OAKLAND

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon, D-Oakland, in a letter to the U.S Labor Department, has demanded answers regarding what she sees as the department’s continued failure to carry out enforcement responsibilities, including ensuring protections for workers with disabilities.

Within the Labor Department, the Federal Contract Compliance Programs Office is responsible for enforcing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against workers with disabilities. Last September, Simon expressed concern about that office’s suspension of disability discrimination investigations and the agency’s diminished capacity to enforce Section 503 after staff reductions and field office closures.

Since that initial letter, additional concerns have emerged regarding whether the compliance office is carrying out its remaining enforcement responsibilities. Simon’s new follow-up letter seeks answers regarding the office’s current enforcement activities, complaint-processing timelines, and public reporting practices. It also reiterates the Congresswoman’s request for transparency regarding the agency’s efforts to protect workers with disabilities.

“We are deeply concerned that workers with disabilities working for federal contractors are being left without recourse as OFCCP’s (the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’) enforcement capacity continues to erode,” said wrote in her letter. “Workers with disabilities waiting for accountability deserve better.” For online details, including a link to the letter’s full text, visit bit.ly/4gLNK4r.

— U.S. Rep. Simon’s office

Red Oak Realty to show two free films in its parking lot

This year marks a special milestone as Red Oak Realty celebrates 50 years as a local, independent real estate company serving the East Bay. As Red Oak observes that milestone, management say they are proud to continue their tradition of connecting, gathering and enjoying our community together through their free outdoor cinema series.

Join Red Oak for a special Aug. 22 screening of the film “Stand By Me,” and mark your calendars for their family-friendly Sept. 12 feature “Zootopia 2.” Both movies will be shown on a 50-foot screen in Red Oak’s parking lot at 6450 Moraga Ave., with the film beginning at dusk (about 8 p.m.).

The fun starts at 7 p.m. with a live DJ set from Bukue One, lawn games and free popcorn for all attendees provided by CruFit. Make it a full evening by grabbing dinner and drinks from one of Montclair’s many local restaurants before settling in for the show. Bring your blankets, low-back chairs, friends, family and neighbors — Red Oak looks forward to celebrating 50 years of community, connection and local tradition with you.

Visit redoakrealty.com/neighborhoods/montclair online for more information about Red Oak.

— Megan Christian

Speaker addresses GOP club on victims’ rights law

Victims’ rights was the topic at the East Bay Republican Club’s recent annual Margaritas and Munchies event. The speaker, retired Judge Clare Scherer, explained the protections that “Marsy’s Law” provides to crime victims and their families.

The law emerged from California’s 2008 Prop 9 initiative, thought public awareness of it is low. Judge Scherer described the way it protected her when she was stalked by a former defendant. She explained the role of volunteer lawyers in implementing the law, through an organization called “Get Vocal for Victims.”

Upcoming East Bay Republican Club events include an Oct. 10 candidate Forum Breakfast. For details, visit eastbayrepublicanclub.org online.

— Jeanne Solnderdal

PIEDMONT
Filing period opens Monday to run in city’s fall elections

Residents interested in running for Piedmont City Council or for the Piedmont Unified School District’s Board of Education can pick up nomination documents with the City Clerk by appointment starting Monday.

On Nov. 3, Piedmont voters will elect candidates to fill two seats on the City Council and three on Board of Education. These are all volunteer positions. Councilmembers Jennifer Long and Tom Ramsey and Board of  Education members Ruchi Medhekar and Lindsay Thomasson are eligible to run for a second term, while Mayor Betsy Andersen is termed out.

The nomination process can be complicated, and filing deadlines are strict, so interested residents should get started as soon as possible. Those interested in running should make an appointment to get their candidate documents by contacting the City Clerk’s office at CityClerk@piedmont.ca.gov or 510-420-3040 or to schedule an appointment.

At the appointments, the City Clerk will walk potential candidates through the nomination process, reviewing documents, deadlines and rules. Applicants should plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes;

Applicants should review the basics of the process online: Prepare for their appointments by reviewing information about running for office on the city’s website (see link at end). This will give potential candidates an idea of  what to expect and an opportunity to identify questions they want to ask during their appointments.

Nomination documents must be filed by Aug. 7 in-person at the City Clerk’s office. Filing documents early is recommended so that potential candidates have time to correct any issues. A list of people who have pulled or filed nomination papers will be available at piedmont.ca.gov/vote2026. Find more information, go online to piedmont.ca.gov/services___departments/city_clerk/elections/run-for-office.

City OKs budget, plans real estate tax hike for Nov. 3 ballot

The City Council adopted a balanced city budget for 2026-2027 fiscal year one of their recent regular meeting. The budget maintains service levels citywide, prioritizing high-quality service delivery and fiscal responsibility while reflecting a transition from major project delivery to long-term stewardship after completing an unprecedented volume of capital improvements and housing policy work over the past several years.

Among key priorities in the coming year will be moving from launch to sustainable long-term operations at new facilities — refining operations and service models based on real-world use, fully staffing operations and managing costs to ensure these major investments deliver their full potential value to the community.

Other priorities include recruiting and integrating new staff as the city moves through a generational workplace transition and securing a development partner for implementation of the Moraga Canyon Specific Plan

Looking ahead at the city’s large volume of unfunded capital needs, the council also voted to place an increase to Piedmont’s real estate transfer tax — a one-time tax levied on a property at the time of sale — on the city’s Nov. 3 ballot that would increase the tax from 1.3% to 1.75%, better aligning Piedmont’s rate with neighboring cities and generating an additional $1.5 million annually. The ballot measure would need a majority vote to pass.

This vote was the first step in the process of placing a measure on the November ballot. A second vote was tentatively scheduled for this week’s council meeting. The deadline to submit materials to Alameda County’s Registrar of Voters for the November ballot is Aug. 7. For more details online, visit bit.ly/4fb7LyV.

— city of Piedmont

To submit an item for the Montclarion and Piedmonter’s “In brief” section, which is now usually published in print on each month’s second Friday, please email it, at least three days before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.