Harvey Binns with one of his airplanes
Harvey Clay Binns (May 11, 1914 – January 4, 1982) was a businessman, one of the original owners of the Oakland Raiders, and served on the city council. His businesses included AGE Department Stores and the House of Harvey restaurant.
He was elected to the city council May 16, 1967 to the at-large seat.
Early Life
Harvey Clay Binns was born in Rochester, Nevada in 1914, where his father, Harvey Carl Binns, worked the silver mines. His family moved to Oakland in 1923, where he attended Grant School. He dropped out of school while in the 8th grade. He traveled to Hawai'i and other states.
In 1937 he married Marjorie Ostrander (Binns) in San Francisco. In 1940 they moved to Denver, where he worked as a factory representative for Remington Shavers. In December of 1941 his daughter, Carol Toy Binns, was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Harvey and his family moved back to Oakland in 1943.
In 1946 worked as a salesman for the Kimberly Pen Company of Los Angeles. In 1949, Harvey left the pen company and started a film production company, Movie Time Products. He and his wife were divorced this same year. In July of 1950 he married Peggy Fautt (Binns), in Las Vegas. Harvey's second daughter, Pamela Doll Binns, was born in July 1954 in Oakland. Peggy sued for divorce in October 1960, but as of 1961 they were still married. They did divorce in 1965.
Business Life
On October 19, 1953, Harvey founded Associated Government Employees (A.G.E), a membership discount store for government employees. This would soon be open to others with a membership. The first store was at 6625 Foothill Blvd. and in November of 1955 a larger store was opened at 400 Hegenberger Road. There was a small store located on Telegraph Ave. and a larger store located in Vallejo 1954.
In March of 1957, Harvey opened a restaurant on Hegenberger located next to A.G.E., called House of Harvey. The restaurant became a very popular spot, with fine dining and live entertainment. The restaurant became the base of operations for The San Francisco 49ers booster club. Harvey had a pilot's license, owning two planes. He would put together a convoy of planes to fly to LA to see the Niners play the Rams.
In January 1960 Harvey and seven other businessmen, builders, and civic leaders (Art Beckett, Don Blessing, Charles Harney, Ed McGah, Robert Osborne, Chet Soda, and Wayne Valley) were awarded an AFL Franchise for the city Oakland. In April of 1960 Harvey sold his interest in the team to the remaining seven owners. He did not like the direction the club was going, including making Chet Soda the general manager. Chet Soda would sell his share of the team in January 1961. Harvey would continue to support the Oakland Raiders with ticket sales at House of Harvey and at A.G.E.
owners and coach of Raiders, 1960
With Catfish Hunter 1968
In 1962 Harvey and business partner, George Talbot, opened and operated six departments at Family Affair in Hawai'i.
May 28th, 1963 House of Harvey sustained a fire that gutted the building and was not rebuilt.
August 1968 Opened The Loop Restaurant, with Oakland A's Rick Monday, and Ed Bercovich. This location was on Hegenberger near the old House of Harvey Restaurant.
August 1971 Harvey purchased the Skyline Center Pharmacy (11883 Skyline Blvd.).
1974-1980, Vice President / San Francisco Regional Director, John T Lynch Investigations, San Francisco
Political Life
city council 1968
In March of 1963, Harvey announced he would be running for District 6 city council seat, held by Harry Lange. On April 16th he finished second to Lange, which resulted in a run-off election on May 14th of which Harvey lost.
In February of 1967, Harvey announced he would be running for the at-large city council seat, held by Dan Marovich. On April 18th he finished second to Marovich, forcing a run-off. On May 16th, Harvey was defeated by Marovich.
Harvey Ran for the city council at-large seat in April 1967, and he came in behind Dan Marovich. This resulted in a run-off election in May, and Harvey prevailed, joining another newcomer, Raymond Eng. The council had a great collection of businessmen, an accountant, and a couple attorneys . The majority of the council had many years on and a couple with as few as three. The council did what most city councils do, set goals and priorities for the city. They approved the budget, adopted ordinances to help the city serve its community members. They appointed members to various boards and commissions. There were a few standout accomplished by this council from 1967-1971:
- Cut the property tax rate
- Opened a new city museum
- Brought the Kansas City Athletics to Oakland, as well as the Oakland Oaks (ABA), the Golden State Warriors, and the California Golden Seals. The Oakland Raiders were already at the coliseum (1966). Councilman Binns and Osborne were two of the eight original owners (1960).
- Initiated anti-crime / neighborhood watch programs
Harvey ran for re-election in April 1971, which resulted in a run-off election in May, at which time he lost to John Sutter.
Harvey ran unsuccessfully for a board of county board of supervisors seat (4th district) in June of 1972.
In November of 1974 Harvey ran unsuccessfully for the 4th district seat at Bay Area Rapid Transit.
Death
On January 4, 1982, Harvey passed away from cancer. He was residing in San Francisco.
Harvey Binns was survived by a sister, Mildred Binns Gray, his daughters, Pamela Seib and Carol Skinner, as well as grandchildren Charles Escover, Peggy Gaultney, and Danielle Skinner.
Links and References
- Photos and text from the Oakland Tribune and Escover / Binns Archives
- Harvey Binns obituary Oakland Tribune January 7, 1982
