Author: montclairoak

Oakland Whistleblowers Are Blowing

In the City of Oakland, the whistleblowers are blowing.  But are they being heard?

According to City Auditor Courtney Ruby, at least 80 percent of reports went somewhere while the remainder required no further action or were submitted with insufficient information.  Here’s the Audit Department’s recent overview, which included this chart below.

One indisputable fact?  There were many more whistleblowers lately, who started using a new city hotline installed in January 2009.  The counts grew significantly:  16 in fiscal 2007; 23 in fiscal 2008; and 122 in fiscal 2009.  The most recent count reflected a half-year of hotline operation, so it’s clearly been a handy tool for city employees.

With protections in place, this increased whistleblowing is probably a good thing.  Public sector employees do encounter bad actors and actions, and should have formal places to turn.  Especially in our litigious society, these kinds of programs are appropriate.

Are fraud, waste and abuse truly identified and then addressed through Oakland’s whistleblower program?  The auditor says her department can’t provide details regarding investigated matters, due to confidentiality considerations.  So the jury’s out.

Why We Love Montclair

Today we are revealing the truth, which has been hidden from view all these years.  Here’s why we madly and dearly love the Montclair District.

First, our natural setting makes us think we live in the Alps.  In reality, we are lucky to live in the Western USA and welcome such wonders as the elk migration.  It’s hard to grow tired of watching the herds travel down from the East Bay Regional Parks to forage in our low-lying gardens.  They sometimes try to sneak into garages, so we know to keep things closed – or else there’s mayhem.

We also appreciate the comforts of home, including concierge services which are delivered gratis while living here.  Day or night, Sally, Jimbo and their team will make sure it’s handled:  anything from running errands to the dry cleaner and post office to preparing gourmet meals based on locally-grown sources.  Lately, they have begun offering green-retrofits for your homes too.

Generally, the sense of community is so strong.  Every week, we enjoy participating in our quilting club because it’s an excuse to catch up on the latest news.  We like to create keepsakes about Montclair and, this year, are taking cast-off bathing caps to create a new masterpiece honoring the 50th anniversary of the Montclair Swim Team.

We love the incredible sense of history and the Little Alhambra culinary traditions handed down through the years.  All you need to do is look at Montclair Village’s cafes, and know the Peralta descendants have made their mark.  In lieu of scrambled eggs and omelets, huevos rancheros are the default breakfast option.  And the paella, sweetbread and flan for dinner is to die for, no?

Interestingly, the bucolic environment was well-planned.  When the original developers arrived back in the 1930s or so, they worked with the City of Oakland to create five-acre minimum zoning on all residential properties.  Most homes are still around 1,500 square feet or so, and the 2,000 square foot cap has worked wonders!

Our only complaint?  We are upset that so many roads were paved after the 1991 firestorm.  Those old, dirt fire trails sounded pretty sweet – and long-time Montclarions really miss ’em.  We know the trails created mayhem during our winter rains, but long for those good old days.

Evening Update:  With a couple groans still echoing, here’s to a happy and healthy April 1st.

Looking Up At Our Sky Today

This late winter weather is fascinating!  We’re weather obsessed the past couple days with the wild, mountain-like storms hitting normally weather-perfect Oakland.  Today, the winds and sky were absolutely beautiful, right before the rains arrived this afternoon.

In this view of the thunder clouds, it almost felt like we were in Kansas and awaiting some kind of funnel cloud to drop down.  The winds were very strong and the clouds were moving so quickly.

Not that we’re going to become storm-chasers, but it was [pick your superlative] to witness this intensity outside – and pretty harmless around here.

How To Check Power Outages

When will Mother Nature strike again, putting us in the dark?  It’s hard to say during this storm-laden week.  Your faithful Montclair blogger can always tell when there have been recent power outages, based on what you’re searching to get here!  We think it’s time to reveal the best official place to check:  PG&E itself.

Today all is calm in Oakland, based on the map status a few minutes ago.  In this snapshot below, you can see eight outages reported with the cause unknown.  We assume the repairs are underway, and perhaps these residents near the Laurel won’t even know it happened – save the clocks gone awry.

When you visit PG&E’s status map, you’re able to track the Utility’s entire 70,000 square mile service area.  No matter what, there are always outages scattered across such a large footprint.  You would go ahead and select a city (Oakland) and, as needed, drill down to zip code (94611) to see what’s happening right now.

Of course, an online source has some natural flaws:  when the power’s out, it may be tough to go online.  With fingers crossed, we sometimes have cell phone service and hit the interweb to check outage times, causes, homes impacted and updates.  Pretty cool!

If you don’t have online access due to the outage,  then you may still reach PG&E the old fashioned way – by land-line phones operating off the grid.  Remember to have a telephone directly plugged in,  and not all hooked up to remote handsets depending on electricity.

PG&E has two toll-free numbers available to report any outage (800-743-5002) or to ask questions about outages (800-743-5000).  Keep ’em handy, especially during this stormy week.

The Friends Of Parks Phenomenon

Especially for our nearby city parks and open spaces, the spirit of volunteerism is alive and kicking.  After months in the works, Friends Of Parks groups will be officially baptized for the Montclair Railroad Trail and Joaquin Miller Park.  These blessings should make things easier when attracting volunteers, raising funds and getting a few projects done.

Friends of Montclair RR Trail

Last year, we witnessed plenty of upset over Shepherd Canyon’s old railroad right-of-way.  This trail is well-loved by walkers, bicyclers and dogs heading back and forth to the Village.  To improve the path, a group of volunteers has been cleaning areas monthly and getting more organized about priorities.

Now these volunteers and others are invited to join the “Friends of Montclair RR Trail.”  The fledgling group will be holding their first annual meeting soon – on Saturday, April 10th, 12:30 – 2:30 pm at the Montclair Rec Center.  (More info here.)

Friends of Joaquin Miller Park

Nearly ditto for Joaquin Miller Park, after this crown jewel was left tarnished last year.  Park rangers had decamped from their office, and then were eliminated altogether.  In their place came bonfires and troubles, and then volunteers who decided what needed short and long-term attention – including projects like Joaquin Miller’s homestead restoration.

“Friends of Joaquin Miller Park” has evolved into a more structured group, which will hold their first formal meeting and all-day celebration – on Sunday, April 25th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, at Sanborn Drive.  Come prepared to picnic and hike as well.  (More info here.)

Montclair Park Without Friends

Only kidding!  Beyond the Friends Of Parks phenomenon, we have long appreciated the volunteers who support Montclair Park, from planting flowers to leading weekly hikes.  Maintenance and clean-ups have become a problem with staff reductions, something that Park Director Mark Zinns has been trying to manage with help from all willing hands.

Teens may provide an answer, especially those invited to hang out at the park.  Besides having a place to go after school, “Teen Power Project” volunteers hope to encourage kids to participate in spring clean-ups.  By the way, there’s a kick-off for teens and families to celebrate with snacks, skateboarding and teen singers – on Wednesday, April 21st, 2:30 – 6:30 pm at the park.  (More info here.)

While there have always been volunteer efforts, it feels like neighbors are more involved than in earlier, more flush times.  There’s no question that a core group of volunteers are motivated to keep parks safe and cleaned up, to conserve remaining open parcels, and to honor the historical heritage around here.  The progress is slow and steady, but heartening.