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Richard Brenneman:  
          Preservationists are fighting to save the Brennan’s building, a venerable Berkeley institution for the past 45 years. A San Mateo developer has proposed a four-story residential and commercial complex on the site. Ò
Richard Brenneman: Preservationists are fighting to save the Brennan’s building, a venerable Berkeley institution for the past 45 years. A San Mateo developer has proposed a four-story residential and commercial complex on the site. Ò
 

News

Preservationists Fight to Save Venerable West Berkeley Pub: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday October 29, 2004

While most of the Tuesday night crowd at Brennan’s were cheering the Red Sox, a half-dozen others huddled at a back table, brainstorming ways to save the venerable West Berkeley tavern. 

Two buildings—Brennan’s, at 720 University Ave., and Celia’s, a Mexican restaurant at 2040 Fourth St.—are slated for the wrecking ball if developers win approval of their plans to fill a West Berkeley block with a major new housing and retail complex. 

The preservationists gathered at Brennan’s Tuesday were ironing out the details of their weapon of last resort, applications to landmark both buildings. 

Drafted by preservation activist Gale Garcia, the proposals will be presented to the Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission for their consideration at the upcoming meeting Monday evening. 

While one member of the Brennan’s family is solidly within the landmarking camp, the current owners—including the daughter and two grandchildren of builder John Brennan—have asked the commission not to landmark the property. 

Elizabeth Wade, son Barney and daughter Margaret have asked the commission not to save the structure, and the developer Urban Housing Group had earlier promised to find new quarters for the pub in his development. 

Two locations have been floated, either a new building within the site or a move into the old railroad station at the western edge of the project. 

But the history of the tavern and its site reaches deep into Berkeley’s past, said Richard Schwartz, a local contractor and historian, calling into question the appropriateness of building a massive new structure on the block between University Avenue and Addison Street and between Fourth Street and the railroad. 

Urban Housing Group of San Mateo plans to build a four-story complex with either apartments or condominiums atop a group floor of parking and commercial rentals. 

Urban Housing specializes in developing mixed-use projects at transit hubs, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marcus and Millichap Co., a leading national real estate investment brokerage headquartered in Palo Alto with ties to UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. 

For Richard Schwartz, the site has possible links to the center of the West Berkeley shellmound, the earliest known human habitat in the Bay Area, which is located not faraway. As evidence, he points to the 19th century discovery of 12 Native American skeletons which were recovered beneath shell just a block away. 

“The site needs a thorough survey,” which the developer promised but then failed to deliver, Schwartz said. 

At Schwartz’s request, UC Berkeley archaeologist Kent G. Lightfoot—a leading expert in Bay Area shellmound archeology—examined the site and submitted plans for a detailed survey. 

“Though developer Dan Deibel promised to follow through, he didn’t,” Schwartz said, leaving unanswered questions about what might lie buried beneath the site. 

For John Brennan, who’s been dining at Brennan’s for decades, the cause is even more basic: “I want to keep the homey atmosphere and the comfort food.” 

While the Wades say preserving the building isn’t important, their cousin disagrees. 

“He was a builder, and he devoted much of his life to fighting to give California worker’s compensation legislation,” Brennan said. 

The Brennan brothers, James, John and Edward, moved to Berkeley in the 1870s, establishing one of the city’s first saloons at the corner of University and Second, and the adjacent livery stable, which was managed by Edward, the teetotaling brother. 

The original saloon burned in 1883, and was followed by a new saloon at University and San Pablo. 

The current building owes its origins to Southern Pacific Railroad which approached John Pierce Brennan, a builder and son of Edward, to build a new restaurant at the Fourth and University site to replace a run-down boarding house then used by a restaurant.  

The builder decided to run the place himself, and opened on Jan. 16, 1959, his 69th birthday, Garcia said. 

Control passed to his daughter on his death in 1976, who in turn handed it on to her son and daughter when she retired. 

The building figures prominently in Berkeley history as a popular watering hole and gathering spot for students, Cal fans, community groups and a large contingent of regulars—among them Free Speech Movement leader Mario Savio and many of his colleagues. 

“John Brennan spent his life working for workers comp,” said his cousin and namesake. “He started out working at Hogan Lumber Company, and he saw that when a worker lost his hand in a planing accident, he was given his last day’s pay and sent home.” 

John eventually quit and launched his own construction business, working closely with Gov. James “Sunny Jim” Rolfe to bring worker’s compensation to California workers. He remained an outspoken union advocate throughout his life, said his namesake. 

He built for some of Berkeley’s most distinguished architects—including James W. Plachek—and built numerous structures, including Saint Mary Magdalen Church on Berryman Street and Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. 

“This is his last building, and it deserves to be preserved,” said the younger John. 

“It’s a great place,” said Neal Blumenfeld, a Free Speech Movement veteran himself and a preservation activist. 

Garcia’s application goes to the Landmarks Preservation Commission when they meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Also on Monday’s meeting is the final hearing on another project Blumenfeld has been actively challenging, the proposal to expanded two Victorian cottages into duplexes next door to his restored office/cottage building in the newly landmarked Sisterna Tract Historic District.?


Tempers Flare Over Campus Bay Project: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday October 29, 2004

Long simmering anger burst into the open Wednesday night as anxious Richmond residents threw heated questions and charges at state officials and representatives of the firm planning a major residential development atop a Richmond toxic waste site. 

When Jeff Hohenstein, an instructor from a nearby martial arts academy, voiced repeated questions about possible dangers to his young students during ongoing excavations and remedial work at the site, a San Francisco lawyer representing Marin County developer Russ Pitto snapped back, “I’m worried about a meteor coming out of the sky, too.” 

Audible gasps followed. 

While the immediate concern of neighbors and environmental activists was the potential escape of toxic materials during the current excavation of polluted soil from marshland on the bayside edge of the Campus Bay site in South Richmond, other worries had a longer focus. 

Contra Costa County Public Health Director Wendel Brunner’s greatest concern was the risk of exposure next summer, when plans call for further processing of the dried marshland muck, and several in the audience said they were angry at being subjected to repeated instances of high tech manipulation. 

“Every meeting we go to, you are PowerPoint-paving people over,” declared Claudia Carr, a resident of nearby Marina Bay and a UC Berkeley professor of environmental science.  

Called as an informational meeting by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), Wednesday’s gathering drew as many bureaucrats and developer representatives as it did ordinary citizens, which Carr and attorney Peter Weiner, representing Bay Area Residents for Responsible Development (BARRD), blamed on the lack of opportunity for real interaction. 

On hand for the meeting in the Booker T. Anderson Community Center were concerned neighbors, representatives of the RWQCB and Air Quality Management District (AQMD), representatives of developer Cherokee Simeon Ventures (CSV), a representative of toxic cleanup firm LFR Levine Fricke and the project manager for the private firm hired to monitor the cleanup. 

After a brief introduction by Terry Steward of the Water Quality Board, Neil Ziemba, project manager of International Risk Group (IRG), the Colorado-based private site monitoring firm hired by CSV, launched into a bullet-point and graphic-laden computer projection presentation on the site, its history, and on to the still controversial cleanup of the upland portion of the site two years ago and the marshland dig now in progress. 

Another division of IRG invests in similar properties.  

The ongoing controversy over the Campus Bay site, for a century the home of a chemical manufacturing complex that polluted the soil with a noxious brew of chemicals and metals, has prompted Assemblymember Loni Hancock to call a special legislative hearing for Nov. 6. 

“I’ve had enormous interest expressed by citizens, neighborhood groups and environmental activists,” Hancock said Thursday. “Wendel Brunner called me up and asked for help. He said, ‘They’re going to start digging up this stuff and we need your help.’” 

The joint hearing of the Assembly Environmental and Toxic Materials Committee and the Select Committee on Environmental Justice will be held in Building 454 of UC Berkeley’s Richmond Field Station, 1301 S. 46th St. 

“We’re going to look at how the State of California does or doesn’t protect people during cleanups,” Hancock said. “We’re looking at which agency conducts the cleanups, and if a developer can pick the regulatory agency by the way he files his application.” 

Hancock has invited legislators, regulators, developers, neighborhood groups and activists to the three-hour session which begins at 10 a.m. 

CSV plans to build a 1330-unit complex of residential towers, mid-rises and townhouses atop a concrete-capped dump containing the toxic wastes generated by a Stauffer Metals sulfuric acid plant and the pesticide and other chemical productions of British-based Zeneca Corp., the firm which retains responsibility for the cleanup. 

Brunner has been an outspoken critic of the state’s handling of the Campus Bay project, particularly when CSV killed an earlier plan for a biotech research complex on the site and replaced it with the housing project. 

The RWQCB, named the lead regulatory agency in the earlier scheme, retained jurisdiction as plans shifted to housing—and neither Brunner nor the other project critics are happy with the idea. 

On July 16, Brunner wrote to California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Terry Tamminen, declaring that “RWQCBs have neither the expertise nor experience to properly oversee characterization of a site this complex, appropriately evaluate comprehensive remediation, assess health hazards and risks from the site and clean-up process, develop appropriate enforcement orders for clean-ups that protect public health, implement strategies to enforce those orders in a timely manner to protect the community, or evaluate developer proposals for the final residential use of the site.” 

Nonetheless, the RWQCB retains jurisdiction. 

The excavation work now in progress is designed to remove contaminated soil from Stege Marsh, replace it with clean fill and restore the wetlands as nesting habitat for the clapper rail, an endangered shore bird. 

Russ Pitto, a Marin county developer, teamed his Simeon Properties with Cherokee Investment Partners—a North Carolina-based firm that uses public and private pension funds and other moneys to invest in restored brownfields (contaminated) properties—to form CSV. 

Cherokee has investments in several major Bay Area projects, including 22 acres near Oakland International Airport, the former O’Brien Paint Co. properties in South San Francisco and a 3.2 acre former industrial site in Mission Bay. 

While Margaret Rosegay, Pitto’s lawyer, was very much in evidence Wednesday, Cherokee’s lawyer was notably missing from the scene. 

Cherokee hired former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to negotiate with Weiner, project critics and legislators, and the formerly high-profile poltico has maintained a distinctly low profile, preferring to meet behind closed doors rather than in public. 

Many of Wednesday’s questions focused on monitoring equipment installed by IRG at the site which is equipped to gather dust and chemical samples for later laboratory analysis. Monitors also track wind speed and direction and the ongoing concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (“swamp gas”) generated by the marsh dredging. 

Neighbors complained that the monitors didn’t keep regular track of the air blowing toward residential neighborhoods near the project. 

Curtis T. Scott, chief of the RWQCB’s Groundwater Protection and Waste Containment Division, found himself particularly irked with attorney Weiner, who had laid out reasons why activists weren’t happy with claims that monitoring was adequate. 

“You are not really presenting a true picture, Peter,” Scott declared. “There are things you don’t recognize.” 

Sherry Padgett, a leading BARRD activist, has long worked at Kray Cabling, an industrial firm near the site, and is being treated for two extremely rare forms of cancer. 

“People need some assurance,” she told Scott.  

Brunner also asked for assurances that monitors would be moved to follow the wind when airflow headed from the site toward Marina Bay and other residential areas near the site. 

Finally, Rosegay offered a compromise. 

“We have heard your concerns about desires for more monitors. I’ll talk to Russ Pitto. We have to be guided by the best science. We can’t be governed just by whim. It’s not the cost of the monitors that is the problem. It’s stepping away from the best science.” 

When Hohenstein again raised concerns about the toxins his students might be breathing, Rosegay snapped back, “Forget it! I retract my offer!” 

“Every time there’s a meeting, someone new shows up so the questions are asked over and over again. These are concerns normal people have on a common sense basis.” 

“I am a scientist, and putting a monitor in Marina Bay would be totally rational,” declared another audience member, Jean Rabovsky, a retired toxicologist. 

“I suggest you work with the Air Quality Management District to see if it could add more monitors to relieve the anxieties of some of the people,” Brunner said. “That’s reasonable.” 

Hancock’s hearing on Nov. 6 will be the next major forum on the project.  

Meanwhile, residents and others who want to monitor conditions at the site can call a 24-hour number, 231-1000 ext. 55, for a daily update on conditions. 

Site monitoring data is also posted at the Campus Bay website, www.campusbay.info.?


Pryor Named New Fire Chief: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Friday October 29, 2004

A near life-long Berkeley resident has gotten the nod to become the city’s next fire chief. 

Debra Pryor, 43, the deputy fire chief of Palo Alto, has been selected by City Manager Phil Kamlarz to run the Berkeley Fire Department. 

If the City Council approves the hire as expected at its Nov. 9 meeting, Pryor would begin duties in mid December, Kamlarz said. 

The hire would be a homecoming for Pryor, who grew up in Berkeley and spent 17 years with the Berkeley Fire Department, working her way up to deputy fire chief before taking the same job in Palo Alto two years ago. 

Pryor was a runner-up for the chief position in 1997, when the job went to Reginald Garcia, who retired earlier this year. She would be the first African American and the first woman to serve as Berkeley fire chief. Before joining the Fire Department, Pryor worked as a clerk for Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization Board. 

“Debra has the advantage of knowing Berkeley, knowing the Fire Department, and also having experience outside the city,” Kamlarz said. 

He added that Acting Fire Chief David Orth will resume his duties as deputy chief. Orth was one of six candidates interviewed for the position out of a pool of about 25 applicants. 

Pryor will inherit a department beset by strains between the union and top brass over recent budget cuts.  

In two weeks the department is scheduled to close a ladder truck company after the firefighters’ union and city leaders failed to agree on a plan for firefighters to defer a portion of their scheduled salary increases. 

“The challenge is to provide leadership and bring everyone together,” said Kamlarz. 

Asked about the hire, Union President Mark Mestrovich said, “It’s good to see the city has selected a fire chief and we’re looking forward to having positive relations.” He added that union members served on interview panels but didn’t recommend a candidate. 


Traditional Allies Divided Over Parks Measure CC: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Friday October 29, 2004

Spanning 96,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest local park system in the country. But when its residents go to the polls on Tuesday, only those who live along the bay shore from San Pablo to Alameda will see a new park tax before them. 

After watching previous tax measures in 1998 and 2000 fall shy of the two-thirds threshold because of light support in Eastern Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the park district decided this year to create a separate tax district that appeals to their surest base of support. 

Before voters in Berkeley and neighboring shoreline towns, including Oakland and Richmond, is a 15-year tax that would raise $42 million for maintenance and landscape upgrades in parks within the newly created zone. Homeowners would pay $12 a year and landlords would pay $8.28 a year for each unit in a multi-family unit building. 

The tax proposal has divided pro-environment groups and re-energized Friends of Parks, a small group of former district officials and environmentalists who claim the district wouldn’t need the funds if it cut down on bureaucratic red tape. 

“The tax is bad government,” said Harlan Kessel, who served on the park district’s board of directors for seventeen years before retiring in 1994 and now is a member of Friends of Parks. 

“It isn’t right to balkanize the district and make the poorest section pay for improvements that will serve the entire district,” he said. 

The Green Parties of Alameda and Contra Costa counties both oppose the measure on grounds that it is a regressive tax against the shoreline communities.  

Steve Bloom of the Alameda County Green Party said he feared that if the tax passed, the district would divert money in its general fund slated to go to parks in the new tax zone to parks east of the Berkeley hills. 

Norman La Force, chair of the East Bay Public Lands Committee for the Sierra Club, compared the Green Party’s stance to “a right wing Republican argument against proper stewardship of public resources.” 

“If you followed their argument no one in Berkeley should be able to use Golden Gate Park, because they don’t pay for it,” he said. 

The measure, co-authored by La Force and Arthur Feinstein, executive director of the Golden Gate Audubon Society, provides funding for 80 projects, including $400,000 a year for maintenance at Eastshore State Park. The creation of the park, which runs from Emeryville to Richmond, was part of a decades-long effort by the Citizens for an Eastshore State Park, of which La Force and Feinstein are members. 

La Force said the state parks department has no money to pay for operations and maintenance at the park and without the tax measure the park “will continue to limp along.” 

The regional park district pays for maintenance of two other state parks, Crown Beach and Lake Del Valle, La Force said, although the money for both parks comes from the district’s general fund, not a special tax district. 

In addition to Eastshore State Park, the tax revenue would be slated to go to environmental maintenance projects and habitat protection at parks in the tax zone including Tilden, Sibley, Alvarado, Redwood, and Anthony Chabot. Specific projects have not yet been prioritized. 

Opponents of the tax argue that the district is flush with money and doesn’t need to seek additional funds from voters. Eighty percent of the district’s funding is tied to local property assessments. Last year, rising assessments netted the district an extra $4 million, according to park officials. 

“I know they have a lot of money and I know they waste it,” said Karen Weber, the district’s former personnel director and a member of Friends of Parks.  

La Force and other environmental advocates previously belonged to Friends of Parks in the 1998 campaign against the district’s tax, but several have since reconciled with the park district over its policies and left the group. 

Weber, who was on bad terms with the district when she left in 1996, said it suffered from a bloated bureaucracy that consumed resources that could go to park maintenance. She claimed the district spent $2 million annually on a 14-person public relations department and according to the opponents’ ballot arguments the district pays six assistant general managers between $138,466 and $167,568 each per year. 

District General Manager Pat O’Brien, who said his salary is $180,000 a year, countered that the district will lose $12 million in state funding over the next two years and that it has initiated a hiring freeze and cut departments five percent across the board. 

“The park district isn’t a static agency,” he said. “Costs have gone up the same as revenue.” 

He insisted that the district would not re-direct general fund dollars away from the tax zone and defended the limited geographic scope of the tax. 

“Are we to say that because two-thirds of the people in Brentwood don’t want this that people who live on this side [of the hills] shouldn’t have the chance to have parks maintained at a higher level?” 

 

 

 

 

 


Tax Measures Spur Opposition From Property Owners: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Friday October 29, 2004

Bruce McMurray’s home in the Berkeley hills is a testament to frugality.  

On Tuesday evening every light in the house was turned off except for the kitchen, where the television set was equipped with rabbit ear antennae, the floor was lined with several bottles of Charles Shaw (aka Two Buck Chuck) wine, the produce on the counter came from the Berkeley Bowl and the cat food was purchased at Costco. 

But as hard as McMurray tries to pinch pennies, he said that once again he will have to dip into his depleting savings to pay his $5,421 property tax bill that came in the mail last week. 

“It’s tough to make it when you get bills like this,” he said. 

In an election that could turn over one-third of the City Council, the most contentious local battle has been over five proposed tax increases. Supporters insist city and school district programs would suffer without the inflow of cash and opponents insist another round of tax hikes could break their bank.  

On the November ballot are a 1.5 percent increase to the Utility Users Tax that would raise $2.7 million for the general fund and expire in four years, a one-half percent increase in the tax on properties that sell for over $600,000 to raise $2.2 million for youth programs and expire in six years, a $1.2 million increase in the Emergency Medical Services Tax and a $1.7 million increase in the library tax.  

McMurray, who lives alone and whose only source of income is a $631 monthly disability check which adds up to about $8,000 a year, is an opponent. At age 63, McMurray, a former roller skate vendor in Golden Gate Park who is HIV positive, gives himself five years before his savings run out and he defaults on his property taxes for a home he acknowledges has quadrupled in value since he bought it in 1979. 

“Yes, I can sell my house and I’ll be rich, and yes, I can move to Oklahoma or South Dakota where taxes are low, but these are my roots,” he said. 

For McMurray, there are a few options that could keep him in high-tax Berkeley long term. The state controller’s office allows qualified homeowners age 62 and older to postpone taxes in return for the state recording a lien against the property. A more common financing plan is a reverse mortgage, which offers a homeowner monthly income payments that are paid back with interest when the homeowner no longer owns the property. 

McMurray said he looked into a reverse mortgage, but because he is relatively young at 63, he wouldn’t be eligible for enough of a loan to make the mortgage viable, though it might be enough to pay his taxes. “If I can stick it out here a few more years, a reverse mortgage might make sense for me,” he said. He has already sent in his absentee ballot voting no on all the new tax measures.  

He will not be alone. 

After years of passing new taxes with relative ease, Berkeley voters have done an about-face. In 2002, without a formal anti-tax campaign, voters turned back three out of four proposed measures for new taxes or bonds. Last year vocal public opposition kept a proposed $7 million parcel tax off the ballot and this year anti-tax forces have mobilized to mount a campaign that has raised over $6,000 to fight most of the measures. 

“They shouldn’t ask us to pay more when they haven’t done enough to cut back,” said Bob Migdal, a member of Budget Watch, one of several anti-tax increase groups to spring up this year. 

Data released by the city this spring showed that last year the average Berkeley homeowner paid $4,128 in local taxes and assessments compared to $4,008 in Albany and $3,703 in Oakland. 

All of the taxes excluding the library tax would help close a $7.5 budget deficit in the city’s general fund for next year and projected deficits in future years. The deficits are caused in large part by increasing costs for the state employees’ retirement program, cuts in state aid and sagging commercial sales tax revenues. 

Additionally, the Berkeley Unified School District has placed an $8 million measure on the November ballot (set to expire in two years) which is supposed to lower class sizes and bolster funding for music and library programs that have been cut in recent years as the district struggled to close its budget deficit. 

In all the five new taxes would cost the average homeowner in Berkeley $302 dollars next year and when other proposed tax increases and outstanding bonds are factored in, property taxes for the average new home buyer will rise by $688, according to figures compiled by Councilmember Gordon Wozniak. 

City voters haven’t passed a tax increase since 2000, but that doesn’t mean local tax bills have remained stable. McMurray’s bill for city assessments rose $96 dollars from last year and over $800 from 1997. 

He is actually a beneficiary of a state tax system that is anything but equitable. Since he bought his home the year after California voters passed Proposition 13, which limits increases in property valuation to no more than two percent a year, McMurray’s property is valued for tax purposes at $286,444—roughly one-third of its market value. 

If he were to sell his home for $800,000, the new homeowner would pay taxes well in excess of $10,000 on the same property. 

Homeowners in Berkeley are taxed a fixed percentage of the assessed value of their property and then pay city and local taxes based on the square footage of their homes. 

“It’s an uneven, unfair taxing system, but it’s the only the one the government has,” said Mayor Tom Bates, who is supporting all five tax measures and said he is among the 65 percent of Berkeley homeowners who receive benefits from Proposition 13. 

A search on the Alameda County Assessor’s website shows that Bates’ property is valued at $54,840 for a total tax this year of $1,993. Most other members of the City Council are also big beneficiaries of the law. Betty Olds’ property is valued at $71,715 for a total tax of $1,989 and Maudelle Shirek’s property is valued at $40,525 for a total tax of $1,471. Councilmember Wozniak, whose property is valued at $587,975, pays the highest property tax among councilmembers at $9,856. 

Trina Ostrander, director of the Berkeley Public Education Foundation, defended the tax proposals on grounds that California taxes are generally lower than those of other states with high personal incomes. 

“There should be room for local taxes because we’re undertaxed at the state level,” she said. 

The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan research group that advocates a simple tax code, ranked California 24th in the nation with a per capita tax burden at 10 percent of personal income. New York ranked first with a tax burden of 12.4 percent. 

Like other California cities, Berkeley lost precious state dollars—$1.6 million—this year from Governor Schwarzenegger’s repeal of the vehicle license fee.  

Frances Medema, a management analyst with the League of California Cities, said state cutbacks had caused more cities than usual to put new taxes on the November ballot. An incomplete list compiled by the league shows that 58 cities have proposed tax measures, the majority of which are increases to the sales tax or utilities tax.  

Among them are a parcel tax and public parking tax in Oakland to pay for more police officers and public safety programs, a sales tax increase in San Francisco, a utility users tax in Fremont and a hotel tax increase in Santa Monica. 

In Berkeley, the four city taxes would raise $8 million, which supporters say would go to reopen the libraries on Sunday, guarantee that every fire engine is equipped with a trained paramedic, preserve programs for youth, including crossing guards and replenish the city’s general fund. 

Tax opponents, like Migdal argue that many of the programs could already be paid for from the city’s coffers, and that the special taxes are part of a bait and switch tactic whereby the city takes popular programs to the voters to fund separately so regular city revenue can pay for less popular programs. 

Migdal also charged the city hasn’t done enough to rein in the cost of the city bureaucracy, whose skyrocketing pension benefits are blamed for $6 million of the city’s $10 million general fund deficit this year.  

Berkeley required its unions to forego roughly $1.2 million in scheduled raises this year, but the city still pays contributions for employees to the state retirement fund in full. Richmond, which is facing a $20 million deficit, signed a better deal with one of its largest unions. Service Employees International Union Local 790 Richmond members will pay the full eight percent contribution beginning next July in return for a 2.5 percent raise in 2007. 

Maureen Katz, a Berkeley resident and public school parent, insisted the programs at risk were too vital not to vote for the taxes. Without the tax on home sales, she said Rosa Parks Elementary School would lose its family resource center and students would lose after-school programs. 

“Berkeley is a great place to live because of the services we provide,” said Katz. “The people who are complaining have all seen their houses double in price. It’s all greed.” 

 

 

 


Complaint Dismissed Against Anti-Tax Groups: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Friday October 29, 2004

Berkeley election monitors effectively dismissed Wednesday a complaint filed against the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA), but failed to address the question of whether the group had violated Berkeley election law by mailing to non-members its newsletter urging the defeat of city tax measures. 

Malcolm Burnstein, who authored the complaint on behalf of the campaign to pass a library tax increase, said he would re-file it in December after the Fair Campaign Elections Commission, with only six members present, deadlocked on every vote. 

A separate complaint from Burnstein charging that Berkeleyans Against Soaring Taxes (BASTA) twice failed to file its contributions before a city deadline was dismissed when the commission could not muster the requisite five votes to pass a motion. Burnstein said he would not seek to reopen that complaint. 

Burnstein charged that CNA, by publishing a newsletter that took positions on local ballot measures, effectively functioned as a campaign committee and was required to register as such under the Berkeley Election Reform Act. 

The law, designed to shed light on the financial backers of campaign committees, requires the organizations to disclose their contributions and expenses and list the names of contributors who donated more than $50.  

CNA, which is registered as a nonprofit and has published a newsletter for nearly 30 years, is permitted under state law to take positions on ballot measures. The most recent newsletter published this month devoted much of its space to editorials opposing all of the proposed tax increases on the November ballot. 

In the past year, relations between neighborhood associations and city leaders have grown steadily worse over the groups’ opposition to tax increases. 

Charging that Burnstein’s complaint was a thinly veiled threat from the city’s political establishment, CNA President Laurie Bright cautioned that if Burnstein ultimately got his way neighborhood groups could be hindered from distributing newsletters, posting positions on Internet sites and canvassing for support. 

“This would have a chilling effect on free speech,” he said. 

CNA is an umbrella group of local neighborhood associations whose primary function is to produce the newsletter paid for by subscription fees of $30.  

Since state election law does not apply to regularly published newsletters whose circulation is limited to members and others who request it, Deputy City Attorney Prasanna Rasiah had recommended that the commission dismiss the case. 

However, Jenny Lipow, a Berkeley resident and supporter of the tax measures, testified before the commission that she received a copy of the recent newsletter addressed to her even though she had not been a member of CNA for at least five years and had not received a newsletter for the past three years. 

“Why am I only solicited on this issue, which was clearly an election piece?” she asked. 

Burnstein said he had also received calls from residents that opponents of the tax measures were distributing the newsletters door-to-door. 

Bright responded that CNA produces enough newsletters to mail to paid subscribers and then sends out any extras to former subscribers in hopes of getting them to re-subscribe. 

“As a general rule we send out more copies than to only the people who subscribe just like newspapers and magazines who want to add to their subscription list,” Bright said.  

Although he didn’t have exact figures, Bright estimated that CNA didn’t sent out more than 200 newsletters beyond its subscription base. 

Commissioner Eric Weaver called for staff to investigate the issue to determine how state law defined “a member of an organization” and whether CNA had then mailed the newsletter to non-members. However the commission split on the vote 3-2-1, failing to reach the five votes needed to pass.  

Weaver (appointed by Mayor Tom Bates) Gorden Gaines (appointed by Councilmember Maudelle Shirek) and Patrick O’Donnell (appointed by Councilmember Miriam Hawley) voted to investigate the charges, while Dennis White (appointed by Councilmember Gordon Wozniak) and Michael Issel (appointed by Councilmember Betty Olds) were in opposition. John Denvir, who was appointed to the commission Wednesday by Councilmember Dona Spring, abstained on all votes because he has supported Measure H, for public financing of city elections, which both BASTA and CNA oppose. 

A second motion, to dismiss the charges against CNA but direct city staff to research the issue, failed 4-1-1. Although he favored looking into the matter, Weaver cast the lone no vote because he opposed dismissing the complaint.  

 


Newest West Berkeley Bowl Plans Unveiled to Neighbors: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday October 29, 2004

Architect Kava Massih unveiled the latest version of the new Berkeley Bowl planned for the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Heinz Avenue in West Berkeley, at a meeting Tuesday night for project neighbors. 

The newest additions to the design include a level of underground parking beneath the two-story store and warehouse building and a set of alternative plans for routing vehicles into the project. 

Plans call for a 91,000-square-foot complex including a 51,000-square-foot, 40-foot-tall building and a total of 211 parking spaces. 

Because the store is planned for a site currently zoned for light industrial use and the West Berkeley Plan mandates preservation of existing industrial uses, approval of the new store requires both a zoning change and an amendment to the West Berkeley Plan. 

The Design Review Committee will be the first city body to see the new plans, which will be presented for scrutiny at their Nov. 18 meeting, said Principal Planner Alan Gatzke, who also attended the meeting in the architect’s Ninth Street offices. 

The proposal will have to negotiate parallel tracks through the Planning Commission, which must approve the plan amendment, and the Zoning Adjustments Board, he said. 

Neighbors attending the session examined six different traffic flow alternatives directing vehicles into and out of the store and asked Massih and Gatzke to record their pick as the one that blocked all access from both Heinz Avenue and Ninth Street. 

—Richard Brenneman 


Prostitution Opposed, Marijuana and Trees Ignored: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Friday October 29, 2004

Last summer members of the City Council seemed ready to fight three citizen-initiated measures on the November ballot that would promote decriminalizing prostitution, liberalize medical pot laws and set up a board to protect trees. 

But as election time has rolled around the only initiative that city leaders have opted to contest is one whose author insists is purely symbolic. 

“This won’t change anything,” said Robyn Few, author of The Angel Initiative (Measure Q), which would make prostitution the city’s lowest police priority, require police to make semi-annual reports of its programs to curb prostitution and require the City Council to lobby the state to decriminalize the world’s oldest profession. 

When the measure was placed on the ballot three months ago, police agreed with Few. Police spokesman Joe Okies said the force would continue to perform sting operations on San Pablo Avenue, the city’s main drag for street walkers. So far this year sting operations have resulted in about 70 arrests, he said. 

But City Manager Phil Kamlarz said Thursday the city hasn’t determined if police would be able to conduct the stings if prostitution is the force’s lowest priority. Even if the measure passes, Kamlarz said the city will be required under state law to enforce prostitution laws. 

While the city now says it is unclear on the ramifications of the measure, Councilmember Linda Maio has been rounding up dollars and support from San Pablo Avenue merchants to defeat it. As of Oct. 16, the Campaign Against Measure Q had raised $7,864. 

“If they don’t enforce the laws, we’ll be inundated with prostitutes,” said Jack Fox, the owner of a San Pablo Avenue transmission shop, who contributed $100 to Maio’s effort. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington, who has remained neutral on the measure, said he didn’t think Fox’s contribution was money well spent. 

“It’s all political rah-rah,” he said. “All the measure says is that it would be a low priority, which it already is.”  

But Brad Smith, the treasurer of the No on Q campaign and Maio’s legislative aide,” insisted that the measure wasn’t symbolic and that law enforcement could help prostitutes seek help. 

“Without the hammer of the criminal justice system there is no opportunity to get people into recovery programs,” he said. 

Although Measure Q doesn’t initiate programs to assist prostitutes, Few said the measure’s passage would symbolize to prostitutes what they can accomplish politically. 

If voters pass Measure R, medical cannabis users and collectives could also claim a mighty political achievement.  

The measure would give the city’s three cannabis dispensaries by-right zoning privileges to move their operations to any avenue zoned for commercial uses, allow licensed patients to grow as much marijuana as they deem is medically necessary, transfer oversight of the clubs to a panel of club officers and authorize the city to provide medical cannabis if federal authorities raid the dispensaries. 

The measure is the culmination of a contentious year between medical cannabis advocates and the city. In February South Berkeley neighbors pressured the city to prevent a club from moving to the intersection of Sacramento and Russell streets and then in April the City Council voted against a compromise measure to increase the city’s marijuana plant limit for individual patients from 10 to 72. 

“This is all a reaction to what the city has done to us this year,” said Charlie Pappas, a medical cannabis user who was featured on the Measure Q campaign’s mailing sent to Berkeley residents. 

The promotion was funded in part from large contributions from the cannabis dispensaries, but city leaders have opted not to raise money to fight the measure. 

“There’s just so much we can do,” said Councilmember Betty Olds. “We have our own campaigns to run.” 

Mayor Tom Bates said a lot of the sting was taken out of the cannabis measure earlier this month when the council passed a quota limiting the number of cannabis clubs in Berkeley to three. 

Asked about Berkeley’s proclivity to support medical marijuana—the city voted 86 percent in favor of the Compassionate Use Act which decriminalized it—Bates said he thought Berkeley voters “will see through this as an effort to get past local zoning rules.” 

When it comes to caring for the city’s 40,200 public trees, Bates thinks the city’s forestry department can do a better job than a proposed Berkeley Tree Board. 

“It spends up to $350,000 on stuff the city is doing just fine,” he said. 

But local environmentalist Elliot Cohen said the city’s failure to save trees near the public library and its acquiescence to removing more trees in the Berkeley Marina necessitates the ordinance. 

Cohen’s proposal creates a new board to encourage the planting of healthy trees and regulate changes to trees on public land. Anyone seeking to work on a public tree would have to get a license from the tree board, and any development that might affect a public tree would require a “tree impact report.” 

City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque wrote that the ordinance would interfere with the council’s authority over city property, forcing it to get tree board permission to remove public trees. She said the ordinance would interfere with the city manager’s charter authority to administer city departments and personnel by specifying that the Tree Board would use two staff members and would mandate a specified number of trees to be planted annually. 

City staff estimated the cost of the proposed new Tree Board would run to $250,000 once it was operational and that to provide staffing the city would have to transfer two Parks and Recreation Department employees.  

Cohen countered that city staff had misread his initiative and were inflating the cost as part of a campaign of scare tactics.  

He said his proposal capped staffing at two full-time employees ($200,000), but under normal circumstances the Tree Board would require only about one quarter to one-half of the time of only one staff member.  

 

 

 


Richmond Candidate Cries Foul Over ‘Hit Pieces’: By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

Friday October 29, 2004

A Richmond City Council candidate has condemned two last-minute campaign flyers in that race as “eleventh-hour mudslinging” and “hit pieces” that have become “far too typical of Richmond politics” and “have nothing to do with issues that matter to Richmond residents.” 

The campaign manager for Andrés Soto, the target of the mailings, said their campaign was “bracing for more mailings which are rumored to be coming out before election day.” 

Fifteen candidates, including four incumbents, are running for five at-large seats on Richmond City Council in next Tuesday’s election. 

Last week, Richmond voters received two mailed fliers aimed at Soto, one entitled “Cinco De Mayo, May 5, 2002,” the other entitled “Confessions Of A Radical.” The first leaflet contained excerpts of a police report of Soto’s highly-publicized arrest during a Richmond Cinco de Mayo celebration two years ago. Soto and 11 other plaintiffs received a $150,000 settlement this year from the city of Richmond stemming from the incidents at that celebration. The second contains a passage from an undated article by a UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism student noting Soto’s delight at the 1981 assassination attempt against then-President Ronald Reagan.  

Under the headline “Andrés Soto is too radical to be on the City Council,” the Cinco de Mayo mailer quotes Richmond Fire Captain John Wade as saying that “Richmond Police Officers are committed to our safety… Andrés Soto is a radical that [sic] uses confrontational politics to challenge the rule of law… Richmond deserves better!” 

Soto campaign manager Holly Potter says that the mailers were “engineered” by controversial Contra Costa County campaign consultant Darrell Reese, a retired Richmond fire captain who was once investigated by the FBI for allegations of vote-buying in Richmond elections. Reese was never charged with that offense, but the results of that investigation led to a four-month house arrest and a conviction in federal court for not reporting earnings from his lobbying and consulting business. 

The “Confessions of A Radical” mailer reprints a single line from an article by UC Journalism School student Christina Dryness, saying that Soto “had celebrated President Reagan’s assassination attempt in 1981 by going down to the local bar for drinks.” “While I think celebration is probably too strong a term, he doesn’t deny that he wasn’t broken up by Reagan being shot,” Holly said. “I think Andrés was relating the story of his anger with Reagan in the 80’s.” She added that “the entire story is actually a flattering portrait of Andrés” that showed his conversion from an anti-government activist at the time of Reagan’s shooting to a community organizer who led a decades-long campaign against violence in Richmond. Soto, in fact, has been targeted by the National Rifle Association for his gun control advocacy. 

The two mailers were sent out under the names of the Richmond Firefighters’ Association and an organization called the Keep Richmond Safe Committee. The Firefighters’ Association did not return calls related to this article. The telephone number of the Keep Richmond Safe Committee, provided by the Richmond city clerk’s office, had an answering machine with a message identifying the owner merely as “Cindy,” without any reference to the committee. 

The Keep Richmond Safe Committee has filed reports with the Richmond City Clerk’s office listing campaign activities in support of Richmond City Council candidates Tom Butt, Arnie Kasendorf, Nat Bates, Kathy Scharff, and John Marquez. 

Asked why Soto was a target of the mailings, Holly said “they obviously saw Andrés as a threat.” In his campaign, Soto has called upon police and fire unions to renegotiate city labor contracts which he says have “contributed to the city’s fiscal crisis.” 

Richmond City Councilmember Tom Butt, who was listed in the Cinco de Mayo mailer as one of three councilmembers who voted against the Cinco De Mayo settlement, condemned the mailers in an e-mail sent out to supporters. “I had no involvement in their production,” Butt wrote. “I don’t even know who the Keep Richmond Safe Committee is. … I want to make it clear that I do not appreciate being included in hit pieces. … I have been the victim of dozens of the worst possible negative campaign pieces and hit pieces in the past, and wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” Butt explained in his e-mail that he voted against the Cinco de Mayo settlement because “the city attorney refused, as part of the settlement authorization, to take legal action against the individual actually responsible for the specific negligent behavior. 

 

 


UC Hotel Project Talks ‘Moving Forward’: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday October 29, 2004

Plans for a major UC Berkeley-sponsored hotel and convention center at the northeast corner of Shattuck Avenue and Center Street are moving forward, says Kevin Hufferd, UC Capital Projects senior planner. 

“I feel very good about the progress we’re making,” Hufferd said. “We have a real shot at something quite exciting.” 

The university is negotiating with Carpenter & Co., a leading hotelier based in Massachusetts. 

“We struggled at the beginning back in the spring to make sure we and the developer were on the same page,” Hufferd said, “but we’ve been moving along very well.” 

UC and Carpenter & Co. are currently attempting to hammer out details that will make for an economically feasible project, said Hufferd. 

“We’re trying to determine issues like height, bulk, scale and the number of rooms. After that we’ll need to embark on additional discussions with the community about design issues,” Hufferd said. 

The UC official said negotiations will include concerns raised by the Berkeley Planning Commission’s UC Hotel Task Force, which developed a list of recommendations for the project during a series of meetings that ended last April 27. 

“There’s a lot to be worked out,” Hufferd acknowledged. 

The university plans to develop a complex of facilities on the two blocks bounded by Shattuck Avenue on the west and Oxford Street on the east between University Avenue and Center Street. 

The site is supposed to include a complex of museums and parking facilities as well as the hotel and conference center.›


Bush, Kerry Endorse Return to the Braceros: By DAVID BACON

Pacific News Service
Friday October 29, 2004

“I believe there ought to be a temporary worker card that allows a willing worker and a willing employer to mate up, so long as there’s not an American willing to do that job, to join up in order to be able to fulfill the employers’ needs.” —George Bush, presidential debate, Oct. 14, 2004 

 

“We need a guest-worker program, but if it’s all we have, it’s not going to solve the problem.” —John Kerry, presidential debate, Oct. 14, 2004  

 

The mutual call by both George Bush and John Kerry for new guest worker programs during the last presidential debate brings the institution of a new bracero program closer than it has been for the last 40 years.  

In 1964, Ernesto Galarza, Cesar Chavez and other Latino progressives won the abolition of a program under which U.S. growers, beginning in World War II, brought Mexican workers to U.S. fields. These activists accused growers of maintaining military-style, exploitative conditions for those workers, and deporting them when they protested. Further, Galarza and Chavez said that growers created an oversupply of workers in order to drive wages down, and used braceros to break farm worker strikes.  

By no coincidence, the great grape strike in which the United Farm Workers was born started the year after the bracero program ended.  

The importation of workers by U.S. employers didn’t completely end, however. Four new visa categories were eventually created, allowing companies to bring limited numbers of workers into the United States for jobs in agriculture, high tech, health care, and other industries. These programs have been condemned by labor and immigrant community activists for years, for abusing workers much as the bracero program did. Just this spring, the North Carolina Growers Association was sued by the state’s Legal Aid office for extensive violations of health and safety laws, and for maintaining a blacklist of workers who protested.  

The key weakness of the programs, critics charge, is that they give employers power, not just over jobs, but also over visas—the ability of workers to stay in the United States. Further, contract temporary workers can never become a permanent part of a community in the United States, since they must eventually return to their countries of origin. They are truly strangers in a strange land.  

Nevertheless, starting in 1999, major U.S. employer associations banded together in a shadowy organization to promote the vast expansion of those temporary worker programs. The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) quickly grew to include 36 of the country’s most powerful employer associations, headed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores belongs (think Wal-Mart), as does the American Health Care Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the National Council of Chain Restaurants, the National Restaurant Association, and the National Retail Federation, the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Associated General Contractors and the American Meat Institute. All represent industries with a work force in which immigrants are well represented.  

There’s no question that many U.S. industries have become dependent on immigrant labor. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that, in 2001, undocumented workers, mostly from Mexico, comprised 58 percent of the work force in agriculture, 23.8 percent in private household services, 16.6 percent in business services, 9.1 percent in restaurants, and 6.4 percent in construction. The Migrant Policy Institute reports that in 1990, 11.6 million immigrants, documented and undocumented, made up 9 percent of the U.S. workforce. By 2002, their numbers had grown to 20.3 million workers, or 14 percent.  

As Bush began negotiating over immigration reform with Mexican President Vicente Fox in 2001, EWIC called for “a temporary worker program...markedly different from the existing and past models.” The association was joined in 2002 by the Cato Institute, a conservative think tank close to the administration. A Cato Institute report authored by Daniel T. Griswold called for a guest worker program “that would allow Mexican nationals to remain in the United States to work for a limited period.” It suggested issuing about 300,000 such temporary visas, good for three years and renewable for another limited period.  

When Bush proposed his immigration reform plan in January of this year, it was taken almost word for word from the Cato Institute report, and recommendations by EWIC.  

Bush’s proposal was not warmly embraced by immigrants themselves. In a poll conducted by Bendixen and Associates for New California Media (a project of Pacific News Service) and the James Irvine Foundation, 50 percent of the undocumented workers surveyed opposed it once its provisions were explained, while only 42 percent supported it. Veterans of the old bracero program were even more critical. One former bracero, Manuel Herrera, told the AP’s Juliana Barbassa, “they rented us, got our work, then sent us back when they had no more use for us.” Ventura Gutierrez, head of an organization of former braceros, said, “people who lived through the old program know the abuse it will cause.”  

Nevertheless, one mark of EWIC’s lobbying success is that guest worker programs are now being proposed from both sides of the aisle. Both a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sens. Tom Daschle and Chuck Hegel, and a Democratic bill introduced by Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Sen. Edward Kennedy, call for expanded guest worker programs. It was no surprise, then, to hear both presidential candidates agree on the corporate-backed measure in the last debate.  

There are alternative proposals for immigration reform that would help undocumented immigrants achieve legal status, but which don’t contain guest worker provisions. One is sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Lee calls Bush’s approach an unrealistic, “flat-earth program.” Nevertheless, whichever candidate becomes president will be one already committed to bringing back the braceros.  

 

David Bacon is a freelance writer and photographer who writes regularly on labor and immigration issues. His latest book is The Children of NAFTA (University of California Press, 2004).  

 


Top Contra Costa Physician Blasts Campus Bay Turf War: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday October 29, 2004

The physician charged with safeguarding the health of Contra Costa County residents issued a stinging rebuke Thursday of the bureaucratic turf battles he believes are compromising the Campus Bay toxic waste cleanup. 

County Health Director Dr. Wendel Brunner said site neighbors have “legitimate anxieties based on their previous experience with inappropriate remediation carried out without appropriate oversight,” referring to previous cleanup efforts at the site conducted two years ago. 

“The citizens of California and Contra Costa County deserve the best efforts and skills of all the California Environmental Protection Agency departments working together, and it doesn’t seem we’re getting that,” Brunner said, the day after he attended a public meeting sponsored by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). 

The public health expert said he was particularly disturbed by the lack of representatives of the state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Wednesday. 

“They were conspicuous by their absence,” he said.  

Brunner had asked the top EPA official in July to hand jurisdiction of the site to the DTSC, but he said Thursday he was less concerned with which branch of the EPA heads the oversight than by the apparent lack of cooperation between the water board and the toxics department. 

“I don’t care who leads, as long as they are working together appropriately to give the expertise we need for this problem,” Brunner said. “If not, it becomes one of my problems.” 

Brunner became actively involved in monitoring conditions at the site in July, when concerned neighbors sought his participation as the result of experiences with a larger cleanup effort at the 40-acre site two years earlier. 

“At that time there had been large numbers of truckloads moved around and mixed with limestone to neutralize the iron pyrite cinders in the soil. The neighbors told me they were concerned by the large amounts of dust blown around then,” he said. 

Brunner said he was hoping to see a cooperative effort by all the California EPA agencies, the project developer and citizens and community groups during the fall excavations at Stege Marsh in preparation for the more troublesome remediation efforts scheduled for the spring. 

“This one is easy. They’re excavating the mud, not mixing it. I was hoping that this stage could be a practice run, so everyone could learn to work together to develop more confidence for the more dusty proceedings coming in the spring,” he said. 

The marshland muck now being excavated is being stored atop previously treated polluted soil from the upland portion of the site and soil from the adjacent and equally polluted UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station. 

“The next stage promises to be even more difficult,” Brunner said, when the dried muck is mixed with limestone to neutralize the pyrite ash, raising the specter of more dust blowing around the neighborhood.  

“I still think there’s a way to go about it.” 

Brunner’s concerns led to calls to Assemblymember Loni Hancock, who is conducting a Nov. 6 legislative hearing on the project. 

The current phase of the cleanup will be followed by another and even more problematic process, Brunner said, when Cherokee Simeon Ventures submits its plans to build 1330 houses on the inland site.


Campaign 2004: Perspective From Colorado: By BOB BURNETT

NEWS ANALYSIS
Friday October 29, 2004

Dreading the notion of sitting around Berkeley, filling the anxious hours until Nov. 3 by reading contradictory polls and phoning undecided voters in swing states, we decided to travel to Colorado and immerse ourselves in get-out-the-vote activities. 

What we find here is a very close race for president and for an open Senate seat. 

While recent public polls of the Colorado race show George Bush ahead of John Kerry from 2 to 5 percentage points, internal Democratic polls show Kerry with a lead. Both parties believe that the outcome will depend upon which side gets out their vote. 

There are roughly 3 million registered voters in Colorado: 1.1 million Republicans, 940,000 Democrats, and an amazing 1 million unaffiliated voters. 

The most recent Denver Post poll showed that 88 percent of Republicans favored Bush and 80 percent of Democrats preferred Kerry; the Democratic challenger was the choice of unaffiliated voters by a margin of nine percentage points. There remain a substantial number of undecided voters: seven percent of Democrats and 10 percent of the unaffiliated. 

Although the large number of unaffiliated voters is unusual, the overall situation in Colorado mirrors that in all the swing states: Kerry is either ahead or within striking distance. 

Polls indicate that Republican voters have made up their minds and strongly favor Bush. Kerry had not done as good a job holding the Democratic base. In all the swing states, independent or unaffiliated voters favor Kerry, but there are a large number of undecided voters. 

In this sense Colorado appears to be a very typical swing state and the Democratic strategy here mirrors that in the others. The plan has been to register new voters, get as many Democrats as possible to vote by absentee ballot, convince undecided voters that Kerry is “the man,” and to get out the vote on Nov. 2. 

Colorado Democrats have won the first contest in that they have recruited many more new voters than have the Republicans. Many of these are young folks. The Democratic candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by the ailing Republican, Ben Knighthorse Campbell, is Attorney General Ken Salazar. If elected, Salazar would become the first Hispanic Senator; this has encouraged the registration of many Hispanic voters. 

The Democratic field offices are heavily involved in the processing of requests for absentee ballots. Statistics show that voters are much more likely to vote if they have an absentee ballot—remember that in Colorado it is quite likely that on election day there will be a blizzard or some other problem that could depress voter turnout. 

Every day thousands of requests for absentee ballots are received, which must then be aggregated by county and mailed to the respective county clerk for processing. What this suggests is that if the race in Colorado ends up being to close to call, on the evening of Nov. 2, it will all come down to the counting of these absentee ballots, which could take several days. 

Democratic volunteers have flocked to Colorado from states such as California and Texas, where there is no question which presidential candidate will prevail. They found lots of work to do. Those who are not processing absentee requests are calling Democrats and unaffiliated voters, making the case for John Kerry and Ken Salazar. Some volunteers have begun walking precincts.  

There are few signs of support for George W. Bush in the greater Denver area, where we are working. The Democratic mobilization has succeeded in making this a city where Democrats now outnumber Republicans. 

Nonetheless the race remains too close to call. A hopeful sign is that Senate candidate Salazar, who initially distanced himself from Kerry, has had a change of heart. Saturday, they appeared together at a massive rally in Pueblo, a largely Hispanic city a couple of hours south of Denver. 

The Salazar campaign initially enjoyed a double-digit lead over the Republican challenger, brewer Pete Coors. Now that lead has evaporated and some polls show Coors ahead. This has had the effect of forcing Salazar to run as part of the national ticket. Interestingly, this has resulted in better coordination of the effort to get out the Hispanic vote—a vote that Salazar imprudently took for granted. 

We’ll stay in Colorado until the election is decided. At the moment it looks like this may be a few days after Nov. 3. 

 

Bob Burnett is working on a book about the Christian Right. 

 

 


Sanctions, Not Pre-Emption Softened Qaddafi’s Libya: By PAOLO PONTONIERE

Pacific News Service, NEWS ANALYSIS
Friday October 29, 2004

Libya’s decision to junk its WMD program confirms that sanctions, not pre-emptive war in Iraq as George Bush claims, worked. Diplomatic pressures punctuated by stiff commercial and military sanctions convinced Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi to take stock of Libya’s international isolation and brought him to the negotiating table.  

Europeans are astonished and more than a bit amused at the Bush administration’s claim that Libya’s renunciation of its nuclear arms program was fear of an Iraq-style pre-emptive invasion. The widespread belief in Europe is that Libya was never in a position to build any serious nuclear program because it lacked the know-how, scientists and facilities to proceed.  

“Libya played a very skillful hand of poker with the U.S. administration and the West,” affirms Dina Nascetti, foreign correspondent for Italy’s leading newsweekly L’Espresso. “Qaddafi needed to see an end to commercial sanctions against his country.”  

International sanctions were eating at Libya’s economic growth and stalling its efforts to play a decisive role in redesigning Africa’s political map. As a sign of rising economic woes, scores of Libyan vessels filled with refugees have landed daily on Italy’s southern shores. Although many of the refugees are Africans, the number of Libyan youths (they make up 60 percent of the population) taking to sea to find a better life in Europe has grown.  

Faced with rising instability, Qaddafi announced the abandonment of his nuclear and chemical weapons goals, shrewdly grasping that the current U.S. administration more than ever needed a rogue state that would “capitulate” to American pressure.  

Libya’s international isolation began in January 1986 with the imposition of American sanctions following the bombing of the La Belle Disco Dance Club in Berlin, where two U.S. soldiers and one Turkish were killed and an additional 229 people were injured. President Ronald Reagan ordered U.S. air assaults on Tripoli, lightly wounding Qaddafi but killing his 2-year-old adopted daughter. The U.S. sanctions were followed in 1992 by economic, military and diplomatic sanctions by the United Nations in response to the December 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people. Since then, except for a tenuous relationship with the Arab League and the Organization for Africa Unity, Libya has been practically a pariah.  

Sanctions are believed to have caused in excess of $35 billion in damage to the Libyan economy, stalling the development of its oil industry and causing the collapse of its service industry, which was run by European nationals.  

The sanctions also created conditions for Islamic radicalism to infiltrate Libya. Libya increasingly relied on workers from Arabic countries, whose populations are mostly Islamic, to do work that Libyans refused. For example, Islamic Brotherhood literature arrived with the wave of Egyptian immigrants; the Brotherhood’s influence has grown among Libyan youths.  

Now that Qaddafi has abandoned his unrealizable dream of pan-Arabism, discontented Libyan youths are finding a viable rallying point in Islamic internationalism. The notion of an Islamic renaissance throughout the Middle East and Africa is attracting adherents away from Qaddafi’s Arabic secularism and quest for equality between men and women as written in his Green Book, the Colonel’s guide to Libya’s revolution. Qaddafi needed a respite from economic problems fast.  

“With the abolition of sanctions, Qaddafi gets a chance to deal with various problems affecting his country,” says Remo Lenci coordinator for UIL Croce Rossa, an affiliate of the Italian Red Cross. “One is breaking Libya’s economic isolation and flinging open the doors to Africa; another is being able to repress political opposition with the help of the West.” Jumping on the bandwagon of the American war on terrorism, “Libya doesn’t need to account anymore for its political and religious prisoners to the international community,” explains Lenci.  

In fact, while opening the country for the first time to an Amnesty International inspection, Libya must still account for hundreds of political prisoners whose fates are unknown. Recently, Saif al-Qaddafi, the son of Muammar and the real architect of the opening to the West, has confirmed that no clemency will be given to the 600 prisoners at the Abu Salim jail. “As everywhere else in the world, also in Libya, terrorists must serve their time,” Said told visiting Amnesty officials and journalists.  

Europeans are quietly miffed that in his eagerness to strike a deal with Qaddafi, Bush may have given him a sweeter deal than he could have managed in negotiations with the European Union, headed by Romano Prodi.  

“The EU had to hurry to offset the potentially negative outcome of the U.S.’s untimely relinquishing of its sanctions,” admits a European diplomatic source who requested anonymity. “The U.S. opening of its wallet and its contacts with Qaddafi weakened the European community’s leverage on the issue of political prisoners and the compensation for years of terrorist activity in Europe.”  

Coming out of a deep freeze, Libya, rewarded handsomely by a divided West, has launched its own plan for Africa. Conceived in collaboration with Fahmy Hudome, a Washington-based consulting firm, the plan encompasses a series of U.S.-Libyan joint ventures in Angola, South Africa, Senegal, Capo Verde, Sudan and Eritrea.  

 

Paolo Pontoniere is a San Francisco-based correspondent of Focus, Italy’s leading monthly magazine.


Letters to the Editor

Friday October 29, 2004

MEASURE Q  

Editors, Daily Planet:  

It always disturbs and amazes me when voters are asked to make decisions that put burdens on others in their community while they bear none of the problems imposed on those others. 

Approving Measure Q says to those alr eady struggling with the problems of prostitutes taking over their streets, that they must not only continue to deal with this, but they will need to contend with more of it. The weakening of enforcement of street prostitution laws will bring more and mor e prostitutes to the area. 

You must ask yourself; is this something I would welcome in my neighborhood? Should I be approving it for others, even if they are struggling against it? 

Vote No on Measure Q and if you believe prostitution should be decrimina lized, invest time, work and money to have safe, private, zoning approved locations for consensual sex acts to take place so that children and neighborhoods do not have others’ decision imposed on them. 

Helen Springer 

 

• 

NO GUARANTEES 

Editors, Daily Plane t:  

Dan Lindheim was referring to me in his letter to the editor last Tuesday. I am not mistaken at all about Measure B. Measure B is definitely an end run around democracy. 

At my dinner table, we understand American history. No taxation without represe ntation. We wasted a lot of good tea in Boston Harbor because we believed in citizen input. 

So, if I am to be taxed, there should be community, parent and teacher input at every level. These are the conditions that we placed on BSEP, and BSEP works becau se of this. Some administrator shouldn’t decide how the money is spent. Teachers and parents are much more familiar with what is going on at a school. They know the needs of their kids, not some district administrator who, at best, goes to that school onc e a year, for a few short minutes.  

Measure B has no democratic safeguards. Measure B has no elected school committees, no elected district committees, no elected oversight committee, no guarantees that this very large tax increase will be efficiently or effectively used, no guarantee that we will in fact get small class sizes, better libraries and more music. In fact, the district pays itself first by taking a big cut for overhead before students receive any benefit. 

School district representatives say they support democracy, but the words they inserted in Measure B tells us that the school district wants our money without the democracy. I urge everyone to read the measure itself. I know if you read the actual text, you will vote No on Measure B. 

Steph anie Corcos 

 

• 

NO ON MEASURE B 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Tuesday night, before the high school PTSA, School Board member Nancy Riddle told the audience that Measure B was written to give the school district a big cut for overhead to keep Measure B from “encroaching” onto the general fund. 

I was floored. Nancy Riddle doesn’t express commitment about small class sizes, or libraries or music. What she said on behalf of the School Board is that the school board wants as much money as possible to spend anyway it wants, and we tax payers should pay another $250 a year, so the board gets its way.  

In the past three years, the School Board raised class sizes by transferring general fund monies elsewhere. Measure B has no guarantees that class size will actually go down, or that there will be more music or better library programs. Measure B is about funding the general fund. Heck no! 

The school board should be guaranteeing that the general fund will be used to match our generosity for small class size, better li braries and more music, not the other way around.  

These school board members have it completely backwards. What is it about government these days? Vote No on the school board incumbents, Selawsky and Rivera, and Vote No on Measure B. 

David Spinker 

 

• 

CA RING FOR NEIGHBORS 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Ms. Levya-Cutler comments that she is advocating a YES vote on Measure J because her neighbor needs assistance from the local fire department to provide oxygen and that young children and youth need health servi ces (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25). 

I believe she is advocating a Yes Vote on Measure M, because Measure M will put a paramedic on every engine at every station and keep all fire companies fully staffed and funded. Ms. Levya-Cutler’s neighbor gets oxygen fro m the fire department. The Oakland Tribune editorial board endorsed Measure M because of the services the fire department provides like to Ms. Levya-Cutler’s neighbor. 

Vote YES on Measure M and provide the tools and equipment to your firefighters so they can respond quickly to medical emergencies and fires. 

Gil Dong 

 

• 

EXCELLENT WORK 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

John Selawsky is a very conscientious and effective School Board member. He has dealt in very creative and courageous ways with a deficit situation that was not of his making to re-establish the fiscal integrity of the Berkeley School District. In addition, he has been instrumental in establishing the Edible Schoolyard program, the Dual Immersion Program as well as improvements in instruction, integration and participation of the community. He should be given the opportunity to continue his excellent work. 

Diana Bohn 

 

• 

HAZARDOUS CARGO 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

If you need to know what’s waiting for you in your backyard, here it is: 23,320 gallons of hazardous waste, stored and waiting to be shipped out through our city streets! Yep, that’s right. Last Oct. 20, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) organized a public hearing to share information and to accept public comments when they applied for an operating permit approval for the next 10 years, for their hazardous waste handling facility, storage and removal. 

The facility is not exactly in the middle of the desert. It’s in the Strawberry Canyon facility, located just above UC Botanical Garden and only a few hundred meters from the Lawrence Hall of Science, a children’s museum and school, and the residential neighborhoods of Panoramic Hill, Summit Rd., and Grizzly Peak Blvd. 

In fact, the storage facility sits literally on top of the Hayward fault, in a high fire risk and sliding zone. And what about a potential terrorist attack? Their plan is to transport hazardous waste in drums on trucks, through the Strawberry Creek watershed, down Hearst Avenue, through the Northside Neighborhood of the Campus and on to University Avenue to 1-80 and then on to different parts of the US.  

What is waiting for you is a variety of chemicals as well as used batteries, metal sludge, PCB-contaminated equipment, oily rags, paint and other mixed waste containing low levels of radioactivity. Do you think that LBNL needs an Environmental Impact Report and an Environmental Impact Statement, or an approval and permit from our city to drive around with their toxic waste? No, UC Berkeley and their regents exempt them from this already! 

So, what can we, as concerned citizens, do about this? Very little—but it is good to know that UC Berkeley really cares about us. They will be so candid as to make a phone call to the city, notifying them when the trucks with toxic waste, will be on the way through our city streets and residential neighborhoods. Concerned citizens can still send written comments to LBNL until Nov. 19 by writing to: Dr. Wagar Admad, Project Manager, Department of Toxic Substance Control, 700 Heinz Ave., Suite 200, Berkeley, Ca., 94710. Let him know what you think about this, and lets hope that our city government will act! 

Roger Van Ouytsel 

 

• 

ECOCITY BUILDERS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Two letters published on Oct. 19 complained about the misbehavior of Ecocity Builders, which the writers called a “group.” But Ecocity Builders is not a group, nor does it build anything. 

Ecocity Builders is basically two people. While both are tenacious in hectoring the city with their extreme philosophy (creeks good, people bad), they don’t seem very busy or well-endowed. 

Their most recent nonprofit tax filing, available online at www.documents.guidestar.org, listed only one full-time employee (the “President”), and annual revenue of just $30,349 against expenses of $40,786. It also showed net debts of $37,524. 

No Berkeley resident need be intimidated by this hollow “letterhead” organization. It’s a paper tiger with no real staff, assets, active membership, or constituency. 

Marcia Lau 

 

• 

DEMS TO THE RESCUE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

In 1968, anti-war protesters disrupted the Democratic National Convention. The protesters were mostly young Democrats who effectively held the Johnson Administration accountable for a misguided and deadly war.  

Here we are in 2004 with Democrats again protesting a misguided and deadly war. Why does it have to be the Democrats that always come to this country’s rescue? Why can’t Republicans hold their own party accountable for even one mistake? Can they not face the disappointments that accompany a systematic series of lies and deception?  

Perhaps Republicans should change their mascot from an elephant to a lemming.  

Sheryl Phipps  

 

• 

TREE MEASURE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Measure S proposes giving broad regulatory power to a quasi-judicial tree board that will regulate virtually all activities around the care, maintenance, trimming, topping, removing, or planting of trees on public property. The board also would have power to conduct inspections, hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and take sworn testimony. One section of the 18-page ordinance even empowers the board to impound vehicles of tree workers who do not comply to its standards! Yet nothing in the ordinance requires members of the board to have any special knowledge about trees or the activities it seeks to regulate. No to more city bureaucracy, no to duplication of existing services. 

Gail Keleman 

 

• 

NADER RESPONSE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

In his letter entitled (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25), respected author Gray Brechin shows off the typical insane zeal of Democrats who are desperate to elect “Anybody But Bush.” Brechin is a former anti-war activist. It is a fact that John Kerry supported Bush’s war, has criticized Bush’s “inept” pursuance of it, and has called for 40,000 more troops to bring about “success.” Kerry also believes in the phony “war on terror” that has been a shuck from day one. Kerry is not now and never was a “progressive.”  

Ralph Nader did not “cost Al Gore the election.” Millions of registered Democrats voted for Bush and millions of Republican dollars funded Gore’s campaign. Republicans are funding Kerry’s campaign in 2004. The big boys always hedge their bets. They don’t get hysterical like Brechin and his friends.  

As Michael Moore shows in “Fahrenheit 911,” the Demos threw the election by refusing to challenge Republican vote manipulation. And with good reason; they do the same goddamn thing themselves in their own districts. There’s been an impeachment resolution on the House floor since November 2001. The Demos have refused to move impeachment forward and have backed Bush all the way. Brechin and his limousine liberals are dreaming.  

So Nader is Melville’s “mad Captain Ahab,” huh? Brechin has become Richard Henry Dana in his book, “Two Years Before the Mast.” Brechin and his “progressive” buddies will put up with anything, including four years of flogging “before the mast,” to serve their masters in the Democrat Party. This slavish behavior may yet pay off. You read it here first: Brechin and his boys are stumping for Kerry so they can get positions in the new Kerry Administration. Then they can get paid to apologize for the bastard every time he stabs those who voted for him in the back, just as they did for those other “progressives,” Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.  

The real Ahab on the Kerry caper is George Soros, the stock swindler and currency manipulator. His “means and methods” are quite sane. It’s easy to buy off a shill like Brechin with $16 million.  

Steve Tabor  

 

• 

CHOICE ISSUES 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Regarding Ms. O’Malley’s editorial of last Friday (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25), I was surprised to find that she thinks that Senator Kerry supports school vouchers when she referred to his “support of choice.” 

Ah, but perhaps it is not that choice which she is referring to. Perhaps she was referring to the senator’s unequivocal support for abortion rights. That phraseology would have been clearer, although perhaps a bit ickier and unsettling as well. 

In any case, I would hope that all Catholic bishops would support the dignity and rights of all members of our species (which, human embryos are, as any standard embryology text indicates), in the face of the Senator’s wanton disregard toward the youngest of us. 

Chris Burgwald 

 

• 

TAXES ALREADY TOO HIGH 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Karl Rove and the Bush Administration are not the only politicians playing on the politics of fear. The Berkeley City Council and Mayor Tom Bates, in their own little way, are spreading the fear too. 

Hyperbole? Stay with me a minute: The city council is preparing to ground one of the city’s two fire truck companies from evening until morning starting Nov. 8, with the stated purpose of saving the city $300,000 a year. 

Meantime, voters are being asked to approve Ballot Measure H in November that, if passed, would use taxpayer money to pay for Berkeley political campaigns. The estimated annual cost is $498,000. 

In effect, elected city officials are asking voters, during a serious budget crisis, to significantly cut community fire protection. Instead, they take that $300,000 in fire protection money and add another $200,000, to pay for their own political campaigns. Quite literally, the city council would rather put lives at risk rather than forgo public financing of their political campaigns. 

The mayor and the council also are employing two other Bush-like tactics: bait-and-switch and obfuscation.  

Here’s the bait and switch: The mayor and the council are considering a reinstatement of any fire cutbacks in 2006 if voters approve Measure M, a tax hike intended to fund paramedic services. (The measure does not ask for fire-fighting funds.) 

Here’s the obfuscation: The city is asking voters to approve tax hikes not just for ambulances, but also for libraries and youth services. These services may be worthy. But by stroking voters’ heartstrings by putting these programs before the voters, the city council is asking its residents to save them from tough decision-making necessary for budget discipline. 

Until voters make clear to the mayor and the city council that we want honest, strong, straightforward leaders willing to lay out real choices without resorting to scare tactics, they will continue to take the easy route—appealing to our emotions to keep raising taxes, which already are way too high. 

A way out of the mess is for voters to vote against all the tax hikes on the ballot. There are a bunch: Measure H, Measure J, Measure K, Measure L and Measure M. 

If voters force the mayor and the council to assume honest responsibility for fixing our budget problems, perhaps then we can consider whether tax hikes are necessary based on rational analysis, and not on the politics of fear. 

Russ Mitchell  

 

• 

NO CITIZEN INPUT ON B 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Dan Lindheim’s statements last Tuesday on Measure B are worthless. Not because Dan is not a nice guy. I’m sure he is. But he is only a private citizen. His claims about the School Board’s inner thoughts and intentions mean nothing. As we saw, no board member came forward to explain. Dan Lindheim’s comments are only spin. Campaign promises don’t count. The only thing that counts are the words of the Measure. In fact, in a lawsuit against the School district to enforce a promise Superintendent McLaughlin made about Measure BB, which we passed in 2000, the attorney for the school district specifically argued that only the words of the measure count. Even board policy is not reliable, because the board can, at any time, change that policy. So, it’s just the words of Measure B that count. And those words clearly say there will be no requirement of equal division of Measure B funds among the schools, there will be no elected school committees to decide how to spend each school’s money. There will be no elected district planning committee. In fact, there is no mention of citizen input of any kind. And the oversight committee is bogus. One appointed person satisfies the requirement. They could appoint the Superintendent’s cousin, and it would be legal. 

What Dan Lindheim and the Measure B folks have not explained, is why we should raise taxes so that the school district can take the more money for overhead than Measure B allocates for music, teacher training and parent outreach put together. 

Vote no on Measure B. 

Sally Reyes 

 

• 

CONTROVERSIAL AD 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Several weeks ago I ran a full-page ad in the Planet reporting that 67,000 had already died in Iraq and used the word genocide (Daily Planet, Oct. 12-14). People have questioned me on both accounts. Here is my reply. 

The figure is derived from various web sites. The number 30,000 as of Oct. 1, 2004 came from www.english.aljazeera.net. Iraqi military deaths reported by Tommy Franks, the American General in charge, as of April 9, 2003 (when the Saddam statue was toppled) were 30,000. I added the two figures together. Soldiers are people. The number does not include dead Americans and foreigners who rightfully should be included.  

I have my own definition of genocide, of which I am very proud. Genocide is the taking of human life to attain some economic or political goal. 

Bennett Markel 

 

• 

MARIN AVENUE CONCERNS 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

As a resident of Berkeley’s Northside and a Berkeley Council candidate, I am concerned about the reconfiguration of Marin Avenue as is currently being proposed by the cities of Albany and Berkeley. While the proposed reconfiguration may or may not be a good idea, I do not feel that there has been adequate time for interested Berkeley parties to consider this matter with the care it deserves. Therefore, the discussion period on this matter should be extended, a negative declaration as to project impacts should not be issued at this time, and any additional Berkeley and Albany commitment to this project should be suspended. 

As far as I can see from examining the Berkeley public records, this matter was referred to the Berkeley City Manager on July 23, 2002 for a status report on the supposed Albany plan. The City Manager reported back to Council on Sept. 24, 2002 stating that there would be no major impacts from this plan and that the matter not be forwarded to the normally appropriate review body, the City of Berkeley Transportation Commission. Further, parties of interest in Berkeley were stated very narrowly as Marin Avenue area residents, not the much larger north Berkeley populace that relies on Marin Avenue as a major arterial. The fact that the Berkeley Bicycle Plan includes reference to bike lanes on Marin Avenue is not especially relevant, since many portions of Berkeley’s general and specific plans were enacted with insufficient broad-based awareness of the implications. This item was submitted to the Berkeley City Council as an information report whereby no particular Council action was required except to simply accept it. 

Since the Sept. 24, 2002 report, there appears to have been no further communication to Berkeley residents or councilmembers about the Marin Avenue plan. Now, all of a sudden, we appear to be presented with an almost done deal. According to the City of Albany website description of the project, Albany has been working all along with the City of Berkeley’s Transportation Department to move this plan along, and the City of Berkeley is described as an active partner. I myself cannot see from the available record that the City of Berkeley has ever received appropriate authority to proceed in this manner nor has the Berkeley public ever been appropriately informed about this plan. 

I did discover, upon my own request for information, that an “off-agenda” report was sent to Berkeley City councilmembers on April 27, 2004. I asked for and received a copy of this previously unknown document. This document claims that the City of Berkeley formally endorsed the Albany plan on Sept. 24, 2002, a claim that really stretches the limits of credibility if one actually reads the Sept. 24, 2002 report. Further, “off-agenda” reports to Council are contrary to the spirit of sunshining public information and have been occurring with dismaying frequency over the last two years.  

I urge all concerned Berkeley and Albany residents, the Transportation Commission, the Berkeley City Council, the Solano Avenue Association, the Berkeley and Albany Chambers of Commerce, and all other stakeholders to reconsider the flawed process and properly place the Marin Avenue Reconfiguration before the public. Good decisions arise from a good process. We need to take several steps back, slow this process down significantly, and engage in the public discourse that we have come to expect and require in Berkeley on matters of substantial import.  

Barbara Gilbert,  

Berkeley Council Candidate, District 5 

 

• 

BUSD UNION 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

On behalf of Local 39 Members who work for the Berkeley Unified School District, I want to thank J. Douglas Allen-Taylor for his story on a difficult and complicated subject—the union’s contract impasse with the district (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25). We want to address a factual misstatement that the district keeps repeating regarding their “authority” to unilaterally deduct $50 a month from our members’ paychecks for healthcare cost increases that the district incurred in violation of our contract. Director Doran repeats this misstatement in Mr. Allen-Taylor’s article, although neither he nor any other board member have made any effort to find out what’s going on in negotiations. They simply accept whatever the superintendent has to say. The union’s contract does not agree to the $50 deduction and, in fact, requires the district to participate in a joint cost containment committee to purchase healthcare at affordable rates. This language was agreed to in July 2003 and approved finally by the board on Sept. 17, 2003. The district stonewalled and refused to participate in the joint cost-containment committee, which involves all BUSD unions, not just Local 39, until April 2004, long after the district had already unilaterally signed a contract for its 2004-05 health care coverage. Then, having refused to abide by its obligation to participate in the cost containment committee, the district announced that all employees would now have to pay $50 a month for its incompetence in purchasing affordable healthcare. School board members have not exercised their authority to oversee the actions of this administration and relations with district employees. Rather they are being spoon-fed what the superintendent wants them to know. Otherwise, they would realize there’s a lot of anger, unrest and dissatisfaction in the district. They would know that this superintendent refuses to work with the unions, in fact blames unions for the administration’s failure to address the academic achievement gap. The board would know that since Michele Lawrence came to town no union representing BUSD employees, teachers or classified workers, has been able to negotiate a contract without the intervention of a state mediator.  

Director Rivera may think he’s sitting on a “pro-union” board, but it hasn’t done anything to enforce that on an anti-union superintendent. No BUSD administration in the last several years has had as many unfair labor practice charges filed against it or put employees in the position of having to take a strike vote to (unsuccessfully) try to get this administration to bargain in good faith. But we think that’s the problem. This is a board that isn’t paying attention and has simply let a superintendent do what she wants, even when it’s contrary to the values and principles of this community. And, just a minor correction, there were some 60-65 Local 39 members in attendance at the board meeting.  

Stephanie Allan,  

Business Representative,  

Stationary Engineers, Local 39 

 

• 

PERALTA COLLEGE BOARD 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

The Peralta Community College District Board is made up of seven trustees, each representing different sections of our East Bay community and the colleges of Vista, Alameda, Merritt and Laney. Over the past few years many members of our board have proven themselves to be unworthy of our trust—extravagant foreign trips, sweetheart no-bid contracts, controversial hirings of chancellors and the repeated threat of selling off Laney College’s athletic fields. 

Now a majority of the PCCD board members are stepping down and we have the opportunity to elect their replacements. Our number one concern should be integrity, closely followed by honesty and commitment to the students, the staff and faculty who serve them, and to the rich vitality of our community colleges. 

The three candidates who are worthy of our trust and our votes are: Cy Gulassa (Area 6), Johnny Lorigo (Area 2), and Nicky Gonzalez (Area 4). These are people with lifetime commitments to education in our community. They have a combined 75 years of educational experience and service. 

This upcoming election will be historic. Together we can make a positive difference, both nationally and locally! Vote! 

Miriam Zamora-Kantor,  

former Vista and Laney student, 

current Laney instructor 

Oakland 

 

• 

VITAL LIBRARY FUNDING 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Like many folks, I just got around to reading my sample ballot and find myself astonished by the short-sightedness of some of those who automatically oppose any tax increase. I’m thinking particularly of Measure L to continue funding our libraries. It seems that some people want to not only put others at an economic disadvantage but promote ignorance as well. Can this be anything but self-centered and mean-spirited? 

Over 40 years ago I arrived in Berkeley as a graduate student. After finishing school, I became a Minister and have made Berkeley my home. One of the reasons I have lived here is the Berkeley Public Library. As a student in the late 1960s, I used the lovely North Branch as a quiet place to focus on my studies. Of course, I also checked out books to read in the spare time I had. Raising my sons in Berkeley in the 1970s, I took advantage of the wonderful children’s books and records and, of course, the storytimes at the Library. I also saw what Prop 13 did to libraries in Berkeley, and I feel that we are headed down a similar path today. The State of California is in an enormous budget crisis, one that may rival those crises of the Great Depression. Although we need to hold the State responsible for helping to fund our public libraries and other local services, we must also step up to the plate and keep our libraries from slipping into what they became right after Prop 13. I recommend that Berkeley voters go to the polls and be certain to seriously consider the plight of the libraries in Berkeley: please vote yes on Measures L and N on your ballots this election. 

Dr. Ron Parker 

 

• 

SUPPORT FOR MENARD 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

We have lived in District 3 of south Berkeley for 17 years and have many wonderful neighbors. However, there have also been a few troublesome crack houses with their attendant problems of noise, prostitution, reckless driving and occasional gunfire. We have other public nuisances such as a high density of liquor stores, long-vacant properties, and excessive trash. 

When the open drug dealing on our streets increased a few years ago we began forming neighborhood groups where they hadn’t existed before. We invited our councilperson, but she never came or even acknowledged us. Over the years, we have never been able to interest her in our concerns; at least, there was never any response to letters, photographs of problems, or phone calls. When elections came around we looked for good candidates to oppose her, but the Democrat machinery loudly endorsed the status quo and intimidated thoughtful, grassroots opposition. 

Over the last few years of trying to address safety and nuisance issues on our streets we have become acquainted with several other neighborhood organizations in south Berkeley. Many serious, dedicated and energetic people here have been working with the city and the schools to improve conditions. We found Laura Menard to be in the forefront of much of the best work, so we were thrilled when she decided to run for our District 3 city council seat. We didn’t realize then that the fix was already in, that major endorsements were already locked into Laura’s opponent without having met Laura. It was revealing that some party endorsements even went to the incumbent, who is not on the ballot. Not one of these endorsers showed up at our neighborhood meetings, to ask us about our issues of concern, let alone who we might support to represent our neighborhood on city council. 

Laura’s campaign statements and literature list some of her past successes and current ideas for our youth, the city, and the neighborhood, but it seems that some minds are already closed. It’s interesting to see how many dominos fell into place before hearing our voice. Laura was not even invited to some of the endorsement forums. We didn’t know that this is how our city elections are working at the most basic level of our democratic representation. We wonder to what extent have we become voters by label or endorsement, looking to see what so-and-so says, instead of learning and thinking for ourselves. We didn’t expect that such a well-qualified, grassroots-supported candidate as ours would be shut out of parts of the process. 

Laura Menard is our excellent candidate, and if you’ve heard her you know how well-informed and straightforward she is. She has experience and enthusiasm, and is full of positive and realistic ideas to solve our real problems. Laura can be reached at 849-4319. 

Karen Klitz 

Ralph Adams 

 

• 

WHATEVER IT TAKES 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I am a math teacher with many years of experience, having taught in six different states in very different communities. I am currently on leave in order to take care of our three small children. Our oldest child just started kindergarten this year at Malcolm X Elementary school. We are new to Berkeley, having the good fortune and generous family support to buy a house right near this school this past summer. The Berkeley schools have amazed me by the quality of the schooling they provide. The teachers are confident and professional, in part because they have the support and resources they need to do their job well. My son’s teacher is new to the profession, yet exhibits an understanding of children and relevant pedagogy that is beyond that of an average experienced teacher. The resources available have already had a profound impact on my son’s understanding of the world. 

Two months ago he could not write his name, and now he can spell out simple words. He draws patterns, uses simple numbers, can do simple tasks in the kitchen, and recognize plants in the garden. He loves to go to school because he says he learns so many interesting things there. In all my teaching experience I have seen only one school with a fully funded gardening class, no school with a comprehensive cooking class, only one old building that was completely modernized and safe, very few classrooms that had enough supplies, and almost no classroom that was racially integrated. My son’s classroom at Malcolm X has all of these. 

Our family is willing to pay whatever it takes to keep this quality of education. We urge you to vote for Measure B. We are proud to live in a community that recognizes the right of all children to learn. 

Masha Albrech 

 

 

• 

BOARD MEMBER’S PICKS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a six year member of the Berkeley School Board I enthusiastically endorse Karen Hemphill and Kalima Rose for the Berkeley School Board and urge the community to do so as well. 

We are entering a decisive period in the history of our school system. The next 18 months will see the school district orchestrate a comprehensive, community-wide planning process designed to shape the next half century of Berkeley public education.  

I believe Karen and Kalima will aggressively pursue policies and programs that will bring about the most rapid improvements in our schools for all our children. 

This endorsement was not a very easy decision on my part. A seated board member should always consider their interaction with other board members when looking to the future, and I have worked collaboratively with each of my colleagues on the board, at times.  

But more importantly, I have tried to also consider what is now necessary to move our district forward, what are the key inadequacies of our district, what students are most in need of help and who can I work best with to address these issues. And, I have always stressed that more of the same will just not do. 

Karen and Kalima, I have come to believe, will bring new, enthusiastic, visionary approaches to the real needs of our district. New eyes and new approaches are absolutely necessary right now to help all children be successful in our schools. Both women have a lifetime of community and professional experience that make them uniquely qualified to address our school district’s problems at this point in history. They are the right people at the right time for our city’s educational challenges. 

Karen and Kalima are supported by the very people who have had an inadequate voice in the decisions of this district for years, folks who I have tried to represent on the board and who are screaming for quality and equity in the policies and decisions this district makes.  

With Karen Hamphill and Kalima Rose sitting at the table our district will be in great hands and our children will be the beneficiaries. 

Please join with me and many others to make this happen by voting for Karen Hemphill and Kalima Rose for School Board on Nov. 2. 

Terry Doran 

Berkeley School Board  

 

• 

TOWNLEY’S EXPERIENCE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

There is one important correction that needs to be made in regard to Matthew Artz’s otherwise fair and balanced report about the District 5 race (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25). Artz states, “Capitelli . . . if elected would be the only councilmember to have experience running a business.” Of course this is equally true of Jesse Townley. Jesse Townley was Executive Director of Easy Does It, a nonprofit service provider, and has been secretary of the board of 924 Gilman for 14 years. He also was a member of Uprising Bakery Collective, a for-profit cooperative. 

It is truly sad that only people who run personally-owned, for-profit organizations are given the credit for having balanced a budget, managed staff, marketed the organization, ensured a steady financial inflow—in short, for having experience running a business. 

Kenneth Mostern 

 

• 

GREEN PARTY ENDORSEMENTS 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

The Green Party of Alameda County endorses: John Selawsky for Berkeley School Board; Berkeley City Council—Darryl Moore in District 2, Max Anderson in District 3, and Jesse Townley in District 5; Berkeley Rent Board: Jesse Arrequin, Jack Harrison, Jason Overman, and Eleanor Walden. 

We endorse a ‘Yes’ vote for all Berkeley measures (B, and H through S); As for the State propositions, we endorse a ‘Yes’ vote for 1A, 59, 60, 63, 65, 66, and 72, and a ‘NO’ vote for 61, 62, 64, 67, 68, 69, and 71. (We take no position on 60A and 70). 

For special districts, we endorse Harry Hartman, Johnny Lorigo, Nicky Gonzalez Yuen, and Cy Gulassa for Peralta College Board; Chris Peeples and Christine Zook for AC Transit; and for BART, District 3, we endorse both Bob Franklin and Roy Nakadegawa. 

The Green Party endorses ‘Yes’ on measures AA and BB, and ‘NO’ on CC. 

For Albany City Council we endorse Brian Parker, Robert Lieber, and Farid Javandel, and for School Board, David Forbes and Bill Schaff. 

In Emeryville, we endorse ‘No’ on measures T and U. 

In Oakland we endorse ‘No’ on Y and ‘Yes’ on Z. 

The Green Party has published a 16-page voter guide with information and analysis for each endorsement. Our voter guide is available at Berkeley and downtown Oakland libraries, the Temescal Library in Oakland, in many cafes around town, on the porch of our office 24 hours/day at 2022 Blake St. in Berkeley, and on the Internet at: www.cagreens.org. 

Patricia Marsh 

Green Party of Alameda County 

County Councilor 

 

• 

GULASSA FOR PERALTA BOARD 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Cy Gulassa’s full-time career has been as a teacher at a community college. Cy’s experience and expertise is needed for the Peralta colleges—Laney, Alameda, Merritt and Vista. Cy’s knowledge is especially needed to oversee the building of the new Berkeley downtown campus of Vista Community College. The Peralta colleges serve 30,000 students every semester and the district budget is over $100,000,000 annually. Cy, through his service on faculty and statewide community college committees, knows about long-term planning and financial planning for community colleges.  

Cy is a long time resident of Oakland’s Rockridge District that has close ties to Berkeley. We hope that you will vote for Cy so we can see improvement in the administration of the community colleges and so that the students in our community can get an excellent education. For more information, go to www.cyforperalta.org 

Sally and George Williams 

 

• 

HEMPHILL AND ROSE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Today, many of us in Berkeley feel frustrated about our inability to affect the national election in November. We can, however, do something significant on election day to improve the community we live in. We can change the leadership of the school district and begin to close the gap between the educational experience we aspire to for our community and the current reality in our schools.  

School Board Director Terry Doran tells us that “we are entering a decisive period in the history of our school system. The next eighteen months will see the school district undertake a comprehensive, community-wide planning process designed to shape the next half century of Berkeley public education.”  

With so much at stake, we are witnessing a very challenging race for School Board. All the normal alliances in the city are split within their own ranks over who can best lead our school board. The one clear message, however, is from Congressperson Barbara Lee and the Berkeley Federation of Teachers who strongly support Hemphill and Rose. Two important community groups with influence in the African-American and Latino communities, Latinos Unidos and United In Action, also endorse Hemphill and Rose. 

One key issue of the campaign is the disparity in achievement, i.e., the urgent need to fully address educational failure among too many of our youth. And it is Karen Hemphill and Kalima Rose who have raised the issue and forced the incumbents to address it during the campaign. 

All sides, of course, think they are addressing the achievement issue. George Bush thinks he is addressing it with his “no child left behind” initiative. We know different. The test is who among the candidates is in closest touch with the daily damage caused by incremental failure year by year, who can most honestly gage the rate of progress, and who is best equipped to lead a social justice oriented community like ours away from a contradiction which haunts us? 

We are happy to see that Karen Hemphill has garnered across the board support from almost every sector of the city. She is smart, analytical, compassionate and seasoned, making her a compelling choice. Further, the community recognizes a great need for African American representation on the board. 

Kalima Rose has made an astounding entry after a late start, a tribute to her history of community involvement and the need for failure relief. She is schooled in national policy, community engagement and budgetary issues. She has been a midwife for the small schools movement, long before it became popular to champion the initiative. 

Kalima Rose and Karen Hemphill represent the beginning of a new tide of change. They will reach out and engage parts of the community that have lost hope and confidence in the Berkeley schools. Hemphill and Rose have a track record for finding and bringing external resources to support innovative initiatives.  

Kalima and Karen will champion the success of all students through a well-planned, comprehensive strategy and program. They are committed to educational excellence with a perspective that is grounded in social justice, coalition building, consensus building, planning and action.  

Berkeley cannot continue to have a second rate reputation or a two tiered system—one for advantaged kids and one for under-served kids. That’s not who we are as a community. 

You can help make Berkeley first rate for all our children by voting for Hemphill and Rose. 

Santiago Casal 

On behalf of Latinos Unidos & United In Action 

 

• 

DISTRICT 3 RACE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Thanks sincerely for playing along with the negative campaign in South Berkeley. Careful readers will recognize as Karl Rove-ian the character attacks (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25) directed not so much at any weaknesses of newcomer candidate Laura Menard, but directed squarely at her strengths. Clearly Menard is unsettling the opposition despite being out-funded four-to-one (Daily Planet, Oct. 8-11).  

As a supporter, I have seen Menard received extremely well throughout District 3, particularly when she visits with residents and when she appears at multi-candidate forums. In person, she shows an in-depth appreciation of diverse and competing local interests. Her unabashed willingness to make difficult and necessary political decisions is a welcome offer to those of us who see District 3 as our community—we who vote, pay taxes, build friendships, families and compromises here. With the civic budget in straits, there is no time for newcomers to do their requisite listening to our elders, and there is no room for council candidates who cannot promise swift and targeted action upon taking office.  

Tragically, candidates Anderson, Benefiel, Menard and Shirek are being judged by their disposition toward a particular tangle of quality-of-life and quality-of-service issues left unaddressed by the current city leadership (Daily Planet, Oct. 15-18). It is a topic far too complex to be treated as a litmus test. In fact, a simplistic view promotes at least three illegitimate agendas: discrediting the current candidates, leaving entrenched the economic interests of outsiders and passing-through careerists, and assuaging the hesitations of some mostly white arrivistes.  

Letter-writers Sally Hindman and MarcGreenhut attribute to Menard’s efforts the fact that activities at the Drop-In Center have become an election year issue, and then dismiss these alleged efforts as political opportunism. The letters are also strikingly similar in their critique of Menard’s lack of political polish. What’s frightening is that Hindman takes up the dumbed-down litmus test view of homeless services, despite being uniquely prepared to contribute to an informed examination: her career in the homeless services industry includes accomplishments as a zealous advocate for a Southside service provider. Hindman further misleads by referring to her early, firm, and public support of candidate Anderson as having “not given a lot of thought to whom to support for District 3’s council seat.” Good grief!  

J.M. Tharp  

 

• 

WORKING WITH SELAWSKY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

John Selawsky is the school board candidate to vote for on Nov. 2. Here are a few reasons why: 

John initiated, among other things, the School Traffic Safety Committee. This committee has been working to improve traffic safety around Berkeley Schools since early 2002, when John asked members of Berkeley Ecological and Safe Transportation to work with him to implement a transportation policy. John has dedicated himself to making traveling around the schools safer, and this year, the goal is to decrease the number of cars driving students to school, by encouraging walking and bicycling to school. 

When you work with someone in this capacity, as I have, you get to know their style, their personality and their motivation. John has been accessible, easy to work with and integritous. When working with him, it is clear he works for the children. With John’s efforts, a joint city-school-district committee, now officially a Superintendent’s Committee, has made improvements through traffic engineering, education and enforcement.  

John has also supported the Child Nutrition Advisory Committee’s efforts to improve the food served to students in BUSD. Progress has also been noted in this arena as well. 

When John came to the school board, the district was in serious financial trouble due to utter mismanagement and lack of accountability of past district administrators and staff, stemming back at least 10 years. Under John’s watch as Board member, which started 4 years ago, the district hired a new Superintendent, new staff, and a new accountability has been established. And now, the district is out of debt. Quite a turn-around. 

John isn’t one to pat himself on the back, and he hasn’t launched an expensive campaign, so he needs those of us who know him to mount a mini-campaign for him.  

If you vote for school board, vote for John Selawsky. He’s a hard working, intelligent guy who deserves another term. 

Marcy Greenhut 

 

• 

DROP-IN NOT THE PROBLEM 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I am a resident of District 3 in South Berkeley. I was also the co-founder and past Director of the Berkeley Drop-In Center. 

The smear campaign against the Berkeley Drop-in Center for political purposes is the epitome of “negative” campaigning. Laura Menard, a candidate for District 3 City Council, is whipping up fear and bigotry to booster a political campaign. It is easy to do, because the target are people who are generally stigmatized: poor people of color, with mental disabilities, many of whom are homeless and have substance abuse problems.  

The Berkeley Drop-In Center is based on the self-help/peer support model of services. The California Mental Health Planning Council Master Plan states that “the mental health system must promote the development and use of self-help, peer support and peer education for all target populations and their families. Self-help and peer support must be available in all areas of the State.”  

The center has existed since 1985, and, in fact, pioneered the self-help program model that has grown throughout the State and country (another instance of Berkeley at the forefront). 

Recently the center has merged with a larger non-profit agency, so as to build its management and administrative infrastructure. With this merger, the center’s services will also be able to expand, resulting in better services for the people of south Berkeley and more effective outreach to the center’s neighbors. 

The Berkeley Drop-In Center serves the people of South Berkeley. It does not bring trouble into the neighborhood; it provides assistance to the troubled people who live in our community. As reported by the Daily Planet, the police report no correlation between the crime in the area in which the center is located and clients of the center.  

The Berkeley Drop-In Center is a solution to our problems, not a cause.  

Throughout the spring/early summer when Berkeley was making hard decisions about its budget, there were many public hearings about Berkeley’s services, including discussions about funding for the Berkeley Drop-In Center. I was at several of them at the City Council. Laura Menard was at none of them, to my knowledge. Her lack of interest in the Berkeley Drop-In Center when its funding was being publicly debated underscores her current concern about the center as opportunistic and for political gain. 

We need a South Berkeley council person who will assist in improving services in the area, not shut them down. We need a South Berkeley council person who will bring us together to solve South Berkeley’s problems, to dialogue with each other, not divide the community by scapegoating one group of people for the community’s problems. Hate and fear can win elections but they don’t solve problems; they generate more problems. 

Sally Zinman 

Co-founder and former director of the Berkeley Drop-In Center 

 

• 

CAMPAIGN FINANCE FLAWS 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Big business interests are trying to limit our voting choices with Prop. 62. They want to restrict our options to just two candidates for the November general election, even if those two candidates are both from the same political party. And that party doesn’t even have to be the party that receives the most votes in the primary election. 

Here’s an example of the madness they’re proposing. Suppose two Republicans run in the primary, and they receive 20 percent and 19 percent of the vote. Suppose four Democrats run, and they receive 18 percent, 17 percent, 15 percent, and 11 percent. Incredibly, under 62, only the two Republicans would advance to the general election, even though their combined total is just 39 percent, while the Democrats, who received 61 percent, would be completely shut out. 

Individual billionaires associated with the following companies paid at least $50,000 each for the qualifying signatures for Prop. 62: Broad & Kaufman, the Gap, Wesco Financial, Paramount Farms, and Berkshire Hathaway; Countrywide Home Loans paid $350,000. 

No other state, other than Louisiana, uses this voting scheme. Don’t let the billionaires fool you on this one. They’re trying to confine our November election choices to just two well-financed candidates who will serve their narrow pro big business interests. Vote No on Proposition 62. 

Joan Strasser 

 

• 

DEFENDING MENARD 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I have to reply to Sally Hindman’s disingenuous letter attacking District 3 candidate Laura Menard (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25). Hindman is afraid because Menard spent half an hour talking to her? We should all have such scary candidates! (There’s been no sign of Max Anderson on our block, and he never has so much as poked his head into our Russell-Oregon-California Street Neighborhood Association meetings.) Hindman also says she’s frightened about Menard’s opposition to the Berkeley Drop-In Center. The Daily Planet’s own reporting on the issue (Oct. 15-18) detailed numerous management woes at the facility, along with many complaints from merchants and neighbors. The only ones speaking in its favor were its clients and staff. Oh, by the way, Hindman forgot to mention that she’s in the business hereself—she runs her own homeless drop-in center up on Telegraph Avenue.  

I’ve lived in Berkeley for thirty years. During that time, I’ve always supported “progressive” candidates. Eight years ago, however, I moved to District 3. We might as well not have had a councilmember for all the support we got from the “progressive” Maudelle Shirek. This time, I’m supporting Laura Menard because she’s hard-working, thoughtful, and solution-oriented. We need someone fighting for our district for a change—someone who’s willing to abandon programs that aren’t working, and willing to try new approaches. I invite my neighbors to join me in voting for Laura Menard.  

Paul Rauber 

 

• 

WRITE-IN SHIREK 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I see that Rep. Barbara Lee has asked District 3 voters to write in the incumbent for City Council. I agree that we should honor Ms. Shirek’s legacy in Berkeley and national politics. However, since South Berkeley desperately needs more responsive representation in City Hall, I invite all Berkeley voters to join me in writing in Maudelle Shirek as your choice for 9th Congressional District representative. 

Robert Lauriston 

District 3 

 

• 

OLDS’ RECORD ON TREES 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I have lived in Berkeley since 1969. I am a retired teacher. I donated three, three-feet tall Christmas trees to the Berkeley Marina Gardeners 20 years ago. They planted them—now they are 35 feet tall and beautiful.  

Do we value trees?  

Betty Olds may have once led Sierra Club hikes. But she voted to axe 100 mature trees at the Marina. She did not value those trees, hearing that the city got a grant for the wider trail and tree removal. 

Great! We got scarce regional Bay Trail funds before the trail even gets completed around the bay. We delay needed pedestrian and bike freeway crossings to ferry landings and regional parks and other Bay Trail projects while we spend the money on a ispuri trail widening that displaces a hundred trees. Berkeley only had to pay the grant writing staff. Is this what we want city staff for? 

Do we value a green backdrop on the south and west shore of our waterfront to provide a windbreak? Do we value the park quality trees lend to the Adventure Playground, the kiddy beach and picnic tables on the south shore so that the sailing area is not dominated by the asphalt of University Ave. and parking lots? The trees represent the community and ecological consciousness of Berkeley residents who donated living Christmas trees. Some are memorials for lost family or friends. Do we value these trees? 

Betty Olds had her picture in the paper by the creek in her yard. An environmentalist? The creek was choked in Algerian Ivy. 

Worst, Olds voted to allow Beth El to obliterate Cordonices Creek across the street from Live Oak Park. The tree canopy and the favorite local adventure playground at 1301 Oxford is now a graded channel. Olds didn’t even look at the grading and landscape plan before approval. She couldn’t because this applicant was not even required to complete them for the creek area. Neighborhood pleas were ignored because the project suited Betty Olds aid and appointee to the Planning Commission: Susan Wengraf owns adjoining property and is a member of Beth El. How many conflicts of interest is that? 

The Sierra Club fought this outrage to the most natural creek in Berkeley but their endorsement committee must have only heard of Betty’s old environmental activities.  

Enough Betty Olds. Elect Norine Smith. 

Suzanne Schneider 

 

• 

REFUGE AND ARTIFICE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

The Berkeley Marina is a refuge from city pressures and needs constant protection. Not everyone can afford to go to National Parks. We fortunately can come to the Marina to escape the usual visual bombardment of traffic, structures, signs, signals, controlled walkways, etc. The Marina’s natural environment, it’s trees, plantings, meandering paths, boating activities and stunning views provide restorative qualities. The Marina should not be degraded by installing urban distractions and visual pollution. 

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Periodically, a well-intended group will propose placing some new man made artifact within the Marina as an enhancement. Whether these additions are well designed or not, they should not be allowed. Two such “gift” proposals described below are currently on the agenda. 

The Brower Memorial: 

Even the Berkeley Public Arts Commission has reservations about this sculpture. The supporters of “gifting” this to the city talk of Brower’s wish that this be set in Berkeley. They gloss over the fact that this was first offered to San Francisco, which wisely refused to accept it because it lacked sufficient merit. In other words, it had less aesthetic quality than the ridiculous Bow & Arrow sculpture San Francisco installed on the Embarcadero. We don’t need an even worse embarrassment we have to live with forever. 

This egomaniacal 20 foot high, 175-ton monstrosity with its infantile design is something its sponsors find they’re stuck with. They now want to give it to Berkeley as a “gift.” I doubt that our officials asked for it or had any input on its design and they should not accept it. The Marina is not a dumping ground. You want to memorialize Brower or any noteworthy individual? Name a street after him, name a school, fund a scholarship. Use your imagination, but please don’t clutter up our environment. 

The Labyrinth: 

Unlike the Brower Memorial, the proposed labyrinth with concentric circle patterns for meditative walking is aesthetically pleasing. But this too should be denied a site in the Marina for the same reason. Find another location in the city. People have adequate choices to meditate or simply enjoy escape from a structured environment, on paths of their own choosing in a natural setting without geometric layouts or guidelines. 

To Summarize: 

An administration that would allow the creeping urbanization of the Marina compromises the legacy we leave for our children. Make sure you remember the name of any politician who’d be involved in that. We must be responsible stewards of this waterfront oasis and keep it unencumbered by statues, memorials, labyrinths, mazes or other distractions. 

Don’t turn the Marina into Disneyland! 

Paul Canin 

 

The Berkeley Daily Planet accepts letters to the editor and commentary page submissions at opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com and at 3023A Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705. Please include name, address and phone number for contact purposes. Letters may be edited for space. S


Police Blotter: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Friday October 29, 2004

Berkeley Police are investigating two shootings and a stabbing attack that took place this week, and are celebrating a raid on a South Berkeley drug house that netted cocaine, heroin, a 9 mm. semiautomatic pistol and three arrests. 

The first shooting, which took place Sunday night, resulted in wounds to a resident of the 1700 block of Carleton St. The seriously injured 56-year-old Berkeley man was rushed to the hospital in serious condition. 

Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies said investigating detectives are still declining to reveal the victim’s name. 

The stabbing took place about 7:35 p.m. Monday in the 2700 block of Sojourner Truth Way, said Officer Okies, who alleged that 28-year-old Berkeley resident LaPreda Thomas pulled a knife during an argument with a 24-year old woman. 

The assailant had fled before officers arrived but was discovered in a subsequent neighborhood search. 

Thomas was taken to City Jail and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening, Okies said. 

Two hours earlier, officers had been summoned to the intersection of Adeline and Fairview streets after another knife had been flashed during another altercation, this one between two women, one 24 and the other 47. No one was injured. 

Police arrested the younger woman on one count of brandishing a deadly weapon. 

Okies said police are receiving little cooperation from the victim of the week’s second shooting, who was struck by gunfire outside a residence at 1611 Harmon St. shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. 

Responding to reports of gunshots, officers found the man inside the residence. 

“The victim didn’t offer any details to the investigating officer,” Okies said. 

The man’s injuries were not life-threatening, Okies said. 

That same day, members of the Berkeley Police Special Enforcement Unit raided a house at 1610 Oregon St., following a two-week investigation. 

The probe was launched after police conducting surveillance in the area arrested two suspects on the 14th for drugs sales and probation violations. 

During the search Wednesday, police confiscated the pistol, and an assortment of cocaine, heroin and packaging materials, along with three additional suspects. 

 

Berkeley Girls’ Coach Faces Sex Charge  

San Jose Police Thursday arrested Sean Christopher Dulan, an assistant women’s basketball coach at Berkeley’s St. Mary’s College High School, on charges of suspected sexual misconduct with a minor. 

An Oakland resident, Dulan has been also been coaching the East Bay Xplosion, a traveling team for girls 15 and younger, and the arrest stems from an incident involving a member of that team. 

Officer Okies said Berkeley police had learned of the arrest, and will extend full cooperation to San Jose police if requested. 

 

Nasty Pair Strongarms Pedestrian 

Two men in their late twenties accosted a woman in the 1200 block of Eighth Street shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday and grabbed her wallet and keys. 

No arrests have been made.›


Oakland Police Must Work for Neighbor Support: ByJ. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

UNDERCURRENTS OF THE EAST BAY AND BEYOND
Friday October 29, 2004

A reader from a local newsgroup takes issue with the assertion in last week’s column that Chief Richard Word’s tenure as Oakland Police Chief was a failure. Chief Word recently announced that he is resigning from that position. 

“I feel you are being terribly unfair to Chief Word and this column is a really cheap shot!,” she writes. “Oakland would be a difficult place for any police chief. Chief Word has been pulled in a thousand directions by a thousand contending forces. He’s had to do battle with the [Oakland Police Officers Association] in order to get the Riders’ reforms in place…Please stop painting Rich Word the villain. You have the wrong enemy in your gunsights… 

“I think some of the blunders you lay at Chief Word’s doorstep might not necessarily be his. I think he had successes, and I think he had some failures. After the Port ‘blunder,’ Chief Word went directly to work trying to correct the situation by setting up a new crowd control policy. He admitted his department’s mistakes. And, we worked closely with community members including demonstrators and members of the community to institute new policies. As for the Riders fiasco, weren’t the officers involved fired by Chief Word?…[In addition] he brought down the murder rate this year. 

“…A lot of departmental corruption that existed when I first moved here is no more. There is far more accountability by officers in a community. We don’t hear complaints about officers on the take at our [Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council] meetings anymore. I think you have to judge the totality of his record and how far [the Oakland Police Department] has moved overall towards accountability. … 

“This does not mean that there are still not problems or work to be done. This is a recognition of what has been accomplished.”  

Respectfully, I disagree. I don’t think Mr. Word is a villain. I just don’t think he accomplished what he was supposed to do. 

Oakland can be an incredibly violent and frightening city. There are people in this town who are among the most vicious and cold-hearted on the planet, who will bust you in the head with a pipe or a bottle in order to get a few dollars cash out of your purse or wallet, or spray a street corner in midday with a 9-millimeter automatic—heedless of the children playing—in order to attempt to enact some revenge from some fellow gangster. There are people who will break out the window of your car with a brick to swipe the pocketbook or package carelessly left on the back seat, or hop your back fence to steal the tools out of your yard, or heist the window of your house when you are gone and rifle through your personal belongings. What they take from us is far more valuable than whatever material possessions they can gather up in their arms. They steal our freedom, our sense of security, our peace, and that is something no insurance claim can recover. Once taken, it is gone forever. On that, almost all of us can agree. 

Where we disagree is on who it is we should fear, and how we should attack that fear. 

Some people look at the rolling neighborhoods of the deep parts of East Oakland where I was born, and raised, and still live, and carry suspicion with them at every corner and down every broad boulevard. In the dark nights, down the narrow backstreets, they don’t even think about going. Unable to distinguish between the dark bodies they pass or see on nightly newscasts, unable to sift between the treacherous and the innocent, they hold some vague, indefinable fear of an unknown and unknowable “them,” and lock their minds and their doors against it all. 

But to many others, the violence and the fear has both a face and an identity. 

For years in my neighborhood, we were virtually terrorized by a single thief. We all knew who he was. During the long periods he was in jail you would grow careless about what you left in your car, or left unsecured in your yard. And then one morning would come and you’d walk out of the house and a neighbor would walk over and say, “They got me last night,” and you could almost make book on it that Charles (not his real name) was back on the street. And you’d have to be ultra-careful until you knew he was gone again. We did not fear each other. We feared Charles. 

The young people who party in the hip hop clubs, or the street-smart folks who hang on the corners, will tell you it’s the same thing about the violent ones. There are only a handful of them, actually, psychopaths who come out not for the fellowship but for the rush of trouble, people who rage inside, who think that the night has not been complete unless they’ve put somebody on their back, or seen the great gouts of blood pour out of a body and into the gutter of the street. 

The original sideshowers, after all, were young people who gathered with their friends in the city’s east side parking lots in order to avoid the violence in the clubs, the concerts, and the streets. 

Almost everybody in my neighborhood hates Oakland’s crime and violence and the awful sense of fear and insecurity that it drags in its wake. We know they individual perpetrators, even if we can’t always articulate the societal causes. And we would cooperate with the police, if the police would cooperate with us. 

But the police don’t view us as partners. 

Chief Word recognized the challenges, even if he could not meet them. In an interview with the Oakland Tribune on the criteria for how a new police chief-his successor-could be successful in Oakland, he says, “[They would] have to be creative and willing to work with other organizations, both public and private. [They would have to] win the support, trust and respect of the community and the officers and others in the department.” With respect to the trust of the community, certainly, that was not done. 

An undated report posted earlier this year by the Oakland Police Department on the website of the National Crime Prevention Council gives a clue as to why. In it, OPD announced that it was bringing down crime in Oakland in part by what it called “strategic community policing.” … “The city hired civilians,” the report explained, “to organize residents in crime prevention councils and neighborhood alert groups to help break down the walls that sometimes separate neighbors from each other and the police.” 

And that, perhaps, best states the problem. In my neighborhood, anyway, we don’t need to be organized. We just need to be recognized. Regardless of how much he may have accomplished and how decent a man he may be, Chief Word’s failure to bring his police officers to that simple understanding is why he failed.


Berkeley’s Stormwater Property Tax: Where’s the Money?: By L.A. WOOD

COMMENTARY
Friday October 29, 2004

For nearly a hundred years, Berkeley has struggled to maintain its storm system of inlets, culverts and pipes that carry rain and other surface waters to our creeks and into the San Francisco Bay. Historically, our city has always placed a very low priority on the general maintenance and the annual repairs of the storm system. However, in 1992, there was a serious legislative move to fix Berkeley’s beleaguered storm system when voters authorized a new stormwater property assessment.  

Now, more than a dozen years later, Berkeley’s half-inflated stormwater program has finally hit bottom. This crisis has raised questions of fund misrepresentation and program mismanagement.Voters deserve to be told the truth about Berkeley’s Clean Water tax dollars and why this mandated program has been allowed to go down the drain.  

Some voters may remember the stormwater initiative back in the early 1990s. The idea of a storm tax was sold to residents with the rhetoric of environmental protection, and moreover, with the provision that this tax would be a placed into a designated fund. In the beginning, the stormwater fund was never intended to fully support all our municipal stormwater activities or to completely pay for the system’s under-funded capital improvements. This fund was adopted to help support the city’s stormwater permit process with its newly mandated state and federal requirements.  

The stormwater property tax also funded Berkeley’s participation in the Alameda County stormwater support group, a consortium of East Bay cities that share consultants and work together to meet the legislative requirements of the Clean Water Act. They identified several existing municipal activities that are required by our federal stormwater permit, including street sweeping and storm drain cleaning. Although these costs had traditionally been paid out of the general fund, the City of Berkeley began to transfer all the costs for these pre-existing maintenance tasks to the stormwater fund.  

The stormwater property tax initiative was not meant to simply be financial relief for general fund activities. The long-term impact of this funding shift has struck a fatal blow to the development of the city’s stormwater program. Predictably, this fund is broke, which in turn is being used to justify no improvement in performance.  

The annual assessment of 1.9 million dollars for the storm fund has been used for some maintenance costs, but with almost no money allocated to capital improvements. Today, this practice continues to have undeniable consequences. Recent emergency repairs of the collapsed culvert downtown and past flooding problems have all been exacerbated by the lack of an active replacement program of the system’s aging components. The contamination of Blackberry Creek several months ago is a perfect example. Though the city was quick to claim victory in fixing the pipe break near the creek, the fact is that this “fix” represented nearly all of this year’s capital allotment for stormwater improvements.  

Much like the tale of the little Dutch boy plugging up the hole in the seawall, we are trying to shore up a rapidly deteriorating storm system with a convenience-store approach that has forced taxpayers into paying top dollar for these unscheduled repairs. Even more troubling, there now seems to be no escape from the growing number of emergency repairs or to head off the serious flooding likely to occur during the rainy seasons ahead.  

In the last dozen years, our local legislators have missed numerous opportunities to raise the stormwater tax through another ballot measure. Granted, culverts and storm drains are not very sexy issues, but in terms of budget outlay, the storm system’s infrastructure has always been a costly and critical expenditure. However, the last decade of city budgets shows inadequate funding in this area which has led to a backlog of necessary repairs that adds up to tens of millions of dollars.  

Lack of capital improvements is not the only problem to plaguing this program. Even street sweeping and storm basin cleaning are currently at the same level, or lower, than they were 12 years ago. When some stormwater consortium members began to increase permit activities, like Oakland did with its street sweeping, Berkeley chose to opt out.  

Public Works, which manages the city’s stormwater program, has had difficulty keeping up with our permit’s requirements. In fact, Berkeley’s permit should now be called into default over Public Works’ failure to implement inspection programs for both commercial businesses and restaurants.  

Unquestionably, city staff has provided disastrously poor direction for our stormwater program at the expense of both taxpayers and environmental protection. In private industry, the magnitude of this budgetary bungling would have caused heads to roll. Furthermore, this failure is shared with the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Control Board which, in each round of program review, has continued to exempt consortium members from Clean Water compliance. The board’s message to do what is “practical” has stifled the development of our county’s stormwater program and continues to prop up Berkeley’s Clean Water scam.  

 

L.A. Wood is a Berkeley resident. ›


Yes on Measure B for Berkeley Schools: By NANCY RIDDLE and DAN LINDHEIM

COMMENTARY
Friday October 29, 2004

Why is Measure B so important? 

Schools are not receiving adequate funding. Despite No Child Left Behind rhetoric, both Washington and Sacramento are leaving our children behind. 

The state budget crisis, coupled with rapidly escalating costs, forced the Berkeley school district (BUSD), and other districts throughout the state, to make devastating cuts to their school budgets.  

The BUSD has responded in a fiscally prudent way. Substantial cuts have been made and the budget is balanced. However, fiscal prudence came at substantial cost: class sizes increased dramatically, school libraries are grossly understaffed, and the music program is barely hanging on. 

To help reverse the worst budget cuts, the School Board put Measure B on the November ballot. Measure B would raise $8.3 million for each of the next two years. Funds can only be used for: reducing class sizes (68 percent); staffing school libraries (16 percent) and school music programs (7 percent); and for supplementing teacher training, program evaluation, and parent outreach (9 percent).  

 

Why a two-year measure?  

Measure B is a short-term, stop-gap to minimize the damage to Berkeley school kids until Berkeley’s BSEP is up for reauthorization in 2006. Measure B provides supplemental funding to many key BSEP programs, while leaving BSEP completely intact. Allegations in letters to the Daily Planet that Measure B would eliminate the elected school site committees and the Planning and Oversight Committee are erroneous and misinformed. Like BSEP, Measure B funds would be subject to citizen-based oversight by the BSEP Planning and Oversight Committee.  

 

Why a property-based tax?  

The short answer is that virtually every sensible and equitable way to raise revenues is prohibited by the state. Essentially, the only tools available to school districts are parcel taxes either as in Oakland (where every parcel, regardless of size, pays the same fixed amount) or the per square footage taxes (where larger houses are taxed more than smaller ones) as in Berkeley. Proposition 13 prohibits additional taxes based on the value of the property. 

 

Why should Berkeley residents pay? 

Under the current system for financing public education, almost all dollars available to a school district come from the state. When the state doesn’t provide adequate funding, only two options are available: (1) accept inadequate education for our kids; or (2) raise funds locally. Option 1 is unacceptable. For that reason Measure B is necessary and why our community must act to support Berkeley’s schools.  

 

Rare unanimity of support by all Berkeley factions 

Rarely has a local ballot measure received such broad-based support. Measure B is endorsed by all sides in Berkeley: Mayor Bates and former Mayor Dean; the Berkeley Democratic Club (BDC) and Berkeley Citizens Action (BCA); the entire City Council, the entire School Board, and all serious candidates for both Council and School Board.  

In addition, Measure B is supported by Barbara Lee, Don Perata, Loni Hancock, Keith Carson, all Democratic Party clubs and organizations, the League of Women Voters, the Chamber of Commerce, the Green Party, organized labor, and hundreds of individuals and groups throughout the Berkeley community. 

Despite this unanimity of strong support, Measure B needs two-thirds of the vote to pass. It is crucial that Berkeley voters support Berkeley’s kids. 

For further information, please check our website at www.YesOnB.net. Vote Yes on Measure B. 

 

Nancy Riddle and Dan Lindheimare are co-chairs of Berkeley Citizens for Quality Schools, a committee for Measure B. 

 

 

 

 

f


‘Eurydice’ Offers New View of Orpheus Myth: By KEN BULLOCK

Special to the Planet
Friday October 29, 2004

Against a blue-green expanse of tiled stage and backdrop, a young couple, swimming goggles pushed back, dallies at the beach. He’s always thinking about—or hearing—music. She’s talking about the books she’s read, and can’t get the rhythm right when he asks her, “Will you remember my melody underwater?” 

She asks when he’ll play her the whole song; when he gets his orchestra, he says: “I’m going to make every strand of your hair an instrument. Your hair will be my orchestra.” He slips a string around her finger. “That’s a very particular finger,” she says, knowing he’s omitted the proposal, “Maybe you could get me another ring.” 

They go down to sport in the water. Mannerisms, language, fashion are all young and contemporary. This is Orpheus—and Eurydice. 

Sarah Ruhl’s retelling of perhaps the most retold tale of classical mythology is onstage at Berkeley Rep. The play recounts the tale of Orpheus the poet, whose singing moves trees and stones, as he follows his dead wife to the underworld and frees her, only to lose her again by looking back at her before regaining the light of day. 

The program notes run through a litany of the better-known retellings: Ovid (and there’s David Slavitt’s translation of Book X of The Metamorphoses excerpted, also mentionin g Arthur Golding’s Tudorian version that Shakespeare read), Rilke (and not just the Sonnets to Orpheus)—and in theater, Anouilh, Cocteau’s play (and two films), Tennessee Williams, the movie (and wonderful sambas) of Black Orpheus, operas and orchestral m usic by Monteverdi, Gluck, Haydn, Berlioz, Offenbach, Stravinski, Kurt Weill, and countless paintings. 

(Funny, with all the footnotes, there’s barely a hint of Virgil’s IV Georgic, the most fantastic—almost stagy—literary version. Ruhl—who meditated on the famous backward glance—says there are “a few mentions in Virgil.” Poet George Stanley’s version: “Forgetful he,/turns to his Eurydice,/and she sees him and the Day./Crash! crash! crash! the words/break. The words of Hell break./‘Who has doomed me, and you, Orpheus?/Who hates so much?’”)  

Does Eurydice answer questions such as, “Who hates so much?” Ruhl expressed her desire to go into the lovers’ relationship (a theme of Cocteau’s versions—how do you live day-to-day with an artist?), Eurydice’s point of view, her relationship with her father (dead, he writes her letters that paper the tile wall—and are used as bait to snare the unwary young woman), the denizens of the underworld (vaguely symbolic of the living), the role of poetry, of music. 

(Some of Ruhl’s on-the-side research is intriguing, especially her re-reading of Alice in Wonderland—a little girl lost underground, in a dream—which, only touched on in her play, could’ve proven to be a key to open a new perspective.) 

Peopled with strange appar itions in both upper and underworlds—a somewhat bumbling stalker who finds Eurydice “interesting” (when she’s being ignored by Orpheus, oblivious to all but his music), a puerile King of the Underworld on his tricycle, a waxen-faced chorus of “stones” (pa rtly inspired by Beckett, “his understanding of silence, stillness and vaudeville all at once”), Eurydice’s dead father (who she doesn’t recognize, taking him to be a porter in Hell)—there should be ample ground for characterization to flesh out a fable o f Eurydice’s situation in life and death. 

And the cast—Maria Dizzia, Daniell Talbott, Charles Shaw Robinson, Mark Zeisler, T. Edward Webster, Ramiz Monsef and Aimee Guillot—all put out a lot to bring it alive. But the text is stretched too thin, its poet ry becomes cloying. 

Director Les Waters has done his job, too: the most impressive moment comes when, beneath crystal chandeliers, Eurydice arrives in the Underworld; elevator doors open and rain pours down on her standing inside with suitcase and transp arent umbrella, the water eddying out onto the tile stage. 

(It’s apparently a chronic problem with the bigger repertory theaters. Although much care and budget went into Scott Bradley’s beautifully elaborate set, well-lit by Russell H. Champa, the text i s still in need of development. It’s true of work billed as “avant-garde” too—the very high production values of Black Rider, the recent hit touring show at ACT dressed up a text that barely sampled William Burroughs’ verbal brilliance, much less explori ng the story.) 

The Orpheus myth that Eurydice promises to illuminate has been remounted, revised—rehashed—many times, quite a few with genius. Ruhl’s play touches on some interesting sidelights, but doesn’t take them very far. And as for its heroine’s po int of view, the couple’s relationship put into contemporary terms, other versions of the past (notably Cocteau’s film, with its social overtones of the Occupation) have dealt better with these themes (and others she leaves mostly untouched, already found in Ovid and Virgil: a kind of triangle between the artist, love and society). 

Few have seemed as immediate as Robert Browning’s poem “Orpheus and Eurydice,” which focuses on that moment of the glance: “Hold me but safe again within the bond/Of one immor tal look! Oh woe that was, /Forgotten, and all terror that may be,/Defied,—no past is mine, no future: look at me!” 

 


Arts Calendar

Friday October 29, 2004

FRIDAY, OCT. 29 

THEATER 

Acme Players Ensemble, “Ghost in the Machine” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., call for Sun. times., through Nov. 7, at APE Space, 2525 Eighth St. Suggested donation $5-$20. 332-1931. 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, “Present Laughter” by Noel Coward at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Through Nov. 20. Tickets are $10. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Albany High School Theater Ensemble, “Pirandello’s Absolutely! (Perhaps)” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Nov. 7 at Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. Tickets are $5-$10 at the door. 558-2500, ext. 2579. 

“Aya de León is Running for President” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th St., Oakland. Tickets are $10. 273-2473. www.ayadeleon.com 

Berkeley Repertory Theater, “Eurydice” at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. through Nov. 14. Tickets are $20-$55. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works, “A Step Away” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Through Nov. 21. Tickets are $8-$20. 558-1381. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “Noises Off” Fri., Sat., and selected Sun., through Nov. 20. Tickets are $10-$15. 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Un-Scripted Theater Company, “Fear,” a full-length improvised horror story, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. through Oct. 30. Tickets are $7-$12. 869-5384. www.un-scripted.com 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

Native American Jewelers, Marian Denipah (Tewa) and Steve LaRance (Hopi) Reception at 6:30 p.m. at Gathering Tribes Gallery, 1573 Solano Ave. Exhibition runs through Dec. 31. 528-9038. 

FILM 

Behind the Seen: Walter Murch on Feature Film Editing at 9:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Da Shout at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Voices: Lesbian Choral Ensemble & East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Sponsored by the Berkeley Arts Festival. Cost is $10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Mark Morris Dance Group at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

UC Choral Ensembles at 6 and 8 p.m. in 155 Dwinelle, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$8. 642-3880. http://tickets.berkeley.edu  

Distant Oaks, traditional Gaelic and Celtic music at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $12-$15.  

Mandrake, Paul Panamarenko at the 1923 Teahouse at 8 p.m. Cost is $5. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Evander Music October Festival The Lost Trio plays Monk, John Schott’s Typical Orchestra, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of The Jazz House. www.thejazz 

house.com 

The People, Orixa at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Baguette Quartette at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Psychokenetics, Baby Jaymes at 9:30 at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Lemon Lime Lights, Demented Big Band, Militant Children’s Hour at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

“13 Dreams of a Dying Clairvoyant” dance, music and video presentation by Double Vision at 9 p.m. at The Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. Cost is $6-$10 at the door. www.oaklandmetro.org  

Mandrake Three with Paul Panamarenko at 8 p.m. at the 1923 Teahouse. Donation of $5-$10, no one turned away for lack of funds. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Kensella at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Danny Caron, Ruth Davies and Pamela Rose at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Matt Bauer & Sonya Greta at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Dick Hindman Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Vinyl at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Dynamic at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Halloween Show with The Tad Poles, Unit Breed, The Abi Yo Yos at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 30 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with storyteller Betsy Rose at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

FILM 

Fiercely Primitive; Guy Maddin “The Naked Jungle” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Dan Plonse’s Daniel Popsicle big band with John Schott, Randy Porter, John Shiurba, Tom Yoder, Sarah Willner, Scott Rosenberg, and Mark Culbertson among others at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Arts Festival Gallery, 2324 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Musica Pacifica performs rarely heard baroque concertos and chamber works, at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

Mark Morris Dance Group at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Traditional and Medieval Music of Scandinavia, performed by Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynemors with Tim Rayborn and Shira Kammen at 7:30 p.m. at Parish Hall, St. Alban’s Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $12-$15.  

“Imagining a Map of the World” solo dance performance by Evangel King at 11 a.m. at 1374 Francisco St. Donation $7-$15. 841-9441. 

Harvest of Song with music by Bay Area composers at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $9-$10. 644-6893. 

Halloween Cajun Dance with Aux Cajunals and guest Keith Terry at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson with Diana Castillo at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Danny Santos & The Savoys at 2 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. 

O-Maya at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Brindl, singer-songwriter, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Kenny White at 8 p.m. at the 1923 Teahouse. Tickets are $5-$10. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Wake the Dead at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

www.freightandsalvage.org 

Flametal, a mixture of flamenco and metal, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$17. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Fred, Thriving Ivory, Falling Stars at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Plays Monk at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com  

Evander Music October Festival Alex Candelaria Trio and Wind Trio of Alphaville at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of The Jazz House. www.thejazz- 

house.com 

The Squirrelly String Band, The Stairwell Sisters at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Mundell Lowe & Friends at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Research and Development at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 31 

FILM 

Fiercely Primitive: Guy Maddin “Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Grouping” paintings by Collective 9. Reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at Nexus Gallery, 2707 Eighth St. Exhibition runs to Nov. 6. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. 415-454-2823. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

California Revels Autumn Showcase featuring storyteller and musician Kevin Carr, at 2 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$10. 925-798-1300. www.juliamorgan.org 

Harvest of Song with music by Bay Area composers at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $9-$10. 644-6893. 

Meeting House Strings performs Beethoven, Taneiev at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Meeting, 2151 Vine Street. Fundraiser for Friends Committee on Legislation. Tickets $5. 

Americana Unplugged: the Saddle Cats at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Susan Muscarella Trio at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Farewell Party Fundraiser for the Jazz House with a selection of short solo piano sets by Matthew Goodheart at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of the Jazz House. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Phil Ochs Night, celebrating an American songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Blakes Unplugged at 6 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $6. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

MONDAY, NOV. 1 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Last Word Poetry Series with Debra Grace Khattab and Vince Storti at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Poetry Express, featuring Nina Corwin from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave.  

MUSIC 

St. Mark’s Choir “Requiem” by Gabriel Faure at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Donations accepted. 854-0888. www.stmarksberkeley.org 

Dave Eshleman’s Jazz Garden Big Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, NOV. 2 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Scenes from the East Bay Regional Parks” paintings by George Ferrell, opens at the Environmental Educational Center, Tilden Park, and runs through Dec. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zabava! Izvorno and Orkestra Sali at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson with Lise Leipman at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Peter Barshay and Andre Bush at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Mindi Abair, contemporary jazz, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Wed. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Painting in Everyday Life in Traditional Japan” opens at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

FILM 

Ximena Cuevas and the Laboratory of Life: “Half-Lies and Other Works” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Ecumenical Religious Art: The Reign of Akbar in Mughal India” with Joanna Williams, UCB Professor, at 7 p.m. in the Dinner Boardroom at the GTU, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2440. 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host with Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Tad Williams introduces his new fantasy novel, “Shadowmarch” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, chamber music, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Bolshoi Ballet, “Romeo and Juliet” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $48-$110 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Improvisations in the French Baroque Style on the harpsichord at 12:15 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. www.firstchurchoakland.org 

Tee Fee Swamp Boogie at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson with Cheryl McBride at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jules Broussard, Ned Boynton and Bing Nathan at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Karashay featuring Chirgilchin, Stepehn Kent & Sarymai, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $16.50-$17.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Bunny, Hazy, Swirl, and Tim Reynolds at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $5. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Whiskey Brothers at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

THURSDAY, NOV. 4 

CHILDREN 

Tales for Dia de los Muertos with storyteller Olga Loya at 3:30 p.m. at Berkeley West Branch Library. 981-6270. 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Threshold: Byron Kim” Guided tour at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

FILM 

Ximena Cuevas and the Laboratory of Life: “Beyond the Poseidon Adventure” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free first Thursday. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lunch Poems Reading Series with Frank Paino at 12:10 p.m. at the Morrison Library in Doe Library, UC Campus. 642-0137. http://lunchpoems.berkeley.edu 

Truong Tran reads his poetry at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 20. 

Pratep Chatterjee investigates the role of corporations in “Iraq, Inc.” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com  

Eric Hansen tells stories of his travels in “The Bird Man and the Lap Dancer: Close Encounters with Strangers” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Khaled Hosseini reads from “The Kite Runner” set in contemporary Afghanistan at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 843-3533. 

Prose and Poetry by St. Mary’s College students at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Word Beat Reading Series at 7 p.m. with Lynn Ruth Miller and Vince Sorti, followed by an open mic at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave., near Dwight Way. 526-5985.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Bolshoi Ballet, “Romeo and Juliet” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $48-$110 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Vukani Mawethu Choir and Friends, including E.W. Wainwright’s African Roots of Jazz at Kimball’s East, 6005 Shellmound, Emeryville. Tickets are $10. 444-5009. 

Matrix 213: Some Forgotten Place Sound performance by Loren Chasse at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Neglected Voices: Music of a Lost Generation” with Fern Glass-Boyd, cello and Lorraine Glass-Harris, violin, at 1:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237, ext. 126.  

Faun Fables, 2 Foot Yard, Big City Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Terri Hendrix, Texas original, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50-$16.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Billy Brouchard, Mandrake, Paul Panamarenko at 9 p.m. at the Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5.  

Gary Rowe, solo jazz piano, at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Bud Shank Quartet with Phil Woods at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

 


‘Calliope’ Shines Again at Marina Mall: By JAKOB SCHILLER

Friday October 29, 2004

After 22 years of weathering the elements at the Berkeley Marina Mall, Calliope, a sculpture by Berkeley artist Joseph Slusky has received a facelift. The 11-foot steel sculpture recently got a new paint job and had its dent repaired thanks to the money from the city’s Public Arts Program.  

With salt air continuously blowing over the sculpture, much of the paint had begun to chip away at the piece’s bright pastel colors. Made from recycled steel, the sculpture is a combination of geometric shapes mean to represent a “fossilization of the imagination,” according to the artist. 

The piece was originally commissioned by the city’s Parks Department. It took two years to build and was unveiled in May of 1982.  

Slusky, a Berkeley resident, is a well-known artist whose work has been displayed throughout California. He also designed and built Helios, a steel piece that sits in a plaza on the Bayer Corporation compound in Berkeley. 

Slusky has taught art in the Bay Area for years and is currently a lecturer in the Architecture Department at UC Berkeley.ô


Berkeley This Week

Friday October 29, 2004

FRIDAY, OCT. 29 

Free Compost for Berkeley Residents from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Berkeley Marina Maintenance Yard, 201 University Ave., next to Adventure Playground. 644-6566.  

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jane Micallef, City of Berkeley Housing Dept. on “The Homeless.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

“Haiti After the Coup: Repression and Resistance” with Kevin Pina, Port-au-Prince journalist, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, 1924 Cedar. Donation $5-$15 for the Haiti Information Project. 

Bats Eat Bugs Just in time for Halloween, join us to dispel myths and hear the truth about the wonderful world of bats, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Fright Night A haunted house, Halloween parade, costume and scream contest and goodies bags for youth age 4 to 12, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the MLK Jr. Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St. Cost for the haunted house is $3. 981-6670. 

Halloween Haunt from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. Haunted House, Kindergym, swim in the bat cave and win prizes at the carnival. Tickets are $3-$6.  

Chamber of Horrors Costume Party from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Cafe, 811 San Pablo Ave., Albany. Cost is $7-$10. Sponsored by the Albany Chamber of Commerce. 525-1771. www.albanychamber.org  

Montclair Village Halloween Parade for children to 12 years old and their parents. Meet at 3:30 p.m. in front of the steps of Montclair Park. 

“The Yoga of Sound” a weekend mantra chanting conference with Russill Paul at Naropa University, 2141 Broadway. To register call 925-935-1022. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

“Three Beats for Nothing” meets weekly to sing for fun and practice, mostly 16th century harmony. At 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center 655-8863, 843-7610. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. Parking is free and is handicapped accessible. For information call Katherine, 525-5231. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 30 

Kids Garden Club Carve a pumpkin harvested from our garden from noon to 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 7-12. Cost is $3-$5, registration required. 525-2233. 

Explore Haunted Caves from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Crafts and refreshments at the end of the darkness. For ages 3 and up. Cost is $3-$5. 525-2233. 

Costume Making Crowns and Wands at the East By Depot for Creative Re-use at the Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

A Harvest for Peace Songs and activities for the whole family, celebrating peace, the gifts of the earth and our ancestors. At 10:30 a.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Please bring a fruit or vegetable of the season to place on a special harvest alter. Food will be donated to a local soup kitchen. Also, pictures or rememberances of your grandparents, favorite animals, or those you consider ancestors. 525-7082. 

Halloween Bazaar with face painting, children’s games, rummage sale, food, crafts and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The New School of Berkeley, 1606 Bonita St. 548-9165. 

Women Shoot for Cancer Pool playing clinics, mini-tournaments and skill building games from noon to 4 p.m. at The Broken Rack in the Emeryville Pubic Market. Cost is $15 and all proceeds benefit the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic. 652-9808. 

Festival of the Bones with Luisah Teish from 7 to 9 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Donations accepted in multiples of nine. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Disaster First Aid from 9 a.m. to noon at 997 Cedar St. To sign up call 981-5605. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

fire/oes.html 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. and the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Green Design for Everyday People Covering cleaners, paints, furninshings and energy efficient systems and products at 10 a.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15, no one turned away. 548-2220. www.ecologycenter.org 

Backpack Safety Evaluations for school-age children at 9:30 a.m. at Creating Harmony Institute, 828 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 526-1559. 

“Enabling Technology for the Aging Population: From the Lab to the Home” A day-long conference sponsored by the Center for Research and Education on the Aging at Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Campus. Free, but registration requested. 643-5049. http://crea.berkeley.edu 

Plants with Prominant Fall Blooms at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 31 

Colors of the Day We’ll look for black and orange in nature and learn about the role of warning colors in the lives of animals. From 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

It’s Halloween We’ll talk about the cultural history and significance of All-Hallow’s Eve as we walk on the Jewel Lake Trail. Meet at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Halloween Costume Parade on College Ave. Rockridge. Meet at the Rockridge BART at 11 a.m. Pre-teens, pets, parents & guardians come show off your costumes. Costume contests at 1 p.m. 428-2100. 

“Celebrating Ram Dass” A session on his teachings at 9:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Meditation for Compassion and Insight” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, NOV.1 

“Bums’ Paradise,” award-winning documentary on the former encampment on the Albany Bulb, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. All are welcome to this meeting of Friends of Five Creeks. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

“New Directions for the United Nations” with Carlos Magariños, director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization at 4 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Room, Haas School of Business, UC Campus. 642-0342. 

Dia de los Muertos Make banners and listen to bilingual stories from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

“South of the Clouds: Exploring the Hidden Realms of China” with Seth Faison, former Shanghai Bureau Chief of the New York Times, at 5 p.m. in the IEAS Conference Room, 2233 Fulton St., 6th Flr. http://ieas.berkeley.edu 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets Mondays at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Join at any time. 524-9122. 

Fitness for 55+ A total body workout including aerobics, stretching and strengthening at 1:15 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5170. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, NOV. 2 

REMEMBER TO VOTE TODAY 

To Find Your Polling Place see www.mypollingplace.com 

To Report Voting Problems or Irregularities call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (The Electronic Frontier Foundation). 

Election Night Watch at La Peña Cultural Center, starting at 5:30 p.m. until ? at 3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Children Cast Your Vote from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with miniature voting booths, play ballots, and red, white, and blue art projects at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. www.habitot.org  

Mid-Day Meander in Tilden Park from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. With luck we may find migratory newts. Meet at the Little Train parking lot at Lomas Cantadas and Grizzly Peak Blvd. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation, and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. Girls and boys ages 8-12, unaccompanied by their parents. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $6-$8. Reservations required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss the election from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Please bring snacks and soft drinks to share. No peanuts please. 601-6690. 

“Involving Local Communities in Marine Conservation in Tanzania” at 4 p.m. in 652 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 642-8338. www.ias.berkeley.edu/africa 

Hallway Sale Popular garage-type sale benefiting the Coffee Bar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Family Story Time at the Kensington Branch Library, Tues. evenings at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Acting and Storytelling Classes for Seniors offered by Stagebridge, at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Classes are held at 10 a.m. Tues.-Fri. For more information call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Streets every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. This is a project of Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:15 a.m. at Au Cocolait, 200 University Ave. at Milvia. For information call Robert Flammia 524-3765. 

40th Anniversary of the 1964 Wilderness Act Celebration at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Sponsored by the Wilderness Committee of the Sierra Club. 415-561-3474. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, for ages 4-6 years accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $3-$5. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Anti-War March and Rally Meet at 5 p.m. at Powell and Market, San Francisco for an evening march to 24th and Mission. Bring flashlights, drums, and noisemakers. Sponsored by Not in Our Name. 601-8000 bayarea.notinourname.net  

“Exodus, Black Colonization, and Promised Lands” with David Brion Davis, Pulitzer prize winner, at 4:10 p.m. in the Lipman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 

“Last of the Dogmen” and “Smoke Signals” Two films presented by the Intertribal Friendship House at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., midtown Oakland. 452-1235. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Volunteers are needed to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month. Advance sign-up needed. 594-5165. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday, rain or shine, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat. 548-9840. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Sta- 

tion, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

Fun with Acting Class every Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Free, all are welcome, no experience necessary. 

THURSDAY, NOV. 4. 

Morning Bird Walk “Some Gulls I Know” Meet at the Berkeley Municipal Pier at 7:30 a.m. 525-2233. 

Tilden Explorers An after school nature adventure for 5-7 year olds who may be accompanied by an adult. No younger siblings please. We’ll learn about birds, bird brains and bird migration. From 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Seniors in the Peace Corps Volunteers discuss their experiences in Fiji, Uzbekistan and Ethiopia at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Post-Election Benefit for the Center for Popular Education at 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568. 

Berkeley Farmer’s Market with all organic produce at Shattuck at Rose, from 3 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

FRIDAY, NOV. 5 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll learn about our fine feathered friends from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

November is We Give Thanks Month! Join participating restaurants in supporting the Berkeley Food and Housing Project. For a list of participating restaurants please visit www.bfhp.org  

Literacy & Beyond Celebrates Dia do los Muertos Family Literacy Night with altar making, and storyteller Olga Loya, at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. 665-3271. 

“News from Native California” with Frank LaPena, Laura Cunningham, L. Frank, Julian Lang/Xatimniim, and Malcolm Margolin, founder and publisher of Heyday Books at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. 549-3564, ext. 307. 

First Fridays Film Series “Hidden in Plain Sight” on the School of the Americas, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free. 482-1062. 

Womansong Circle Community singing with Betsy Rose. Potluck snacks at 6:45 p.m., singing at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 525-7082. 

Asian Business Association Charity Fashion Show at 7 p.m. a the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Cost is $10-$12. Proceeds benefit A Safe Place domestic violence shelter in Oakland.  

Literary Friends meets at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. We will discuss Ayn Randh. 232-1351. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

“Three Beats for Nothing” meets to sing 16th century harmony for fun and practice at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 655-8863, 843-7610. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. Parking is free and is handicapped accessible. For information call Katherine, 525-5231. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Nov. 1, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Mon., Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton. 981-6670. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/youth 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. Tasha Tervelon, 981-5347. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housing 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Nov. 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks?


Marin Avenue May Cut Lanes: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Tuesday October 26, 2004

North Berkeley’s major east-west thoroughfare is one step closer to shrinking in half for motorists.  

On Wednesday the city’s Transportation Commission unanimously backed a proposal to re-engineer the lower portion of Marin Avenue to slow traffic and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Under the plan, backed by traffic engineers in both Albany and Berkeley, Marin from Stannage Avenue east to The Alameda would be scaled back from four lanes of traffic to two lanes, with a center turning lane and bicycle lanes on both sides of the street.  

If the city councils in both Berkeley and Albany approve the plan, Marin Avenue could be redrawn by the end of the summer for a one-year trial period, said Berkeley Transportation Planner Heath Maddox. Berkeley’s share of the project cost would be about $41,000. The source of the funding has not yet been identified. 

The proposal is the culmination of a seven-year drive by Marin Avenue neighbors, primarily those in Albany, to calm traffic on the avenue.  

Originally designed as a grand approach to a proposed Capitol building, back when Berkeley had designs on being the seat of state government, Marin Avenue now serves as the main artery for commuters from the Berkeley hills to Interstate-80. 

With lanes of traffic just 10 feet wide—the minimum width permitted in California—and few bicycle and pedestrian amenities, proponents of the plan say Marin is one of Berkeley’s most dangerous streets and is especially risky for children who attend two elementary schools within blocks of the avenue. 

“When you see a child or an elderly person try to cross it just makes you shake,” said Gary Amado, a neighbor whose two sons were both struck by cars on the street. Neither sustained serious injuries 

Last June, Berkeley resident Thomas Bowen was killed crossing the street outside his home at Marin and Modoc Avenue. 

From 2001 through 2003, there were 114 collisions on the section of the avenue encompassed by the plan. The figures are comparable to the statewide average of collisions on similar thoroughfares, according to a report commissioned by Berkeley and Albany from the environmental firm of Design Community & Environment (DCE) and the transit engineering firm Fehr & Pierce. 

Albany Police Chief Greg Bone, who is backing the plan, has reported that a six-month police operation to ticket speeders resulted in only a 0.4 mph reduction in speeds on the avenue with a 25 mph speed limit. The average speed on the avenue is 31 mph. 

About 16 North Berkeley and Albany residents were evenly divided on the plan at a public hearing before the Transportation Commission.  

Zelda Bronstein, the president of the nearby Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association, blamed the low turnout at the meeting on the city’s failure to send notices to residents beyond the 750 who live on or within one block from the avenue. She said she did not know enough about the plan to comment on it. 

“Nobody knew about it,” said Bronstein, who wasn’t able to attend the meeting because of a District 5 city council candidates’ forum scheduled for the same time. She said she was further angered to learn that letters she and others had written on the proposal never made it to transportation commissioners or to those attending the meeting.  

Rather than give commissioners all the letters on the subject, the Transportation Department opted to provide them with a summary instead, said Maddox. 

At the public hearing, opponents of the plan argued that the avenue posed no unique threats to pedestrians and cyclists and that reducing the number of traffic lanes could exacerbate dangers by redirecting motorists to winding side-streets and bringing traffic on Marin to a standstill during rush hour. 

But the traffic report forecast no such hardships.  

The average rush-hour trip down Marin would increase by about 80 seconds, and reduce average speeds from the 31 mph to 26 mph, which is not enough of a disincentive to push motorists onto side-streets, said Sam Tabibnia, a traffic engineer with Fehr & Pierce. The firm concluded that the projected impacts were not significant enough to require a more extensive environmental review. 

Neighbors opposed to the plan challenged the study’s findings. “There is no way you can say that people won’t take the side-streets,” said Raymond Chamberlin at the hearing. 

Opponents predicted stop and go traffic on Marin that would result in more air pollution and dangerous intersection crossings. They also faulted the study for failing to adequately consider the impact of a new Target store and the expansion of Albany Village on traffic, as well as failing to identify measurable standards to judge the success of the plan after a one-year trial period. 

Creating those standards could require a new round of consultants, said Cherry Chaicharn, an Albany transportation planner.  

The study did take into account the new Target planned to rise just north of the Berkeley border beside I-80 and expansion of Albany Village, UC Berkeley’s family housing community on San Pablo Avenue close to the Marin intersection, but concluded neither project would have a major impact on Marin. 

The study found that residents of Albany Village would likely use public transportation or commute by car against the flow of rush hour traffic and that the Target would not add many trips on Marin because residents already use the avenue to get to shops. 

Albany and Berkeley began working in tandem on the proposal two years ago. Maddox, who oversees the city’s bicycle boulevard program, said the proposal adheres to the city’s General Plan, which calls for calming traffic and promoting cycling as a means of transportation.  

Several years ago the city reduced the number of traffic lanes on Marin, to one in each direction, from the traffic circle at Sutter Street to The Alameda. If Berkeley chooses not approve the current plan and Albany decides to move ahead, motorists traveling westbound on Marin would have to merge from two lanes to one at the Albany border at Tulare Avenue. 

Marin is not the only major thoroughfare in Berkeley that could be reduced to two lanes of automobile traffic. AC Transit has a plan to put an express bus route on Telegraph Avenue, limiting access for cars. 

One successful example of reducing traffic lanes, mentioned by Tabibnia at the public hearing, is Valencia Street in San Francisco. Seven years ago the street was converted from four lanes of car traffic to two lanes, a center turning lane and two lanes for cyclists. Traffic moves reasonably well on the street, he said, but unlike Marin, Valencia is part of a traffic grid with straight streets to the east and west that absorb much of the neighborhood’s automobile traffic.›


Campaign Violations Charged Against Anti-Tax Groups: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Tuesday October 26, 2004

A backer of the campaign to pass three city tax measures has charged two of Berkeley’s anti-tax groups with violating city election law. 

Malcolm Burnstein, who two years ago served as treasurer for Tom Bates’ campaign for mayor, filed charges Friday against the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) and Berkeleyans Against Soaring Taxes (BASTA). 

His complaint alleges that BASTA twice failed to submit its list of contributions and expenses before city deadlines and that CNA, a registered nonprofit for over 30 years, was required to register as a political committee and file contribution and expenditure reports before sending out newsletters that took stands opposing the tax measures. 

It charges that the group is “nothing more than a decidedly partisan hack committee acting to defeat certain measures.” 

The complaints will be heard Wednesday at a special meeting of the city’s Fair Campaign Practices Commission (FCPC). If the commission substantiates the charges against BASTA, the group could be fined. Even if CNA escapes a monetary penalty, it could be made to register as a political committee for future elections. 

In the past year, relations between neighborhood associations and city political leaders have grown increasingly bitter over proposed taxes to help plug the city’s budget deficit. 

“Obviously this is an attempt to intimidate the opposition,” said CNA President Laurie Bright of Burnstein’s complaints. 

CNA, as a non-profit educational group, is only allowed to take positions on ballot measures. This November, as it has in prior elections, the group is opposing all four new city taxes as well as a school district tax. 

Burnstein argues that the group’s newsletter, which carried its endorsements on the measures and was mailed to approximately 1,000 homes, rendered the group a political organization falling under the Berkeley Election Reform Act. 

“It’s an interesting question that I think the commission should discuss,” Burnstein said. 

Berkeley election law requires organizations that lobby on behalf of a campaign to file contributions and expenditures and list individual donations greater than $50. The filings are required so residents know which individuals and interests are supporting candidates and ballot measures. 

CNA, comprised of leaders of city neighborhood organizations, charges $30 for a subscription to its newsletter, which is printed five times annually and is the only newsletter published by private residents. 

Bright said that Berkeley election law specifically exempts subscription mail like the group’s newsletter.  

Bright, who received a copy of Burnstein’s complaint Monday morning, had to provide city election officials with a written reply by Monday afternoon and prepare for the hearing on Wednesday. 

“The fact that the city isn’t giving us any time to adequately respond to this is outrageous and ridiculous,” he said. 

Commission policy is to address all complaints before the election, said Assistant City Attorney Prasanna Rasiah. 

BASTA, which was formed this summer to fight the four city tax measures and a measure to publicly fund city elections on the November ballot, failed to make campaign filings for two consecutive filing periods, Oct. 5 and Oct. 21, according the city clerk’s office. 

BASTA Assistant Treasurer Jim Hultman said he mailed the filings to the city clerk, and hadn’t been alerted that they had not been received until hearing from the city on Friday. Hultman, who chose not to send the filings via certified mail, has no record of the packages being delivered. 

Although he has no proof, he said he suspected that officials backing the tax proposals intercepted the mail before it reached the city clerk’s office. 

“I find it hard to believe that the postal service would screw up two consecutive deliveries,” he said. 

According to reports provided Friday by the group, BASTA has raised $6,480, nearly one-third of which has come from the Berkeley Property Owners Association. Other contributors include Edwin Quenzel, who donated $1,000, and City Council candidate Barbara Gilbert, who donated $200. 

Burnstein filed the complaint against BASTA on behalf of the Measure J, K and L Committee and filed against CNA on behalf of the Committee for Measure L. Measure J is a proposed utility tax hike, Measure K is a proposed increase to the tax on property transfers and Measure L is a parcel tax to pay for library service. 

BASTA was not the only campaign to miss the filing deadline this year. For the Oct. 21 filing, City Council candidate Laura Menard filed late and Maudelle Shirek had not filed as of Monday. For the previous deadline, City Council candidate Sharon Kidd and school board candidate Merrilie Mitchell also filed late. 

 

 


District 3 Changes Reflected in Council Race: By MATTHEW ARTZ

Tuesday October 26, 2004

When Max Anderson announced this summer he was challenging Councilmember Maudelle Shirek in District 3, he was prepared for the inevitable charges that he was an ingrate.  

But the chairman of Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization Board never expected the many twists and turns the race would take. 

When Shirek, a 93-year-old icon of the civil rights movement, was thrown off the ballot for not submitting candidate papers with the requisite number of signatures from residents of the district, neighborhood activist Laura Menard entered the fray and attacked Anderson from the right as a tool of the city’s progressive political machine. Also in the race is Jeffrey Benefiel, a jeweler with little or no experience in city government. 

Now with Shirek, the only person to represent the district, back in the race as a write-in candidate, District 3 residents are guaranteed something they have not known since district lines were drawn 18 years ago: a competitive election. 

Even two of the city’s biggest political powers, Mayor Tom Bates and Rep. Barbara Lee, who have made nearly identical endorsements over the past two years, are split on the race. Bates and his wife, Assemblymember Loni Hancock, are backing Anderson, while Lee and her predecessor in Congress Ron Dellums support Shirek, who assisted Dellums on his first run for Congress in 1970. 

“[Maudelle’s] got a history of service and a vision for the community,” Lee has said. 

District 3, one of Berkeley’s most ethnically diverse areas, covers a section of South Berkeley from Dwight Way to the Oakland border between Sacramento Street to the west and Ellsworth Street to the east. The district has always elected someone to the left of Berkeley’s political center, and that person has always been Shirek. 

But in recent years, progressives on the council maintain that Shirek’s vote has been inconsistent and her attention has wavered at council meetings. Often she has allied herself with the council’s three most conservative members, all of whom have backed her candidacy. 

“I wouldn’t describe her as a progressive anymore,” said Councilmember Dona Spring, who said Shirek increasingly appeared not to understand what she was voting on. 

Last winter, Spring began rallying support for an Anderson bid, and most progressives in Berkeley have followed her lead. The left’s embrace of Anderson culminated in his endorsement last month by Berkeley Citizens Action, a progressive political organization that had previously backed Shirek. 

But Anderson has had more difficulty making inroads among members of South Berkeley neighborhood groups, many of whom are backing Menard, the president of the Russell, Oregon California Street Neighborhood Association and the founder of the South Berkeley Crime Prevention Council. 

Menard said she was planning to vote for Shirek, but jumped into the race when the incumbent was disqualified. 

“I didn’t think Max was going to represent our initiatives,” said Menard. “He hasn’t been here in the trenches with us.” 

Menard has led the fight against relocating a cannabis club on Sacramento Street, worked to revitalize community policing and most recently has battled a daytime center for the homeless and mentally ill, which some local merchants and residents blame for increasing crime along Adeline Street. 

She charges that the city has hampered business development and exacerbated social ills in District 3 by concentrating social service providers along its commercial corridors and not requiring that they are managed competently. 

“You can’t attract businesses unless you deal effectively with crime, homelessness and drug activity,” she said. 

Crime in District 3 has declined steadily over the past decade but the district still leads the city in violent crimes, according to figures compiled by Councilmember Gordon Wozniak using police and census tract data. In census district 40, which includes a section of District 3, assaults account for about 16 percent of all crimes. Census Tract 28 in Downtown Berkeley is second at eight percent. 

Anderson criticized Menard’s approach to problem solving as “divisive” and charged that she had used wedge issues like the homeless center to divide the district. He said the district wouldn’t be able to address its multitude of concerns effectively until tensions eased between long-term residents and recent transplants. 

“If crime becomes the only thing, it crowds out the possibility of working with everyone in the community,” he said. A former member of the city’s Planning Commission, Anderson said that besides attacking crime, local businesses would also benefit from better street signs, more foot traffic and re-engineering boulevards to encourage motorists to slow down and stop at local shops. 

On the five tax measures facing voters on the November ballot, Menard opposes all but a tax for schools, while Anderson and Shirek support all of the tax proposals. 

Closer to home, Menard and Shirek oppose a school board proposal to consume a block of Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street to build a regulation size baseball field. Anderson, who at a League of Women Voters forum supported the plan, now said he would convene neighborhood discussions before taking a final position. 

Though Shirek hasn’t embroiled herself in the battle between Anderson and Menard, neither candidate nor their supporters are dismissing the eight-term incumbent. 

Wanda Stewart, an Anderson backer and the vice president of Berkeley’s PTSA Council, said several of her neighbors have urged her to cast a write-in vote for Shirek.  

“It’s hard for the black community to say no to Maudelle,” she said. “Look at Barbara Lee, she had the courage to be the only vote against the war in Afghanistan and she can’t tell Maudelle not to run.” 

The Shirek campaign posted campaign signs last week and plans to deliver a mailing before Election Day, said Jackie DeBose, a campaign aide. DeBose chastised progressives who questioned Shirek’s left-leaning credentials. 

“For Dona Spring to say Maudelle is not a progressive is like someone calling Dona a rap star,” she said. 

 


Tune-Up Masters Condominiums Top ZAB Agenda: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday October 26, 2004

Plans for the University Avenue Apartments, a five-story mixed use condominium and commercial project planned for 1698 University Ave., are scheduled to go to the Zoning Adjustments Board Thursday night. 

The project, planned by Pacific Bay Investments of Berkeley, would create a staggered building with a three-floor street frontage rising to five stories at the building’s center. 

Plans call for 25 condominium units, ground floor commercial rentals and a 32-space parking garage at the current site of a Tune-Up Masters franchise. 

Thursday’s 7 p.m. hearing in the second floor City Council chambers at Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, will consider a mitigated negative declaration which would authorize the project, provided developers minimize construction noise and clean up any possible toxic materials on the site. 

The project has drawn fire from members of PlanBerkeley.org, a collection of University Avenue-area residents who have criticized the size and mass of the project. Their web site includes relevant city documents on the project. 

Original plans called for apartments, but a revision calling for condominiums was filed in July, along with increased parking spaces as requested by neighbors. 

If ZAB members approve the project, all that remains is for the builder to receive the building permits, which normally would take an additional two months, said city Principal Planner Aaron Sage. 

The city has received extensive correspondence questioning the project, Sage said. 

Also on the agenda for Thursday’s ZAB meeting is a hearing on plans for the Ed Roberts Campus, a learning and advocacy center for the disabled to be constructed at the Ashby Avenue BART Station, 3075 Adeline St., and a proposal to open four carry-out food locations at 1511 Shattuck Ave. 

Another controversial project has landed on the city Planning Commission agenda for Wednesday night’s meeting, the tentative tract map for another condominium and retail project, this one already under construction by developer Avi Nevo at 1797 Shattuck Ave. 

The project landed before the Planning Commission because that body is charged with approving the tract maps that allow individual ownerships to be sold in condominium projects, said Janet Homrighausen, commission secretary. 

Opponents had tried to block the project, built at the site of a gas station that had leaked pollutants into the soil. 

The Planning Commission meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.


Water Board to Hear Toxic Clean-Up Questions: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday October 26, 2004

When the Regional Water Quality Control Board opens its Wednesday night informational meeting on the controversial marshland toxic waste cleanup at the site of the proposed Campus Bay shoreline residential project, Richmond workers and residents might well have questions about similar efforts underway at the adjoining UC Berkeley Field Station just to the north. 

Earth moving equipment is busy this week at both sites, which have a long history of pollution by chemical manufacturing complexes, lacing the inland soil and shoreline with a range of organic and inorganic pollutants. 

The water board meeting, scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center, 960 S. 47th St., is slated to address just the Campus Bay portion of the cleanup. 

Work at the UC Berkeley site has been planned in five stages, including an ongoing cleanup of the university’s portion of Stege Marsh, a waterfowl nesting area along the shoreline, which is a seasonal home to the endangered clapper rail shorebird.  

Work at the Campus Bay portion of the marsh is now underway and will be the focus of the RWQB session. Neighbors and members of Bay Area Residents for Responsible Development (BAARD) have criticized Campus Bay developers for what they and water board officials have called inadequate monitoring of dust and chemical emissions from the site. 

Excavated soil from the Campus Bay portion of the complex is being temporarily stored atop a recently uncapped area of the toxic waste dump on the site. It is scheduled to be moved off-site in the spring after the muck has dried. 

Cherokee Simeon Ventures, a partnership between Marin County developer Simeon Properties and Cherokee Investors, a venture capital firm specializing in developments on reclaimed toxic sites, plans a 1,330-unit residential complex at the dump site. 

Former site owner AstraZeneca, a British chemical and pharmaceutical company, has responsibility to clean up the site. It retained former San Francisco Mayor and past Assembly speaker Willie Brown this week as its Sacramento lobbyist in advance of Nov. 6 hearings on the site called by Berkeley Assemblymember Loni Hancock. 

BARRD members raised questions about the Campus Bay cleanup last week when San Francisco water board Executive Director Bruce Wolfe appeared at a meeting of Citizens for the Eastshore State Park. 

Wolfe told Sherry Padgett, a leading BARRD activist who works near the Campus Bay site, that he was surprised that Campus Bay and their cleanup contractor, Emeryville-based LFR Levine Fricke, had not implemented round-the-clock monitoring at the site. 

Wolfe promised Padgett and the others that he would reiterate a standing order for continuous monitoring of site emissions. 

BAARD also asked that the scope of monitoring be included to encompass more of the potentially dangerous volatile organic compounds on the site. 

One compound now under monitoring, perchlorethelene, may not be dangerous, while other compounds not being followed could be dangerous. 

Both sites contain large amount of iron pyrite ash and other metals, and the university site also has significant qualities of mercury.  

Earth-moving equipment at the Field Station has been moving already excavated soils off site, and BAARD activists have complained that dust has been blowing off the trucks. 

Work at the UC site is being conducted under the supervision of the campus Office of Environmental Health and Safety.›


Soaring Construction Costs Won’t Stall Seagate: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday October 26, 2004

Though soaring energy costs and overseas demand have driven up the prices of most building materials, the developer of a proposed nine-story apartment complex on Center Street said plans are moving ahead, with construction to commence after the first of the year. 

“Obviously we’re going to have to update our costs with the latest steel and concrete prices,” said Darrel de Tienne, who is ramrodding the proposed Seagate high-rise at 2941-67 Center St. through the city’s planning process. 

Berkeley’s Zoning Adjustments Board gave their final approval to the project Oct. 14, though de Tienne said, “It’s Berkeley, so someone’s going to appeal.” He said he expects the final go-ahead from the City Council might come at their Dec. 7 meeting. 

An analysis by the Berkeley Housing Department in April estimated that Seagate Properties, the Marin County firm developing the 149-apartment complex built atop a ground floor retail and theatrical space, would only yield a 1 percent annual return for Seagate. 

“That’s based on the city’s figures. We hope it’s more,” he said. “We’ll probably re-price it three or four times before construction begins.” 

The developer said one upside of the current economic picture is increasing rents in the San Francisco area and increases in sales prices for homes and condos. 

RealFacts, a Novato-based firm that tracks rent prices in Northern California, recently reported marginal Bay Area rent increases in the last quarter, the first upward movement in three-and-a-half years. 

“Obviously, it’s kind of a crap shoot, but we hold buildings as part of a portfolio rather than building on spec. It’s not a single, one-shot deal. You hold it long enough, and you’ll do fine,” de Tienne said.  

Rising construction materials prices have doubled construction cost estimates for the new Bay Bridge, and only continuing low interest rates have kept the overall construction pace up, according to some economists.  

Construction materials are energy-intensive, with large amounts of electricity and fossil fuels consumed in baking limestone into cement, drying lumber and refining ore and recycled metals. PVC pipes, wire coatings and other construction products are also created directly from fossil fuels. 

Increased transportation costs brought on by rising oil prices push costs still higher. Demand from China, in the midst of a national infrastructure rebuilding program, has sent prices higher still. 

By midyear, materials prices had outpaced, by nearly three times, the consumer price index, according to a study by Peter Morris of the Sacramento office of Davis Langdon Adamson, a leading national construction cost planning firm. 

“We’ve seen pretty sizable increases in the last year compared to the last few years, which were pretty flat,” said Ben Bartolotto, research director for the Burbank-based Construction Industry Research Board. 

“The prices for steel frame and reinforced concrete construction have gone up considerably,” he said, referring to the principal construction techniques for the multi-story mixed residential/commercial projects now rising or planned to rise in Berkeley. 

Chinese steel consumption has doubled over the past four years, and some economists say there is no immediate sign of letup, “UCLA reports that the bubble should burst once the Chinese building program peaks in a year or so,” de Tienne said. 

“In the past decade we saw very little escalation of construction material prices,” said Tim Rogan, chief economist for Engineering News Record, a leading industry publication based in New York. “Starting at the end of last year, we’ve seen historic price increases for steel that kicked the ball off, and now we have across the board increases for most construction materials and they seem to be holding.” 

Average prices for structural steel have risen 23 percent in the past year, one of the largest increases since the inflationary years of the 1970s, he said. 

“Rebar, iron bars used in reinforced concrete construction, are up 43 percent from a year ago, and steel plate is up 42 percent,” Rogan said. “Lumber is up 15 percent from a year ago. In June, plywood was up 48 percent from a year earlier, though it’s only up one percent more now.” 

The biggest increases in steel prices were in the first quarter, most of the others followed in the second quarter, and now cement is catching up, Rogan said. 

Wallboard and particle board are up 10 percent, and pipe prices have increased from 8 percent to 22 percent, depending on the material. 

Rogan said recent reports, not yet figured into his calculations, cite significant increases in concrete costs. “We have field reports of 15 percent,” he said. 

Evan McDonald, of Berkeley developer Hudson McDonald, said the increases haven’t had an impact on their firm, which had locked in prices on its recently completed projects three years ago, before the prices increased. 

Panoramic Interests, Berkeley’s other major developer, also has no major projects now in the construction pipeline. 

The Federal Reserve Bank, under the tenure of Director Allan Greenspan, has been keeping interest rates down to spur an otherwise ailing economy. That has caused the dollar to lose value against other currencies, including the Canadian dollar which has surged to record highs, further increasing prices for lumber products, a major export of that nation. 

Construction industry officials are pushing for the Bush Administration to drop tariffs against Mexican concrete, which sells for less than the domestic product.›


El Cerrito Debates Approving Existing Utility Tax: By JAKOB SCHILLER

Tuesday October 26, 2004

One of the most visible political signs in El Cerrito this year is a placard asking voters to support Measure K. The measure, placed on the ballot by the city, would approve an 8 percent utility tax that the city already charges, which provides $2.2 million, about 12 percent, of the city’s general fund. 

A number of residents say they will not vote for the tax. They have formed a group, El Cerritans for Tax Justice, and claim the tax is poorly drafted and allows the city to escape proper fiscal mismanagement. 

“They’ve panicked the gullible,” said Peter Loubal, an El Cerrito resident, an opponent of the measure. “Everyone is in a tizzy.” 

The City Council passed the tax in 1991. At the time, they believed that general taxes, or taxes that don’t fund a particular program, did not need voter approval. In 2001, the California Supreme Court ruled to the contrary, which means El Cerrito must now put the utility tax to a vote. 

According to city officials, if voters do not approve the measure, city services that depend on the money, such the police and fire departments, senior programs and the swim center, will be scaled back.  

Opponents counter that the city should suspend the tax and draft another version with more citizen oversight before the tax is brought before the voters. In the meantime, they want the city to use some of its reserve funds to keep existing programs alive. 

A delay would also force the city to review its fiscal management, said Brit Johnson, a member of the group and husband of Gina Brusatori, a city council member. The tax justice coalition, he said, is confident the city could reduce the tax rate “substantially below 8 percent” if there were better management of the city budget. 

They point to a recent 19 percent raise for Scott Hanin, the city manager, and a near doubling of city attorney fees since fiscal year 2001-2002 as proof that the city is in good financial shape and does not need the full tax. 

The group wants the inclusion of a sunset clause, which would require renewal of the tax at a specified time, and protection against increases when energy costs rise. They are also irked that the measure would allow the city to charge for water services for the first time and possibly levy the tax against people who use solar power. 

“This was snuck in,” said Councilmember Brusatori about the ability of the city to target solar power. “And it’s completely wrong.” 

City Manager Hanin said the group’s proposal to rely on reserve funds for city services is dangerous. “There is a limit to how much you can use one-time money to fund on-going operations,” he said. 

Hanin said that El Cerrito’s reserve fund contains about $2.4 million. 

He added, “If we lost, there is no guarantee we would win next time.” 

Hanin also said the reserve funds might be sucked up by residents filing for tax refunds. Residents would be eligible to regain what they paid for the utility tax during the previous two years if the measure fails, as a result of the 2001 ruling. 

Several residents have already won refunds in small claims court, said Hanin. 

When questioned about why the city failed to put the tax up for a vote before, all he would say is, “Councils have known about this in the past.” 

The old ordinance also included a provision to tax solar power, he said, but the city never enforced it. 

“If you generate [energy] on site, you would have to self report,” Hanin said about the proposal in the new ordinance. “But historically the city has not gone after self reporters.” 


Letters to the Editor

Tuesday October 26, 2004

PROP 62 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Louisiana is the only other state in the nation that has dared to implement a Prop 62-style “run-off primary” system. What effect has this system had on Louisiana politics? 

Louisiana’s voter turnout is now the worst in the nation, with only 33 percent of registered voters bothering to participate. Fraud and abuse of the electoral system has increased. Radical candidates like Ku Klux Klanner David Duke have been able to seriously compete the governorship. 

In California, Prop 62 means that most voters in today’s gerrymandered districts will get to chose only between Democrat A and Democrat B, or Republican A and Republican B, for their representative to the state legislature. Political philosophies, principles, and policies will no longer be at issue because only candidates with the biggest bankrolls will have a chance to be heard. 

Yes, our current legislature is a mess, but Prop 62 will only make it worse. The answer to good governance in California is public financing of elections to get the corporate money out of politics, and electoral reforms like proportional representation and instant run-off voting to allow a broad spectrum of political opinion into our governing process. It is definitely not a system that severely reduces voter choice to a corporate-approved tweedledum and tweedledee. 

Prop 62, financed by large corporations, will take an already moribund system and set it in concrete.  

Don’t let them do it. Vote No on 62. 

John Morton 

Oakland 

 

• 

MENARD SUPPORTER 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I am so glad recent letters to the Planet give me an open door to point out why councilmember candidate Laura Menard is endorsed extensively by neighborhood leaders of South Berkeley. She not only listens but she gets things done. An example: for six years volunteered, taking phone calls from troubled parents as a parent advocate in Berkeley Schools. This is just a part of her extensive volunteer work in Berkeley schools which led to her being named Outstanding Woman of the Year in 2003 by the City of Berkeley. 

I was at the candidates’ forum, and what was left out of Marcy Greenhut’s letter is more interesting than the exaggerations described. I was also with Laura during the precinct walk when we stopped at Sally Hindman’s house and don’t agree with her assessment of what Laura “implied.”  

After the topic of the Arts District was discussed by Laura as holding promise for our Commercial District, Max followed. He talked about meeting with the members of the Ashby Arts District, and spoke disparagingly that they were all “white people who had better not try to shut out the Black Repertory Theater.” He asked how an Arts District was going to help “our community.” Either he didn’t know or declined to discuss the fact that various members of the Arts District have made repeated communications with the Black Repertory Theater, inviting them to meetings and even including their events on a calendar postcard. 

When I brought up the Drop-In Center, I recounted testimony from neighboring businesses and residents: drug and alcohol use, drug dealing, fights, public urination etc. Conditions so bad and constant that one neighbor put her house up for sale, several businesses are thinking of leaving, including one in our neighborhood for 22 years. This was behavior was confirmed by two African American women who nodded their head and verbally agreed, who live on Fairview Street.  

It’s clear that if we really want the best for the troubled drop-in clients that the peer counseling and community living room approach is not helping enough. The clients deserve to be cared for by an organization that will maintain individual case files! The city manager’s report prepared by the Housing Dept. (5/25/04) states this clearly. The Drop-In Center has been under performing for a long time. In fact, they are not yet following the conditions mandated in their use permit 10 years ago. 

Marcy didn’t mention that that after my disclosure of drop-in problems, Max clearly lost his temper.  

Worse yet, was the behavior of two of his supporters at the end of the forum when Laura and I left the meeting room but were still in the building. Loud shouting came from the meeting room. I later found out from Frank Davis Jr. president of the Black Property Owner’s Association, and a 65 yr. resident of South Berkeley, what it was about. He was yelled at: “Why are you letting those white people push you around?” (as if he would have to be bullied into supporting a white woman council candidate.) Frank replied, “No one is pushing me around.” Hearing this left me very troubled and hurt. One of the people who yelled had greeted me and given me a warm hug on my way out of the room. I still count him as someone I like and respect, but the need for him to denigrate the white woman candidate was more important I guess. 

Laura Menard has a diverse group of supporters who don’t care what color she is, they care most about the quality of her actions.  

Robin Wright 

 

• 

BASTA ON MEASURE M 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Measure M would increase the paramedic services tax by 59 percent, i.e. from .02626 cents per square foot to .041634 cents per square foot. The tax in 2005 for a 1900 square foot home would be $79.10. Taken alone this is not a whole lot. Except that with the other things on the ballot the result would be total property taxes of more than $10,500 per year for the average Berkeley home (assessed at current values), plus a utility tax of more than $300. 

Proponents say Measure M will cover a $78,000 deficit in the city’s paramedic fund. But if enacted the measure will raise $1,200,000, with no guarantee that the excess will be used for medical services. What is really happening here? 

BASTA!, BudgetWatch, and other neighborhood associations and citizens groups argue that like other City of Berkeley tax measures on the ballot, Measure M is a figleaf. It is offered to us by “leaders” who refuse to face the real reasons for the budget deficit, and only want to cover them up. These problems include (1) expensive, non-essential programs which the mayor and his friends refuse to re-examine, and (2) union contracts which give city workers far better salaries and benefits that the rest of us can ever hope for in the private sector.  

Facing these problems takes political courage, which the mayor and council majority do not have. So they present us with false choices. For them we must either vote for the taxes or sacrifice essential public services. The classic example is the council’s vote last week to shut down one of two fire truck companies unless Measure M is approved on Nov. 2. They know full well the terror that comes from such a threat: fires in multistory structures, or on steep slopes can only be fought from a truck equipped with ladders. With only one of these in Berkeley, response time will double. Indeed there will be no response in the event of two simultaneous alarms.  

The mayor and council played their card. The Vice Mayor (Linda Maio) suggested gently that if the firefighters (who had declined to support Measure M) would only be “team players,” the truck would be restored. In case there was any doubt about what being a “team player” means, it was resolved when the clerk’s office announced that other city unions had already donated $19,000 to support the mayor’s tax increase proposals. 

The firefighters have now fallen into line. But the city will be worse for it. The annual cost of the truck company (about $300,000) is only a bit more than the free YMCA memberships that the council gives the employees every year. Indeed, the $498,000 proposed by the council in Measure H to finance their own election campaigns would be enough to fund the truck company and the deficit in the paramedic fund.. Alternatively could not the city do without one or two of its 51 commissions, each with its own funding needs?  

Why didn’t the mayor, and the council majority consider these alternatives before it put higher taxes on the ballot? Why do they take our generosity for granted? Why do they feel that if a measure can be described as for youth, or paramedical services, or literacy programs, surely the Berkeley electorate will go along? 

Where in short are the leaders? Today’s Berkeley establishment was born in the idealism of the ‘60s, but has evolved into a classic inner city political machine. The primary beneficiaries of the status quo are the city’s labor unions and the developers. The unions want to keep their annual raises, their pensions and their health care, all guaranteed by the city. The developers need their permits, variances and financial breaks. It is no surprise that union and developer contributions are the driving force in the current campaign.  

Berkeley does not have a budget problem. It has a leadership problem.  

Dean Metzger, President, The Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association and 

David Wilson, Steering Committee of BASTA!  

 

• 

DROP-IN CENTER 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I was truly disappointed to read the article in the Berkeley Daily Planet about the efforts of some of my neighbors to shut down the Mental Health Drop-In Center on Adeline Street (Daily Planet, Oct. 15-18).  

I have lived in District 3 (South Berkeley) for 16 years, and lived down the street from the Drop-In Center from 1988 until 2000. Now I own a home in the same area. I am proud to have the Drop-In Center in my neighborhood, and proud of South Berkeley for providing this service to some of our neediest residents. Berkeley has the reputation of being inclusive, socio-economically and ethnically diverse, and supportive of all its residents. That is the Berkeley I want to live in. 

The Drop-In Center is a productive and valuable resource. They provide necessary services to some of the most vulnerable people in Berkeley. According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services: 95 percent of the center’s clients are homeless or at risk of becoming so, 98 percent are very low income, the majority are African American men, and 30 percent are veterans. These people are part of our community.  

Laura Menard, a candidate for District 3 of the City Council, would like to shut them out of our community. She is running on a platform to close down the Drop-In Center. Menard argues that this action will improve the neighborhood. Improve it for whom? 

Menard and her supporters blame the Drop-In Center for the drug dealing and drug use in the neighborhood. This is disingenuous and unfair. These problems existed long before the center moved into the neighborhood and cannot be blamed on the center and its clients. Some neighbors of the center voice concern about its effects on their property values. Anyone who is selling a house in Berkeley these days is making such an immense profit that to complain about this supposed devaluation is not only petty and ridiculous, but is also unfair. They are valuing the profits from their investment over the quality of life for everyone in the community. Property values are important, but so are other values—such as compassion and support for those most marginalized in our community, and living in an inclusive and diverse neighborhood. 

Concerns about safety and criminal activity in the neighborhood are valid. I would like to see the neighbors and the city work together to address these issues. However, providing services to people who need them is part of the solution, not the problem. Taking away these services will not improve the quality of life for anyone in Berkeley—not for the people who will be denied mental health services and the support they need, and not for those of us who are fortunate and privileged enough to own a home in Berkeley.  

Annemarie Heineman 

 

• 

MEASURE BB 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

AC Transit is demanding another parcel tax with Measure BB, and again they’re threatening to cut service for seniors, students and the disabled. Didn’t they use this blackmail in 2002? 

Back then voters approved the bailout, but AC Transit raised fares, eliminated discounts and cut service anyway. Clearly the AC Transit board cares about seniors, students and the disabled only around election time. 

It’s the responsibility of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) to distribute state and federal transit dollars. MTC should divert funds from frivolous AC Transit capital programs (like buying Van Hool buses they can’t afford to run) until the books are balanced or the economy improves. 

Vote NO on BB: We bailed out AC Transit once and got burned. Now let MTC clean up the mess. 

Robert D. Bildeau  

 

• 

SELAWSKY ABSENT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Where have you been John Selawsky and Joaquin Rivera? 

How can you know what’s going on in the Berkeley schools if you never check in? John Selawsky is the School Board liaison for Washington Elementary. Yet we haven’t we seen him for almost two years. Even then he was reluctant to meet with us. We asked both John and Joaquin to assist us in figuring out ways to support schools like Washington, with disproportionately large numbers of low income and kids of color—kids that the district has historically not served well. Did they want to engage in this conversation...no! Did they even take to heart some of our proposal...no! Instead what they did when they returned to the board was...nothing! Washington brought over 100 of our community members three times to the board and they never responded to our issues. And since then they have not come back. After the layoffs were rescinded, we were overjoyed and would have welcomed visits from either John or Joaquin. They’ve had their chance to address real issues at our schools. It’s time for both of them to move on. Congressperson Barbara Lee endorses Karen Hemphill, Washington parent, and Kalima Rose and so do we. They know and care about what’s going on and are willing to work with our schools in good times and in bad. 

Linda Currie and Greg McCrea  

 

• 

MEASURE Q, FOR 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

The irrational anger and outcry against measure Q illustrates well how prostitution exposes people’s unease about the incendiary combination of sex, women’s rights, money, and morality. Opponents of Q have distorted the content of the measure and then attacked its proponents for the distortions that the opponents themselves created. They attack something completely different from what those of us who support decriminalization want to accomplish, which is a safer and just society for women and children. Some examples of misinformation about Q: 

· Decriminalization (or legalization) of prostitution in Berkeley is accomplished by passage of measure Q. Measure Q changes no laws. It calls upon the state of California to repeal prostitution laws pertaining to adult, private, consensual sex. Until that happens, the BPD is asked to maintain their policy of “low priority” for prostitution arrests and to keep track of its law enforcement activities so that the city can generate relevant data about the sex industry in Berkeley. 

· Decriminalization will cause an increase of prostitution, pimping and the exploitation of women and children by “looking the other way.” In fact, prosecuting adults for non-violent, consensual sex uses tax money to enforce victimless crimes rather than using law enforcement to prosecute crimes that matter: the sexual abuse of children and violence against women. Moving toward decriminalization will focus tax money and police time on crimes of violence with real victims. Sex worker’s rights groups put this initiative on the ballot in order to begin a dialogue about what does and does not help them, in order to find an alternative model that can effectively reduce violence and other harm to prostitutes and to address more directly neighborhood quality of life concerns. The countries with the most restrictive prostitution laws have the most prostitution, the highest incidences of child prostitution, and acts of violence against prostitutes. 

· “Decriminalization promotes prostitution in all its forms” an unsubstantiated assertion made by anti-prostitution researcher, Melissa Farley and others. Measure Q does not seek to normalize, glamorize or celebrate prostitution but instead asks that more humane social policy be initiated with the collaboration of those most affected and harmed by prostitution: the prostitutes themselves. The best way to reduce prostitution is to empower sex workers and make it easier to leave such work without a criminal record. I have spoken all over the world to sex worker groups, World Health Organization doctors, government officials, and organizations trying to stop child prostitution and the exploitation of sex workers. Virtually all of them called for decriminalization as the most important first step in humanizing the lives of women and children and empowering those most victimized by prostitution.  

Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, Starr King School for the Ministry (SKSM), Berkeley  

 

• 

MEASURE Q, AGAINST 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Measure Q, on Berkeley’s November ballot will, if passed, instruct our police to make enforcement of prostitution laws their lowest priority. This would be a terrible mistake, both for the streetwalkers themselves and for our community.  

Our social service providers report that children as young as 12 are recruited into prostitution by pimps. Pimps introduce them to drugs, generally heroin. In most cases these youngsters have had a history of sexual abuse. Enforcement gets them into Child Protective Services and away from the violence, sexually transmitted disease, and addiction associated with pimps and street prostitution. Without enforcement, these abused and hopeless children are left to the mercy of the pimps and the streets. 

Our diversion courts in Alameda County offer adult multiple offenders a choice: enter a recovery program or go to jail. Most, of course, choose the program. Options Recovery Services, located in and supported in part by the City of Berkeley, report a 65 percent success rate in recovery, largely because the court order keeps people in the program. “Options” saves lives. Enforcement is required to get to the court order. Without enforcement adults are never offered the choice. “Options” may not be the answer for every person, but it is an effective alternative for many. 

Research into prostitution reveals that 90 percent of the women in this profession do not want to be. Most girls, women, and boys are forced into prostituting themselves either by pimps, to support their drug habit, or out of financial desperation.  

In Berkeley we have street prostitution. Children traveling to and from school in some of our South and West Berkeley neighborhoods regularly encounter open sex acts in cars and on porches; they find used condoms and hypodermic needles strewn through their neighborhoods. This is an unacceptable affront to these children and their families.  

Prostitution is a complicated and serious matter. There are no easy answers. Reducing enforcement of our prostitution laws would be tantamount to saying that as the tragedy of exploitation and violence unfolds in our neighborhoods we will look the other way. Measure Q is poorly thought out, poorly drafted, and can do a lot of harm to the very people it ostensibly seeks to help. I urge Berkeley voters to reject Measure Q 

Linda Maio  


The Neighbors Pitch in to Solve Plumbing Crisis: By SUSAN PARKER

COLUMN
Tuesday October 26, 2004

I came home to find the hot water in the downstairs bathroom running furiously from the spigot. “I can’t turn it off,” explained Hans, the man who lives with us and helps take care of my husband. “It’s been running since this morning when I gave Ralph a shower.” 

I peered into the bathroom, which was flooded. There was no steam; the hot water heater had given up hours ago. 

“Che and Jenna came over and tried to help,” said Hans, referring to our next door neighbors. “But we don’t have the right tools. We’ve been waiting for you to get home.” 

Just then Andrea, our other roommate, came downstairs to commiserate. “Dion’s got one of those keys that’ll turn off the water from the street. Now that you’re here, we’ll go get it.” Dion is Andrea’s boyfriend. He lives several blocks away with his mother, Mrs. Overstreet. Andrea and Hans took the car and left. I went back into the bathroom and watched water run down the drain. When they returned, they used the key to stop the flow. We were no longer wasting a precious resource, but now we couldn’t wash dishes, clean clothes, or flush the toilets.  

Our neighbor Teddy wasn’t at home. He’s the person we call when we’ve got a problem. But this couldn’t wait. I looked up PLUMBER in the yellow pages. The first one I contacted said he wasn’t available until Tuesday. It was Friday afternoon. I called another listing. “Yes,” said the person who answered the phone, “I can have someone there in two hours.”  

“Nobody use the bathrooms,” I shouted. Andrea and Hans closed their bedroom doors. It was lockdown on Dover Street. 

The plumber arrived and said that it was probably a faulty gasket. “One hundred and eighty-five dollars,” he advised. “I won’t start until you agree to the price.” Even me, who knows virtually nothing about plumbing, knows that replacing a five cent gasket is easy stuff if you’ve got the proper tools. But I didn’t have a choice. There are four adults living in our house, plus a steady parade of friends and relatives trooping in and out. “Go for it,” I said.  

But when the plumber removed the faucet innards, he found that it wasn’t just a bad gasket. The entire stem was bent, and the connecting pipe was broken. “Eight hundred dollars,” he said. “I’ll cut a hole in the wall and replace everything. You’ll have to pay someone else to repair the wall.” 

“Hold on a minute,” I shouted. As much as I wanted our toilets to flush, I had to think twice about the price. It was money we didn’t have, and anyway, shouldn’t I get a second opinion? 

Andrea emerged from her room and said she had a friend who was a plumber. Maybe he could help us out. At nine that night he arrived to diagnose the situation. “I can do it,” he said, “and it won’t cost you eight hundred dollars. But I’m not available until Wednesday. Can you wait that long?” 

“I don’t think so,” I said. Hans opened the door to his room and nodded his head affirmatively. 

The next morning I looked out the window and saw that Teddy was at home. I rushed over and knocked on his door. “Teddy,” I said. “I’m a desperate woman.”  

“You’re always desperate,” he replied, “but let’s see what the problem is.” 

Teddy looked at the faucet. “Take that bad stem to Orchard Hardware on Ashby and ask for the exact same part and the piece that it seeds into. I’ll come back when you’ve got the merchandise.” 

I rushed to OSH. A little old man in a blue blazer helped me match up the parts. The total at the register came to $12.99. Teddy fixed the faucet immediately. Everyone came out of their rooms and gave him a hug. “Thank you, Teddy,” I said, “but why, why, why does stuff like this always happen to me?” 

“Shut up,” said Andrea, “and count your blessings. You wouldn’t have nothin’ to write about if it wasn’t for excitement like this. Think on the positive side. I bet you can get a column out of this if you try.” 

Once again, Andrea was right. ›


Nakadegawa Has BART Experience: By ROY NAKADEGAWA

COMMENTARY
Tuesday October 26, 2004

I am the current incumbent to the BART Board and am running on a limited campaign budget where my opponents are probably spending 20 to 30 times more than what I will spend. This will be my last term so I am using my reserve, which I had from former campaigns and am not seeking any contributions for this last campaign.  

Just last week my opponent sent out a defamatory and slanderous hit piece about me and it is too late to even file suit so I have written to you in hopes that my response will be published.  

I am the most qualified candidate to continue in this office for I am very familiar with actual operations of transit. I have influenced BART to proceed in a more rational and studied manner. I even pressed the board to consider a study whether BART would survive a major earthquake and had to introduce this motion three times before the board’s approval. After the study the board realized that it was imperative that we act on an Seismic Retrofit program immediately. If BART is damaged, it will cause serious affects to the overall transportation system of the Bay Area. The recent report made last week by UC’s transportation group indicated over three hours delay leading on and through the freeway maze would occur. The repair would take at least two years to repair if we do not complete the retrofit work before a major quake occurs.  

I also managed to influence several policies which will lead to a more reliable system. I have written much of this into LWV’s www.smartvoter.org if you are interested. You can also see the wonderful transit oriented people who have endorsed me as well. 

My extensive transit knowledge comes from travels to major cities in the US, Canada, Germany, Japan and other cities in Europe and South America studying various forms of transit, its capital cost, operation and maintenance cost. Kathy Neal’s fancy expensive colored mailing, without checking with anyone, accuses me of using excessive public funds in my travels. On the Port Commission she said she seldom took out of area trips. She implies that I am too focused on academic interests of transit that are not relevant to BART. This shows her naiveté about why I investigate other transit systems. I could elicit numerous transit innovations in Europe and Japan that could be applied to us to make BART more rider-friendly and cost-effective. 

Of the 12 overseas trips, excluding Canada, I paid for them myself except one trip to Germany where the Bavarian Transit Industries paid for the trip. About 1/4 of my trips were funded by AC Transit or BART because they were sponsored by American Public Transit Association where staff and board members attended as well.  

On almost all my trips, I stay with friends or at two-star hotels and motels or some private homes, most often at cost, and charge less per diem days to save public costs. BART staff and board know of my economiy travel because it is so unusual among board and staff that it’s conveyed through the grapevine. They usually stay at expensive conference hotels, which are generally four stars or fancier. Also, I limit my spending to 75 percent of what is allowed under BART rules in view of the deficit BART has experienced last three years. Staying at outlying places, I use the city’s transit system to get to/from the meeting and experience the quality of their system to compare to BART. 


Support Music in Schools, Measure B: By ARIANNA DELSMAN

COMMENTARY
Tuesday October 26, 2004

Music is vitally important to the healthy development of young people. This artistic expression deserves encouragement and financial support from the community. Unfortunately, music programs in the Berkeley Unified School District suffer low priority in the budget. To stay alive, they require tremendous volunteer work and fundraising on the part of educators, students, and parents. Music is more than a pastime, pure entertainment; it increases a child’s IQ, it broadens his or her knowledge of the outside world, and it encourages positive personal development. These are all reasons why the Berkeley Unified School District music programs should not be thought of as a dessert, but as an essential part of the meal. 

Many people consider music to be an embellishment in our lives, but not a necessity. In school it is often an elective, and at home, music practice usually happens after the homework is finished. However, the Mozart Effect and many other studies show us that participating in music is very important to our intellectual development; it actually increases a person’s IQ. It helps, for example, to enhance a person’s spatial reasoning the ability to manipulate objects in three dimensional space. In both music and math, the same part of the brain is activated; a person’s math skills increase from studying and listening to music. Similarly, a person’s music skills increase from participating in math. According to records of national average SAT scores, students who participate in music rank much higher in verbal and math than students who do not. 

Participating in music also contributes to an individual’s knowledge of the world around him or her. It provokes thoughts of other cultures by transporting the musician and audience to the composer’s world as we imagine it, or to any other illusionary place. For example, if the King Middle School band stretches itself beyond familiar American Jazz and plays a piece of Jamaican reggae, every musician in that band gains greater understanding of the form of reggae and the country and culture of Jamaica. Further, it helps to increase understanding and comprehension of other times, places, people, and ideas. A Classical student learning a Baroque piece considers the fact that the composer wrote the piece for a harpsichord, not a piano, and the student is inspired to think about how developing technologies have modified instruments through the ages. In a nutshell, no matter what type of music one plays, he or she will always learn something new. Awareness of the heart of the music, its culture and period, as well as the personal mood that inspired its composer, connects the musician to the outside world as well as to his or her inside world. 

The school band is a wonderful place to help a young musician flourish. It provides a remarkably positive environment and activity for its members. While it keeps some kids off the street and out of trouble, it leads other kids towards a career or future in music. Most importantly, in band or orchestra, the music joins everyone together in the moment. We are all playing and participating in the same beat, the same rhythm, the same melody, and it is to me a superb phenomenon. When I play the piano and other music, I am completely present and happy. It helps calm me and it nourishes me. Altogether, participating in music is a great social, intellectual, and emotional experience. 

Because music is fundamental to the positive development of one’s physical, mental and emotional being, music programs and classes should be strongly encouraged, supported, and promoted by students, parents, staff, governmental figures, and tax-payers alike. One simple thing that could help promote music programs to be a part of daily curriculum and to make sure music is in the lives of young people would be to say yes to Measure B, (“Protecting Quality Education in Berkeley’s Public Schools”). Over the last few years, overwhelming budget cuts have been made, one of them being the governor’s cut of $2 billion in funds for Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade education (2004-2005 budget). With Measure B, the Berkeley Unified School District music programs will receive seven percent of the new funds. This money will serve the following purposes: Fourth graders will have the opportunity to begin an instrument, music classes will have fewer students (particularly, elementary classes), and there will be full week programs for middle and high-schoolers instead of only scattered days throughout the week. It is obvious that Measure B will give school music programs some of the funding we need, so the only answer is for it to pass. It is critically important that the Berkeley Unified School District fully encourage, support, promote and fund its school music programs and students.  

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Menard is Raising the Real Issues: By KENT BROWN

COMMENTARY
Tuesday October 26, 2004

Stick to the issues please. 

I write in response to the diversionary smear campaign attacks on Laura Menard (Daily Planet, Oct. 22-25). These hit pieces are used against anyone brave enough to oppose the oppressive city machine that serves only the politically connected, leaving the rest of us fighting over crumbs. Their typical vernacular of division is to use simplistic, reactionary labels to paint opponents with alleged transgressions since they can’t speak to the real issues. 

And what are those issues? Well in my opinion, it’s historic redlining, exploitation, and neglect of District 3 by the city’s power elite that has left our community devastated, overrun with crime, violence, and hopelessness. My commentary “Homebuyers‚ Assistance Program is Predatory” (Daily Planet, Feb. 10-12, 2004) explaining how the city pillaged hundreds of thousands of dollars from our neighborhoods through deceptive predatory lending scams in the name of affordable housing assistance is one such example of this dispossession. Those factors likely played more of a role in the exodus of Black home owning families than any so-called gentrification. Why only when Black people’s property values increase is it seen as a bad thing that must be stopped, while the rest of Berkeley is allowed to benefit? 

Spiraling taxes and fees are increasingly imposed to feed the insatiable hunger of a bloated, ineffective bureaucracy that treats us as second-class citizens. Our neighborhoods are filled with fixed income elderly, minority and lower income families that simply cannot afford to keep up with the city’s financial arms race who are being squeezed to the breaking point! The lack of investment in our community has deprived us of opportunity to build businesses. Our streets and sidewalks are deformed and covered with broken glass, so much so that they were cited as a major factor in the death of Fred Lupke. We pay in, but we don’t get back. Shamefully, our pitiful images are often used as window dressing to solicit support for regressive taxes that hurt us the most. 

These issues, and many others are what give Laura Menard strong support in her real grass roots campaign that has ignited like a wild fire. She is not beholden to city interests that have so devastated our neighborhoods. As the independent voice of our community, she supports families, education, safe neighborhoods, inclusiveness, affordable housing, and opportunity for all District 3 residents because she is one of us. We can finally have a seat at the table instead of begging for scraps as she will fight for our rightful piece of the pie. Laura is not a conservative, or a racist, and you can rest assured I will keep her (or who ever wins) true to our values. 

Downtown is clearly threatened by the momentum of Laura’s campaign greatly outspending her trying to install their own hand picked candidate. Why are they so interested in meddling in the affairs of District 3 after ignoring us for so long? Do they want to hear what citizens have to say, or do they want to keep us in our place? I do not seek to label Mr. Anderson, but it is legitimate to be suspicious of the fact that the power brokers that fostered these conditions are spending a small fortune trying to elect him. His position as a city insider raises questions about where his loyalties are. Will he stand with us against his city cohorts for the benefit of District 3, or sell us out for political expediency as others have done in the past? Will he demand and end to the political and financial redlining of our neighborhoods? Will he work to enact anti-predatory lending laws and end the city’s abusive practices in our district, or allow the city to continue denying us due process rights? Will he offer opportunity to our families and youth? Please don’t sell us short trying to manufacture conflict. 

Hopefully, it will based be on the issues that this election is won, or lost. I ask that the discussion return to the issues of District 3, which are too important to be brushed aside by petty personal attacks. 

 

 


Berkeley Firefighters Support Measure M: By GIL DONG

Tuesday October 26, 2004

On Nov. 2, Berkeley voters will be asked to support an array of ballot measures. As a Berkeley Fire Captain, I can tell you that Measure M should be strongly supported by this city and community. 

Measure M is asking the average homeowner for an additional $2.50 per month or eight cents per day to place a paramedic on every engine at every fire station. Berkeley is the only city in Alameda County that does not staff their fire companies with paramedics.  

By placing a paramedic on every fire engine, advanced medical care can be initiated before the ambulance arrives. Paramedics with the proper tools and equipment can start breathing treatments for the asthmatic or for the person in congestive heart failure. Paramedics can also administer emergency drugs to treat severe allergic reactions or persons suffering from diabetic reactions. 

Even though we have three transport ambulances, the call volume for emergency medical calls requires Berkeley to ask for ambulances to respond from Albany, Oakland or Piedmont. The response time of an ambulance from those outside agencies can be as long as twenty minutes. The solution to alleviate the long wait time is to provide your firefighters with the tools and equipment to start treating patients as soon as the fire engine arrives. 

Measure M will also keep your fire department fully funded and staffed. If Measure M passes, the City Council will restore funding for a fire truck slated for closure on July 1, 2005.  

If funding is not restored, Berkeley will lose 50 percent of its rescue capability and eliminate 10 percent of its on-duty firefighting personnel. Berkeley can’t afford to lose one of two fire trucks, because of all the rescue equipment it carries and the tasks the truck is responsible to complete. Truck companies have firefighters specially trained in heavy rescue, auto extrication, ventilation, forcible entry, and search and rescue. 

Berkeley firefighters are dialing 9-1-1 for your support. Please vote Yes on Measure M and provide the tools and equipment to the firefighters so they can keep Berkeley safe! 

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Police Blotter: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday October 26, 2004

Shooting on Carleton Street 

A 56-year-old Berkeley man was shot in the stomach by a younger gunman Sunday night in the 1700 block of Carleton Street, according to Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies. 

Police had yet to talk to the victim, who was reported in serious condition Monday. 

Detectives are working the case intensively and have declined to release the victim’s name because they say it might hinder their investigation.  

Officers are seeking a light-skinned African-American male with a goatee in his early to mid-20’s who stands about 5’2”. He was wearing a blue knit cap, a blue puffy coat and blue jeans and may be driving a dark red or silver 1970 Dodge or Chrysler two-door sedan with a rally stripe. 

Strong-arm Snatcher 

A teenager forcibly robbed a 60-year-old Berkeley woman of her purse about 2 p.m. Friday near the corner of Franklin and Cedar streets, police said. 

Threatens Cane Attack 

A 57-year old woman called police about 1:20 a.m. Sunday to report that she’d been threatened by a cane-brandishing young fellow in the 1200 Block of Allston Way. 

He had vanished by the time officers arrived. 

Escalation Ends in Bust 

A dispute between two gentlemen in the 1200 block of Ashby Ave. escalated dangerously Sunday afternoon, and when the dust settled, one of the pair earned a ride to the hoosegow. 

During the dispute, a group of young people approached the disputants, one of them tossing a brick at one of the pair, a 61-year-old Berkeley man. 

Alarmed, the intended victim ducked inside his domicile and reemerged with a gun, prompting the others to take flight. 

At some point the gun went off, earning the adult a single count of willfully negligent discharge of a firearm, a crime carrying a penalty of up to a year in lockup. 

Police are still seeking the brick-thrower, described as a young male in his late teens to early 20s, said Officer Okies.›


Intimate Gathering of Music, Poetry at Harvest of Song: By DOROTHY BRYANT

Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 26, 2004

When I asked Allen Shearer how he got the idea for an informal concert by local poets, composers, singers, and instrumentalists, I expected to hear the familiar lament: that composers of new music have few opportunities to have their works performed. 

But he surprised me: “Well, it sounded like great fun. Not to form an ‘organization’ or anything. Just to get together a group of composers and performers and a small audience. So I called Peter Josheff and broached the idea, and Peter said, ‘Let’s do it.’ That was in 2001. This year will be our fourth concert.” 

Allen Shearer, (as if you didn’t know) is the renowned baritone, composer, and teacher at UC, Hayward State, and the SF Conservatory. (Check the Internet for a list of his compositions and awards, too many to list here.) 

Peter Josheff has played clarinet with most of the new music ensembles in the Bay Area (helping to found some of them), often playing works dedicated to him by new composers. He is known for his solo improvisations as well as multi-media performances. His compositions have been performed in many concert series, including by the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. He teaches at SF State University. 

Why choose the Berkeley Art Center as the venue for this kind of concert? “It was perfect,” Peter says. “An intimate place with an established, ongoing series of art events. We wanted to form a special kind of performing community. You know, most composers have an institutional base, usually academic. We wanted to form another kind of communit y—poets, composers, performers, audience—with a local feeling, a neighborhood feeling.” He laughs. “An institution of friendship.” 

“Intimate,” adds Allen, “and affordable. We get an unusual audience, mature, knowledgeable people who have a lot more savvy than money. You know, the East Bay, I think, does better than San Francisco in offering a variety of the kind of small concerts that we all love to do.” 

“After last year’s performance,” says Peter, “a player told me it had been her favorite performance of the whole year.”  

And how do they choose composers and performers? “Oh,” says Allen, “it just happens. You know, in the Bay Area, we have the pick of the best performers, and, like Peter, they sometimes compose as well, or know composers who want to write for them. For instance, Peter asked Loretta Notareschi if she’d like to write something for him to play, so she composed a piece called ‘Liquid Sings.’” 

“Don’t forget Mary Watkins,” says Peter. “She’s going to present scenes from her opera based on the life of Clara Barton. And, of course, Allen always throws in a dramatic surprise that isn’t newly composed. This year he’s going to sing an aria from a forgotten 19th century opera called The Vampire, by a German composer, Heinrich Marschner.” 

Anothe r special offering this year will be music by Peter to accompany a poem by Dorothy Cary (Peter’s mother), and spoken by poet Jaime Robles.  

Jaime’s name came up several times. Not only has she participated as poet and performer from the beginning, but, drawing on her background in book design, she produces a program that prints the words of all songs, “like a chapbook,” says Peter. “Worth the price of admission,” says Allen. (Jaime is also the publisher of Five Finger Review, available at Cody’s Books.) 

What are the difficulties of putting together a concert like this? Neither man had any complaints, only noting that “at the very end, it gets hectic because we do everything ourselves.”  

The audience for Harvest of Song is growing. “Last year we were really full, about 100 people, so this year we’ll do two performances.” Do they ever think of moving to a larger venue? In unison, they said, “Never.” Then Allen: “We don’t want to lose that intimate, neighborly sense of community. That’s the whole point!” 

Last question: In what way have these concerts changed you or changed the way you work? Interestingly, although I asked Allen and Peter separately, in different phone calls, they gave almost identical answers, that they approached composing for these concerts in a different “lighter, quicker, relaxed, personal way.” Peter cited a more simple, quiet, less virtuosic style the series has helped him develop, and Allen said he felt “liberated by the close relation to performers and audience. Free to try th ings I never would have dreamed of.”›t


Thirty Years of Setting Minds on Fire at UPB: By ELLEN GALVIN

Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 26, 2004

The signage above the door at 2430 Bancroft Way boldly proclaims “Ten Thousand Minds on Fire,” an apt description of what University Press Books/Berkeley set out to do when it opened in November 1974. 

For the past 30 years this independent bookstore, wh ich is not affiliated with the University of California Press or the University, has offered rare, unique, and hard-to-find titles from university and academic presses from around the world. 

  “It will never work,” is what the friends, family and colleagues of Bill McClung said when he first expressed his idea of opening a bookstore devoted exclusively to the sale of books published by university presses; but McClung was determined to give it a try.  

  As an editor with the University of California Press, he traveled the country to acquire manuscripts and frequently visited local bookstores in hopes of finding the books he had published on the shelves. Not only were they not there, even in the campus stores, but neither were the books published at Harvard, Columbia, or Chicago—not to mention Alabama, Washington, or Northeastern.  

  He figured if all these scholarly books were amassed in one intellectual center, like Berkeley, they just might be able to sustain a bookstore. And this November, the store that ‘couldn’t work’ is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. This cultural institution carries more than 20,000 titles from over 100 American and Canadian university presses, plus Oxford and Cambridge. It has since added other presses such as Routledge, W.W.Norton, and Penguin, and sells books to individuals and libraries all over the world. 

Of course, like all independent bookstores, University Press Books faces its share of challenges. “We definitely struggle with competition from corporate on-line booksellers,” explained Karen McClung, co-founder and general partner. “But we sell a class and depth of books that other bookstores avoid and we have a knowledgeable, dedicated staff that offers a level of service that the chain stores simply cannot provide.”  

  To remain competitive, and to serve international as well as domestic customers, University Press Books has established a web site through which its entire inventory is available for purchase. It also has a book club that rewards frequent buyers, and has recently expanded to include selected current fiction and nonfiction, excellent children’s books, international newspapers and selected magazines and journals, and beautifully-designed blank journals, greeting cards and bookmarks. 

  The store itself is a wonderful refuge for the mind. Its two levels are filled with books from floor to ceiling, interspersed with Turkish and Persian rugs and masks from all over the world. There are various nooks and tables for perusing favorite finds, including a huge, welcoming table at the rear of the store, around which book parties and other events take place. In 1999, Wilt Idema, a visiting professor and columnist from Holland, described University Press Books as “not just a good academic bookstore, but a unique p lace with a praiseworthy intellectual climate. As long as it exists,” he continued, “Berkeley will easily stand…among the very best American universities.” 

  “Nobody got rich,” explained Grant Barnes, one of Bill’s colleagues at U.C. Press, now Director E meritus of Stanford University Press, and one of the bookstore’s early partners, “but the store has been self-sustaining. All concerned, which includes a significant number of Berkeley faculty and university administrators, had the great satisfaction of s eeing this community asset being born and staying alive for thirty years. And countless book buyers have found and purchased new and backlist books that were exactly what they needed.” 

  As part of its anniversary celebration, University Press Books/Berkeley will have an open house, a store-wide sale, and several raffles during the month of November. 

  “We would like to thank our customers, partners, and staff for making it possible for us to celebrate this anniversary,” said Karen McClung. “Without them we would never have made it; and with their continued support we look forward to many more years of scholarly bookselling.” 

  

University Press Books/Berkeley (www.universitypressbooks.com) is located at 2430 Bancroft Way, below Telegraph, and is open seve n days a week (Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m.). (510) 548–0585. 

  

  

 

›y


Arts Calendar

Tuesday October 26, 2004

TUESDAY, OCT. 26 

CHILDREN 

Family Night at the Library, 2090 Kittredge at 7 p.m. Halloween fun for ages 4-8. 981-6223. 

FILM 

JPEX: “Exploded States: War, Politics, and National Idenity” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gary Snyder reads from his new collection of poems, “Danger on Peaks” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Tim Junkin, author of “Bloodsworth: The True Story of the First Death Row Inmate Exonerated by DNA,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

The Whole Note Poetry Series with John Gatten and John Rowe at 7 p.m. at The Beanery, 2925 College Ave., near Ashby. 549-9093. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jazz House Jam hosted by Darrell Green and Geechy Taylor at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $5. www.thejazz- 

house.com 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson with Diana Castillo at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Maeve Donnelly & Steve Baughman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $16.50- $17.50. 548-1761. www.freight- 

andsalvage.org 

Peter Barshay at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Palenque at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $8-$12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazz- 

school at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

A.G. Rizzoli’s “Transfigurations,” images of a fantastic world, opens at the GTU, Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. and runs through Feb. 2. 649-2541. www.gtu.edu/library 

FILM 

Fiercely Primitive: Guy Maddin “The Sign of the Cross “ at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Photographer as Activist” with Sebastio Salgado, photographer and co-founder of Instituto Terra, and photo critic and curator Fred Ritchin at 7:30 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $10. 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

Ben Barber, Prof. of Civil Society at the Univ. of Maryland, examines how U.S. foreign policy has gone wrong in “Fear’s Empire” at 7:30 p.m. at at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Ray Raphael re-examines “Founding Myths: Stories That Hide Our Patriotic Past” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik, featuring Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryplough.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Philip Gelb’s Natto Quartet at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Arts Festival Gallery, 2324 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Halloween Concert with organ works by Grieg and Bach at 12:15 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. www.firstchurchoakland.org 

Jules Broussard, Ned Boynton, and Bing Nathan at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Balkan Folkdance at 8 p.m., dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Peau de Chagrin at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Acoustic Strawbs at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Earl Brothers, Royal Deuces, Houston Jones at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Rhiannon at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, OCT. 28 

FILM 

Cinema and Migration: “A Little Bit of Freedom” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Matrix 213: Some Forgotten Place Curator’s talk with Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Yuri Kochiyama reads from “Passing It On - A Memoir” of her years working for human rights at 7 p.m. at 30 Stephens Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by Ethnic Studies/Asian American Studies Library. 548-2350. 

Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi introduces his new novel “The Last Song of Dusk” at 7:30 p.m. at at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Word Beat Reading Series at 7 p.m. with featured readers Armour Garland and Stephen Berry, followed by an open mic, at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985.  

Sheila Ellison, editor, reads from “If Women Ruled the World” at 7 p.m. at Changemakers, 6536 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Panopticon” Dean Santomieri Multimedia Performance at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Arts Festival Gallery, 2324 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Mark Morris Dance Group at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Jackie Greene, folk and blues, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Kensella at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Jazz Mine, string swing jazz quartet, at 6:30 p.m. at King Tsin Chinese Restaurant, 1699 Solano Ave. www.jazzmine.net 

Pebble Theory, Teri Faleschini, Scissors for Lefty at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

www.starryploughpub.com 

David McLean, flamenco guitarist, at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Evander Music October Festival Karen Stackpole & Brady Sharp, Birgit Uhler & Gino Robair at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of The Jazz House. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Abdullah Ibrahim at 8 and 10 p.m. through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, OCT. 29 

THEATER 

Acme Players Ensemble, “Ghost in the Machine” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., call for Sun. times., through Nov. 7, at APE Space, 2525 Eighth St. Suggested donation $5-$20. 332-1931. 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, “Present Laughter” by Noel Coward at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Through Nov. 20. Tickets are $10. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Albany High School Theater Ensemble, “Pirandello’s Absolutely! (Perhaps)” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Nov. 7 at Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. Tickets are $5-$10 at the door. 558-2500, ext. 2579. 

“Aya de León is Running for President” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th St., Oakland. Tickets are $10. 273-2473. www.ayadeleon.com 

Berkeley Repertory Theater, “Eurydice” at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. through Nov. 14. Tickets are $20-$55. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works, “A Step Away” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Through Nov. 21. Tickets are $8-$20. 558-1381. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “Noises Off” Fri., Sat., and selected Sun., through Nov. 20. Tickets are $10-$15. 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. 524-9132. www.ccct.org  

Un-Scripted Theater Company, “Fear,” a full-length improvised horror story, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. through Oct. 30. Tickets are $7-$12. 869-5384. www.un-scripted.com 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

Native American Jewelers, Marian Denipah (Tewa) and Steve LaRance (Hopi) Reception at 6:30 p.m. at Gathering Tribes Gallery, 1573 Solano Ave. Exhibition runs through Dec. 31. 528-9038. 

FILM 

Behind the Seen: Walter Murch on Feature Film Editing at 9:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Da Shout at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Voices: Lesbian Choral Ensemble & East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Sponsored by the Berkeley Arts Festival. Cost is $10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Mark Morris Dance Group at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

UC Choral Ensembles at 6 and 8 p.m. in 155 Dwinelle, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$8. 642-3880. http://tickets.berkeley.edu  

Distant Oaks, traditional Gaelic and Celtic music at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $12-$15.  

Mandrake, Paul Panamarenko at the 1923 Teahouse at 8 p.m. Cost is $5. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Evander Music October Festival The Lost Trio plays Monk, John Schott’s Typical Orchestra, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of The Jazz House. www.thejazz 

house.com 

The People, Orixa at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Baguette Quartette at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Psychokenetics, Baby Jaymes at 9:30 at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Lemon Lime Lights, Demented Big Band, Militant Children’s Hour at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

“13 Dreams of a Dying Clairvoyant” dance, music and video presentation by Double Vision at 9 p.m. at The Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. Cost is $6-$10 at the door. www.oaklandmetro.org  

Mandrake Three with Paul Panamarenko at 8 p.m. at the 1923 Teahouse. Donation of $5-$10, no one turned away for lack of funds. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Kensella at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Danny Caron, Ruth Davies and Pamela Rose at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Matt Bauer & Sonya Greta at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Dick Hindman Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Vinyl at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Dynamic at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Halloween Show with The Tad Poles, Unit Breed, The Abi Yo Yos at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 30 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with storyteller Betsy Rose at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

FILM 

Fiercely Primitive; Guy Maddin “The Naked Jungle” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Dan Plonse’s Daniel Popsicle big band with John Schott, Randy Porter, John Shiurba, Tom Yoder, Sarah Willner, Scott Rosenberg, and Mark Culbertson among others at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Arts Festival Gallery, 2324 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Musica Pacifica performs rarely heard baroque concertos and chamber works, at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

Mark Morris Dance Group at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Traditional and Medieval Music of Scandinavia, performed by Erik Ask-Upmark and Anna Rynemors with Tim Rayborn and Shira Kammen at 7:30 p.m. at Parish Hall, St. Alban’s Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $12-$15.  

“Imagining a Map of the World” solo dance performance by Evangel King at 11 a.m. at 1374 Francisco St. Donation $7-$15. 841-9441. 

Harvest of Song with music by Bay Area composers at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $9-$10. 644-6893. 

Halloween Cajun Dance with Aux Cajunals and guest Keith Terry at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson with Diana Castillo at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Danny Santos & The Savoys at 2 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. 

O-Maya at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Brindl, singer-songwriter, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Kenny White at 8 p.m. at the 1923 Teahouse. Tickets are $5-$10. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Wake the Dead at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

www.freightandsalvage.org 

Flametal, a mixture of flamenco and metal, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$17. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Fred, Thriving Ivory, Falling Stars at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Plays Monk at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com  

Evander Music October Festival Alex Candelaria Trio and Wind Trio of Alphaville at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of The Jazz House. www.thejazz- 

house.com 

The Squirrelly String Band, The Stairwell Sisters at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Mundell Lowe & Friends at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Research and Development at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 31 

FILM 

Fiercely Primitive: Guy Maddin “Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Grouping” paintings by Collective 9. Reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at Nexus Gallery, 2707 Eighth St. Exhibition runs to Nov. 6. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. 415-454-2823. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

California Revels Autumn Showcase featuring storyteller and musician Kevin Carr, at 2 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$10. 925-798-1300. www.juliamorgan.org 

Harvest of Song with music by Bay Area composers at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $9-$10. 644-6893. 

Meeting House Strings performs Beethoven, Taneiev at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Meeting, 2151 Vine Street. Fundraiser for Friends Committee on Legislation. Tickets $5. 

Americana Unplugged: the Saddle Cats at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Susan Muscarella Trio at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Farewell Party Fundraiser for the Jazz House with a selection of short solo piano sets by Matthew Goodheart at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Proceeds benefit the relocation of the Jazz House. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Phil Ochs Night, celebrating an American songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Blakes Unplugged at 6 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $6. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

MONDAY, NOV. 1 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Last Word Poetry Series with Debra Grace Khattab and Vince Storti at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Poetry Express, featuring Nina Corwin from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave.  

MUSIC 

St. Mark’s Choir “Requiem” by Gabriel Faure at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Donations accepted. 854-0888. www.stmarksberkeley.org 

Dave Eshleman’s Jazz Garden Big Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

 

\


Free-Tailed Bats Fill the Berkeley Autumn Twilight: By JOE EATON

Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 26, 2004

I first saw the bats, as it happens, a few Halloweens ago. I had stopped by the main Berkeley library on the way from work, before heading home to hand out candy to the little extortionists, and it was dusk as I was leaving the building. Something caught my eye: what appeared to be birds—starlings? blackbirds?—flying away from the business school across the street. Birds with an odd flickering flight. 

No, not birds: bats. And they were emerging from the Spanish tiles of the building’s roof. 

We’re not talking hordes of bats, a few dozen at most. It wasn’t Carlsbad Caverns. It wasn’t even the Congress Street Bridge in Austin, Texas, where folks gather on summer evenings to watch bats fly out on their nightly hunt. But it was a stirring sight in its own way. 

Somewhat later I met bat rehabilitator Pat Winters (and some of her charges, which were really engaging creatures) at an Audubon Society presentation, and asked her about the downtown bat flight. She knew them, of course. They were Mexican free-tailed bats, a species that finds Spanish-tile roofs congenial roosting places. She also knew of another roost on the UC campus. 

Mexican free-tails, also known as Brazilian free-tails or guano bats, may be the most abundant bats in North America. “Free-tailed” refers to an anatomical peculiarity. Most bats have a skin membrane, the uropatagium, which stretches between their hind legs from ankle to ankle and completely encloses their tails. Free-tails have a reduced uropatagium that leaves the tip of the tail, well, free. Since bats use the membrane as a scoop to catch insects in flight, this would seem to put free-tails at a competitive disadvantage. But you wouldn’t know it from their numbers. 

California lacks the enormous aggregations of bats that occur in the Southwest. In summer, female free-tailed bats gather in nursery caves to give birth and rear their single pups. Bracken Cave in Central Texas harbors an estimated 20 million bats, the largest colony of any mammalian species. Other caves in the region have bats in the lower millions. Within the cave, bat pups group together in creches at densities up to 500 per square foot. Somehow returning females are able to locate their own youngsters by voice and smell, although some freeloading inevitably occurs. 

On the West Coast, free-tails use buildings in lieu of caves. They also differ from their Texan kin in being non-migratory. Free-tails are found year-round in California and Oregon, going torpid when the weather turns cold and bugs are scarce. 

A free-tailed bat nursery cave is no place for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Here’s how Roger Barbour and Wayne Davis described the setting in Bats of America: “The bats are always alert, and the disturbance of the intruder’s lights causes them to peel off from the great clusters….The floor and the walls of the cave soon seem to be crawling with them, and they collide with the observer in ever increasing numbers. They cling to him and crawl upward to reach a high point from which to launch into flight…one gets the feeling that he may be smothered by the animals as he sinks deeper into the loose and sometimes soggy guano which covers the cave floor.” All this plus stifling heat, powerful ammonia fumes, and biting insects.  

You have to appreciate, then, the dedication of the bat wranglers who took part in one of the loonier episodes of World War II: Project X-Ray.  

It all started when Dr. Lytle Adams, an oral surgeon from Irwin, Pennsylvania, had a sort of epiphany while driving back from Carlsbad after Pearl Harbor. Adams was musing about what bats could possibly be good for when it struck him that their tendency to fly into buildings could be exploited for strategic purposes. As he put it in a letter to FDR: “This lowly creature, the bat, is capable of carryng in flight a sufficient quantity of material to ignite a fire.” 

Bats could be refrigerated to induce hibernation, rigged with little incendiary devices and parachutes, and airdropped over Japanese cities. “The effect of the destruction from such a mysterious source,” Adams wrote, “would be a shock to the morale of the Japanese people as no amount of bombing could accomplish.” 

People in Washington took this seriously. As Jack Couffer recounted in his 1992 memoir, The Bat Bomb, X-Ray was funded to the tune of a couple million dollars. A Harvard chiropterist was assigned to the project, and its staff came to include actor Tim Holt (Treasure of the Sierra Madre), an alumnus of the Capone organization, and, as mascot, a young Bengal tiger. 

Bats were gathered from some of those Texas caves, and by the spring of 1943 the crew was ready for field tests, first over a dry lake in the Mojave, then at an Army airfield near Carlsbad Caverns. However, technical difficulties were encountered. Texas free-tailed bats, being migratory, did not take naturally to hibernation. When released from planes, some of the bats did not so much fly as plummet. During the Carlsbad test in June, napalm-bearing bats got away from their handlers and flew to the airfield’s control tower, then to nearby barracks. The base erupted in flames, as did a general’s automobile. 

The bat-bomb project survived this debacle, but not for long; the Chief of Naval Operations (the Army Air Force had lost interest, but the Navy had signed on) pulled the plug the following February. By then, plans for another kind of weapon were far advanced at Los Alamos.  

The next time you pass the library in an autumn twilight, though, think of this footnote to history, and look up.›


Berkeley This Week

Tuesday October 26, 2004

TUESDAY, OCT. 26 

Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7 a.m. at the first pullout on Wildcat Canyon Rd. off Grizzly Peak Blvd. for a look at fall migrants and residents. Call for directions or to reserve binoculars. 525-2233.  

Day of Dialogue: Candidates and Propositions From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vista College, 2075 Allston Way.  

Domestic Violence Awareness Self-Defense Workshop for men and women at 12:45 p.m. at Boalt Hall, Room 140, UC Campus. 409-0951. 

“Global Climate Change: What Are The Facts?” with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, in discussion with Orville Schell, Dean, School of Journalism at 7:30 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $10. 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

Raising the Bar An evening with Clif Bar’s Gary Erickson at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

An Evening with Senator Don Perata at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237.  

Berkeley PC Users Group Problem solving and beginners meeting at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St. All welcome, no charge. 527-2177.  

“Adolescent Sexual Values in Africa” with Datius Rweyemamu of the Univ. of Dar es Salaam at 4 p.m. at 652 Barrows Hall. 642-8338. www.ias.berkeley.edu/africa 

Family Story Time at the Kensington Branch Library, Tues. evenings at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Sts from 3 to 7 p.m. 843-1307. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

Acting and Storytelling Classes for Seniors offered by Stagebridge, at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Classes are held at 10 a.m. Tues.-Fri. For more information call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27 

Town Hall Meeting for Overwhelmed Voters, part of a community-based collaborative art project by students in which state propostitions and local measures were researched and will be discussed at 7:30 p.m. at John Kennedy Univ., 2956 San Pablo Ave. 486-8118. 

“Farenheit 9/11” at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $3-$5, no one turned away. Sponsored by the International Council for Humanity. 419-1405.  

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. For reservations call 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/wallkingtours 

District 6 Candidates Night with Betty Olds and Norine Smith. Opening comments by Mayor Tom Bates. 7:30 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. http://groups.yahoo.com/ 

group/northside/ 

Domestic Violence Awareness with Pablo Espinoza on violence in the LGBT community at 12:45 p.m. at Boalt Hall, Room 140, UC Campus. 409-0951. 

Community Workshop on Commercial Parking at the Planning Commission at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7429. 

“California State Propositions: A Progressive Approach” with Betty Brown, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the Berkeley Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

“The Campaign: Strategy, Tactics and Rhetoric” with Mary Hughes, George Lakoff and Sean Walsh at 3 p.m. at 109 Moses Hall, UC Campus. http://politics.berkeley.edu 

“History of Free Medical Care in Berkeley” with Roberta Hector Ghertner of the Berkeley Clinic Auxiliary at 1 p.m. at the Northbrea Community Church, 941 The Alameda. jerrykey@earthlink.net 

The Knitting Hour at 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, West Branch, 1125 University at San Pablo. All are welcome. 981-6270. 

“Central do Brasil” a film of an emotional journey to Brazil’s remote Northeast at 7 p.m. at the CLAS Conference Room, 2334 Bowditch St. In Portuguese with English subtitles. 642-2088. www.clas.berkeley.edu 

Tradition and Change: Conservative Judaism 101 An exploration of the history and legal decisions of the Conservative Movement in America and its counterpart, the Masorti Movement around the world, at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237, ext. 110.  

“Living and Writing in an Uncertain Reality” with Israeli author Orly Castel-Bloom, at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237, ext. 110. 

The East Bay Children’s Theater Auditions for adults for the production “There’s no Business Like Shoe Business” at 9:30 a.m. at Piedmont Community Church, 400 Highland Ave, Piedmont. 537-9957.  

Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2550 Shattuck Ave. Learn about how you can become a licensed acupuncturist. RSVP to 666-8248, ext. 106. 

Upfront Talk About Arrangements for Death and Dying with Betty Goren at 1 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Prose Writers’ Workshop An ongoing group focused on issues of craft, at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 524-3034. georgeporter@earthlink.net 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “Rabbi Jesus” by Bruce Chilton at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Coffee Shop in El Cerrito Plaza. 433-2911. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, OCT. 28 

Domestic Violence Awareness with Margot Mendelson on issues faced by battered immigrant women at 12:45 p.m. at Boalt Hall, Room 140, UC Campus. 409-0951. 

“Rosa Remembers Palestine” a documentary by Wendy Campbell at 8 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is sliding scale $10-$20. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Pumpkin Carving by the Hearth Bring your own pumpkin for a pre-Halloween opportunity to cut up gourds. We’ll supply tools, designs and clean up afterwards. From 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5 per family, $7 for non-residents. 525-2233. 

“High Blood Pressure: The Silent Disease that Steals your Health” at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Chinese Commu- 

nity Church, 2117 Acton St. Sponsored by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Free, but reservations suggested. 869-6737. 

Berkeley Marina Volunteer Training from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Shorebird Park Nature Center, 160 University Ave. Also on Fridays. Topics cover each of the local estuarine environments. For information call 981-6720. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/marina/marinaexp/volunteer 

Dia de los Muertos Full Moon Procession On Solano Avenue at 6:30 p.m. beginning at the intersection of Solano and The Alameda and ends at 1561 Solano Ave. with Aztec music and dance performances and community alters to the dead. 526-7003. 

“Goodbye Germany? Migration, Culture and the Nation State” A conference on the cultural friction points that arise from transnational migration in postindustrial societies. Through Sat. at the Townsend Center, 220 Stephens Hall, UC Campus. 643-2004. http://german.berkeley.edu/mg/goodbyeger 

“Lost Boys of Sudan,” a screening of the documentary with director/producer Megan Mylan in person, at 7:30 p.m. at The College Preparatory School, Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway. 658-5202. 

“The Empire Has No Clothes: U.S. Foreign Policy Exposed” with Dr. Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow, at the Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 632-1366. www.independent.org 

El Cerrrito Library Book Club meets to discuss “Lying Awake” by Mark Salzman at 7 p.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7512. www.ccclib.org 

Berkeley Farmer’s Market Shattuck at Rose, from 3 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

FRIDAY, OCT. 29 

Free Compost for Berkeley Residents from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Berkeley Marina Maintenance Yard, 201 University Ave., next to Adventure Playground. 644-6566.  

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jane Micallef, City of Berkeley Housing Dept. on “The Homeless.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020.  

“Haiti After the Coup: Repression and Resistance” with Kevin Pina, Port-au-Prince journalist, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, 1924 Cedar. Donation $5-$15 for the Haiti Information Project. 

Bats Eat Bugs Just in time for Halloween, join us to dispel myths and hear the truth about the wonderful world of bats, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Fright Night A haunted house, Halloween parade, costume and scream contest and goodies bags for youth age 4 to 12, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the MLK Jr. Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St. Cost for the haunted house is $3. 981-6670. 

Halloween Haunt from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. Haunted House, Kindergym, swim in the bat cave and win prizes at the carnival. Tickets are $3-$6.  

Chamber of Horrors Costume Party from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Cafe, 811 San Pablo Ave., Albany. Cost is $7-$10. Sponsored by the Albany Chamber of Commerce. 525-1771. www.albanychamber.org  

Montclair Village Halloween Parade for children to 12 years old and their parents. Meet at 3:30 p.m. in front of the steps of Montclair Park. 

“The Yoga of Sound” a weekend mantra chanting conference with Russill Paul at Naropa University, 2141 Broadway. To register call 925-935-1022. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

“Three Beats for Nothing” meets weekly to sing for fun and practice, mostly 16th century harmony. At 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center 655-8863, 843-7610. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. Parking is free and is handicapped accessible. For information call Katherine, 525-5231. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 30 

Explore Haunted Caves from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Crafts and refreshments at the end of the darkness. For ages 3 and up. Cost is $3-$5. 525-2233. 

Costume Making Crowns and Wands at the East By Depot for Creative Re-use at the Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Halloween Bazaar with face painting, children’s games, rummage sale, food, crafts and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The New School of Berkeley, 1606 Bonita St. 548-9165. 

Women Shoot for Cancer Pool playing clinics, mini-tournaments and skill building games from noon to 4 p.m. at The Broken Rack in the Emeryville Pubic Market. Cost is $15 and all proceeds benefit the Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic. 652-9808. 

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Disaster First Aid from 9 a.m. to noon at 997 Cedar St. To sign up call 981-5605. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. and the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Green Design for Everyday People Covering cleaners, paints, furninshings and energy efficient systems and products at 10 a.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15, no one turned away. 548-2220. www.ecologycenter.org 

A Harvest for Peace Songs and activities for the whole family, celebrating peace, the gifts of the earth and our ancestors. At 10:30 a.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Please bring a fruit or vegetable of the season to place on a special harvest alter. Food will be donated to a local soup kitchen. Also, pictures or rememberances of your grandparents, favorite animals, or those you consider ancestors. 525-7082. 

Backpack Safety Evaluations for school-age children at 9:30 a.m. at Creating Harmony Institute, 828 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 526-1559. 

“Enabling Technology for the Aging Population: From the Lab to the Home” A day-long conference sponsored by the Center for Research and Education on the Aging at Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Campus. Free, but registration requested. 643-5049. http://crea.berkeley.edu 

Plants with Prominant Fall Blooms at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 31 

Kids Garden Club Carve a pumpkin harvested from our garden from noon to 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 7-12. Cost is $3-$5, registration required. 525-2233. 

Colors of the Day We’ll look for black and orange in nature and learn about the role of warning colors in the lives of animals. From 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

It’s Halloween We’ll talk about the cultural history and significance of All-Hallow’s Eve as we walk on the Jewel Lake Trail. Meet at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Halloween Costume Parade on College Ave. Rockridge. Meet at the Rockridge BART at 11 a.m. Pre-teens, pets, parents & guardians come show off your costumes. Costume contests at 1 p.m. 428-2100. 

“Celebrating Ram Dass” A session on his teachings at 9:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Meditation for Compassion and Insight” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, NOV.1 

“Bums’ Paradise,” award-winning documentary on the former encampment on the Albany Bulb, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. All are welcome to this meeting of Friends of Five Creeks. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets Mondays at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Join at any time. 524-9122. 

“Ulysses” Discussion Book Group at 7 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. We will meet every Monday night and hopefully finish by Bloomsday 2005. 

Fitness for 55+ A total body workout including aerobics, stretching and strengthening at 1:15 p.m. every Monday at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5170. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Citizens Budget Review Commission meets Wed., Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7041. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/budget 

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Mary Ann Merker, 981-7533. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/civicarts 

Disaster Council meets Wed., Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. Carol Lopes, 981-5514. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/disaster 

Energy Commission meets Wed., Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy 

Mental Health Commission meets Wed., Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. Harvey Turek, 981-5213. www.ci.erkeley.ca.us/commissions/mentalhealth 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruth Grimes, 981-7481. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Oct. 28, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning  

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Nov. 1, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Mon., Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/youth


Opinion

Editorials

Fighting Voter Panic: By BECKY O'MALLEY

EDITORIAL
Friday October 29, 2004

In the long ago distant days before the war on Vietnam, older people referred to what they called “the standard liberal position.” This included support for civil rights and a general belief that it was the responsibility of the government, especially the federal government, to make sure that all citizens had a job with a decent wage and a respectable retirement, and were protected by regulations from some of the standard abuses of corporate capitalists like drug companies. The “standard liberal position” concept was mightily fractured by support for the war, by Democrats, labor unions and others, which lasted much too long. “Liberal” became a pejorative term for some on the left, who favored, variously and from time to time, “radical” or “progressive” to describe their own politics. The Old Left used the term “politically correct” to describe positions they espoused, but this term was translated by their irreverent offspring into a form of mockery of their parents’ doctrinaire beliefs. Meanwhile, Rightists, sarcasm-challenged, started attacking the concept of political correctness without realizing that it had already turned into a put-down in Left circles. Are you still with me? 

The point here is that many people, herd animals that they are, are always looking for someone or something to follow. They want branding for their political opinions. The San Francisco Bay Guardian for 30 years has supplied a reasonably reliable brand—my 90-year-old mother, not their target demographic, has often used their endorsements. I do remember being in the Guardian news room when someone shouted over the noise “anyone here know anyone in Marin?” as a way of finding someone for the paper to support, but on the average they’ve gotten a lot right. Still, that’s why the Daily Planet is not officially endorsing in this election. 

A reader, Michael Katz, has just informed us that there’s another place to look for advice. He writes: 

“If you’re still as baffled by ballot propositions as the Planet’s editorial page was on Oct. 26, check out the local/regional recommendations posted by the new ‘League of Pissed Off Voters’ (kid you not) at: www.indyvoter.org/voterguide.php?area=5.  

“This is a Michael Moore-inspired, democratic experiment in which anyone is free to create and post their own grassroots ‘slate card.’ Some of what you’ll find here reflects particular candidates’ supporters, or small-party or personal preferences. But it’s certainly richer, and more honest, information than you’ll get on the fake slate cards invading your mailbox from fake ‘COPS’ in L.A. 

“And if you don’t like what you see, you can post your own slate card. Or click the ‘About Us: Who Are We?’ links to read background information and a blog and stuff.” 

I took a quick look, and I must say the first Berkeley slate I clicked on didn’t quite make it for me. For example, the writer called far-out District 6 candidate Norine Smith (endorsed by the Bay Guardian) a “reactionary,” which certainly doesn’t capture her particular style of in-your-face independent thinking. Nevertheless, the page is good reading. But is it really a great idea to let some unknown stranger tell you how to vote? Probably not, but it might be a good second choice for those who haven’t done their homework and don’t have a copy of the Guardian handy. And of course, if you seriously want to catch up, you can read the letters and news articles in back issues of the Planet at berkeleydailyplanet.com, or at the library. We don’t have all the answers, but we’ve at least provided the opportunity for intelligent proponents of candidates and measures to do their best to convince you. The last batch of election correspondence is in this issue, so you have one more shot at getting informed. And by the way, Peace and Freedom Senate candidate Marsha Feinland, a Berkeley resident, dropped by the Planet office to tell us she’s the anti-capital-punishment candidate some have been looking for as an alternative to Barbara Boxer. Check her out. 

—Becky O’Malley


Not Exactly an Endorsement, But In Our Opinion...: By BECKY O'MALLEY

EDITORIAL
Tuesday October 26, 2004

We’ve gotten a number of requests from readers that the Planet endorse ballot proposals and candidates in the upcoming election. Some of these, of course, came from candidates and proponents, but others were from sincere individuals who just wanted a little help in deciding how to vote. Our principal response to this request has been to expand our opinion section as much as we can, to let candidates and advocates speak for themselves. We think we’ve learned a lot by doing that, and we hope readers have too.  

On the other hand, it would be false naïveté to claim that none of us around here have made up our minds on some topics. We can tell you that the Executive Editor and the Publisher are sure about how they’re going to vote in most cases, and that we haven’t heard many contrary opinions around the newsroom.  

We’re voting for John Kerry for President. This might come as a surprise to some readers, but if so they haven’t been paying attention. We don’t take formal votes on editorial endorsements, but let’s just say that no one at the Planet has expressed as much as one word of support for Bush in our hearing. It wouldn’t surprise us, after the election, to hear some people say that they had cast protest votes for Peace and Freedom or Green Party candidates because they were sure Kerry was going to carry California. Who knows, we might even be tempted to do the same next week, but as of now we’re running scared. If Kerry wins, the work will have just begun. If he loses….but let’s not go there for now. Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof. 

Barbara Boxer has a few things to answer for. We still haven’t forgotten her attack on San Francisco prosecutor Kamala Harris for not going for the death penalty in a prominent case. She’s way ahead in the polls, and it might be good if Boxer ran a bit behind Kerry (who opposes capital punishment) in Berkeley, so we’re looking for other anti-death penalty candidates for the Senate. Barbara Lee continues to make us all proud, and we’ll certainly vote for her. 

In local elections, we (the Publisher and I) are glad we don’t live in one of the council districts which have election contests this round. The vigor (some might say unseemly vigor) with which charges and counter-charges have been hurled in the Planet’s opinion pages is bracing, to say the least. Issues important to the city have surfaced in each race; no clear winner has yet emerged in most. Norine Smith gets our award for perseverance in her second attempt to galvanize complacent District 6, where most residents, elevated above the congestion, traffic and crime problems which beset flatter districts, are much too comfortable with the status quo to want to change a thing, including their councilmember of 20 years duration. 

Ballot proposals? Like most of you, we still haven’t had time to finish reading our sample ballot. We do know that we don’t think gambling is any way to finance government, so we’ll vote no on both casino propositions, 68 and 70. We’ll vote for Prop. 63 as a small way of supplying the mental health services which have been terribly underfunded since Reagan was governor. We’ll vote for Prop. 66, even though it’s not a perfect way of fixing problems with the three strikes law. We’ll probably vote for Prop. 71, funding stem cell research, as a way of showing the flag for government support of reality-based science, even though cynics fear that it’s a ploy to fund the biotechnology industry, which in our book is not exactly the same as science.  

Local measures? A real can o’ worms. We can’t buy the arguments of the two new organizations which have interlocking directorates with the Grumpy Old Men of previous anti-tax efforts in Berkeley: Voting No on Everything Will Send Them A Message that Berkeley government needs to be more efficient. We’re not fooled by the city’s stratagem of using young people, librarians and paramedics as poster-children for tax increases, but voting no on any or all of the specific tax measures won’t solve the real problems of the Berkeley city administration. We fear that the inefficiencies (and downright stupidities) will just persist at a slightly reduced scale even if the added taxes are defeated, and that bureaucrats will gleefully axe useful programs in order to protect their own pay and benefits.  

This is especially true of the school tax Measure B (which even the Grumpies don’t officially oppose). A friend is a computer professional who used to teach an economical and effective computer class as a part-timer in a Berkeley school. He was replaced by a lot of expensive equipment and a couple of less well qualified full-time teachers who don’t know how to use it. But will he vote against Measure B? Of course not, because he knows, as do we, that a No on B vote won’t get to the heart of Berkeley Unified School District’s problems. Measure B has a core of dedicated watchdogs watching how its funds are used, and it only lasts for two years, so there’s really no excuse for voting against it. It needs a two-thirds vote.  

How about prostitution and drug dealing? Ballot initiatives on these topics are poorly drafted and would cause more problems than they solve. As far as prostitution is concerned, we have the old-fashioned idea that sex shouldn’t be work, but if it is, it should be subject to the same careful regulation of the workplace as any other form of paid labor. It’s one thing to decriminalize recreational sex, but sex as work should be much better regulated than Measure Q contemplates. Dispensing medicine, including marijuana, should also be done in controlled circumstances, for the protection of patients particularly, and putting dispensaries all over town, especially if they’re called clubs instead of clinics, won’t do anyone any good.  

Measure S, the Berkeley Tree Act, offers a useful and positive way to suggest to the city bureaucracy that they’re not doing everything right. True, it would add a couple of staffers to the budget, but they would be supervised by a citizen board which could make sure that their work actually contributed to the public good instead of just to their paychecks. In our experience (and you don’t even want to hear the stories) caring for Berkeley’s beleaguered urban forest is one area of government activity which could use a lot of improvement. Measure S offers a good place to start government reform, at a modest scale and for a realistic cost. Even the neo-Grumpies in BASTA (Berkeleyans Against Soaring Taxes) aren’t against it. We’re voting for it. 

That’s as far as we’ve gotten. Anything else, we haven’t decided yet. 

—Becky O’Malley 

 

Letters note: despite our best efforts, we weren’t able to squeeze them all in today. So we’ll run the rest of your letters which beat the Sunday deadline in Friday’s opinion section. No more election letters, please, but thanks for what you’ve sent already.