Oakland police officers will pay into their pension plans if voters approve a parcel tax on the November ballot to restore 80 laid-off positions. The police union has agreed to publicly support the tax measure.  The news was announced at an Oakland Police Officers’ Association press conference Monday and reported in the Oakland Tribune. The city hopes to float a $360-per-household parcel tax this November that needs the support of two-thirds ......

Bay Citizen's Richard Parks was at City Hall were gay couples were trying to get married.  ...

The Bay Citizen's Richard Parks captured this video of a California couple who support Proposition 8....

Bay Citizen Reporter Richard Parks gets the first reactions to Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling....

After spending nearly four years excoriating Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums in his weekly column, Chip Johnson this week writes that he wants him to run again. Johnson is worried about voter turnout and believes a Dellums candidacy would “enliven the whole race.” Johnson didn’t miss a chance to get in a couple jabs: “I know what you're thinking. You think I want Dellums to receive the electoral thrashing that many ......