Page One

Editor: 

I’m sure I speak for thousands of Berkeley residents in sending a hearty thank you to those members of the City Council who voted on Tuesday to initiate finally a process of public review of the McKinley Street tower. Constructed in a residential neighborhood without any of the conventional permitting plans or process that Berkeley requires even of a 7-foot fence, this 170-foot-high galoot has loomed too long over our Civic Center and the adjoining neighborhood. 

Councilmember Dona Spring has worked tirelessly to set the city on a fair course to ensure that our public safety needs are fully met (the tower carries police and fire antennae) without sacrificing those standards of public taste and process that Berkeley values. 

Councilmember Linda Maio contributed her usual sense of fairness and clarity in the effort finally to do this thing right. And Mayor Shirley Dean conscientiously crafted the core of the resolution that all but two councilmembers supported. 

Those two distinguished themselves with fatuous and short-sighted remarks. Characteristically daffy, Mrs. Olds remained oblivious to the utter lack of process represented by the tower and actually had kind words for the “beauty” of the thing. Mrs. Armstrong, with resounding illogic, acknowledged its shortcomings, expressed gratitude it isn’t in her neighborhood, and smugly supported doing nothing about it.  

Once again we’re grateful those luminaries are not in charge of planning Berkeley. 

I know the tower’s neighbors and other citizens are prepared to move forward with the staff finally to see that our public safety communication needs are met in a fashion of which Berkeley can be proud. 

Rob Browning 

Berkeley