Environment Degraded, Democracy Corrupted

The federal Environmental Protection Agency will fine California Waste Solutions (CWS) more than $450,000 for dumping mercury and other pollutants into San Francisco Bay.

The EPA announced on Sept. 3, 2008 that CWS piled polluted waste next to storm drains. Especially when it rains, or simply when CWS workers wash down work areas, pollutants flow into the drains.

Loose waste washes into storm drain at California Waste Solutions

CWS has a contract with the City of Oakland to pick up recyclable materials in about half the city. CWS also operates in San Jose.

The news reminds us of councilmember Jean Quan's campaign for a $100 million palace library in 2006. She raised $150,000 for Measure N mailers and signs and such, about half the total from contractors doing business or preparing to do business with the City.

CWS contributed $5,000 to Quan's Measure N campaign. What interest does the company have in a palace library in Oakland? None.

If the City deliberates on allocating business to CWS, Quan's position is marred by her political obligation to the company.

The rules for ballot measure campaigns are not the same as for candidate campaigns. Quan's corrupt politics are unethical and detrimental to the best interest of the City, but not illegal. Questioned about the propriety of accepting such contributions, Quan dug in her heels: "I'll ask anyone for money for the libraries. Do a few City contractors give money to politics? Yes, and they should." (North Gate News Online, Nov. 15, 2006)

The opposition to Measure N raised no funds, but voters, seeing the folly and waste of a palace library, defeated the measure. We are fortunate that the City's current budget mess is not complicated by Quan's proposed bond issue.

Now Quan is speaking well of Measure NN, the Son of Measure Y that promises more police but has no credible guarantees we will get them.