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To the Editor: 

I was very surprised and distressed by an Aug 3-4 article in the Daily Planet regarding the narrowing of Albany’s Marin Avenue. Councilmember Linda Maio is stated to apparently be in support of the city of Albany regarding this issue rather than the Berkeley constituents who have elected her to support our city. 

I have lived in Berkeley for several years and have owned a home on Gilman Street for the last five years. During these five years, there have been at least three traffic accidents within a two block stretch, and neighbors have rallied, without City Council support, to evaluate the traffic and to try to ameliorate the traffic hazards. 

There has been talk of planning ferry commute at the racetrack at the foot of Gilman Street, as well as finally making the Berkeley train station a hospitable and functional place. But I haven’t seen or heard any talk of the impact on Berkeley residents, especially those living on main traffic and safety corridors, such as Gilman and Hopkins streets. 

May we please ask our councilwoman to support Berkeley residents, before supporting Albany residents, as our mayor has done. Or please move to Albany so that we can elect someone who truly respects and cares about the citizens of north Berkeley. 

Marie Wacht 

Berkeley