It risks corruption and mismanagement, it makes it harder to hold elected leaders accountable, and it doesn’t reflect Oakland’s diverse community. There’s a better option.
I fully agree that Oaklanders need to look beyond just our current mayor, Barbara Lee when making the decision. While we trust her, Oakland has proven that it is likely we will occasionally get a mayor who would do significant damage if they had more power with less checks and balances… exactly what this measure would enable.
Thank you Oakland Report for this article. We must stop Measure EE from passing this November. We need the mayor to be back on the city council. Mindy Pechenuk for Oakland Mayor 2026
Of course it wouldn’t leave the city council powerless! That’s ridiculous! The city council members would continue to represent their districts, just as it’s done in NYC! The mayor then has the ability to honor all of the various district’s needs by hearing all of the needs! That’s what’s happening in NYC with Mamdani! It’s how I grew up, and if the mayor is corrupt, then there’s such a thing as a recall.
So, please tell me when the Oakland government was successful under a weak mayor model.
Hilary, Thank you for your additional comment. In response, please allow me to call you attention to this passage in the commentary:
"Measure EE would grant the mayor a sweeping array of new powers — ultimately granting them more power than almost any other mayor in California. The mayor would gain the power to hire, oversee, and fire not only the city administrator, but also almost every department director responsible for the delivery of core city services.
"The mayor would be responsible for recommending contracts for the council to approve — not city staff. And the mayor would also gain a powerful veto, including budgetary line-item veto power, letting them block most Council actions and even practically rewrite the Council’s adopted budget."
Yes. I know. This is exactly the same system that NYC has. Research it. And, it is exactly the same as all strong mayor systems in cities across this country. This is nothing new. The weak mayor system does not work. The strong city council system doesn’t work. Again, please tell us a time that the Oakland administration was successful under the strong city council system.
Mayors are generally classified based on their authority and the structure of the local municipal government.
National League of Cities
Strong Mayor
Role: The mayor acts as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the city and holds significant administrative and executive power.
Powers: They can directly hire and fire department heads, prepare and propose the city budget, and wield veto power over city council votes.
Commonly Found: Large cities (such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago) use this system.
Ballotpedia
+3
Weak Mayor
Role: The mayor has very limited executive power outside of the city council and often serves a largely ceremonial role.
Powers: They typically act as "first among equals" or chair the city council, lack veto powers, and cannot independently hire or fire city staff.
Selection: They may be directly elected by citizens or chosen from among the members of the city council.
Wikipedia
+3
Council-Manager System (Mayor in a Council-Manager Government)
Role: The elected mayor shares or lacks executive authority while a professional, non-partisan city manager handles day-to-day operations.
National League of Cities
+1
Powers: The mayor focuses on legislative leadership, presiding over council meetings and acting as a public spokesperson or community lobbyist.
Wikipedia
Selection: Often chosen from the council or elected part-time to work alongside a hired City Manager.
Commission Form Mayor
Role: A small board of elected commissioners jointly handles both legislative and executive duties.
Powers: One member holds the title of mayor (often selected by the commissioners or chosen by receiving the most votes), but they generally function as the presiding officer of the commission rather than a standalone executive.
Granicus
+2
Deputy Mayor
Role: An appointed or elected official who steps in to fulfill the duties, exercise the powers, and represent the office whenever the primary mayor is absent, incapacitated, or unavailable.
I COMPLETELY disagree with all of this! The strong mayor model in SO many cities has proven to be very effective. I grew up in NYC and lived there for 30 years. That model has been very successful. Now, look at Mayor Mamdani and how successful he is working within this strong mayor model. I have faith in Barbara Lee that she will govern even more effectively once there is a strong mayor model in place. Having lived in Oakland for the past 40 years, I cannot name one effective mayor due to the current strong city council model. Every city council member looks out for their district only. With a strong mayor model. The mayor governs for ALL!!!
Hilary, Thank you for your comment, and for reading Oakland Report. The mayor is a politician by definition, which means that their job depends on getting the most votes in order to get elected and keep their job as mayor. Please allow me to call your attention to this passage in the commentary:
"Our district-based system is designed to level the playing field and ensure every community has an equal voice in City Hall.
"Measure EE would take that away from us. It would make City Council almost powerless, leaving the Mayor focused on the interests of wealthy donors and the North Oakland residents (predominantly white homeowners) who show up to vote."
Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
I fully agree that Oaklanders need to look beyond just our current mayor, Barbara Lee when making the decision. While we trust her, Oakland has proven that it is likely we will occasionally get a mayor who would do significant damage if they had more power with less checks and balances… exactly what this measure would enable.
Thank you Oakland Report for this article. We must stop Measure EE from passing this November. We need the mayor to be back on the city council. Mindy Pechenuk for Oakland Mayor 2026
Of course it wouldn’t leave the city council powerless! That’s ridiculous! The city council members would continue to represent their districts, just as it’s done in NYC! The mayor then has the ability to honor all of the various district’s needs by hearing all of the needs! That’s what’s happening in NYC with Mamdani! It’s how I grew up, and if the mayor is corrupt, then there’s such a thing as a recall.
So, please tell me when the Oakland government was successful under a weak mayor model.
Hilary, Thank you for your additional comment. In response, please allow me to call you attention to this passage in the commentary:
"Measure EE would grant the mayor a sweeping array of new powers — ultimately granting them more power than almost any other mayor in California. The mayor would gain the power to hire, oversee, and fire not only the city administrator, but also almost every department director responsible for the delivery of core city services.
"The mayor would be responsible for recommending contracts for the council to approve — not city staff. And the mayor would also gain a powerful veto, including budgetary line-item veto power, letting them block most Council actions and even practically rewrite the Council’s adopted budget."
Thank you again, the discussion is appreciated.
Yes. I know. This is exactly the same system that NYC has. Research it. And, it is exactly the same as all strong mayor systems in cities across this country. This is nothing new. The weak mayor system does not work. The strong city council system doesn’t work. Again, please tell us a time that the Oakland administration was successful under the strong city council system.
Mayors are generally classified based on their authority and the structure of the local municipal government.
National League of Cities
Strong Mayor
Role: The mayor acts as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the city and holds significant administrative and executive power.
Powers: They can directly hire and fire department heads, prepare and propose the city budget, and wield veto power over city council votes.
Commonly Found: Large cities (such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago) use this system.
Ballotpedia
+3
Weak Mayor
Role: The mayor has very limited executive power outside of the city council and often serves a largely ceremonial role.
Powers: They typically act as "first among equals" or chair the city council, lack veto powers, and cannot independently hire or fire city staff.
Selection: They may be directly elected by citizens or chosen from among the members of the city council.
Wikipedia
+3
Council-Manager System (Mayor in a Council-Manager Government)
Role: The elected mayor shares or lacks executive authority while a professional, non-partisan city manager handles day-to-day operations.
National League of Cities
+1
Powers: The mayor focuses on legislative leadership, presiding over council meetings and acting as a public spokesperson or community lobbyist.
Wikipedia
Selection: Often chosen from the council or elected part-time to work alongside a hired City Manager.
Commission Form Mayor
Role: A small board of elected commissioners jointly handles both legislative and executive duties.
Powers: One member holds the title of mayor (often selected by the commissioners or chosen by receiving the most votes), but they generally function as the presiding officer of the commission rather than a standalone executive.
Granicus
+2
Deputy Mayor
Role: An appointed or elected official who steps in to fulfill the duties, exercise the powers, and represent the office whenever the primary mayor is absent, incapacitated, or unavailable.
I COMPLETELY disagree with all of this! The strong mayor model in SO many cities has proven to be very effective. I grew up in NYC and lived there for 30 years. That model has been very successful. Now, look at Mayor Mamdani and how successful he is working within this strong mayor model. I have faith in Barbara Lee that she will govern even more effectively once there is a strong mayor model in place. Having lived in Oakland for the past 40 years, I cannot name one effective mayor due to the current strong city council model. Every city council member looks out for their district only. With a strong mayor model. The mayor governs for ALL!!!
Hilary, Thank you for your comment, and for reading Oakland Report. The mayor is a politician by definition, which means that their job depends on getting the most votes in order to get elected and keep their job as mayor. Please allow me to call your attention to this passage in the commentary:
"Our district-based system is designed to level the playing field and ensure every community has an equal voice in City Hall.
"Measure EE would take that away from us. It would make City Council almost powerless, leaving the Mayor focused on the interests of wealthy donors and the North Oakland residents (predominantly white homeowners) who show up to vote."
Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.