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The qualifying period for the Town of Oakland’s March 10 municipal election ended Monday at precisely 3 p.m., seating two women on the commission who had no opponents and setting up a contest for Seat 4 between Commissioner Joseph McMullen and Anne Fulton, who had launched a recall drive against him in April 2024.
Six charter amendments will also be on the March 10 ballot.
Reached for comment, Mayor Shane Taylor texted back, “Congrats to those that ran unopposed and anxious to see who gets it in March.”
McMullen, 58, who runs HapCo, the music and arts education nonprofit for at-risk youth, has served on the commission since 2006. He told VoxPopuli in an email that he was seeking another four-year term “to build upon the progress of the past several years,” citing “sustainable development and sound fiscal management,” “mindful commercial and infrastructure development” and “conversion from septic to sewer water management and alternative water sources” for safer homes.
McMullen said he welcomed an opponent — even someone who tried to have him recalled.
“Elections give people the opportunity to look closely at the issues, the proposed solutions, and how local decisions affect their daily lives, today and into the future,” he wrote in his Monday email.
“Residents involved in local issues are key to making a community a home. That’s why I first got involved in local government, and why I’ve stayed involved. I welcome anyone who wants to participate in our democracy and contribute thoughtful, proactive ideas for our community, including a challenger.”
Fulton, 47, had originally filed to run for Seat 3 but she told VoxPopuli that when she arrived at Town Hall Monday afternoon to submit her qualifying paperwork, she saw that Yumeko Motley had also qualified for Seat 3.
“ I firmly believe that the Town of Oakland needs Yumeko,” Fulton said by phone. “She is an amazing woman, very intelligent and driven, and I have the utmost respect for her … I honestly believe the town needs both of us. Me running against her is not in the best interest of the town, and that's not what I was trying to achieve.”
On the spot, Fulton an insurance adjustor and self-described West Orange High School “band mom,” decided to run for Seat 4, against McMullen who she tried to oust last April.
"That will freshen up three out of the four commission seats that have been, in my opinion, stagnant for quite a while,” Fulton said of a potential win. “The town needs fresh new ideas and a fresh approach.”
Fulton began the recall drive against McMullen and Rick Polland, who resigned from the commission in last December, for their role in nominating Commissioner Sal Ramos to the seat he vacated to run unsuccessfully for mayor. With Seat 3 still open, the newly elected Mayor Shane Taylor called for residents to apply to serve on the commission. Thirteen people responded, including Motley.
While Motley had Taylor’s backing after applicants had answered questions before the commission, three commissioners, Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield, Polland and McMullen nominated Ramos for his former seat in a move that angered many in the town — especially after scoring sheets obtained through public records request, showed that there were more objectively qualified candidates.
Were Fulton to win, that would leave Vice Mayor Mike Satterfield as the sole commissioner from Mayor Kathy Stark’s era.
Motley automatically became Seat 3 commissioner-elect when Ramos, a commission member since 2015, did not turn in his qualifying paperwork. She will serve a two-year term.
Town Clerk Kathy Heard confirmed to VoxPopuli that Ramos picked up a candidate packet but never returned it. Ramos did not respond to text and phone call requests for comment.
When VoxPopuli reached her by phone, Motley, 48, still absorbing the news, said her “initial reaction was surprise and just sheer enjoyment for the win.” She said she had expected and was preparing for an election. Getting her headshots was on her To Do list for this week, she said.
Motley described her priorities as a new commissioner as “a call to service to the residents of Oakland.” She said she wanted to “make sure that there's someone in a seat that can listen and hear the voices, protect the interests of the town, and preserve our history and character. With that comes, you know, advancing the community in a future growth focused capacity.”
An attorney auditor for a claims management and risk management company, Motley has lived in Oakland since May 2020 with her dog, Mr. Carter. She recently chaired the Charter Review Committee that produced the six amendments on the ballot. She said the committee went through the charter to “mak[e] sure that we had a plan for growth, a plan for budget and a plan to make sure that we could sustain with anticipated growth and development through the next 10-year process.”
Commissioner Kris Keller, 60, will also be re-seated for her first full four-year term in Seat 1 because she, too, had no opponent. A professional services specialist at Floor & Decor, Keller was nominated in late January to fill Seat 1 after Polland’s resignation.
