Author Archives: Irene

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 →

Posted in Environment, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in City Hall, Elections | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Support Local News Publications

Posted on December 22, 2022 by Irene

Many communities do not have any local news publications, but Alameda is blessed to have three!   The Alameda Sun is where the city publishes all its public notices and covers local issues.  The East Bay Time’s Alameda Journal reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Election Results Reveal Need for Ranked Choice Voting

Posted on December 10, 2022 by Irene

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) was a topic of discussion at Alameda’s 2022 candidate forums and in written questionnaires.  That’s because the voting method is needed in Alameda.  The recent election illustrates the value of RCV.  Majority Rule RCV ensures that … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ranked Choice Voting Gaining Steam

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Irene

Ranked Choice Voting gathered steam in the 2022 election.  From statewide to county and city races, the voting method of ranking candidates by preference was adopted by voters in eight more places.  Plus hundreds of thousands of voters across America, … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Encinal Terminals Project Approved

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Irene

In a nail-biter finish, the Alameda City Council approved the revised Encinal Terminals project, including the proposed land exchange.  The project promises to turn a blighted industrial site into a mixed-use development with 589 homes, a Bay Trail waterfront promenade … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Housing, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Waterfront Housing Proposal Returns Again

Posted on December 30, 2021 by Irene

The Encinal Terminals project is coming back before the city council for the third time on January 4, 2022.  [Continued to January 18.]  The proposed project would be located on an old shipping site along the Oakland Estuary, behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Housing, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cliffs at Crown Beach

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Irene

More than five inches of rain pummeled Alameda on October 24, making it the wettest October day ever. The storm washed away tons of sand along Crown Memorial State Beach and Alameda Beach, leaving cliffs at the edge of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crab Cove Park Expansion Options Being Vetted

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Irene

The East Bay Regional Park District is gathering community input about how to further develop its park at Crab Cove on Crown Beach.  The park district acquired an extra four acres there in 2016. The park district has grouped possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Trial by Data

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Irene

The verdict is in.  Alameda’s current voting system falls short on a number of counts. On April 27, the Alameda League of Women Voters hosted a forum that compared various election methods:  Alameda’s current plurality-at-large system, plurality by districts, ranked-choice … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment