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Proposal adds to city’s stereotype 

The really pathetic thing about Councilmember Betty Olds’ proposal to ban the use of cell phones by bicyclists is that it makes a laughingstock of Berkeley itself. The idea is so patently ridiculous, compared to the hazards created by drivers using cell phones, that already the outside media are beginning to make fun of us. It’s the “There they go again!” syndrome, those wacky folks in Berkeley who have nothing better to do than cook up silly proposals. Never mind that some of the proposals that have originated in Berkeley include free speech, disability rights, and the anti-Vietnam war movement. Because those proposals challenge the establishment, the establishment (and the establishment media) single out less serious proposals so they can dismiss Berkeley’s leaders as not really such a threat to the status quo. Unfortunately, Betty Olds has given them a lot to laugh about, and there they go again. 

Lucienne Sanchez-Resnik 

Berkeley 

Cell phone ban is an absurd idea 

I can’t believe what I’m reading – banning cell phone use by cyclists but not by motorists??? I’m afraid Berkeley Councilmember Olds is setting herself up to be the laughingstock of the community there. Apparently, she’s so busy watching what the cyclists are doing, that she’s in serious danger of missing the two-ton SUV careening around the corner one-handed while yammering on the cell-phone. Lest she or anyone else think I’m talking off the top of my head, I would refer them to the Feb. 13, 1997 (Vol. 336 No. 7) issue of the New England Journal of Medicine article: Association Between Cellular Telephone Calls and Motor Vehicle Collision. This is the landmark article that is helping to inspire bans on cell-phone use by motorists. 

Janice Rothstein 

San Francisco 

Article wrong on opposition’s size 

Judith Scherr’s article on Thursday June 8th regarding the above development missed an important point: the number of supporters present in the community meeting held on Monday June 5th. 

Towards the end of the meeting, Mr. Jim Wemmer, the self-appointed spokesman for the opponents asked for a show of hands by the opponents of the proposed development. Less than 10 people raised their hands. He repeated his rhetorics about the project and asked for another show of hands, the same people raised their hands. The attendance in the room was around 50 people at this point. 

Ms. Scherr’s opening sentence that “half” of the people attending the meeting were opposed to the project was inaccurate. 

Ali R. Kashani 

Executive Director 

Affordable Housing Associates 

City Hall goes back to what works 

The idea of having one person at city hall a Berkeley resident can call for information is a marvelous one (Daily Planet, June 10-11). I can’t tell you the hours I’ve spent being switched from one city department to another and then often back to the first one. 

By the way, 50 years ago the city did employ such a person. She was called a switchboard operator. 

Nancy Ward 

Berkeley