OAKLAND<\/p>\n
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\u2019s continued failure to carry out enforcement responsibilities, including ensuring protections for workers with disabilities.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s suspension of disability discrimination investigations and the agency\u2019s diminished capacity to enforce Section 503 after staff reductions and field office closures.<\/p>\n
Since that initial letter, additional concerns have emerged regarding whether the compliance office is carrying out its remaining enforcement responsibilities. Simon\u2019s new follow-up letter seeks answers regarding the office\u2019s current enforcement activities, complaint-processing timelines, and public reporting practices. It also reiterates the Congresswoman\u2019s request for transparency regarding the agency\u2019s efforts to protect workers with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are deeply concerned that workers with disabilities working for federal contractors are being left without recourse as OFCCP\u2019s (the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs\u2019) enforcement capacity continues to erode,\u201d said wrote in her letter. \u201cWorkers with disabilities waiting for accountability deserve better.\u201d For online details, including a link to the letter\u2019s full text, visit bit.ly\/4gLNK4r<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 U.S. Rep. Simon\u2019s office<\/p>\n Red Oak Realty to show two free films in its parking lot<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Join Red Oak for a special Aug. 22 screening of the film \u201cStand By Me,\u201d and mark your calendars for their family-friendly Sept. 12 feature \u201cZootopia 2.\u201d Both movies will be shown on a 50-foot screen in Red Oak\u2019s parking lot at 6450 Moraga Ave., with the film beginning at dusk (about 8 p.m.).<\/p>\n 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\u2019s many local restaurants before settling in for the show. Bring your blankets, low-back chairs, friends, family and neighbors \u2014 Red Oak looks forward to celebrating 50 years of community, connection and local tradition with you.<\/p>\n Visit redoakrealty.com\/neighborhoods\/montclair<\/a> online for more information about Red Oak.<\/p>\n \u2014 Megan Christian<\/p>\n Speaker addresses GOP club on victims\u2019 rights law<\/p>\n Victims\u2019 rights was the topic at the East Bay Republican Club\u2019s recent annual Margaritas and Munchies event. The speaker, retired Judge Clare Scherer, explained the protections that \u201cMarsy\u2019s Law\u201d provides to crime victims and their families.<\/p>\n The law emerged from California\u2019s 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 \u201cGet Vocal for Victims.\u201d<\/p>\n Upcoming East Bay Republican Club events include an Oct. 10 candidate Forum Breakfast. For details, visit eastbayrepublicanclub.org<\/a> online.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jeanne Solnderdal<\/p>\n PIEDMONT Residents interested in running for Piedmont City Council or for the Piedmont Unified School District\u2019s Board of Education can pick up nomination documents with the City Clerk by appointment starting Monday.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0 Education members Ruchi Medhekar and Lindsay Thomasson are eligible to run for a second term, while Mayor Betsy Andersen is termed out.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s office at CityClerk@piedmont.ca.gov<\/a> or 510-420-3040 or to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n 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;<\/p>\n Applicants should review the basics of the process online: Prepare for their appointments by reviewing information about running for office on the city\u2019s website (see link at end). This will give potential candidates an idea of\u00a0 what to expect and an opportunity to identify questions they want to ask during their appointments.<\/p>\n Nomination documents must be filed by Aug. 7 in-person at the City Clerk\u2019s 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<\/a>. Find more information, go online to piedmont.ca.gov\/services___departments\/city_clerk\/elections\/run-for-office<\/a>.<\/p>\n City OKs budget, plans real estate tax hike for Nov. 3 ballot<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Among key priorities in the coming year will be moving from launch to sustainable long-term operations at new facilities \u2014 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Looking ahead at the city\u2019s large volume of unfunded capital needs, the council also voted to place an increase to Piedmont\u2019s real estate transfer tax \u2014 a one-time tax levied on a property at the time of sale \u2014 on the city\u2019s Nov. 3 ballot that would increase the tax from 1.3% to 1.75%, better aligning Piedmont\u2019s rate with neighboring cities and generating an additional $1.5 million annually. The ballot measure would need a majority vote to pass.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s council meeting. The deadline to submit materials to Alameda County\u2019s Registrar of Voters for the November ballot is Aug. 7. For more details online, visit bit.ly\/4fb7LyV<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 city of Piedmont<\/p>\n To submit an item for the Montclarion and Piedmonter\u2019s \u201cIn brief\u201d section, which is now usually published in print on each month\u2019s second Friday, please email it, at least three days before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"OAKLAND U.S. Rep. 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\nFiling period opens Monday to run in city\u2019s fall elections<\/p>\n