On Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee Inauguration Party At Jack London Square, The Alley, And TIF On Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee Inauguration Party At Jack London Square, The Alley, And TIF Yesterday, I made a video-blog that started out like this: On May 20th of 2025, Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee became Oakland’s 52nd Mayor, and what was to be a small in-office signing event turned into a City Hall Chambers ceremony attended by 400 people. As a reminder, that happened because Sheng Thao, the 51st Mayor of Oakland, was recalled on Election Day 2024, meaning new Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee has to run for office again in 2026. But forgetting all that, Oakland Mayor Lee wants to have a big, expensive inauguration bash fit for the President on June 8th, and costing $300,000. Given Oakland’s woes, Mayor Lee should give that money to Jackie Simpkins, the Owner of The Alley Bar at 3325 Grand Avenue, and help keep it open. And went from there... Today, I got a call from a friend who's a big Barb...