 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
Home Resource Center In the News Home Greenbelt Alliance in the News |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
Greenbelt Alliance In the News
October 19, 2004 A City Council
candidates forum schedule ... Subheading By Susan Fuller, STAFF WRITERA City Council candidates forum scheduled for Wednesday and sponsored by organizations promoting open space, affordable housing and so-called smart growth on has become a hot topic. Members of HOMES (Housing Opportunities Make Economic Sense), Urban Ecology, Bike Alameda, Greenbelt Alliance, Alameda Transit Advocates and East Bay Housing Organizations say they intend only to question council candidates Doug deHaan, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Marie Gilmore, Pat Bail and Ruben Tilos in the evening forum in the council chambers. "In my opinion, this is campaigning," said Vice Mayor Tony Daysog, who, with Mayor Beverly Johnson, called for a council discussion of the policy on the use of city rooms. "It's inappropriate to have campaigning in City Hall. "HOMES is an organization dedicated to changing (density-limiting) Measure A. This isn't about gathering information." Daysog's move is an attempt to bottle up discussion, contended HOMES member Doug Linney. "It's a non-partisan forum. We're trying to get information to the public on housing, transportation and traffic issues. What's there to be afraid of?" "I don't intend to have the words 'Measure A' cross my lips," said HOMES chairwoman Helen Sause. Measure A is the charter amendment that prohibits housing construction larger than a duplex in Alameda. The discussion on use of the appropriateness of this forum and the general policy on use of city meeting space by outside organizations will be held during tonight's council meeting. About a month ago, the city gave a permit to use the Council Chambers to Alameda-based HOMES under a policy that spells out procedures and limitations for use of city facilities. Daysog wants the permit to be revoked, whether by city staff or council direction. Johnson thinks it would be unfair to cancel the forum on such short notice but wants to work on a more detailed policy. "I hoped it could have been handled administratively, by the city manager or city attorney," Daysog said "I don't think it's right for the city to appear to have a role in the election of candidates," Johnson said. She thinks it would be unfair to cancel this permit on less than one-day's notice. Reach reporter Susan Fuller at 748-1659 or sfuller@cctimes.com. ### |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
