To Mayor Dick Kassis and members of the City Council:
I heard that Mayor Kassis recently warned the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce about “outside forces.” Exactly who are these “forces”? I presume he means the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, and those of us who live in Emeryville and criticize the decisions of the City Council.
We have not had any local, in-depth news coverage for the 11 years I have lived here. The only “newspaper” has been the The Emeryville Connection, put out by the Chamber of Commerce. Finally, several residents have started The Secret News, which informs residents of city developments, and our mayor has the nerve to call us “outside forces”?
Some council members have been in office far too long. They have become accustomed to calling the shots and paying only lip service to those who dare speak out against them. One member of the City Council does not pay his business license tax, is in arrears on his property tax, and fails to clean up his own property, thus forcing the city (the taxpayers) to foot the bill for the cleanup. That same council member was on the payroll of a company doing business with the city, yet sees no conflict of interest. He says he is broke. My suggestion to him is that he should, like the rest of us, look for a job. Yet his irresponsible behavior is supported by the City Council majority. Why? I suppose so they can hold on to that majority.
Residents are cordially invited to attend meetings (myself excluded. I often don’t receive notices about meetings on crucial issues concerning the north Emeryville area, where I live. I am either omitted from the mailing list altogether, or told that the city had the wrong address for me), yet when they do, their suggestions and concerns are not heeded. No wonder many residents, myself included, have stopped attending meetings.
I am presently trying to raise money from family, friends, and neighbors to obtain bookcases on wheels for the Anna Yates School library, where I have volunteered for the past four years. In my plea for money, I explain that if the City of Emeryville provided more money for the schools (we only have two), instead of giving Starbucks $60,000 to cover move-in costs, an undisclosed amount of money to Pac N’ Save so they can “upgrade” to a Safeway, and tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to developers, I would not have to beg my friends for money. Why should Emeryville taxpayers subsidize publicly traded corporations? The City Council sees that the city will get revenue from development, but none from the schools. But what they fail to see is that the children who attend these schools are the future of Emeryville, if they can actually afford to live here when they grow up.
It’s time for change in Emeryville.
Shirley Enomoto
Emeryville resident
Yeah, the Council should beware outsiders like the Em’ville Chamber of Commerce.
I find Dick’s and the Chamber’s “outside forces” argument laughable, considering how many people from outside of town they bow to. Developer Rich Robbins? Out of town. Woodfin Suites Hotel owner Sam Hardage? Way out of town. Even the Em’ville Chamber of Commerce Bob Cantor? He said lives out of town in Martinez because (poor excuse) he has “big dogs.”
Bravo, bravo to Shirley Enomoto. I’ve never met her, but she and others who think as she does about the City are, to me, the heart and soul of Emeryville. I hope her letter can get the widest possible circulation, and I’ll help with her school project when I get home. Let’s show Council how far off the track they’ve been.
– Marcelline Krafchick in France
I was also left off several mailing lists, including Pixar’s invitation to their open house and film event a few years ago. In fact everyone who stood-up to voice an opposing position was left off the list; I should say, I was on another list and that would be the list of the dammed.
But more to the point, children are citizens and how we support children, low income, elderly and the less able says a lot about a city. When you have a city council who, in the main, just gives a nod and a wink to Pixar and others for whatever they request it gets a little tired. One council-member’s concern over the Pixar plan–not to have park benches that people can sleep on; can’t have any riff-raff can we?
What happened to the promises made by the council to help Semi F’s find a new home when the next round of Pixar development started? What happened to justice and equity for all in this little town?
Good point about Semi Freddy’s! As a consolidation for brokering such a bad Pixar deal, the Council promised to find Semi F’s a new home in Emeryville. But just like most of their promises, this too turned out to be all smoke and mirrors.
Incidently, Semi Freddy’s provides good paying jobs to low skilled workers and is very generous to the people and institutions of Emeryville…at least ’til they’re kicked outta here.
WOW that is just really sad. I really do think that the council should be changed ALL of it. Its sort of a trend now in Emeryville to see the same faces on the council.
I’m a graduate from Emery High School Class of 2008. Its sad that the city of Emeryville can give so much money to companies like Starbucks and Pac’N Save. We have like 5 or 6 starbucks I don’t think there more important than the education of Emeryville Students. Emery High School seniors could really use some money in the form of scholarships and or grants.
I was a Senior last year and money was a huge issue in my family. I got into all of my schools but had to turn each one down because I didn’t get any financial aid and scholarships were limited for high school seniors. Assests are overlooked when scholarships are given and those that the school offers are limited.
Support from the city would help a great DEAL!
It’s good to see a recent Emery High grad commenting. It looks like he/she learned that vigilence is required of citizens from his/her education here. Too bad the policy deciders don’t share his/her insight. What do they say about bake sales and bombers?
What is even sadder is that once upon a time, the Emery Unified School District GAVE college scholarships to each and every graduate of Emery High that enrolled in an institution of higher learning. That is, until “Dr.” JL Handy found a higher use for the money—such as overseas junkets and renting Emeryville hotel rooms for mid day “appointments” with female “entertainers” to “relieve” his “stress.”
Kudos to Shirley for speaking out on this shameful use of city money and resources (in addition to her admirable work with the library to begin with!) Yes, it’s ridiculous the E-Connection is sent automatically to every household (2 residents at our house, plus I get one at my PO Box!), and passed off as actual news for citizens. Meanwhile, they go out of their way to silence a critical voice. It’s so sad Emeryville has made national news recently, in such a negative way. Hopefully the council gets shaken up next election if not before…
Hats off to Shirley! You proudly wear the title “outsider”. The City Council may hate you but we love you! It’s people like you that our town great. Don’t let them get you down.
JL handy was the start of all of this mess and ever since then its just been really difficult for the district. Yes, the school has improved a great deal, but we still have a long ways to go. One thing for sure is that the school needs to do its research before hiring people.(Superintendent Wesley) o_O?
my 12 yr old goes there hes ken Bukowski's great nephue were still living in hotels and believe me i looked hi and low for affordable housing I thought it was to much to change schools on him on top of everything else I cant beleve there is knowone to go to for resources but ecap good luck going there I had to go to berkley or oakland nothing here I did however get housing thank GOD!!I found us a place in lake marriet Now lets see how quick the school throws him out I dont think anything can shock me when it comes to
emeryville It's a great place to live if you have money Kim Bukowski