The Editor's Back Fence

For the next couple of weeks we’ll be on vacation. What that means is irregular Internet access, so there will not be a “new issue” date for the Planet. If and when new articles come in, I’ll try to add them to the current issue when I can, but no promises.

While I’m gone I urge Berkeleyans to keep a close watch on city government via the city website, including videos of the City Council and the Zoning Adjustment Board. There will probably also be some coverage on dailycal.org and berkeleyside.com.

The Bates/Capitelli crowd will be making its usual depressing attempt to sneak bad plans past an unwary electorate before the long summer vacation. In particular, at 5 p.m. on June 25 the council overlords plan to ram through a cheapo version of what’s laughably called significant community benefits, just in time for the Zoning Adjustment Board later in the evening to approve the environmental impact report for 2211 Harold Way. That is a destructive and ugly project that will do absolutely nothing good for the people of Berkeley, and will close the beloved Landmark Shattuck cinemas for a minimum of three years and perhaps permanently. Don't let them get away with it.