately $1,000.00 per month out of pocket above what the district allows). This was done in late August, under the radar since school was not in session and people were out of town.
WAIT there is more. At the October 11th meeting of the school board it was learned that there is 1 million dollars left over from last years budget that could be used for any purpose the board chose. Did they think that they might recognize that the teachers of this district who worked tirelessly to pass measure A deserved a bite of this largess? NO! On October 25th the board decided that we are going to buy more textbooks—who needs teachers just text books!! Not a penny to the people who make our schools work and take care of our children.
100 people cared about the trees on Park Street (a legitimate care) Does anyone care about the people to whom we trust our children and their futures?
Comment by barbaara kahn — October 27, 2011 @ 12:16 pm
Barbara, I’m sorry but aren’t these the people you and your friends told us to vote for? The raise to the superintendent pissed me off more than I can tell you but one local blogger told me in the scheme of things it really wasn’t that much. I’m not sure what the answer is but I’m willing to vote for someone new,
Comment by J.E.A. — October 27, 2011 @ 12:44 pm
4. no matter how it sits with you, in the over all budget scheme $30K annual for Vital is simply not that much, but that doesn’t negate how far $1million might have gone toward teacher moral, if not their actual bottom line for health care. I think the board election is sort of like Obama who has finally become inexcusable disappointment to many of us. looking back would I have chosen any of the other school board candidates? no. (Tangentially on the Obama comparison, I was glad to see big Demo donor like Susie Thompkins Buell protest Obama fund raiser and her pushing opposition to the Canadian shale oil pipe line as part of that, but I expect to vote for the guy in 2012)
3. I heard a rumor ( which may be completely incorrect) that the million savings was derived from good text book management. Maybe that is some perverse inversion of the reality.
Comment by M.I. — October 27, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
#5. It was still wrong and that 30k could have been used for much better things, perhaps a part-time aide to help students struggling with reading or math. Instead Ms. Vital can go out and perhaps buy a new car with her raise….at least it will be good for the economy. Oh, and as far as Obama is concern he still has me in his corner….100%…..school board…not so much!
Comment by J.E.A. — October 27, 2011 @ 2:48 pm
Coming soon… #OccupyAUSD ?
Comment by Jack B. — October 27, 2011 @ 3:09 pm
I would not have voted for any of the other school board candidates but that does not let the current board off the hook any more than it excuses Obama’s choices that I don’t like. However, many of us (myself included) read into the Obama candidacy our own vision of what we wanted, and not necessarily what he presented (take single payer eg)
My issue with the school board however is that there is an unmistakeable decline in district morale. The people who I thought would represent me in their approach to the district are going down another road and I do not know why or how they have made that choice. Obama at least tries to explain himself and the republicans are out there for us to see. There is a climate of fear of speaking out among administrators, and most of all, no clear vision of where we are going or want to go as a district. There have been changes in the staffing of the administration done without transparency–Did anyone know how much was spent on redecorating the district offices and can we know what that did to improve learning for our kids? Trish Spencer is treated by the board members publicly with derision–that is not a defense of her positions, but an expectation that our public officials would model the behavior that we expect of our children. It may be very well that we are heading in a good direction, but are we not entitled to be part of the choice to go in that direction or are we dealing with a system that is closed and predetermined. and manipulated?
Comment by barbaara kahn — October 27, 2011 @ 3:46 pm
The new Mantra of Alameda is “We Can Do Better”. Question is WHEN???? Good for yoy BK for rocking the Boat. You should consider your own ‘blog’. because you won’t get much satisfaction here. This is all about ‘status quo’.
They only care about the $$ spent by AMG for decoration.
Comment by frank — October 27, 2011 @ 4:48 pm
Barbara, why don’t you ring them up and ask them? And, I’m not kidding. Call them and then let us know what they have to say.
Comment by J.E.A. — October 27, 2011 @ 4:56 pm
8.and 9., do yourselves a favor and proof read or fact check. Frank, AMG was city manager and BK, Lauren did an extensive blog complete with photos debunking the mythical remodeling of district offices. You have anything new she missed?
Comment by M.I. — October 27, 2011 @ 6:51 pm
So if I’m understanding this correctly, Barbara and her new BFF, Trish Spencer, want to give the teachers back pay for days they did not work last year instead of paying for textbooks and other critical supplies that are needed now. If Barbara and Trish believe that the many parents (including me) who worked so hard to pass Measure A would prefer giving after-the-fact bonuses to teachers over paying for textbooks, pencils and paper and other supplies like toilet paper (where the money is currently scheduled to go), I think they are in for a big surprise.
No one likes the fact that teachers had to be furloughed last year. It was bad for the teachers and bad for the kids, but that does not mean that any unrestricted and unbudgeted money should go towards compensating the teachers for days they did not work last year. Lots of us took economic hits last year because of the economy. The teachers were hardly unique in that respect. I support our teachers — but not at the expense of everything else.
Comment by Oh the Irony! — October 27, 2011 @ 9:18 pm
Compensating teachers for days that they did not work? Seriously? I worked more than 8 days that I was not compensated for…If compensating teachers for days they did not “work” is unacceptable, how about compensating them for the hit we took to our healthcare last year which was not based on the furlough days. How about compensating them for the low salaries that AUSD staff has as a result of carrying the burden of maintaining the quality of education and small schools that AUSD continues to enjoy. I was hired over 20 years ago and have compromised my salary over and over again. I don’t like it but it accepted the burden. When, if not when extra is found, do the teachers see any relief? Textbooks? We don’t even use the math textbooks for anything other than assigning practice problems as they do not align with the district’s adopted coaching model. A textbook does not make for great education. Teachers who are valued, respected and included in the process and decisons so that they can go into their classrooms and do their absolute best is good practice. Even if using the monies for staff is not the desire of the community, unrestricted funds could and should be used in a much more thoughtful way.
As for the new furniture at AUSD, Lauren did take a look. From what I have been told, by many AUSD staff, there are definately some lovely improvements in some offices that would make one wonder why some classrooms have to be in such poor condition.
Comment by Sylvia — October 27, 2011 @ 10:22 pm
Purely from my own experience, I wonder at some of the district’s expenditures on textbooks and educational handouts. For instance every kindergartener is give a little collection of take-home “spot the dog” books – stapled, photocopied – I presume by teachers. I think students are intended to color them and study from them. Instead they wind up under the bed, trashed, and tossed in June. What a waste of time, effort, and resources! We get other workbooks through the years that are often barely- to half- used and then tossed out or passed on to other students. And a few handouts and assignments (aside from the many worthwhile ones) that are a downright insult to intelligence. Additionally the older kids carry large, heavy, expensive textbooks back and forth to school – when students in other districts are issued flash drives that can hold entire textbooks cheaper. These textbooks are duplicates of those issued to the classroom, so for each grade there’s a textbook for each child plus a backup at class. It seems to me that there’s a better way to disseminate info.
I don’t really know the other school board members well – but as for Mike McMahon, he consistently shows up and presents current information. I really admire his dedication.
As for “lovely improvements” – it would be worth asking whether they were out of pocket. They may also have been designated as different levels of spending from classroom end-use. I dunno.
Comment by Alana Dill — October 27, 2011 @ 11:38 pm
Sylvia, lest we not forget, if the community had not passed Measure A, there would be a lot of teachers who would have lost their jobs, and salaries and benefits still would not have been restored. In fact, more cuts in salaries and benefits would have been nearly inevitable. So Measure A could be viewed as a huge relief for the teachers — way more relief than the money that is now at issue. I’m all for thoughtful use of funds, but thoughtful use of funds does not necessarily mean higher compensation for teachers. So far, I haven’t heard any suggestions from the teachers for more thoughtful use of the funds that do not involve increased teacher compensation. I’ve only heard that they don’t want textbooks or toilet paper so that they can have their compensation increased. If you want to have a discussion about thoughtful use of the funds that does not result in higher teacher compensation, bring it on. I’m all ears. Personally, I think that toilet paper and textbooks and supplies is a pretty thoughtful use of funds.
It’s really kind of insulting for you to imply that we do not value and respect our teachers. If you seriously think that the community doesn’t respect and value it’s teachers, then why would we have worked so hard to pass Measure A? Teachers and staff were by far the largest beneficiaries of Measure A. We do respect and value our teachers, but we also expect our teachers to respect and value the sacrifices that we as a community are making to ensure that they have decent salaries and decent working conditions. Unless and until the teachers can demonstrate that there is no better use of funds than increasing teacher compensation, I think you’re going to have a hard sell.
Comment by Oh the Irony! — October 28, 2011 @ 12:38 am
Irony,
who is that Republican who is so good at framing debates, Andrew Breitbart? He would love your using toilet paper to underscore your point and calling retroactive compensation for furloughs “bonuses” too. It feels like there are activist parents ( like activist judges?) who worked on Measure A who feel teachers should be beholden to their wishes first and foremost without regard for their own sacrifices, indefinitely. Sorry if that insults you, but that’s how it seems. A lot easier to teach kids with limited text book resources than limited teachers. Teachers are humans with limits and they may choose to express their thoughtfulness by striking. If you really respect them one might have hoped a thoughtful protest in the direction of the superintendent for her compensation demands instead of almost uniform silence. Getting 3% and health wouldn’t be quite as hard to swallow if it hadn’t been a four year deal. It’s not like I’m saying you all should have dared Ms. Vital to quit if she didn’t get everything, but teachers pay similar rates for health in real dollars but proportionally a much bigger chunk of salary. Maybe somebody could have asked for compromise on a point like Vital’s health for example to help teachers save face and not feel so resentful.
BTW, I can’t wait to vote against Spencer, but throwing the BFF crack at Barbara for her position is pushing it a little.
Comment by M.I. — October 28, 2011 @ 9:47 am
The superindendent could have done a great deal to raise morale if she had turned down her raise in light of the sacrifices the teachers were asked to make.
If the Board of Trustees had allocated 2/3 of the available funds to help with teacher benefits and 1/3 to textbook purchases, and the community asked to contribute to the teacher’s free supply closet, morale could have been raised as well. Bypassing the teachers altogether was a bad mistake, I think. Many organizations such as one that I belong to, P.E.O., give generously to the teacher’s free supply closet – I’ll bet that if asked, more donations could be found for things like toilet paper and supplies.
Comment by Kate Quick. — October 28, 2011 @ 1:01 pm
Kate
For the sake of debate let’s assume that books vs teachers debate is a red herring and books were an over due bottom line necessity. Also let’s assume Vital was due something and asking her to not take any of the increases in her new contract was beyond the Pale. Can or should teachers still be expected to go on indefinitely without complaint under current terms? I kind of don’t think so but more than what any of us think, it’s important to try to know as many facts about teacher contracts as possible before it becomes another potential political football come January. If Vital could have or should have taken less or settled for nothing as leadership example is pretty much moot now and one probably shouldn’t look for that to change. Teachers do get incremental “step increases” even when their wages are otherwise frozen, but that and much else about the terms and conditions of their doing their jobs is widely misunderstood. Even if one buys into Vital’s contract being comparable to step increase, there is a problem with proportionality in making such a comparison.
In full disclosure, as of this year our household no longer has students in AUSD and for at least the next year nobody in this house is working for the district, though our health care which we currently pay in full, will be tied to AUSD for foreseeable future. I am still as fully committed to supporting public education and teachers as in the past, though I am not sure I will work for another parcel tax before A expires if that possibility were to surface. Truly, the real and proper solutions must come from beyond our own system even though we will continue to be forced to grapple with maintaining a viable system from within. In taking a minute from internal squabbling to take a deep breath, I’d like to redirect attention to the bigger picture as I try to do, venting my frustration at people like that empty suit (head) Arnie Duncan. This review is grist for that mill. http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/sep/29/school-reform-failing-grade/?pagination=false and also http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/books/review/class-warfare-by-steven-brill-book-review.html?pagewanted=all . And… http://www.notwaitingforsuperman.org/NewsAndReviews/HomePage.
Comment by M.I. — October 28, 2011 @ 1:41 pm
Mark, I still think that many things become “larger than life” because they represent an unwilingness to look at things differently. I think both happy teachers and good teaching materials are necessary for our kids to prosper in classrooms. Small give backs, such as Kirsten’s if she had done it, go a long way to symbolize her solidarity with her staff, who have been asked to make many sacrifices. And if the Board had tried to give something toward the teachers when there was money to do so, even if it were not the whole shebang, the teachers would feel less “dissed”. I do not believe it had to be an “all or nothing” as it was voted to be. They might be able to rationalize both of these decisions, but they are not the best choices when it comes to the long term health of the District which does depend on community support and teacher morale.
In general, I find most of the Board of Trustees to be solid people who act in the best interests of the District, but these two decisions I just can’t get around feeling as if they could have done better.
Comment by Kate Quick. — October 28, 2011 @ 5:19 pm
All this whining on our little island about insignificant “suffering” by some or others underscores the sloppy extravagance Americans expect.
Tens of thousands of school children here in Thailand cannot go to school because of the worst floods in half a century. One quarter of the rice crop is devastated, the largest car manufacturing plants in SE Asia are under water. Electronic manufacturing plants will be out of commission for months which means world wide shortages of hard disc drives.
Yet all I hear from the Thai people is, please tell your friends at home to pray for us.
Comment by Jack Richard — October 29, 2011 @ 2:29 am
the voice of god comes from over the seas to put us in our place. Yeah, everything is relative Jack. After the Big One the rubble on Park Street will make the tree cutting fade in our memories, but this education funding is serious shit. Ask the Thais about education and health care. As a tourist in 1988 I got excellent free medical care for free. Antibiotics for infection and it was a lot more pleasant than waiting in emergency at Highland. I know they are still struggling with their politics, but I’d like to know about their education system. Spaulding Gray talks about the Thai attitude toward living life in his monologue Swimming to Cambodia. I think they may even have a word for their sort of Buddhist take on dealing with misfortune.
Good luck finding your perfect moment. http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2007/08/11/the-perfect-moment/
Comment by M.I. — October 29, 2011 @ 9:29 am
Thai gov pays 1 through 15 years then they’re on their own. Most thais go to universities then work for gov or large corps because of pension benefits. Ethnic Chinese Thais more likely to fend for themselves after college. They prefer freedom and own most of the stores.
Scuse the typing. Poor sat connection and 15 baht per minute.
Comment by Jack Richard — October 29, 2011 @ 7:31 pm
Jack
My Prayers go out to the Thai people. I hope your safe. All the rest of this stuff is trivial in comparison.
Comment by John — October 31, 2011 @ 11:58 pm
20. Yet, the Thai govt decided it was ok for Bangkok to be dry, while the neighboring provinces flooded.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/world/asia/31iht-thailand31.html
Comment by alameda — November 1, 2011 @ 7:55 am
Who’d a thunk it?
5. Oakland, Calif.
New restaurants and bars beckon amid the grit.
Tensions have cooled since violence erupted at the recent Occupy Oakland protests, but the city’s revitalized night-life scene has continued to smolder.
The historic Fox Theater reopened in 2009 and quickly cemented its status as one of the Bay Area’s top music venues, drawing acts like Wilco and the Decemberists. Meanwhile, the city’s ever more sophisticated restaurants are now being joined by upscale cocktail bars, turning once-gritty Oakland into an increasingly appealing place to be after dark. James Syhabout, the chef who earned Oakland its first (and only) Michelin star two years ago at Commis, followed up in May with the instant-hit Hawker Fare, a casual spot serving Asian street food. Big-name San Francisco chefs are now joining him. Daniel Patterson (of two-Michelin-star Coi) opened the restaurant Plum in late 2010 and an adjacent cocktail bar later, and another restaurant, called Haven, in the recently renovated Jack London Square last month. INGRID K. WILLIAMS
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/travel/45-places-to-go-in-2012.html?pagewanted=all
Comment by Jack Richard — January 15, 2012 @ 10:33 am