Comments on: Open Thread

By: len raphael

len raphael — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:31:08 +0000

obama’s sec of ed has a record of supporting charter schools. the new sec of homeland security has a record of tightening up AZ border crossings. interesting implications for local and state policy, and unions.

assume there wb have to be another big stimulous bill, because this one seems like it will barely make ripples in unemployment and state/local cutbacks.

By: oaklandhappenings

oaklandhappenings — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:54:42 +0000

20 hours to go, before the Fox Grand opening. Okay, that’s it– I’m through with the suspense associated with counting down; let the real deal occur!

By: Ralph

Ralph — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:22:59 +0000

On Tesla, I too thought it would be a good pick up for Oakland. It fit nicely with Doolittle’s Green Plan. But what makes SJ a better draw than Oakland – education?. Both cities have about the same % of people over 25 with either an undergrad or grad degree (SJ: 32%; Oak: 31%). So it ain’t education. But by the numbers, SJ has over 2x Oakland in these key demographic metric, 180K v 80K. Thus looking at the depth of the talent pool SJ looks more attractive.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:13:47 +0000

Hmmm… Oakland City Council considering spending $50k for a “national search” for a new Police Chief. Hey Ron, save us the $50k and just appoint Lindheim.

By: oaklandhappenings

oaklandhappenings — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:30:14 +0000

Now, as I type, we are less than 45 hours away from the Fox’s Grand opening!
I plan to be outside watching the good folks–who shelled out 200+ smackers each to get attend–enter this marvel. The marquee’s letter lights are now all fixed up, after a few being burned out last month. The paving in front of the entrance is finally done, with the Broadway-style lamps placed in front of the theater; they–along with the sign–help make the theater’s exterior visible all the way from the corner of Alice & 19th St, after dark 5 blocks away. Look forward to Friday, standing at Latham Square looking north, seeing the Fox, Paramount (and smaller Uptown-Nightclub sign) all beaming and beaconing 6-7,000 people in their direction: from downtown, north Oakland, and even from the air! The Fox’s marquee top is like a flame! It would be fun if a plane could fly at just the right angle, taking off or coming in, to see all the lights shining. Of course, on the other side of the Lake, you have the Grand Lake Theater marqee and sign, as well as–most of the time–the Parkway. It will be theater night in Oaktown! Go enjoy it (Art Murmur as well).
Tomorrow will be my LAST “countdown” post on this, I promise–duh!

By: oaklandhappenings

oaklandhappenings — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:28:12 +0000

BTW– is the council’s approval–or disapproval–of Lindheim Tuesday during a regular city hall meeting, or behind closed doors? Do citizens have a chance to voice their opinions first before they vote, as with the case at other CC meetings? Just wondering.

Off-topic– only 90-ish more hours until the Fox’s grand opening!

By: oaklandhappenings

oaklandhappenings — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:26:24 +0000

Max, good points. I forgot about Dellums’ stupidity that day, and yes, it was likely the reason that the protest got worse.

By: Max Allstadt

Max Allstadt — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:43:46 +0000

Well if Meserle is about to make bail, I strongly recommend that Alameda Superior Court and OPD and anyone else involved do some pre-emptive outreach. I don’t know how much it will help. The mayor tried to put out a calming press release and the reaction was broken windows on an unmarked with police in it, right?

If OPD or the Sheriff’s Office is listening – PLEASE, try to seek out the more peaceful and rational leaders of protest movements, and beg them to distribute the Gandhi and MLK protest rules that I linked to above. I don’t know how much it will help, but it can’t hurt.

Anything we can do to transform destructive outrage into constructive dissent is worth trying. It’s also worth getting the most senior person (judge?) to issue a public comment on the release.

This is a situation where the guy’s entire family and multiple friends on the force are laying their asses on the line. Flight risk seems like zero. As far as racial bias in bail hearings go, I’m betting this number is much larger than many other homicides, right? That needs to be a talking point.

I sincerely hope that by taking steps ahead of time we can keep our city from being torn up again.

By: JB

JB — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:19:15 +0000

Max-

My understanding is that Mehserle’s extended family & friends have been able to come up with about $2.9 million and that many others are helping to raise the additional $100K. It will not take much longer. (FYI: Bail bondsmen collect a 10% fee for posting a bond. So, in this case, the family is forced to post the entire $3M or else lose $300K to a bondsman.)

By: Quercki M. Singer

Quercki M. Singer — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:42:22 +0000

Speaking of retail, the Oakland Tribune keeps having a Penny’s insert. I call Penny and ask where there is a Penny’s store. I point out that Richmond is four cities away and ask for one in Oakland. Maybe it will help.