The Marinade with Lee Thomas

Lee Thomas

Former San Leandro Councilman Lee Thomas discusses the state of the city with public figures while dining on backyard barbecue from GrilleeQ.

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  1. EPISODE 27

    San Leandro City Manager Janelle Cameron

    San Leandro City Manager Janelle Cameron joins the The Marinade for a hearty lunch of GrilleeQ tri-tip (she asked for BBQ sauce!), grilled asparagus, all-beef hot link, shrimp, and blueberry cornbread. Cameron dishes on San Leandro's hottest topics: the marina project, a potential bond measure for roads, and district elections, among others. Plus, big news! Grilleeq is now trademarked. This episode of The Marinade with Lee Thomas is sponsored by Fayeso Design. For more, visit faesodesign.com

    39 min

  2. EPISODE 28

    Sara Ubelhart of Zocalo Coffeehouse

    Sara Ubelhart, owner of San Leandro's beloved Zocalo Coffeehouse, joins Lee Thomas for GrilleeQ's applewood smoked chicken thighs, longanisa, grilled corn, and honey cornbread. Sara rose from the ranks of barista to owner of the neighborhood coffee shop on Bancroft Avenue. She chats about Zocalo's unique place in San Leandro politics, support for small businesses amid an influx of national brands, and the process for roasting Zocalo's coffee, among other topics. This episode of The Marinade is sponsored by the East Bay Insiders Newsletter. For more visit eastbayinsiders.substack.com.

    39 min

  3. EPISODE 29

    San Leandro Mayor Emeritus Shelia Young

    Shelia Young, the former San Leandro mayor and current elected member of the Oro Loma Sanitary District sits down with Lee Thomas for GrilleeQ tri-tip, grilled zucchini, and blueberry cornbread muffins. Shelia explains the role of the Oro Loma district in San Leandro; hot takes on the current roster of councilmembers; lack of mentorship in local politics; and skepticm about voters passing an infrastructure bond next year. "I wish I was still the mayor," she said. This episode of The Marinade is sponsored by Louis Heystek of Compass Real Estate. For more information, visit eastbayrealtor.com.

    43 min

  4. EPISODE 30

    East Bay MUD Board Director Jim Oddie

    East Bay Municipal Utility District Boardmember Jim Oddie, who represents parts of San Leandro, join Lee Thomas for GrilleeQ Cali chicken thighs, all-beef hot links, grilled zucchini, blueberry cornbread muffin, and a glass of crystal clear EBMUD water. Oddie, also a former Alameda councilmember, talks about the big change from city business to overseeing the region's water supply. You don't need to buy bottled water! East Bay MUD has the best-tasting water, Oddie said. Also, the district's preparations for a natural disaster, droughts, and San Leandro's "water bandit." This episode of The Marinade is sponsored by Louis Heystek of Compass Real Estate. For more information, visit: eastbayrealtor.com.

    32 min

  5. EPISODE 31

    San Leandro Superintendent Mike McLaughlin

    Hours of marinade went into this week's episode. San Leandro Superintendent Mike McLaughlin served up some lessons for Lee Thomas while dining on GrilleeQ's smoked pork belly bites, grilled longanisa, smoked chuck roast, and blueberry cornbread muffins.  In a plain-spoken and candid interview, McLaughlin discussed the successful passage of school bond measures—and how the district follows through. "We make sure we do it right and on budget," he said. Also in the episode: housing for teachers, what happens if ICE agents show up at a school, and how AI is being introduced in classrooms. This episode of The Marinade with Lee Thomas is sponsored by Lucy's Creations Floral Arrangements. For more information, visit lucyscreationsforyou.com.

    40 min

  6. EPISODE 32

    Pete Ballew and the 89-9

    Big deals and big meals. "Recovering" former San Leandro Councilmember Pete Ballew joins the season finale of The Marinade for a hearty conversation over lamb chops, 10-hour smoked beef ribs, and longanisa sausage. Ballew reflects on his eight years of public service, sharing candid thoughts on ethics at City Hall, the challenge of generating new revenue, and his outlook on the city's future. "The 89-9 has a built-in distrust of government," Ballew says, using his trademark nickname for San Leandro and its residents. A former San Leandro police officer, Ballew also weighs in on law enforcement and the current direction of the city council. "There's two types of councilpeople," he says. "People that get into it for the community, and people that get into it for themselves." This episode of The Marinade with Lee Thomas is sponsored by Borja Plus Media photography and videography. Mention "The Marinade" and get 25% off. Learn more at www.borjaplus.com.

    44 min

  7. EPISODE 33

    Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, Part 1

    Fall is here, but the grill is still hot! In this special two-part episode, Lee Thomas sits down with Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson over a spread of BBQ favorites — GrilleeQ tri-tip, Cali chicken thighs, corn on the cob, and honey cornbread. They talk food, her journey from the bench to the DA's office, the challenges of winning her appointment, her plans to bring stability to an office in transition, and local officials allegedly behaving badly. Jones Dickson also reflects on how youth crime looks different today — and how the pandemic may have left some young people feeling forgotten. "I believe potentially that there are young pepole that felt like we forgot about them, so why should they care about us," she said.

    32 min

  8. EPISODE 34

    Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, Part 2

    Part 2 of Lee Thomas's conversation with Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson goes deeper into her fight against public corruption and her vision for rebuilding the DA's office. "I need people to know this office is back to fight for victims," she says, while warning it could take six years to restore the department to its former strength. Plus, Jones Dickson promises next time to bring more flavor to The Marinade with some greens and a 7-Up cake.

    20 min
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Former San Leandro Councilman Lee Thomas discusses the state of the city with public figures while dining on backyard barbecue from GrilleeQ.

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