Demonstrators, including councilmembers Kriss Worthington, Max Anderson and Dona Spring rallied in front of Old City Hall on Wednesday to denounce the Berkeley Chamber PAC’s campaign mailers, which Worthington said were full of “big lies.” Photograph by Mark Coplan.
Demonstrators, including councilmembers Kriss Worthington, Max Anderson and Dona Spring rallied in front of Old City Hall on Wednesday to denounce the Berkeley Chamber PAC’s campaign mailers, which Worthington said were full of “big lies.” Photograph by Mark Coplan.

Page One

Rally Slams Chamber PAC’s ‘Big Lies’

By Judith Scherr
Friday November 03, 2006

Slamming what they called the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce’s Karl Rove approach to local elections, some 125 people demonstrated Wednesday on the steps of Old City Hall to “say no to big money and big lies.” -more-



Late Breaking Election Letters

Friday November 03, 2006

BATES ON DEVELOPMENT -more-



University EIR Denies Criticisms From Stadium-Area Project Foes

By Richard Brenneman
Friday November 03, 2006

UC Regents will be asked this month to approve the first of a major series of projects at Berkeley’s Southeast Campus. -more-



THE DAILY PLANET ENDORSES

Friday November 03, 2006

THE DAILY PLANET ENDORSES -more-



Panoramic Hill Residents Say UC Stadium Plans Are Illegal

By Richard Brenneman
Friday November 03, 2006

Do UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium area development plans violate a state law created to save lives in major earthquakes by limiting new construction? -more-



More Last Minute Chamber Mailers Hit Mailboxes

By Judith Scherr
Friday November 03, 2006

While speakers at a noontime rally at Old City Hall were protesting a spate of Chamber of Commerce hit pieces received by voters over the past week, new mailers containing what Councilmember Dona Spring called “more brazen lies” were appearing in District 4 and District 7 mailboxes. -more-



Features

Peralta Trustee Race Raises Questions on Bond Money

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday November 03, 2006

Reaction to a Peralta Area 7 trustee candidates debate has raised questions about what local voters committed themselves to in last June’s Peralta Measure A bond vote. -more-


UC Student Election Forum Debates City Races

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday November 03, 2006

Student votes could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the District 7 and 8 Berkeley City Council races, according to UC Berkeley students who attended a local elections forum at Dwinelle Hall Wednesday. -more-


Maybeck Church Wins First in Internet Preservation Contest

By Richard Brenneman
Friday November 03, 2006

Berkeley’s first landmark has proved the Bay Area’s most popular—at least of the 25 structures Internet voters could pick to receive preservation funds. -more-


KPFA Listeners Race for Station Board Spots

By Judith Scherr
Friday November 03, 2006

The turn-of-the-century battle cry “Whose station? Our station!” echoed through Berkeley streets as KPFA listener-supporters fought in daily demonstrations for control of the left-leaning flagship Pacifica radio station. The resistance to an attempted takeover by the national board was won in the courts where, among other guarantees, local listeners got the right to elect local station boards. -more-


KPFA Independents Enter Fray

By Judith Scherr
Friday November 03, 2006

Eight candidates are running for the board as independents. -more-


Students Rally for Schools Measure

Photograph by Erik Pearson
Friday November 03, 2006

Cragmont Elementary students Alice Pearson Rickenbach, Emma Gordon, Katherine Gordon and parent David Adamson greet cars as they swing around the Marin Circle at a rally for Measure A on Monday. -more-


District 7 Tactics Similar to SF Supes Race

By Paul Hogarth, BeyondChron.org
Friday November 03, 2006

In San Francisco and Berkeley, progressive incumbents are under siege by heavily-funded campaigns for being “soft on crime.” In San Francisco, Supervisor Chris Daly has been barraged with hit-pieces by the Police Officers Association and challenger Rob Black. In Berkeley, City Councilman Kriss Worthington is on the receiving end of the most expensive campaign in that city’s history. Like Black, Worthington’s challenger (George Beier) has blamed the incumbent for a high crime rate in the district, filthy streets and a struggling economy. By making crime and quality-of-life issues a central theme of their campaigns, Black and Beier have both attacked the incumbents on an issue where any individual supervisor or city councilmember has little control. Beier has already spent $72,000 of his own money on mail pieces and free beer for Cal students, and the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce has kicked in an extra $9,000 in independent expenditures. All of this in a race where you need just 2,000 votes to win an election. -more-


A Look at State Props. 1A, 84, 1E, 89

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday November 03, 2006

Proposition 1A—Transportation Funding Protection -more-


Richmond Mayor Candidate Statement: Irma L. Anderson

By Irma L. Anderson
Friday November 03, 2006

Every city in California is struggling to maintain financial health after years of state takeaways. I’m most proud to have saved Richmond from the brink of financial disaster by firing management, bringing in the State Auditor, and making unpopular decisions to dramatically reduce our operating expenses to save our City from bankruptcy. Today, our City is in the black with a balanced budget and new leadership that I helped recruit, including our City Manager, our Finance Director and our Police Chief. -more-


Richmond Mayor Candidate Statements: Gary Bell

By Gary Bell
Friday November 03, 2006

I’ve achieved many of the things that I’ve wanted to achieve in life. I’m happily married, have a beautiful family, run a successful business, and have an amazing circle of friends. I want to give back to Richmond, the city that has given me so much. -more-


Richmond Mayor Candidate Statements: Gayle McLaughlin

By Gayle McLaughlin
Friday November 03, 2006

Richmond can be a great place … It is possible! In 2004 the City of Richmond was hit by a 35 million dollar tidal wave of a deficit that swept away over 200 city jobs and the few public services that Richmond residents could count on . In the throes of this disaster, I ran for the Richmond City Council offering a new vision and a new direction. I was elected with an overwhelming approval of the voters, and without taking a single dollar from corporate America. The people of Richmond were tired of decades of corruption, collusion, mismanagement and carelessness. -more-


ZAB Continues Hearing On Milo Foundation

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday November 03, 2006

The Zoning Adjustments Board decided last week to continue Milo Foundation’s hearing for a use permit to allow neighbors more time to mediate with the Solano Avenue pet adoption store. -more-


Police Blotter

By Richard Brenneman
Friday November 03, 2006

Hands off -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Friday November 03, 2006

ANIMAL SHELTER -more-


Commentary: Let’s Talk About Development...

By Tom Bates
Friday November 03, 2006

Those of us lucky enough to live in Berkeley celebrate its unique character—beautiful tree lined streets, craftsman houses, parks, shoreline, and much else. But the uniqueness of this place is more than just its appearance. We are all enriched by a vibrant arts and music scene, by a strong activist community, and by the diversity of people, cultures, and ideas. As this city evolves and changes with time, it is important to protect both parts of Berkeley’s heritage. -more-


Commentary: Bates Plays Politics With Voters, Animal Shelter and School District Finances

By Zelda Bronstein
Friday November 03, 2006

In November 2002, 68 percent of Berkeley voters said yes to Measure I, which authorized the city to issue $7.2 million of bonds for an urgently needed new animal shelter. Given that the other four city tax measures on the ballot failed to get the necessary two-thirds approval, Measure I’s victory was particularly impressive. Yet four years later, the city has not even secured a site, much less broken ground, for a new facility. Nothing. -more-


Commentary: Affordable Housing for Berkeley: Yes on Measure I

By Fern Leaf
Friday November 03, 2006

Home ownership remains a cornerstone of the American Dream. In 1993, unable to afford a San Francisco broom closet, I crossed the bay to purchase a sweet bungalow under $200,000. Today, Berkeley starter homes list at $600,000-$700,000. -more-


Commentary: Measure I is a Cruel Hoax

By Loni Hancock
Friday November 03, 2006

I have lived in Berkeley for over 40 years and care deeply about its future. I want my city to preserve its economic and cultural diversity and its commitment to basic fairness. For this reason, I have joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the Sierra Club, and many other community leaders and organizations in opposing Measure I, the eviction for condo ordinance. -more-


Commentary: Measure A Continues Our Commitment to Our Children

By Dan Lindheim
Friday November 03, 2006

Measure A gives Berkeley voters a clear choice: keep things financially as they are (a yes vote) or drastically cut school budgets by 25 percent (a no vote). -more-


Commentary: Measure A Directly Supports Berkeley Students

By Jodi Levin
Friday November 03, 2006

I’m a Measure A supporter and co-president of the PTA at Emerson Elementary. I’ve been out campaigning for Measure A on weekends and following the letters to the editor here in the Daily Planet. I’d like to address this letter to those Berkeley residents who may be on the fence about whether to support Measure A. -more-


Commentary: How the City Council Has Hurt Local Businesses

By Elliot Cohen
Friday November 03, 2006

With most Berkeley campaigns focusing on development, an important issue receiving too little attention is what City Hall is not doing to support local businesses. -more-


Commentary: Measure J and its Exemption From Proposition 90

By Laurie Bright
Friday November 03, 2006

The one thing that Mayor Bates and the Chamber of Commerce PAC won’t bring up in their campaign against Measure J is the fact that Measure J would be exempt from Proposition 90. -more-


Commentary: Saying Yes to the Future

By Shirley Dean
Friday November 03, 2006

Thirty-two years ago right here in Berkeley hundreds of wonderful old brown shingles, stucco bungalows, and Queen Anne Victorians were being torn down to make way for apartment buildings designed so poorly they were referred to as “refrigerator boxes.” Thousands more wonderful structures were threatened with plans to widen and connect streets, expand the University, and combine lots in the heart of residential neighborhoods so that taller apartment buildings, sometimes up to 10-stories, could be built. No neighborhood was safe, and it seemed no one could do anything to stop it. -more-


Commentary: Where’s the Free Speech?

By Ted Preisser
Friday November 03, 2006

The Patio is my favorite pub in all the world. Great food (one of the owners is a chef and the other’s a damn good cook), great conversation from owners and (some) customers, alike, and great beer. So why is this place going out of business? -more-


Commentary: Say No to the Cost of Oakland’s Measure N

By Jane Powell
Friday November 03, 2006

Everyone supports libraries—it’s like Mom and apple pie. But hardly any of the Measure N money is going to the branch libraries- instead it is going to build a new main library in a building that wasn’t meant for that purpose, for an unbelievable amount of money. This year I will be paying $77.42 per year on my prop tax bill for “City Library Serv.”—not a bond measure, but an assessment we were sold a few years ago in order to keep the libraries open and fully staffed. Meanwhile, the number of top-level managers has almost doubled—from eight in 2002 to fourteen now—does Carmen Martinez need that much help? -more-


Commentary: Buying a City Council Seat

By Rob Wrenn
Friday November 03, 2006

As the Daily Planet has reported George Beier is the biggest spender in this year’s local elections. In fact he has set a record for the most money ever spent on a City Council race. He had spent $72,150 as of Oct. 21. It’s quite likely he will top $100,000 before he’s done. To put this in perspective, Mayor Tom Bates had only spent $52,375 by October 21 and he is running citywide in all eight districts. -more-


Editorial

Editorial: Hit Pieces Damage Chamber’s Reputation

By Becky O’Malley
Friday November 03, 2006

The arrival of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce’s latest Measure J hit piece in mailboxes all over town on Wednesday generated a remarkable explosion of outrage from Berkeley citizens—it’s jammed our e-mail box. We’ve printed the largest Planet ever today, but it hasn’t got room for everything. You can read last-minute contributions on the web and in Tuesday’s paper, if you’re still undecided. -more-


Columns

Column: The View From Here: Confronting the Role Models of Hallowed Gangsters

By P.M. Price
Friday November 03, 2006

On the eve of Halloween while teaching a Berkeley class of second graders, the discussion naturally turned to the costumes the kids planned to wear on Halloween day. One of the boys grinned, with arms crossed and head tilted to the side. -more-


Column: Undercurrents: Brown Violates His Own Principles in AG Run

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday November 03, 2006

Some time ago, maybe more than once, I wrote in this column that in his campaign for California attorney general, Mayor Jerry Brown was going to use his Oakland track record in a different way than most politicians usually do. Politicians generally spotlight their positive achievements in office, and in his race against State Senator Chuck Poochigian, Mr. Brown has certainly done that. But in areas where Mr. Brown has failed in Oakland—and there were many such failures—he has excused those failures by putting the blame on Oakland. In effect, he’s been telling California voters that Oakland was so bad, nobody could fix it, and he wants voters to give him points for even giving it a good try. -more-


Undercurrents: Brown Violates His Own Principles in AG Run

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday November 03, 2006

Some time ago, maybe more than once, I wrote in this column that in his campaign for California attorney general, Mayor Jerry Brown was going to use his Oakland track record in a different way than most politicians usually do. Politicians generally spotlight their positive achievements in office, and in his race against State Senator Chuck Poochigian, Mr. Brown has certainly done that. But in areas where Mr. Brown has failed in Oakland—and there were many such failures—he has excused those failures by putting the blame on Oakland. In effect, he’s been telling California voters that Oakland was so bad, nobody could fix it, and he wants voters to give him points for even giving it a good try. -more-


Cal Ink: Etched into the History of the 20th Century

By Susan Cerny
Friday November 03, 2006

During the first 75 years of the 20th century, West Berkeley was the location of many manufacturing plants that produced diverse products from vegetable oil to ink, and from huge hydraulic pumps to tanned hides. -more-


The Worms Go In, The Worms Go Out

By Ron Sullivan
Friday November 03, 2006

I was working with a couple of young volunteers from UC’s redoubtable Habitat for Humanity group last weekend when one of them exclaimed, “Yuck! I found a worm.” -more-


Quake Tip of the Week: What Are We Thinking?

By Larry Guillot
Friday November 03, 2006

There’s an old saying ... “Da Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt.” No, denial is alive and well right here in the Bay Area. -more-


About the House: The Merits and Problems of Pressure-Treated Wood

By Matt Cantor
Friday November 03, 2006

The construction world is in love with novelty. Every year, trade shows display the latest inventions and materials with promises of low cost, easy installation and life-long service. Of course, these things never turn out to be as true as presented and the buyer must always beware. -more-


Arts & Events

Staged Readings at Buriel Clay Playwright’s Festival

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Friday November 03, 2006

The First Annual Buriel Clay Playwrights’ Festival will play all next week, Monday through Saturday evenings, Nov. 6-11 (Mon. at 7:30 p.m., Tues.-Sat. at 8 p.m.), at the African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St. (at Webster) in San Francisco, featuring the work of local playwrights, as well as participants from Sacramento, Los Angeles and New York. -more-


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Friday November 03, 2006

Around The East Bay

Friday November 03, 2006


The Theater: Dysfunctional Crime Family at TheatreFIRST

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Friday November 03, 2006

Music Without Borders by Del Sol Quartet

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Friday November 03, 2006

Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Friday November 03, 2006

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Hit Pieces Damage Chamber’s Reputation 11-03-2006

Editorial: Big Lie Politics Creeps into Berkeley Elections 10-31-2006

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 11-03-2006

Commentary: Let’s Talk About Development... By Tom Bates 11-03-2006

Commentary: Bates Plays Politics With Voters, Animal Shelter and School District Finances By Zelda Bronstein 11-03-2006

Commentary: Affordable Housing for Berkeley: Yes on Measure I By Fern Leaf 11-03-2006

Commentary: Measure I is a Cruel Hoax By Loni Hancock 11-03-2006

Commentary: Measure A Continues Our Commitment to Our Children By Dan Lindheim 11-03-2006

Commentary: Measure A Directly Supports Berkeley Students By Jodi Levin 11-03-2006

Commentary: How the City Council Has Hurt Local Businesses By Elliot Cohen 11-03-2006

Commentary: Measure J and its Exemption From Proposition 90 By Laurie Bright 11-03-2006

Commentary: Saying Yes to the Future By Shirley Dean 11-03-2006

Commentary: Where’s the Free Speech? By Ted Preisser 11-03-2006

Commentary: Say No to the Cost of Oakland’s Measure N By Jane Powell 11-03-2006

Commentary: Buying a City Council Seat By Rob Wrenn 11-03-2006

Letters to the Editor 10-31-2006

Commentary: Say No to Slash-and-Burn Politics By Wendy Markel 10-31-2006

Commentary: Berkeley Needs Measure A By Sheila Jordan 10-31-2006

Commentary: Why You Should Vote for Measure A— Even if You Don’t Have Children in the Public Schools By Christine Staples 10-31-2006

Commentary: Chamber of Commerce Is Out of Touch By Rob Wrenn 10-31-2006

Commentary: Oakland Measure Will Not Aid Libraries By Zoia Horn 10-31-2006

Commentary: A Disenchanted Berkeley Homeowner’s Voting Guide By Barbara Gilbert 10-31-2006

News

Rally Slams Chamber PAC’s ‘Big Lies’ By Judith Scherr 11-03-2006

Late Breaking Election Letters 11-03-2006

University EIR Denies Criticisms From Stadium-Area Project Foes By Richard Brenneman 11-03-2006

THE DAILY PLANET ENDORSES 11-03-2006

Panoramic Hill Residents Say UC Stadium Plans Are Illegal By Richard Brenneman 11-03-2006

More Last Minute Chamber Mailers Hit Mailboxes By Judith Scherr 11-03-2006

Peralta Trustee Race Raises Questions on Bond Money By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 11-03-2006

UC Student Election Forum Debates City Races By Riya Bhattacharjee 11-03-2006

Maybeck Church Wins First in Internet Preservation Contest By Richard Brenneman 11-03-2006

KPFA Listeners Race for Station Board Spots By Judith Scherr 11-03-2006

KPFA Independents Enter Fray By Judith Scherr 11-03-2006

Students Rally for Schools Measure Photograph by Erik Pearson 11-03-2006

District 7 Tactics Similar to SF Supes Race By Paul Hogarth, BeyondChron.org 11-03-2006

A Look at State Props. 1A, 84, 1E, 89 By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 11-03-2006

Richmond Mayor Candidate Statement: Irma L. Anderson By Irma L. Anderson 11-03-2006

Richmond Mayor Candidate Statements: Gary Bell By Gary Bell 11-03-2006

Richmond Mayor Candidate Statements: Gayle McLaughlin By Gayle McLaughlin 11-03-2006

ZAB Continues Hearing On Milo Foundation By Riya Bhattacharjee 11-03-2006

Police Blotter By Richard Brenneman 11-03-2006

Six Fires Set in Telegraph Area By Richard Brenneman 10-31-2006

Chamber of Commerce Spends Big Bucks to Stop Landmarks Update By Richard Brenneman 10-31-2006

Other Campaign Efforts Dwarfed By Chamber PAC By Richard Brenneman 10-31-2006

Rally on Wednesday Against Chamber Hit Pieces 10-31-2006

Money Talks in Berkeley City Council Campaigns By Judith Scherr 10-31-2006

Candidates Outraged by Latest Chamber Hit Pieces By Judith Scherr 10-31-2006

Dellums Comes Out Against Oakland Unified Land Sale By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 10-31-2006

Measure I Proposes Big Changes in City’s Condo Law By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 10-31-2006

Mailed Ballots Require Two Stamps By Judith Scherr 10-31-2006

Measure A Extends Current School Funding For 10 More Years By Riya Bhattacharjee 10-31-2006

North Shattuck Plaza Plans Encounter a Few Skeptics By Riya Bhattacharjee 10-31-2006

Police Botter By Richard Brenneman 10-31-2006

Candidate Statements: Oakland District 2 City Council Candidate Statement: Aimee Allison By Aimee Allison 10-31-2006

News Analysis: Journalist’s Death Brings Oaxaca to World’s Attention By Mary Jo McConahay, New America Media 10-31-2006

Columns

Column: The View From Here: Confronting the Role Models of Hallowed Gangsters By P.M. Price 11-03-2006

Column: Undercurrents: Brown Violates His Own Principles in AG Run By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 11-03-2006

Undercurrents: Brown Violates His Own Principles in AG Run By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 11-03-2006

Cal Ink: Etched into the History of the 20th Century By Susan Cerny 11-03-2006

The Worms Go In, The Worms Go Out By Ron Sullivan 11-03-2006

Quake Tip of the Week: What Are We Thinking? By Larry Guillot 11-03-2006

About the House: The Merits and Problems of Pressure-Treated Wood By Matt Cantor 11-03-2006

Column: The Public Eye: One, Two, Three, What Are We Voting For? By Bob Burnett 10-31-2006

Column: Kiss My Mortgage Payments Good-Bye By Susan Parker 10-31-2006

Ghostly Tree of Many Names Feeds Us and the Trickster Alike By Ron Sullivan, Special to the Planet 10-31-2006

Arts & Events

Arts Calendar 11-03-2006

Around The East Bay 11-03-2006

Moving Pictures: ‘Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple’ By Justin DeFreitas 11-03-2006

The Theater: Dysfunctional Crime Family at TheatreFIRST By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 11-03-2006

Music Without Borders by Del Sol Quartet By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 11-03-2006

Staged Readings at Buriel Clay Playwright’s Festival By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 11-03-2006

Cal Ink: Etched into the History of the 20th Century By Susan Cerny 11-03-2006

The Worms Go In, The Worms Go Out By Ron Sullivan 11-03-2006

Quake Tip of the Week: What Are We Thinking? By Larry Guillot 11-03-2006

About the House: The Merits and Problems of Pressure-Treated Wood By Matt Cantor 11-03-2006

Berkeley This Week 11-03-2006

Arts Calendar 10-31-2006

Arts: Photos of 1960s Berkeley at Art Center By Peter Selz, Special to the Planet 10-31-2006

Moving Pictures: PFA Celebrates the Genius of Janus By Justin DeFreitas 10-31-2006

Moving Pictures: Portrait of the Adolescent By Justin DeFreitas 10-31-2006

Arts: ‘Passing Strange’ At Berkeley Rep By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 10-31-2006

Arts: Cerrito Theater Re-Opens After 40 Years By Justin DeFreitas 10-31-2006

Arts: ‘Casablanca’ In El Cerrito By Justin DeFreitas 10-31-2006

Books: Bay Area Bookstores Get Back to the Basics By Sindya N. Bhanoo, Special to the Planet 10-31-2006

Arts: Around the East Bay 10-31-2006

Ghostly Tree of Many Names Feeds Us and the Trickster Alike By Ron Sullivan, Special to the Planet 10-31-2006

Berkeley This Week 10-31-2006