Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci is facing increasing criticism for her refusal to address the status of a proposed Embarc recreational marijuana store in a residential area of Union City. For nearly two years, the city has debated whether to allow a third recreational marijuana store, but Mayor Dutra-Vernaci has consistently dodged questions from concerned citizens, fueling frustration and speculation about her motives.
Union City’s journey with legalized cannabis began following California’s approval of Proposition 64 in 2016, which allowed the sale of recreational marijuana across the state. The city initially welcomed the industry in 2018, permitting two dispensaries: FLOR in the Union Landing Shopping Center and Lemmonade on Union City Blvd. However, both locations have been plagued by violent robberies and burglaries, raising concerns among residents about the safety and security of cannabis businesses in the community.
The proposed Embarc store has sparked considerable controversy, primarily due to its planned location in a residential area. Many residents are strongly opposed to the idea, fearing the potential impact on their neighborhood, particularly with children nearby. The general public sentiment in Union City has been largely negative, with many voicing concerns about the proximity of cannabis sales to schools and family homes. Opponents to the proposal submitted some 3500 signatures on a petition against Embarc opening shop in a residential neighborhood.
Residents of the city’s Cherrywood neighborhood successfully fought against Embarc’s first proposal for a location on Decoto Road- less than 35 feet from private homes and a senior citizen’s retirement community. So next, the Mayor and City Manager pivoted to another location- equally as bad- on Alvarado-Niles Road. Not unlike the failed Decoto proposal, the new site is also very near family housing, a school and a place of worship. Talk about city leadership being tone-deaf.
Despite the outcry, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci has remained tight-lipped, refusing to provide clear answers on the status of the Embarc proposal. Her silence has led to growing frustration among Union City residents, who feel that their concerns are being ignored. Critics argue that the mayor’s lack of transparency violates the spirit of the California Brown Act, which mandates that city business be conducted openly and with public participation. The act, intended to ensure transparency in government, requires that decisions affecting the community be made in an open forum. Yet, the mayor’s repeated refusal to discuss the matter openly has left many questioning whether she is truly working in the best interests of her constituents or if she is prioritizing the interests of a corporate cannabis giant like Embarc.
City Manager Joan Malloy’s office has also come under fire for its dismissive responses to public inquiries, with some residents accusing the administration of “playing dumb” to avoid addressing the issue head-on. This has only added to the community’s growing distrust of local government officials.
As the debate drags on, the residents of Union City are left wondering whether their voices will ever be heard. The lack of openness from Mayor Dutra-Vernaci and her administration has led to a groundswell of frustration and suspicion, with many questioning whether their elected officials are truly representing their interests. With the city’s third dispensary still hanging in the balance, the mayor’s intentional lack of candor continues to erode public trust.
Residents are demanding more from their leaders, urging Mayor Dutra-Vernaci to break her silence and address the concerns of the community she was elected to serve. Whether she will heed their calls for transparency remains to be seen. At the very least, citizens will have the pleasure of showing the 25 year occupant of City Hall the door when the mayor is termed out of office after November’s election.
