Letters to the Editor
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Editor:
The Alameda Homeless Network on behalf of the Midway Shelter for abused women and their children extends it heartfelt thanks to those individuals and groups who have contributed to the shelter during the month of February. A number of these generous donors have contributed several times during this period. One donor wished to remain
anonymous.
We’d like to thank Barbara Anderson; Linda Clerkson and Girish Balachandran; A. Louise and Carl Champion; and Robert McBride. Mary Scott donated in memory of Mary Kennedy. Paula Patillo-Dupree showed her generosity as did Sothera Sang; Tim and Rose Leaphart; the Women’s Fellowship at First Congregational Church; and Betty Sanderson.
The Isle City Institute #51 YLI opened their wallets and their hearts, as did Penny Cozad; Marilyn Appezzato; Louis and Susan Freeman; Joanne Robinson and Virginia Krutilek. The women and children at Midway Shelter would also like to thank Barbara Wildman; Mary Ruth Tarpley; Juelle-Ann Boyer; Susan and Richard Osanna; and Diane Coler-Dark. Bev Moore’s gift to the center honored Krutilek and Robinson.
Mary Lee Kieffer and Audrey Aljoe gave generously to the shelter in February, as did Maryle Eade; Linda and Bruce Tripp; Ann Walker and Patricia Sahadi. The firm of Hewitt, Jones & Fitch; the Bank of Marin; Dolores Bartalini; Jan Ortner; Suzanne Martin; and Beverly Church all gave in February, as did Dorie Behrstock; Rich and Susan Sherratt; an Lois Pryor.
If you would like to join this list of generous people send your donation to Alameda Homeless Network, P.O. Box 951, Alameda, CA 94501. To learn more call 523-2377 or visit www.midwayshelter.org.
Editor:
I read with interest your front page story about Alameda Point ("Navy Issues Cleanup Plan for Alameda Point," Feb. 27.) I have question: Since when does sowing grass seed on a waste dump make it a "recreational area." Since when is it OK to build houses where oil tanks once stood? I hope the city has paid its insurance policies well into the next century.
Editor:
The proposed land deal that involves the city, the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) and the Alameda Housing Authority has a complex and somewhat confusing series of deals. Most residents have little if any knowledge about the five aspects of this deal:
- The tidelands property
- Agreements and disagreements with the city surrounding the high schools’ swimming pools
- The properties on the table at today’s Alameda Point
- The former Island High School site on Eagle Avenue at Everett Street
- The $ 4.6 million the city has held in trust for AUSD.
City and school district leaders are attempting to rush this deal through without a deep and thorough public discussion. What’s your hurry folks? If the deal is as good as City Manager John Russo, AUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital and Housing Department Executive Director Michael Pucci believe it to be, it should be able to stand public scrutiny.
Isn’t the school district in the process of creating yet another long-term master plan? How does the proposed deal fit in? Prudent long range planning should not be rushed with so little public input.
Have all the properties been professionally appraised or are we just guessing their value? I promise that developer Tim Lewis Communities knows exactly how much the Tidelands property is worth. As a homeowner, business owner and voter I would like to see the entire deal laid out publicly with facts, figures, maps, charts and long term plans before we sell, trade or give anything away.
We cannot and should not trust our city and school district leaders to make deals of this magnitude.
Examples of AUSD’s poor long-range thinking includes the recent decision to move the Alameda Community Learning Center again after just one year at the Wood Middle School site. The school district spent close to $500,000 to fence in the unused portion of the Historic Alameda High School building and is spending millions to move the school district headquarters.
Examples of the city’s poor long-range planning go back decades and are too numerous to mention here. In closing, I encourage our city leaders to slow down, show all your cards and do your long range planning in the full light of day.
