Tag Archives: Berkeley City Council

Op-Eds

final_hand

A compassionate sidewalks proposal

Although Berkeley voters rejected Measure S, a controversial proposal that would have criminalized sitting on commercial sidewalks, we shouldn’t mistake it as an endorsement of inaction. The simple fact still remains: We need to address homelessness. I didn’t support Measure S, but I’m not calling it a day, as many Read More…

Editorials

Beyond Measure S

CITY AFFAIRS: Following the failure of Berkeley’s proposed ban on sitting on commercial sidewalks, solutions to homelessness are still needed.

When Berkeley voters were weighing whether to approve Measure S, we hoped the ballot initiative would fail and force the local community to come up with better solutions to combat homelessness. Now, that moment has arrived. The measure, which would have prohibited sitting on commercial sidewalks in Berkeley during certain Read More…

Editorials

Same council, new mandate

CITY AFFAIRS: Following an election that reaffirmed the status quo on Berkeley City Council, officials must do a better job of working together.

Tuesday’s election results left the makeup of Berkeley City Council completely unchanged: All four incumbent council members were re-elected, as was Mayor Tom Bates. However, just because Berkeley’s main elected officials are the same does not mean their attitudes should remain static. The city’s challenges are steep, as exposed over Read More…

The Soapbox

For the record

I understand that my last column unintentionally caused offense over my reference to Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington as “Princess Worthington.” This reference is not in any way intended to offend, demean or imply anything concerning the council member’s sexual orientation. As an ally of the queer movement and as Read More…

Editorials

Affirming affordability

CITY AFFAIRS: While Berkeley’s new affordable housing mitigation fee may have unintended negative impacts, its overall result is positive.

Berkeley needs affordable housing. The city has the largest gap between rich and poor in the Bay Area, and 10 percent of households make less than $10,000 a year, according to The Bay Citizen. Thankfully, local leaders have established a tradition of promoting housing that the poorest residents can pay Read More…

Editorials

A lingering cannabis problem

CITY AFFAIRS: Local officials should act quickly to resolve concern in South Berkeley over a medical marijuana outfit that may be illegal.

South Berkeley residents have waited too long for the city to resolve their concerns about a potentially illegal medical marijuana operation. The allegations residents made against Perfect Plants Patients’ Group, also known as 3PG, are serious. Recently, the city has been looking into whether the facility, located on Sacramento Street, Read More…