For the background behind the six public waterfront access parks, see Part One in last week’s edition.
Part Two
In recent weeks the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) convened an official walking tour of the six parklets, and the Alamedans who came out were shown all the encroached upon public waterfront land along Fernside Boulevard and Eastshore Drive. In addition on Oct. 6 and 11, ARPD held two public meetings at City Hall for Alameda residents.
Former Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach was absolved of any wrongdoing by the Alameda County District Attorney’s (DA) office after secretly recording a meeting that involved her, Vice Mayor Malia Vella and Councilmember Jim Oddie.
“I am extremely grateful to the District Attorney’s office for its careful examination of all the facts in this case and concluding that I told the truth in the face of extreme political pressure,” stated Keimach in a press release.
The Alameda Fire Deparment received some help from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, last Friday, during the annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch hosted by the department. Kids of all ages get to take a home a free pumpkin each year at the event which took place for the 19th year. The man behind the patch (and behind Presley’s sunglasses) is Alameda firefighter, Adam Sizemore, who has organized the event at Franklin Park for many years.
The city is seeking parties interested in restoring and leasing the Carnegie Building and, perhaps, the adjoining Foster House. The 1903 Carnegie Building, one of the first three libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie in California, is on the National Register of Historic Places. C.H. Foster, the contractor who built the library, lived in the house next door.
The No on K committee held a rally Saturday, Oct. 13, in front of 470 Central Ave., the first Alameda apartment building to experience a complete eviction of its occupants. The committee is working to defeat Measure K to keep Alameda’s rent law, Ordinance 3148, from being added to the City Charter.
“Our renters are not second-class citizens,” said Cheri Johansen the committee’s field coordinator. “They deserve true protections; an end to no-cause evictions and annual caps on rent increases.”
