It’s ironic that I write for Oakland Local. To be honest, I’ve never been a hyper-consumer of media. I think it’s because I’m sickeningly disappointed by the way major networks obsesses over empty content.

The things that truly matter to many of us (job creation strategies) get a fraction of the nation’s attention. However, social media did inundate us with a little bit of meaning this week.

I was very sad to hear of Gil Scott-Heron’s death, but I also was amazed. People actually care about a poet. My only wish is that he’d received this kind of attention when he was still on earth. However, the revolution will not be televised; Scott-Heron knew to broadcast to us from the production-control room of his soul. 

Did you miss local news coverage this week? Oakland Local has compiled our most-viewed stories for your convenience. The numbers are in, and in a nutshell – contributing editor Jennifer Inez Ward wrecked up shop.

1.
Ward covered the sixth anniversary of Youth Uprising, an Oakland organization visited and praised by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The festivities were used as a teaching platform, as a panel discussed how to improve high school dropout rates.

2. 
Ward filled us in on details about the $80 parcel tax, which may be the only way to avoid massive cuts to libraries, parks and recreation and senior services. OL readers are paying attention. This piece made our top five for the second week in a row. City Council will meet about the parcel tax on June 21.

3.
OL editorial team gave you a brief update on a $51 million dollar project (what Phase I will cost) of the Federal Transit Authority and Oakland's redevelopment agency. All that funding will be devoted to the demolition of two motels and the construction of a parking lot.

4.
OL editorial team also ran an informational update about Vincent Academy - Oakland’s newest tuition-free charter school. The West Oakland school will offer rigorous academics mixed with a heavy emphasis on the arts, music and physical education. Vincent academy will open on Aug. 22.

5.
No one can say that Oakland residents don’t participate in local government. Earlier in May, people who oppose gang injunctions crowded City Hall. At Thursday’s City Council meeting, union representatives, city workers, library supporters and youth made their voices heard. That writer known as Ward has an eagle-eye and as Jean Quan took pictures of the crowd, the mayor’s pink digital camera did not go unnoticed. Read up to get some details on budget proposals A, B and C.