On a professional note, I have concluded my stint as #Oakland’s Interim City Administrator.
Needless to say — having been appointed on the day that the World Health Organization issued its pandemic declaration — this assignment didn’t go as expected. 1/8
Needless to say — having been appointed on the day that the World Health Organization issued its pandemic declaration — this assignment didn’t go as expected. 1/8
I thought I’d spend my months in Oakland discussing the important issues of the day with the Mayor and councilmembers in their offices and districts; eating lunches in Oakland’s many restaurants; riding along with police, fire, and public works crews; browsing libraries...
2/8
2/8
...walking parks; shaking hands and joking with members of the press and public in the council chambers before and after meetings; hobnobbing with city staff in their many departments and locations.
None of that happened.
3/8
None of that happened.
3/8
Instead, on my second day in office, I ordered the closure of all libraries, senior centers, and recreation centers, and on my third day I sent city hall workers home and opened the emergency operations center.
It’s what happened next, though, that made an impression.
4/8
It’s what happened next, though, that made an impression.
4/8
I watched councilmembers rise fiercely and use their powers to protect the least fortunate in the community.
I saw a tenacious mayor beat down doors to gather supplies and raise funds for pandemic relief, and saw her welcome the passenger ship that no other city would greet.
5/8
I saw a tenacious mayor beat down doors to gather supplies and raise funds for pandemic relief, and saw her welcome the passenger ship that no other city would greet.
5/8
I stood to the side and merely watched as Oakland’s remarkable workers — unflinchingly dedicated to their city — reconfigured parks, created slow streets, tried to keep housing projects going, mobilized firefighters and police officers to protect the public...
6/8
6/8
...and courageously stood up food distribution programs, hotels and trailers for the unhoused, and multiple testing sites throughout town.
And, time and again, I saw residents, faith communities, nonprofits, and businesses come together for the betterment of Oakland.
7/8
And, time and again, I saw residents, faith communities, nonprofits, and businesses come together for the betterment of Oakland.
7/8
It wasn’t what I expected.
It was better than that.
I’m grateful to @LibbySchaaf for giving me the opportunity to serve this remarkable Town, and wish all the best to my friend and partner Ed Reiskin who was sworn in yesterday as Oakland’s new City Administrator.
/end
It was better than that.
I’m grateful to @LibbySchaaf for giving me the opportunity to serve this remarkable Town, and wish all the best to my friend and partner Ed Reiskin who was sworn in yesterday as Oakland’s new City Administrator.
/end
