Author Archives: Irene

Get Pumped

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Irene

Sea level rise will eventually come, but a much more immediate threat to Alameda is flooding caused by stalled, prolonged storm systems.  Major storms are becoming more common as the changing climate causes erratic, unpredictable and devastating weather events. In … Continue reading →

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Take a Hike (and a Survey)

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Irene

As the East Bay Regional Park District celebrates its 85th anniversary and makes plans for the future, they want to know what features and activities locals would like to see added, and what you think can be improved.  All are … Continue reading →

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

Enviros Turn the Tide

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Irene

What started off under the radar ended up in the spotlight. On June 18, the city council unanimously rejected a lease at Alameda Point for a digital data storage facility that would have been part of “the cloud.”  Just six … Continue reading →

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Holy Smokes!

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Irene

What a mess!  City staff made a mistake by not telling the city council that the amendments to the marijuana (cannabis) ordinance they were considering had not been properly noticed to the public.  Instead of admitting and fixing their mistake, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Businesses, City Hall, Open Government | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Taking the Initiative

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Irene

The new year started with a bang at city hall. On January 2, 2019, the city council decided to put a measure on the ballot that challenges the McKay Avenue Open Space initiative previously qualified by citizens wanting to zone … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Housing, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Will the real progressives please stand up?

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Irene

Here we go again.  It is unfortunate that yet another Alameda mayor has been elected without majority support.  Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft won the seat with only 41.97 percent of the vote.  Blame it on Alameda’s use of a plurality voting … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Best bargain on the ballot!

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Irene

For only $1 a month we can keep Crown Beach maintained, the Crab Cove Visitors Center open year-round, and much more.  What a bargain! Measure FF continues for 20 years the East Bay Regional Park District’s current parcel tax of … Continue reading →

Posted in Elections, Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Fill in the Blanks at Encinal Terminals

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Irene

We’re almost there.  The Master Plan for the Encinal Terminals project near Clement Avenue will be back before the city council on September 4.  This time the controversial swap of public tideland is off the table. The revised and improved … Continue reading →

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Another One Hits the Road

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Irene

What a shame.  What a loss. The latest person to give their departure notice to the city is Alameda’s Base Reuse and Transportation Planning Director Jennifer Ott.  She is going to serve the City of Hayward as their deputy city … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Missing the Boat

Posted on July 9, 2018 by Irene

Current policy decisions are shaping our shoreline’s future, and Alameda is missing the boat. On May 30, the planning board unanimously approved a plan for the Alameda Marina that provides protection for three feet of sea level rise, even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Elections, Environment | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment