A Pox on Kiosks Redux

Worries over the pandemic problems raised by the prospect of towering electronic bulletin-board kiosks installed on Berkeley sidewalks has receive some validation. The concerns are that the IKE Kiosks—designed to attract passersby and encourage them to touch the interactive screen repeatedly in search of information on local businesses and entertainment—could become viral "superspreaders."

This concern has now spread to another potential virus-vector—street lights with pedestrian "walk" buttons.

At intersections around town, public announcements have been appearing above the "Walk/Don't Walk" buttons on heavily trafficked intersections.

The signs read: "Don't Spread Covid-19! Don't Push the Button! Walk sign is now automated. Wait for [symbol of a pedestrian] to cross. APS push button still works for blind or visually impaired." -more-

Things are different now, and it's time for thoughtful reconsideration.

People's Park itself is different, having suffered UC's chainsaw display destroying hundred year-old redwoods, oaks, and pine. Community resistance and a court-ordered stay put an end to the destruction. It's still People's Park, but now resembles the park some of us remember from 1972, a park with a lot of work to do to restore gardens and replant trees after UC's repeated efforts to destroy the garden that stopped a war.

The awareness level of community-wide resistance is different now, too. Few acknowledged before today the fact of the potential for violence over the park despite years of historic battles more famous than the university itself. Whoever it is among the UC regents, UC's administration, or city leadership who thought twelve stories of construction on People's Park would be easily accomplished knows what the Alameda County Sheriff's Office has plainly stated: this will not be easy and could cost lives.

But there's another important consideration, especially for a Berkeley City Council which has yet to even meet with representatives of the People's Park Historic District Advocacy Group (PPHDAG)[1], a group which successfully envisioned not just the historic Park's retention as open space but its use as the primary vantage point for the wealth of more than a dozen landmarked historic properties surrounding it like a necklace of architectural jewels.

The People's Park Historic District Advocacy Group's success in getting unanimous support at the California Historic Commission's hearing and the admission of People's Park to the National Register of Historic Places accomplished at least two crucial things. First, Berkeley's internecine squabbles over the Park's use, abuse, and future are no longer as important as its recognition as a national historic resource now belonging to the nation, not just the UC administration, a crucial repository of shared history.

The second is the recognition which should obligate the Berkeley City Council and the university to respect a national review process different from what little local process was offered to the public before this moment, a moment severely compromised by the pandemic in any event. People's Park is nationally recognized as a significant representation of our shared history, and its alteration or loss is now the legal purview of a much wider group of people who recognize the site's historic importance along with that of Kent State.

The Berkeley City Council lit the fuse, covered its eyes, and put its fingers in its ears long before People's Park's recent inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. It's time to listen and to reconsider. They can choose a bloodbath on southside. Or they can mark this moment by honoring the scholarship and research this effort took years to bring about with an appropriate ceremonial recognition when the Berkeley City Council comes back from its recess. It's time, at the very least, to recognize that we don't need to destroy parks to create housing given the abundance of alternative locations both on and off campus for not just more housing, but more parks, a recognition which is required by CEQA. The more housing we create, the more parks we need.

You may have heard the astounding statistic estimating that about one in four adults suffer from some type of mental condition in a given year. Additionally, if my memory serves me, one in three hundred adults suffer from a schizophrenic-type illness. -more-

Comedian and activist, Jon Stewart arrived in Washington with a clear agenda, - passage of the PACT Act to help veterans suffering from health problems related to toxic burn pits. Jon’s rapid-fire diatribes shamed Republicans who had previously blocked passage of the bill claiming there was insufficient funding. Jon exposed the hypocrisy, blatant falsehood and flip-flopping forcing Republicans to acquiesce and support the bill. -more-

I think I love August with city council on vacation. This coming week looks wonderfully light. -more-

On August 8, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) served a court-authorized search warrant on Trump. The focus of the FBI search of Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago seemed to be focused on records Trump admitted failing to return to the Archives after he left office for obstruction of justice, violating the Espionage Act and the removal or destruction of records. -more-

Thanks for asking--those of you who have wondered why there's no new issue this week. The Berkeley City Council has entered its long vacation, and much of city government has slowed to a crawl. Submissions to the BDP are also lagging. I've decided to slow down myself for this couple of weeks. When interesting articles come in, I'll just add them to the current issue when I get around to it. -more-

Worth Noting:

Monday – The noon Community for a Cultural Civic Center meeting really does meet for only 1 hour and looks to be updates. Peace and Justice Commission meets in the evening at 7 pm. I will be attending only because I try to track city meetings and summarize what happened for you.

Wednesday - WETA (ferry service) has a planning workshop at 10 am in the morning and board meeting in the afternoon at 1 pm. If you don’t attend, which I expect you won’t, use the link to take a quick cruise through the budget/financials and see that it is federal assistance and bridge tolls that is keeping WETA afloat not fares.

Thursday – is the “preliminary design review” (first introduction) of two 4-story mixed-use (commercial and housing) at the Design Review Committee at 7 pm. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to announce a special meeting for Thursday – there is no posting, check later.

Friday - Commission on Health Entheogenic Plants Subcommittee meets at 2 pm.



Attorney Tom Lippe (excellent reputation) is representing Peoples Park Historic District Advocacy Group. That is how the stay was secured to stop construction. The group needs your help for continuing court battles. Donate online or send a check https://www.peoplesparkhxdist.org/donate-now/



Save Cesar Chavez Park petition https://chavezpark.org/petition-to-save-chavez-park-from-bmasp/



As always check https://berkeleyca.gov/ for short notice/late postings during the week.



Monday, August 15, 2022 -more-