Author Archives: Irene

Not a Forest Without More Trees

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Irene

A written plan loses its meaning if no measurable milestones are in place. Much of the city’s newly released draft Urban Forest Plan update spells out in great detail guidelines for selecting, planting, removing and caring for trees.  It sets … Continue reading →

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Alameda Shoreline Takes a Beating from Storms, Again

Posted on December 28, 2024 by Irene

Wave goodbye to what was once Alameda’s shoreline.  On December 14 and 15, King Tides coupled with storm surges eroded huge portions of Alameda’s man-made beaches and dunes. Waves washed away tons of sand and dislodged heavy boulders and bags … Continue reading →

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Local Sierra Club Faces Takeover

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Irene

Some say it feels like a coup is underway. Others say it’s simply democracy in action. Mountain bikers are flooding meetings of the Bay Area Chapter of the Sierra Club, recruiting people to join the organization, and are working to unseat … Continue reading →

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County Supervisors Tighten Up Election Procedures

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Irene

Alameda County never again wants to see a repeat of the gross mistake made in the November 2022 election, when the wrong winner was declared in the Oakland school board race.  After that election, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors … Continue reading →

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City Council Employs Double Standard on Voting Reform

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Irene

At its April 2 meeting, the city council, after agreeing to lower the cost of candidate statements, considered reviewing other electoral reforms such as campaign finance, ranked choice voting, carving the city into election districts, and expanding the size of … Continue reading →

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Open Government May Close

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Irene

On February 20, the city council will decide the fate of the Open Government Commission and whether there will be any meaningful oversight of the council itself. On the table is whether to continue having the commission hear complaints about … Continue reading →

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Beach Restroom Project Halted to Raise Elevation

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Irene

The restroom project on Alameda’s beach at Shore Line Drive and Grand Street has turned out to be a real pisser.   Construction of the new restroom began in early 2023, after years of planning and obtaining clearances.  The project was … Continue reading →

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New Streetscapes for a Healthier Bay

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Irene

Three street intersections along Central Avenue will be getting a makeover to render them better for the environment. The intersections will incorporate bioretention facilities, which are special soil and vegetation features that help filter out harmful chemicals from stormwater runoff … Continue reading →

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Trash Pollution at MLK Shoreline is Out of Control

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Irene

Buckets and gloves are not enough, according to volunteers who have been picking up trash in the marsh wetlands at Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline for years. “I’ve been cleaning this shoreline since 2018,” said Alameda resident Jim DuPont.  … Continue reading →

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Bigger Council Is Not Better

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Irene

Out of the blue, Councilmember Tony Daysog suddenly has a new priority.  He wants to expand the city council from five to seven members.  (Daysog’s Swearing-in Ceremony Speech, Alameda Sun, Dec. 29) What gives?  This expansion was not part of … Continue reading →

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