Mr. Joshua McMurray, City Manager of Oakley, is sending an item to the City Council dais next Tuesday evening, May 14th, to defund many items we have worked so hard to bring to the community so the Edward Cinquini Park will receive $1,000,000.00 in money to complete the park. The one million will be added to the $4,000.000.00 already allocated to the park, bringing the total to $5,000.000.00.
The items to be defunded include many community safety items that previous councils ignored and allocated money instead to “build favorites.” The items include defunding tri-light signals at Brownstone and Main St and Delta Road and Main Street tri-lights. Portions of the widening of East Cypress Road will be defunded.
As you know, this is a favorite of Councilmember Meadows and was the park resolution he introduced. The initial sum was for $2,000,000.00. I was reluctant to proceed, mentioning that I foresaw trouble with the item in the future. I was assured by Mr. McMurray no problems would arise. Later, Mr. McMurray returned a request for $2,000,000.00 for the park “to make it a presentable park.” I reluctantly voted for the item, bringing the total to $4,000,000.00. I owe the residents of Oakley for not “listening to my gut.” Trust me, I will vote no now for sure.
Now is the time to contact your council members regarding the issue. Yes, the voting block of Rotary Club of Oakley members (Shaw, Henderson, and Meadows) will vote to approve the item. This voting block brought the McDonald and Quick Quack Car Wash to Oakley and put them across from Laurel Elementary School.
Yes, people can contact Joshua McMurray to express their disappointment or support. He can pull the item from the agenda. However, remember, he is also a Rotary Club of Oakley member.
Below are links to the staff report regarding the defunding, a spreadsheet of what items will be affected, and a copy of an article by Judith Prieve of the East Bay Times about Edward Cinquini.
George Fuller, Ed.D.
City Councilmember, City of Oakley, CA