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East Bay Insiders

East Bay political discourse will never be the same! Political reporter Steve Tavares, and Alameda County insiders Shawn Wilson and Dan Mendoza, dish the scoop on Alameda County, state, and national political scenes, with a few hijinks along the way.
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 21, 2018

One clever Twitter user called Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer's re-election defeat last month an "end to an error." After covering Spencer for the last four years, I'll break down the worst mayor that I've covering over the last decade in East Bay politics. Later in the podcast, I look at the brighter side of local politics and lay out why San Leandro voter wrongly voted out one of the most ardent defenders of government transparency in the county. Since it's Christmas, stick around for the end of the show for a special gift!

Dec 18, 2018

The first-ever woman to lead the San Leandro Police Department is in hot water in her new job in Beverly Hills. Salacious allegations of sexual misconduct and racist comments by Sandra Spagnoli led this month to a $2.3 million settlement. Craig Williams joins the show to talk about Spagnoli's tenure in San Leandro. We also air problems at the city's chartered Democratic club, and discuss the rise of Latino politicians in 'Dro politics.

Dec 14, 2018

In the last few weeks, Oakland--and the East Bay's--stadium issues have becoming more clear. The A's announced their intention last month to build at Howard Terminal near the Port of Oakland, in addition, to a proposal to develop the Coliseum site for a housing and tech hub. This week, the city of Oakland sued the Raiders and the NFL for damages related to the team's move to Las Vegas. One of the insiders behind the lawsuit joins the program for a lengthy, and sometimes trash talk-filled, discussion on both developments.

Nov 20, 2018

Do you believe in miracles? 16th District Assemblymember-elect Rebecca Bauer-Kahan's major upset in the East Bay seemingly caught everyone off guard. How exactly did it happen? What unexpected East Bay legislator deserves a little credit for the result? 

In the interview, Hayward Councilmember-elect Aisha Wahab gives a candid, inside look into her successful City Council campaign. The doubts she received from the Hayward establishment and her Election Day nerves leading to becoming the first elected Afghan American public official in the U.S.

Nov 9, 2018

One of the most interesting East Bay election seasons in a long time is now in the books. Some local leaders justified their place as potential state and federal prospects. But there was also a distinctive anti-incumbent wave that took root all over the East Bay and was mostly related to housing. I'll take a look at the big winners and big losers from Tuesday's Election Day.

Nov 6, 2018

Election Day morning in the East Bay, I caught up with two regular Alameda voters--18th District Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Alameda school board candidate Mia Bonta. Both are on Tuesday's ballot. Later, I'll break down the East Bay's big races, from AD15 to Oakland and Alameda toss-ups. It's going to be a long night!

Nov 2, 2018

Campaigns are rolling out last-minute negative mailers and candidates themselves are trolling each other on Facebook. I'll take a look at two such instances of skulduggery in San Leandro and Fremont.

The legendary Craig Williams has another proposed bill for Assemblymember Rob Bonta to follow up his "body cams for clergy" proposal, and 17th Congressional District candidate Ron Cohen joins the conversation.

Starting Saturday, Nov. 3 through Election Day on Nov. 6, look for the Steve Tavares Is Angry Special Daily Election Edition, a 10-minute look at the final days of long, grueling campaign.

Oct 27, 2018

The election season is nearing the end. It's put up or shut up time for campaigns. If you have mud to sling, sling it now, and races in cities all over the East Bay are getting ugly just in the past few days. I'll break down one such race, give you a brief projection for the Oakland City Council District 6 race with Councilmember Desley Brooks.

In Alameda, the mayor is off to China for six days as her re-election campaign its the final two weeks, and I'll talk about the hilarious negative ad in the 15th Assembly District campaign.

Later, I sit down with Union City Council candidate Jaime Patiño, who is running in a race next month for three open seats.

Listen to the podcast a day earlier by subscribing on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you download podcasts. And listen on EBCitizen.com

Oct 25, 2018

The lack of campaign coverage from the Bay Area’s corporate media has been especially sparse this election season. But even when they bother, like two recent articles on two East Bay assembly races, they get it wrong.

I act as an unpaid editor for the Chronicle in this episode, in addition, to listing my favorite desserts and least favorite sports.

San Leandro Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter sits down for a chat about her re-election campaign, why the city is so kind, and, oh, those roads.

Listen one day earlier to the Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast! Subscribe today on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you download podcasts.

Oct 20, 2018

The legendary Craig Williams is back after gathering signatures for the body cameras for clergy bill he wants Assemblymember Rob Bonta to carry next session. With Fremont switching to district elections, Williams describes the historical use of at-large elections to disenfranchise groups. He also has another idea bound to revolutionize basketball.

Later, Chabot-Las Positas Board of Trustees candidate Harpal Singh Mann chats about his campaign in the Union City-South Hayward district, his push for free community college tuition and the type of candidate he would support for the open chancellor's position at Chabot College.

Subscribe to the Steve Tavares Is Angry Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you download podcasts and listen to the show a day earlier!

Oct 20, 2018

The legendary Craig Williams is back after gathering signatures for the body cameras for clergy bill he wants Assemblymember Rob Bonta to carry next session. With Fremont switching to district elections, Williams describes the historical use of at-large elections to disenfranchise groups. He also has another idea bound to revolutionize basketball.

Later, Chabot-Las Positas Board of Trustees candidate Harpal Singh Mann chats about his campaign in the Union City-South Hayward district, his push for free community college tuition and the type of candidate he would support for the open chancellor's position at Chabot College.

Subscribe to the Steve Tavares Is Angry Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you download podcasts and listen to the show a day earlier!

Oct 17, 2018

When Oakland District 4 City Council candidate Charlie Michelson abruptly suspended his campaign last weekend with just over three weeks to go until Election Day, the move raised eyebrows. I'll break down the possible reasons for the surprising announcement. Whatever the reason it's probably not what he says it is.

Later, I talk coffee and politics with the owner of The Local coffee house in Alameda and sit down with Alameda City Council candidate John Knox White, who chats about his plan for sea-level rise, reducing traffic and how the city may react to the passage of some local and statewide ballot measures.

Listen to the Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast a day earlier by subscribing for free on iTunes and Stitcher or listen to it on EBCitizen.com

Oct 13, 2018

Will Hayward ever receive salvation? Hayward City Council candidate Joe Ramos, also a preacher, believes only if residents seek a new path. Ramos leads a prayer and offers his vision for Hayward in the most passionate Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast yet.

Another Hayward council candidate, who is Afghan American, was asked whether she receives campaign contributions from ISIS. I give the back story on that, in addition, to Alameda Mayor Trish Spencer and the Alameda Sun's article about my article. That's right. An article about an article written in another newspaper.

  

Oct 9, 2018

The November elections in San Leandro are just 30 days away. San Leandro community activist and raconteur Craig Williams co-hosts the program.

In this episode we take a look at the San Leandro mayoral race and three council contests, and much more.

For instance, Williams has an idea for legislation that he believes local Assemblymember Rob Bonta should carry next year.

Oct 4, 2018

Republican 15th Congressional District candidate Rudy Peters was almost stabbed while campaigning at a public event last month in Castro Valley. He survived and the man was arrested and the campaign moves forward.

Peters sat down for a chat this week in downtown Livermore to discuss the incident that made national news and how he was reluctant to make it public. Peters is facing Rep. Eric Swalwell next month and he lays out his criticism of three-term congressman along with his priorities for the district, and a lament of the local Republican Party.

Sep 20, 2018

Every election cycle I notice the discrepancy between how individual campaigns perform in public and the amount of money they pay political consultants. In the East Bay, the going rate appears to be around $8,000 a month. That's a ripoff. On the Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast I break down the political consultant scam. Spoiler: You don't need them.

In the hot seat is 81-year-old San Leandro renter John Busch. You may have seen his story in the media. He and others at the Estudillo Trailer Park were evicted by new out-of-town owners. The city wants to help, but Busch wants to stay in his home. In fact, you will might find his stance is almost Christ-like.

Sep 15, 2018

After a brief vacation, I'm back with an extended edition of Steve Tavares Is Angry. With the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee set to bestow its backing for a large number of East Bay candidates on Sept. 15, I take a look at some of the possible storylines that may arise from over the weekend. 

Later I take you on voyage back to 2012 to remind you of the worst person in East Bay politics--AC Transit at-large board member Joel Young.

In the hot seat, I welcome Oakland mayoral candidate Pamela Price to the podcast. You will find her take on how the central committee does its business quite fascinating.

Sep 2, 2018

In The Breakdown, I take another look at the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council. What exactly is going on over there? All seven members are hand-picked by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. All seven are contributors to his political campaigns. The end result appears not to be a true citizens advisory council, but one dedicated to benefit special interests. In the Hot Seat, I chat with Hayward Councilmember Sara Lamnin, who is running for re-election in what will likely be a tough campaign among three strong candidates for two at-large seats on the council.

Aug 30, 2018

Watergate in Hayward? A robber broke into council candidate Aisha Wahab's car and stole campaign materials, but left a cigarillo in the car. Meanwhile, every smoker in Hayward politics appears to be a suspect. In The Breakdown, I take a look at the Oakland District 6 council race and how all of Desley Brooks' challengers appear to be scared to actually challenge her. Then, in the Hot Seat, I chat with Union City council candidate Harris Mojadedi.

Aug 27, 2018

A Berkeley councilmember was pulled over for running a light and suggested for the police officer to let him off scot-free, telling her he had just voted for a big raise for her union. It's the kind of thing that bolsters the sentiment of people who despise government and public officials.

In The Breakdown, I take a look at the first debate of the Oakland mayoral campaign season with a focus on the difficulty Mayor Libby Schaaf faces in rebutting her challengers' argument that she has not done enough to keep the city's homelessness problem from exploding into a full-blown crisis.

Subscribe the Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast on iTunes and Stitcher and listen on EBCitizen.com

Aug 22, 2018

It's the most disconcerting, yet wacky Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast yet. As more allegations against the Alameda County Sheriff's Office pile up in just the last few days, why does Sheriff Ahern continually escape scrutiny? 

In The Breakdown, the strange case of an once-prospective Alameda City Council candidate takes another turn. I take a look at what really might be behind the renewed effort. And who knows? Maybe there's karaoke.

Subscribe to the Steve Tavares Is Angry podcast on iTunes and Stitcher for Android phones, and listen on EBCitizen.com.

Aug 18, 2018

All that work building a support system to run for local office and you forget to do the one thing that actually gets you on the ballot. A colossal mistake in Alameda gets lampooned on the podcast.

In The Breakdown. Rep. Eric Swalwell is really thinking about running for president. How might it go down? Or will it, based on past experience?

Also, politicians talk smack to me.

Subscribe to the Steve Tavares Is Angry Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher, or listen to all the episodes at EBCitizen.com.

Aug 15, 2018

A Hayward councilmember running for mayor posts an odd photo of himself on Twitter; Pamela Price kicks off her own run for Oakland mayor with an impressive campaign video, and the debate season starts in Alameda on Wednesday night.

In The Breakdown, I take a look at the unelected Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council, which serves at the pleasure of Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley. The CV MAC is essentially unincorporated Castro Valley's de facto city council. But while the council doesn't really have any power, its chair, a developer named Marc Crawford, went to great lengths to secure the position on Monday night. What happened will make you chuckle, then shock you in its brazen abuse of power.

Subscribe to the Steve Tavares Is Angry Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher or listen at EBCitizen.com.

Aug 10, 2018

Hayward City Council candidate Aisha Wahab turned heads two weeks ago by reporting a haul of campaign contributions that was more than double the combined amount by her two incumbent opponents. Aisha Wahab joins the Hot Seat for an interview about her vision for Hayward. 

In The Breakdown, I take a look at Hayward's mayoral and city council races this fall. Can Mayor Barbara Halliday stave off Councilmember Mark Salinas for a second time? Will the lack of media coverage in Hayward affect the races for mayor and council?

I also give some unsolicited advice for Union City's police chief.

Listen to the Steve Tavares Is Angry Podcast at EBCitizen.com or Subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher.

Aug 9, 2018

People often ask me, "Why do you hate Eric Swalwell?" I don't hate him, but on Thursday's Steve Is Angry Podcast, I'll tell you about what he did to me and why I'll never give him a participation trophy. Never!

Also, in The Breakdown, one good thing about Swalwell is he took his destiny into his own hands and challenged an unopposed congressman. With the filing deadline coming Friday, 5 p.m., I'll detail the East Bay races that are, in fact, not yet races because nobody has bothered to challenge incumbents.

Listen to Steve Tavares Is Angry at EBCitizen.com or, better yet, subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher.

 

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