The City of Alameda announced on Feb. 22 that it will be preparing an environmental impact report (EIR) on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) project for a health clinic and columbarium at Alameda Point. The VA completed its environmental review for the project in 2013. The deadline for commenting on what the city should evaluate is tomorrow, Friday, March 22.
I am often asked questions like, “What does the Black community think about [insert some random issue]?” I usually respond, “I am not Alameda’s Negro spokesman.” And, I don’t know if Alameda still has a Black community.
Since the 1990s, forced migration, displacement, along with class dynamics and demographic changes, have complicated the continuity and sense of a “Black community” in Alameda.
Following the retirement of Alameda City Attorney Janet Kern last December, the City of Alameda began a recruitment process for a new City Attorney. From the 15 applications received, the top four candidates were invited to interview with the City Council. At the conclusion of those interviews, Yibin Shen was identified as the top candidate.
As a first-time judge for the City of Alameda’s Season for Nonviolence Speech Contest held last Saturday at City Hall, I have to say, Alameda’s young generation has some bright stars ready to lead humanity into the future. The combination of poise, creativity and clarity woven into stories of personal experience and exhortations to action brought tears to my eyes more than once.
