Page One

My son is alive and still captive 

Editor: 

I have heard from authorities in Manila that my son is still alive and still held captive.I am thrilled that the two French journalists were able to escape to freedom. Their escape gives me hope that my son will be free soon. 

Friends and family and total strangers are praying for my son's safe release. Thank you, everyone, for keeping my son in your prayers. 

Carol Schilling 

Oakland 

Olympic oath should have included bribery 

Editor: 

The Olympic Oath was modified for the opening ceremony to include a new phrase forswearing the use of drugs. Fair enough. But the IOC seems to have neglected an equally important phrase: not to accept bribes from cities that want to host the Olympic games. Did the IOC somehow forget to include that phrase in their oath? 

Bruce Joffe, 

Oakland 

Housing should be accessible 

Editor: 

I am a 25-year- old disabled woman student living in Berkeley. I have lived here for the past seven years.  

Being disabled and on a fixed income, I find it very difficult to find housing in this city. Within the past few years, rent has skyrocketed, making it difficult to afford.  

I think that the city should aid in providing more affordable and wheelchair accessible housing. Berkeley is considered to be the starting city for disability rights, although it is hard to tell that nowadays.  

One building contractor that I am aware of that is building affordable and accessible housing is Mr. Patrick Kennedy. Several of my friends and community members have moved into his buildings and find them to be right on target for what the community is looking for.  

Yet there are still many people that have no housing at all, and are living in substandard conditions. The proposed site for the Jubilee Courtyard Apartments, located at 2700 San Pablo Avenue, could not be a more perfect spot for a new building. This building will help in the development and transition of a safer neighborhood.  

San Pablo Avenue has slowly been becoming a nicer area to visit. Having a new building located there would not only increase business for local businesses, but also produce more foot traffic for the safety of the community. It will no longer be a dark quiet corner. 

I believe the community needs to look out after each other. One way to help is to try and provide affordable housing, not only for students, but for the disabled community who is slowly being pushed out of the city because of the housing shortage. Berkeley's reputation of being a city for achieving independence, is slowly becoming a city for those who can afford to buy themselves independence. I intend to do my best and my part as a community member, in obtaining sufficient housing for all. 

Dina Valicenti, 

Berkeley 

Glad to see Daily Planet covering community 

Editor: 

I moved to Berkeley in 1979 for college. Over the years, I’ve moved out of town a few times, but always came back to the Bay Area. I have seen Berkeley change so much over the years and the thing that I really noticed was the dying of the sense of community that made Berkeley so popular and famous in the past. When I found the Berkeley Daily Planet, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it specifically covered news in the Berkeley area and the coverage helps re-establish that sense of community. The news articles are excellent and the quality of writing keeps improving with every issue. 

I especially love the “Out & About” section. I hope that section expands and covers some of the UC and local high school activities as well.  

Keep up the good work! 

Bruce Satow, 

Berkeley 

Glad to see paper on community 

Editor: 

I moved to Berkeley in 1979 for college. Over the years, I’ve moved out of town a few times, but always came back to the Bay Area. I have seen Berkeley change so much over the years and the thing that I really noticed was the dying of the sense of community that made Berkeley so popular and famous in the past. When I found the Berkeley Daily Planet, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it specifically covered news in the Berkeley area and the coverage helps re-establish that sense of community. The news articles are excellent and the quality of writing keeps improving with every issue. 

I especially love the “Out & About” section. I hope that section expands and covers some of the UC and local high school activities as well.  

Keep up the good work! 

Bruce Satow, 

Berkeley