6 April 14, 2016 www.alamedasun.com Alameda Sun OPINION Letters to the Editor

street trees in April, or for that Lessons for matter anytime in spring, when Thanks for all concerned virtually every local bird is nest- having a heart ing and raising young in those Editor: Editor: same trees? Every nursery and I have been following with naturalist I know recommends The Alameda Homeless Network interest the letters regarding waiting until late July or August (Tony DeSimone, Al Filart, Mark and the Friends of the Library book to prune trees in our gardens so Cindy Hovermale, Ginny Krutilek and sales, and I have a couple of that young birds will have time to Kari Thompson) would like to extend suggestions: be fledged and gone. sincere appreciation to the following To Joseph Lewis, who point- The motto of these arborists businesses and people who made ed out that by the time the pub- is “Tree care professionals serv- our 25th Annual Have a Heart Gala, lic gets a crack at the books ing communities who care about held April 2, a wonderful event. (“Concerned about dishonesty their trees.” Apparently caring for • High Street Station Cafe for at book sale,” March 31), they trees doesn’t include caring for catering the event with their fabu- have been pretty well picked our Island City wildlife! lous cuisine. over, which was not disputed in — Lisa Haderlie Baker • Chuck DiGuida who graciously the response by Roberta Wright served as master of ceremonies. (“Setting the record straight on • Partner Sponsors – Alameda book sale,” April 7). Volunteer! Voter registration not Point Partners & First Community That way you can be one of the such a boring topic Bank Joe Heller people who get first crack at the • The Alameda Elks Lodge for primo books. Editor: allowing us to hold the event at the To the Friends of the Library I have concerns about the Lodge. I have two suggestions. California voter registration sys- • Excel Graphics for the lovely 1. You might want to rethink tem and the upcoming primaries. invitations. the practice of allowing each vol- The irregularities in Arizona, We would also like to thank unteer to buy two boxes of books the recent hack of a 191-million- Al and Cheryl Filart, Alameda End of an Era at before the public gets a shot at large voter database, the almost Theatre & Cineplex, Alan and Kari them (including the public who daily reports of irregularities in Thompson, Amador Valley Quiling pay extra for the “preview” other states’ voting, along with Club and Aquarium of the Pacific opportunity). A half dozen I California’s transitioning its data- for their generous donations to our could see, or maybe a book base to a new platform — taken event. Berkeley Symphony, Berkeley Encinal High School per volunteer hour, but two together this raises a red flag. Playhouse, California Auto Museum, boxes? Roberta Wright con- I was on the ground in Iowa, Cal Shakes, Children’s Fairyland, Gene Kahane example of the challenges and tri- firmed that there are book Nevada and Utah and bore wit- Chuck Corica Golf Complex and Tomorrow, Friday, April 15, Commentary umphs of Bob Moorhead, director scouts and dealers in the vol- ness to concerning irregularities Clarisonic also gave generously. will be the opening night for extraordinaire. While the actors unteer ranks, and I’m sure it’s perpetrated at a number of cau- Our hearts go out to: Connoisseurs Annie at Encinal High School I have witnessed were rehearsing on the stage, and well worth their time when they cus sites. The crisis in confidence Guide, Crispian Bakery, Dance 10, (EHS), but it also marks the his passion, his the stage crew was finishing paint- get to pick out two boxes of the American people are experi- David Kiewlich and Merryn Oliveira, end of one of the most remark- ing the sets, a group of basketball what they know to be the most encing in our democratic institu- Disneyland, Eagle Vines Golf Club, able teaching careers on this wonderful sense players were running drills on the valuable books. tions is real and it is serious. Ginny Krutilek and the Golden State island. Thirty-two years ago, Bob of humor and his court. It wasn’t quite euphonious, 2. If you don’t have proce- On a personal note, my voter Warriors. We couldn’t have done Moorhead joined the staff at EHS but the dribbling and construc- dures in place to ensure that registration is current however without Hand & Stone, Iceland, Jeff as the drama teacher and direc- love for young tion noise somehow blended with volunteers are actually work- my husband (who has voted for Cohn Cellars, Jessie’s Grove Cellars, tor, and with Annie he takes a people. the glorious voices sounding from ing on the book sale rather 30 years with no complication or Kathryn Gies, KlinkerBrick Winery, Le deserved final bow. the stage. than spending their volunteer changes in status) checked his Belge Chocolatier, Lawrence Hall of Over the past three decades cies, but perhaps the most marvel- I am going to set aside my time looking over the books to registration only to find his name Science, Lindsay Wildlife Experience Bob has directed comedies, dra- ous are the traditions of inclusion journalistic objectivity for this see what they want to buy, you had been dropped off the rolls. and Lola’s Chicken Shack. Thanks are mas and some of the finest musi- and diversity he cultivated. paragraph and share that I have might want to consider doing so His is not the only case being due to Mark and Tom Squire-Sorensen, cals from the American songbook. It should be noted that all been blessed to be a colleague — particularly now that every- documented. Mike Winkenbach, the Oakland He’s done classical works (West this great art was created under of Bob’s for the past 20 years. one knows about volunteers get- I choose to think this is a sim- Athletics, Oakland Zoo, Rhythmix Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, and My often challenging circumstanc- As a fellow director he’s been ting to cherry-pick the books, ple administrative error. However, Cultural Works, Ripley’s Believe it or Fair Lady) but has also showed es. EHS does not have its own my mentor, and as the father of which may increase your num- the climate during this election Not, the San Jose Sharks, Semifreddis, great courage and ambition being theater, and so the shows have two actors who have performed ber of volunteers. cycle makes it unacceptable. In Starbucks, The Golden Skate and The among the first schools in the taken place on a stage in the for Bob, I have witnessed his Thank you, Mr. Lewis and Ms. my opinion, the California voting Melting Pot. Tik and Jon Thurston, country to perform Les Miserables, cafeteria and one in the gym. passion, his wonderful sense of Wright, for enlightening us about apparatus must be squeaky clean Tucker’s Super Creamed Ice Cream, Cats and Rent. Sharing space with cheerlead- humor and his love for young how the Friends of the Library to avoid perpetuating a percep- Winchester Mystery House and Supported by his dancer-cho- ers, volleyball, basketball and people. Encinal, and Alameda, book sales actually work. tion that the election process is Zenobia Whittington all gave support. reographer wife Amy, Bob has badminton teams has been diffi- are better, more joyous places — Jill Staten in some way being “tweaked.” We truly appreciate the support taught thousands of performers cult, but never deterred Bob and because of Bob Moorhead. I’ve come to value my voter reg- received from these individuals and to sing and dance and celebrate. his actors. Bob has also been a Starting this Friday, April 15, City tree trimming istration as much as I do my Social businesses as well as from those What’s been special about those leader backstage by setting aside and continuing on April 16, 21, 22 Security number. I encourage all to who attended our event. Thank you many shows are the many stu- his script and replacing it with a and 23, you have a chance to help and nesting birds check their voter registration sta- for helping to keep the Alameda dents who, having had little or hammer and saw. Actors, mem- celebrate his teaching and direct- Editor: tus at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ Midway Shelter available to sup- no stage experience, were encour- bers of the stage crew, parents, ing career by coming out to see I just got a notification that registration-status. port homeless and abused women aged by their director to take the director and his dad created Annie. For ticket information call the City of Alameda, using West As a concerned citizen, I’ve and their children. a chance and perform for their the sets for all the shows. 748-4023, ext. 2701. Coast Arborists, will be doing stepped up to be a poll worker. — Kari Thompson, peers and families. This past Saturday’s all- Gene Kahane is a teacher at “tree maintenance” within the But the nature of this problem President, Gala Chairperson Bob leaves behind many lega- day tech rehearsal is a perfect Encinal High School. next few days in our neighbor- requires state-wide pro-active hood. Why in the world is the city vigilance. having tree trimmers cut back — Gabrielle Dolphin Charter Schools Play City Attempt at Rent Solution Pivotal Role in Town Leaves Much to be Desired Robert Cassard Dennis Evanosky Commentary Editorial In his recent commentary (“Cor- The passage of Ordinance 3148: rections to Myths about Charter that Irons touts in his conclusion. A Rent Stabilization and Limitations adding the words “rent control” Schools,” March 24) Mark Irons on Evictions Ordinance has brought We convey the Alameda experience, both past and It’s ironic for him to claim “these twice. ARC states that this is a completely missed the point of Pat- choices exist within the AUSD turmoil and unrest to the provincial move “intended to scare people.” present, through an informative, financially viable ti Wilczek’s original commentary, schools without any need for char- city of Alameda. Tenants dislike the Councilman Tony Daysog re- community newspaper, in print and online. (“Dispelling Charter School Myths,” ters at all” when the innovations he “no fixed cap” clause that allows cently announced that he has March 17) in which she extolled the cites are flattering imitations of the landlords to raise rents as much as taken steps to assuage the bur- The award-winning publication by Stellar Media Group, Inc. virtues of Alameda’s wide range of educational approach CLC Schools they please. Landlords resent the den the ordinance has placed on An Adjudicated Newspaper Established 2001 public school choices. have implemented for two decades. new ordinance’s paperwork and the those mom-and-pop landlords. 23,000 copies delivered FREE Every Thursday The more successful charter Clearly, competition is good in edu- costs and requirements Ordinance (See story on page one.) schools become, the more school cation because it raises the bar for 3148 foists on them. Some landlords call the re- SUN STAFF districts (and their surrogates) seek all — and Alameda’s kids are the Tenants insist that the ordinance quirements that the new or- to disparage them and shut them beneficiaries. should have tied rent increases to dinance puts on their backs down. In Alameda, this mindset de- I should also set the record the Consumer Price Index, instead it cumbersome and costly. For ex- Eric J. Kos & Dennis Evanosky nies the pivotal role charter schools straight on some of the other lets the market find the cost of rent- ample the ordinance is requiring have played in our community’s ed- ing a home or apartment here. And Publishers claims. Irons states that twice- landlords pay to provide each ucational landscape. As parents, we yearly audits of public charters the market all across the Bay Area and every tenant with paper- Ekene Ikeme, Sports & Web Editor should all advocate for and support by AUSD are not enough oversight has not been kind to renters. work that is readily available to the highest quality public education The appearance of carpetbag- Laurel Yeates, Calendar Editor of taxpayer dollars, while AUSD is b RENT: Page 12 for our children, both at public char- only audited once annually. gers on the scene has stirred the Pauline Evanosky, Finance ters and district schools. Perhaps that’s why many in the pot. Both the renters and the land- My family moved here in 2010 lords have either hired or invited Jillian Strahler, Adminstrative Assistant community were shocked in 2013 Our Letters Policy from a traditional school district when AUSD signed a six-year lease outsiders onto the Island City for Colin Close, Graphic Designer in Southern California. We expect- for spacious new offices at a cost of help: people with no appreciation Opinions in Letters to the ed to enroll our children in Alam- $552,000 per year, $83,000 in moving for Alameda’s mom-and-pop pro- Editorial Intern eda Unified School District (AUSD) vinciality. We must not forget that Editor are the express expenses, and another $170,000 for views of the writers and do Junlin “William” Chen schools and visited every potential data and power improvements. This an out-of-town landlord’s unreason- option. But after experiencing Al- occurred at a time when there was a ably raising rent sparked the turn of not necessarily reflect the Contributors ameda Community Learning Center desperate need for improved facili- events that led to the ordinance’s opinions of the Alameda Ron Salsig, Ed Jay, JoanAnn Radu-Sinaiko, (ACLC) and Nea, our whole fam- ties to house students and teachers. passage. The anger on the renters’ ily was inspired by the innovation Sun, its advertisers or staff. Gil Michaels, Irene Dieter, Richard Bangert, Regarding management efficien- side erupted into bloodshed and in- and creativity exuded by the learn- jury at City Hall. Letters to the Editor are wel- Mike Rosati, Mike Lano, Jeffrey R. Smith, cies, AUSD employs 85 district admin- ers and staff, and our kids happily istrators. With a student population of The Alameda Renters Coalition come from the community. Maurice Ramirez found their new educational home. about 10,000, that’s one administrator (ARC), which is backing the renters’ Letters must include a name This doesn’t mean these schools new ordinance, is crying foul. It en- The Alameda Sun is a member of: per 118 students. CLC Schools serve and phone number for veri- are the right choice for every child, about 900 students with an admin- titled the ordinance “The Alameda but the more choice the better! istrative staff of just 4.5. That’s one Renter Protection and Community fication purposes. Unsigned Community Learning Center administrator per 200 students — al- Stabilization Charter Amendment.” letters will not be printed. Schools (CLC Schools) have been The city released the ordinance most double the efficiency. Letters are subject to edit- the leaders in educational innova- Irons argues that charters with the new title: “A Proposed City tion and efficiency in Alameda for “chase after certain students,” of Alameda Charter Amendment to ing for length, clarification the past 20 years. ACLC and its which is patently false. As public Establish Rent Control, a Rent Con- and legal considerations. sister school, Nea, are key reasons charters, ACLC and Nea welcome trol Board, and Regulate Termina- Please try to limit letters 3215J Encinal Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501 that AUSD has started offering the all applicants. Located on the West tion of Tenancies.” art integration, STEM/STEAM pro- ARC pointed out on its web- to 250 words. Editorial n 510-263-1470 grams and project-based learning b SCHOOLS: Page 12 site that the city changed the title, Mail your letters to Editor, Advertising  510-263-1471 Alameda Sun, 3215 J Finance/Production  510-263-1472 The Alameda Sun is independently owned and operated. 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