Page One

Save Jeffrey Schilling 

Editor:  

Tienaman Square. The massacres in Brazil during elections. The supposed tyranny of Fidel Castro. All modern day representations of a nation’s wrath against its own people. And all acts that aroused the disgust and derision of the U.S. But no one has to ask, of what price is a human life. Is ten equal to one, a dozen to a thousand? If the worth of a human life can be manifested in the form of a product or sum, then the life of Jeffrey Schilling simply did not add up. Having been held prisoner by Filipino rebels since August of 2000, any hope for his release seems bleak, as there are few powers actually endeavoring to ensure his safe return.  

Now, unless you’re conscious of this situation, you may ask yourself, where is the U.S. in all of this? Schilling is an American citizen, and in that, allotted the basic rights of all U.S. citizens: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet at present, these rights are being blatantly ignored. The U.S. has denied hostage negotiations with the rebels, rejecting the $10 million ransom set for Schilling’s safe return. Now this begs the question, why would America so apathetically deny the safety of one of their own? Is $10 million really so much? Apparently so, since from the beginning all talk of negotiation has been denied under government policy.  

As unsavory as the fact may be, we must at least acknowledge the aspect of race. Schilling is a bi-racial, middle class citizen. If it was a matter of commodification or restitution, then it is doubtful Schilling would ever be “worth” $10 million dollars. Now I, as much as the next person, would love to believe that America has transcended racial biases, but it would be the height of naiveté to make such claims. Few would have the political ignorance, if not the wanton stupidity to claim that this government values the existence of a chief executive equal to that of a middle class African-American. It’s a cruel fact of life, but this is reality ladies and gentlemen.  

I cannot, in good conscious, portray Schilling as an idiom of patriotism or archetype of flawless moral character. There were allegations that he was in some way affiliated with the rebel group that abducted him. But the only thing regarding his relationship with the group that has actually been proven beyond a reasonable doubt is that he is now being held captive and his safety is in no way ensured.  

At this point, one must come to at least sympathize with the plight of Mr. Schilling. The prospect of U.S. intervention into this matter any further then its current ankle deep immersion would be wishful thinking. At present, his story is scarcely broadcast on the evening news, obscured by the concurrent power crisis and gas shortages. It should come as no surprise to me really, everything has a dollar sign, and if you can’t ante up then you’re out of the game. At best I can hope that, if Schilling is executed, it won’t be in vain, that the eyes of this nations’ citizens can finally become pellucid and, at the cost of blindness, saturate the reality ensconced within the mise-en-scene of capitalism. That you pay your money, and you take your chances.  

Daryl Hall 

Berkeley 

Parent likes downtown housing 

Editor  

I am writing as a proud parent of a UC Berkeley graduate who is disabled and chose to live in Berkeley. She is trying to live on her own and be as independent as possible. After graduation it took her over a year to find housing. The housing she found is barely accessible and quite a distance from where she would like to live. The GAIA building which Patrick Kennedy built is accessible, affordable and is in an area she would like to live.  

Patrick Kennedy should be applauded for helping the disabled community find decent affordable housing in Berkeley and not ridiculed for the work he is doing. I want to publicly thank him.  

Joseph Rizzo 

More parking, less congestion  

Editor: 

RE: Response to the Daily Planet article “Study Claims There’s Not a Crisis in Parking” (3/21/01) 

The Daily Planet’s1 3/21/01 headline “Study Claims There1s Not a Crisis in Parking” demonstrates a great leap faulty in logic. The public acceptance of the Transportation Demand Management Study does not equal an agreement that there is no “parking crisis.”  

The article took selective information to make this conclusion. Whether or not we define the current situation as a “crisis”, there is a large constituency that can make the case that more parking is needed in the downtown, and that it won’t necessarily add to the congestion.  

By acknowledgement of the consultants, the TDM was not a comprehensive parking assessment. In fact, the consultants recommend that the city conduct a parking assessment study. The TDM only measured employee parking, not visitor or event parking which is significant and impacts the economic success of our arts and commerce establishments. At peak hours, and during special events, visitors have difficulty finding one of the 2,500 parking spaces available. It is of note that the consultants stated that adding some new parking might decrease congestion because cars will find a space more quickly.  

The TDM assumes “slow growth in the next ten years”. However, the consultants admitted that they did not have information on the downtown’s commercial, arts, and housing usage and development and did not take into account the following: an estimated 400 new downtown housing units in planing stage or under construction; our steady decrease in commercial vacancy; the fantastic (and expanding) arts and non-profit organizations with regional draws (like YMCA, Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, etc); and recent public and private investment ($130 million) that has resulted in streetscape improvements, and building renovation and construction that is attracting new tenants and shoppers to our district. 

To some, the TDM seems to assume that the status quo is acceptable. Many downtown stakeholders do not agree. The top priority of the downtown arts and commerce community is improved visitor and customer access for those who cannot take transit, or for night time travelers and others for whom transit is not available or safe. Our district has experienced a decrease in parking spaces while we have an increase in usage (as mentioned above). Additionally, surrounding neighborhood residents are impacted by the 2,000-5,000 estimated daily parkers. The consultants say that even with transit and parking strategies working together, it is unlikely that the neighborhood parking can be eliminated. In the core, garage managers clarified that the 85 percent peak usage is “full” because they save the other 15 percent of spaces for monthly parkers. Visitors do not have access to these parking spots. These communities of people find the status quo “not acceptable.”  

The Transportation Demand Management Study focuses on transit, (hence the name) and considers parking issues, but not in sufficient depth for making conclusions about our “crisis”. However, the study does recommend that 915 parking spaces be added by 2010 and also recommends that the city should conduct a parking assessment study that does take “missing” data into account. An added note is that an increase in parking spaces (and even a new garage) is recommended in the approved 1990 Downtown Plan. For the retail and cultural sectors to flourish over the long term, there will have to be a net increase in available parking spaces. 

The Downtown Berkeley Association supports the recommendations of the TDM Study.  

Deborah Badhia 

Executive Director 

D.B.A.