Community Corner
GLIMPSING THE REAL STATE OF OUR CITY
GLIMPSING THE REAL STATE OF OUR CITY
This would be the ideal time for thoughtful Newark citizens to express their concerns about very recent developments. Last month, a tiny elite group was privileged to hear Mayor Al Nagy deliver the “State of the City” address.
Rather than providing an occasion for disclosure and civic dialogue, this annual event strongly discouraged public participation. It was publicized only on the Chamber of Commerce website, not that of the City. Nor did the address receive much (if any) coverage, either before or afterward, in the news media, including the Argus.
Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
To further insure that the event attracted only the “right” people, it was held at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel at 1:30 in the afternoon. Worse, advance reservations for the luncheon were required and any non-members of the Chamber were charged $45. The public could not attend unless they paid for the luncheon; there was no "gallery" seating, as there had been at past State of the City luncheons. This was in clear violation of California’s Brown Act insuring public access to meetings where public business is conducted.
When the text of the mayor's speech finally appeared on the city website over a week after the luncheon (http://newark-chamber.com/m/news/view/State-of-the-City-Luncheon-and-Mayoral-Address), it became clear why the citizens of Newark were not invited: a skewed partnership to redevelop the Newpark Mall was announced.
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Mayor Nagy did talk about cooperation between the City and Rouse, the corporate owner of the Mall, but did not mention that 80% of the new sales tax revenues will go directly to Rouse. Once again, this was about private profit and at public expense. This sweetheart deal would not only compromise the purpose of renovating the Mall—i.e. bringing in significant new sales tax revenues; it would also cost the City millions—and require that taxpayers make up the lost revenue.
Tired of illegal closed meetings where your city officials cut secret deals that cost you money? Then do come out and speak up at the City Council meeting on Thursday May 22 at 7 in City Hall, 6th floor.
Paul W. Rea, PhD, Newark
