Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Is Elihu Harris Corrupt?
Education / Media / People / Politics Robert Gammon — Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 10:46 AM
In case you missed it, the Contra Costa Times and the Oakland Tribune ran a great package of stories on Sunday about ethically questionable decisions made over the years by Peralta Community College Chancellor Elihu Harris. The main story focuses on a $940,000 no bid contract that Harris steered to one of his business partners without disclosing his ties to the contractor. Great reporting and great details by journalists Matt Krupnick and Thomas Peele. One of our favorite nuggets: Harris, the former two-term Oakland mayor, owns a Berkeley funeral home that doesn't pay its bills. Plus, Harris doesn't disclose the business on his statements of economic interests as required by law.
But that's not all. The papers also explore the lavish trips taken by top Peralta officials at taxpayer expense, secret pay raises that Harris awarded to his favorite employees, and details of Harris' eye-popping $300,000 salary. Another of our favorites: Peralta board member Marcie Hodge, who ran a campaign for city council in 2006, bragging about her efforts to cut wasteful spending, routinely charges personal expenses on her district-issued credit card. Take time out today and read these stories, if you haven't already. They're real eye openers.
Comments (4)
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There are more scandalous events such placing unqualified favorites in top positions and blocking information from keeping good performers competent.
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Just when we thought local journalism was dead, the monopoly BANG papers surprise us with a reminder of how important press oversight of our public institutions is.
As someone who helped elect some of the reformers on the Peralta board, I was saddened to read how uninformed some of them seemed about the Chancellor's contract and behavior. I trust that the articles will serve as a wakeup call.
At a time when students, faculty and classified staff are being asked to make sacrifices, it's time for Elihu to resign.
Instead of just going on to websites of different papers and just posting what they did, you should do ACTUAL research, and find out the facts. Corrupt?! I think not. The whole culture of the Peralta School District has changed because of THIS MAN and the work that he does. They recieve a lot of funding ( check out the Peralta Fund if you dont believe me) because of his work. Also, the stats for graduating, and exchange students has skyrocketed because o HIS work. Get your facts straight before you open your big mouth.
But what! and it was the East Bay Express who said I should vote for Marcie Hodge...
They sure did because:
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/gyrobase/kaplan__bates__dehaan__and_roy__plus_no_on_8/Content?oid=855032&page=2
When it comes to endorsements it is the East Bay Express who I trust!
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