After nearly three decades of political life, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors chair Federal Glover knew Tuesday would be the last day as an elected official.
What about Wednesday?
“I’m not sure what it’s going to be like,” Glover told the board chamber after tributes poured in for the 24-year supervisor, who spent four years on the Pittsburg City Council — including a year as mayor — before joining the board as its District 5 representative in 2000.
District 5 includes Hercules, Rodeo, Crockett, Martinez, Bay Point, Pacheco, Clyde, Pittsburg, and parts of Antioch and Marsh Creek.
“I know I’ll be turning in my card key, so I won’t be coming to the building,” Glover said, chuckling. “I’ll have to learn to sleep past 5:30. So many other things that I’ll miss about this. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing people down through the years.”
All of Glover’s board colleagues paid tribute, as did representatives of local, state and federal politicians. One of them, Shanelle Scales-Preston, appeared for U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Walnut Creek.
Scales-Preston — like Glover, a former member of the Pittsburg City Council — was elected in November to fill Glover’s seat.
Before repeating a tribute to Glover that DeSaulnier recently read into the Congressional record, Scales-Preston delivered her own feelings on what Glover — the first African American on the county Board of Supervisors — has meant to her.
“I stand here with great pride, great Pittsburg pride, to see (your) leadership over the past 24 years providing a pathway for our young leaders like myself and within our Pittsburg community, and we are very proud of you.”
A gifted listener
Former county counsel Mary Ann Mason told the board she “wouldn’t have missed this for anything.” She addressed the idea that Glover was always the quiet member of the board.
“Supervisor Glover has the gift of listening … the spoken and the unspoken messages. And he’s really, really good at reading the room and really easy to talk to, so he hears things that others may not. Many times I watched him stay silent during lengthy discussions and then propose the path forward.”
District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, who has been on the board slightly longer than Glover, gave an emotional tribute. He and Glover have been seen as the most progressive members of the board and have worked closely the past quarter century.
“There’s a reason that you have served 24 years and you’re retiring as the fourth-longest serving supervisor in the state of California out of 296; and the fourth-longest (serving) supervisor in Contra Costa history since 1852,” Gioia said. “I think it’s because the public appreciated your inner strength and how you took risks, exercised courage and advocating for health and equity.”
Gioia said, whether it was transportation, young people, health care, refinery safety, it was all about improving health and equity for Glover.
Gioia said Glover’s legacy will also include the planned African American health center coming to Glover’s district, the exact location of which is still being determined. But the center will bear Glover’s name.
“I think it’s symbolic of so many things you’ve worked on,” Gioia said. “And I just reflect back on the many conversations we’ve had about issues and programs and projects and people, but it was always about what was for the greater good of people.”
Glover, who was born and raised in Pittsburg, went through a lengthy absence from the board in 2015 for a heart and kidney transplant, the recovery of which he attributed to family and prayer.
Glover said he was most proud of his work in developing the county’s public protection committee, maintaining the county’s urban limit line, the development of the county’s northern waterfront, and leading the way in forming the relatively new Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice.
“It’s just the beginning,” he said. “We must continue to access, support and coordinate our efforts to advance equity with close partnerships and collaborations with the county departments and divisions. By doing so, we can create a community where everyone is welcome.”