Politics & Government

Former Mayor Joe Eddy McDonald Passes

The former mayor, councilman and planning commissioner passed away Saturday.

-From the City of Hercules

Joe Eddy McDonald, former Hercules Mayor and Council Member, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at his Hercules home of 28 years. 

Mr. McDonald served on the Hercules Planning Commission from 2002 until his election to the City Council in November 2006, serving as Vice Mayor in 2008 and as Mayor in 2009.

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Mr. McDonald attended local schools, graduating from Richmond Union High School in 1964.  Subsequently, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for 2 years.  Mr. McDonald received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Contra Costa College and completed professional development courses offered by Duke and Harvard University’s Schools of Professional Studies.

In 1966, Mr. McDonald began his extensive career with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier.  Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Postal Clerk and ultimately to Postmaster of Hercules and Rodeo, where he served that last 19 years of his U.S. Postal Service career, retiring in 2002.

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Mr. McDonald maintained memberships in the Black American Cultural Association, as a charter member of the N.A.A.C.P. and the Rotary Club of Hercules, having served as President of both the Rodeo and Hercules Rotary Clubs.  He has also served on the Hercules Library Ad Hoc Fundraising Committee and the City’s Mail Box Security Ad Hoc Committee which resulted in the successful implementation of the Secure Mail Box Replacement Program. 

During his tenure on the Hercules City Council, Mr. McDonald’s commitment and dedication to the community was instrumental in the Council adopting the Refugio Creek Watershed Vision Plan; financially supporting the purchase of land by the Muir Heritage Land Trust to connect the Bay Trail and Ridge Trail; Hercules Bayfront Transit Village Project Awarded Designation of Catalyst Project by the California Department of Housing and Community Development; supporting the John Swett Unified District’s Innovative Classroom Project; supporting the retention of the West Contra Costa Unified School District music program in Hercules Elementary Schools; negotiating an agreement with Contra Costa College to provide classes in the Redevelopment Project Area; supporting construction of the Community Garden Project at Ohlone Park; and successfully lobbying for the reconstruction of Ohlone Elementary School.

The Hercules City Council and city staff wish to extend their sincerest condolences to the family.


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