Occupy the Message

The protest violence in Oakland on Saturday, January 29 was the last straw for me.  I’ve had it with the impostors in Oakland spoiling the Occupy Movement’s message of economic injustice that millions of people identify with.  Mayor Quan should use every opportunity to remove their costumes.  Halloween is over.

These pseudo-lefties are wandering around Oakland looking for someplace to “occupy” and, in the process, zeroing-in on targets that have nothing to do with the country’s economic inequalities.  In fact, they have settled on making municipal government—its buildings, its mayor, and law enforcement—their symbol of the 1% they want to attack.  One protester claimed that police instigated Saturday’s violence because they wouldn’t let the “occupiers” take over the closed Kaiser convention center.  Another protester used the movement as a vehicle to recall Mayor Quan.

Point Progress Report

As directed by the Supreme Court’s opinion dissolving California’s redevelopment agencies, the city council dissolved its Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA) on February 7 and accepted the ARRA’s assignment of its rights, assets obligations, responsibilities, duties and contracts in order to manage and implement development of Alameda Point.

The city council postponed taking any action on how to proceed with Point development, however.  Staff had recommended the city itself, rather than a master developer, control the entitlement process that deals with the pre-construction process and requirements of obtaining the permitting, getting the land-use approved, utility easements approved, etc.

Next Steps at Alameda Point

Although Alameda lost its bid to become the future site of the new Lawrence Berkeley Lab, city staff is wasting no time in moving forward with Alameda Point planning.

At a special joint meeting of the city council and the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA) on Feb. 7, staff will present concrete ideas on moving forward at Alameda Point.  It includes a zoning ordinance and general plan amendment aimed at clearly establishing the guidelines for future development.  According to the staff report, “Such clarity will reduce entitlement risk and delay in any future development efforts.  Clear policies will help Alameda avoid ‘starting from scratch’ with, or ceding too much control over the direction of future development to, a new private partner.”

The Buzz from City Hall

Anyone who’s watched televised meetings from city hall knows about the background buzz when the camera angle changes.  It sounds like a short circuit in the video wires.  “Councilmember bzzzzzzzzzz.”  “Whabzzzzzzzz is the bzzzzzzzz fiscal bzzpact of bzzzzzz.”

Once when this happened, my husband complained and I switched the channel only to hear Judge Judy say, “Get over it.”  Now we can indeed get over it because the buzzing is expected to be gone soon.  The city is in the process of overhauling all its video equipment.

Navy Jet Monument a Labor of Love

In June 2011, a crane accidentally dropped the Navy’s A-4 Skyhawk while putting it back on its pylon at Alameda Point’s “main gate.”  People have various theories about what went wrong, but everyone close to the project would rather focus on the plane’s re-restoration and return.

On December 19, the fighter aircraft, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, was placed back in its original spot—a fitting celebration to conclude the 2011 Centennial of Naval Aviation.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

It’s been a little over a year since I started writing a column for the Alameda Sun and, Isle Say, it’s been a challenge.

I’ve written about all things local, including emergency preparedness (CERT training, BayEx 2011), open space opportunities (Beltline Park, a campground at Enterprise Park, Golden Gate University’s proposal for Flight Park), Alameda Point (cleanup, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Going Forward workshops, mudslinging and muckraking, the proposed Veterans’ Clinic), economic challenges (Alameda Hospital, city budget, the misuse of disability placards), mental health (schizophrenia), media (net neutrality, public information officer for the city council), education (charting coursework for jobs), democracy (ranked-choice voting, elections), points of interest (naval air museum, Bay Ship, the Alameda Theater), and the city’s tree policy.  My piece on the Sea Scout Regatta at Alameda Point is still a big hit on my blog.

Firefighter Rescues Dog from Shorepoint Fire

Alameda firefighter Darren Brown walked through the crowd of onlookers asking if this was their dog.  When no one claimed it, residents escorted him to the apartment manager’s office.

Another resident standing next to me was not so fortunate, as his dog died from smoke inhalation.