Emeryville residents at a recent city council meeting
BY ALBA MORA // Some residents have raised their concerns about the impact of redevelopment on Emeryville over the last 25 years. An organized group of about 30 people asked the city council for special consideration in dealing with developers. They are asking for a community agreement that benefits the residents regarding issues like job quality or affordable housing.
Links
The Secret News Emeryville Uncovered: The Place, the People, and the Politicians
East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) page on Emeryville Development.
Download the EBASE full study Behind the Booming Town.
City of Emeryville Economic Development Website.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Your videotape failed to show how the lone dissenting voice on the council, the progressive John Fricke, was repeatedly interupted by the mayor as he spoke in support of the concerned residents. The interuptions began after only two minutes of speaking. It is noteworthy that no such interuptions were forthcoming as the other council members spoke out in rebuke against the residents even though they (the rebuking council members) lashed out at the resident speakers for up to 20 minutes.
Also, it is worth noting that the council members that spoke out against the residents all recieved major campaign donations from developers seeking approval for massive projects in Emeryville. There is a nexus between those developers that donated money to these council members and yes votes to their respective developments.
I guess Emeryville is pretty old fashioned in this respect.