I am vexed with Oakley City Hall. The staff and voting bloc of the City Council are moving back to the days of yore of the Bryan Montgomery dynasty. City Hall has taken the position of letting only the privileged few participate in the planning process. I am certainly not one of the blessed to have city planning information released to me.
A critical negotiation is currently underway with the City Manager. Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery (MDRR) is requesting a new contract that will span multiple years, allowing it to increase collection rates and support long-term capital enhancements for the organization.
We all know that refuse collection in municipalities has generated angst for the cities’ residents. San Francisco experienced difficulties with Recology, which collects refuse in that City.
Oakland’s recycling operation, Cal Waste Solutions, was the recent target of an FBI investigation involving the Doung family, who are influential political operatives in Oakland. The company was found to be involved with nefarious activities with the City of Oakland. Also, Oakland’s Mayor, Sheng Thao, was federally indicted for corruption as a result of the investigation. Oakland residents recently recalled her from the Mayor’s position.
Our area, a little section of the Bay Area, is not immune to political scandals involving refuse collection and political operatives. Recently, Mary Jo Rossi, a prominent Democrat in Concord, was the subject of an FBI search warrant. No explanation for the search warrant was provided, except that it followed the Duong corruption investigation.
Ms. Rossi was once associated with Garaventa Enterprises, the original name of MDRR. Ms. Rossi provided public relations for the organization. Garaventa Enterprises denies any association with Ms. Rossi at this time.
MDRR has strong connections with the Rotary Club of Oakley. MDRR habitually financially supports the Rotary Club’s fundraising with significant donations. MDRR pays the Club fees for an MDRR public relations person to be a member of the Rotary Club. An MDRR gave an application for Oakley Rotary, along with Aaron Meadows. MDRR has provided celebrations for Shannon Shaw, Aaron Meadows, and Anissa Williams to be the Mayor. All of these sponsored events cause one to wonder if they “really do not have any impact on refuse collection fees.”
The best way to ensure ethical negotiations is for the City Manager, Joshua McMurray, to provide regularly scheduled updates on the talks to the residents of Oakley. Residents are encouraged to communicate with Council members and City staff to request such updates.
Below are articles regarding the Duong corruption, the Thao corruption, and the Rossi search warrant
George Fuller, Ed.D., City Councilmember, District 5, City of Oakley, CA
