Stop, Drop and Roll

08 June 2007 | Alameda Community Development Forum, Measure A | John Knox White

Measure A was clearly under attack this afternoon. I know, because I was at the three hour long ad hoc subcommittee meeting about planning a meeting, and it was made clear that everyone under the sun is planning to do away with Measure A, except the 3 appellants sitting on the committee who represent the views all of Alameda.

1:07 – The meeting gets started. While it appears that everyone was milling about and getting settled, I have since learned that this late starting time was due to the tardiness of Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and Rebecca Kohlstrand. This must be true as the Alameda Daily News has proved itself to be an excellent source for who is tardy for meetings. In a display of physics, Ms. Ezzy Ashcraft showed up one time, but was also late.

1:08 – Some audience members and Barbara Kerr complain about not being able to hear. There are no microphones. Facilitator David Early suggests people move to the front seats so that they can hear better. It appears that nobody wants to sit next to Don Roberts as the seat next to him is never occupied despite nearly every seat in the next three rows being used.

1:13 – Facilitator Early talks about building and using consensus. Kerr is unimpressed and asks “What’s wrong with a vote” it is clear that consensus is some fancy-schmancy construct created by outsiders to control the debate. After Early explains that he read the city council minutes and studied the issues, Kerr tells him that his knowledge is 2^nd hand and therefore not as good as Team Appellants. Concern grows that “consensus” will be used to slip things into the proposal after the committee has signed onto a plan. No one is quite able to explain how that will happen, but a strong feeling is noted.

1:14 – Kerr snipes “You came here from Berkeley and are telling us how to think” Score one for Team Appellant, the facilitator is reeling…

1:15 – Another jab: Kerr “Voting is simple” Bail “Yeah, it’s ‘Yea’ or ‘Nay’” – Team appellant is working the tag team.

1:16 – Diane Coler-Dark takes a more pensive tack saying “I’ll reserve my opinion on ‘so-called consensus.’” It’s the first indication of the Team Appellant strategy; deny that naming things makes them real or meaningful.

1:17 – Don Roberts, who had just the day before accused Alameda resident Joan Konrad of attempting to “get around the no-public comments format” of the meeting because she sent an email to committee members, stands up and starts talking quietly to Barbara Kerr while the facilitator is speaking. Early asks him to sit down as the meeting is under way to which Don derisively shouts “excuse me.” Someone should contact Steve Martin about copyright infringement.

1:23 – over the past five minute, much ado is made about the ground rules of not using harsh language, being respectful and not walking out of the meeting without talking to the facilitator first. Kerr feels like she’s being treated like a kindergartener.

1:26 – During a discussion of the overall goals of the committee, Diane Coler-Dark condescendingly hands Early a copy of the council’s adopted motion. When Early thanks her and says he’s already read it, she is surprised. Clearly someone from Berkeley doesn’t know about computers, faxes and phones and would be unable to have prepared for the meeting.

1:32 – The schoolyard theme continues with Kerr suggesting that they form teams and each choose three speakers for the forum. It’s like red rover.

1:33 – Anne Cook strikes! In a galling attempt to discuss the issue, Cook suggests the issue is not black and white and asks to look at formats that don’t necessitate taking sides. Pat Bail won’t let this pass and rises to the defense of common sense. Early has to ask her to please let others have a chance to talk. Coler-Dark then explains to the Planning Board that “when you make public statements, you get labeled that way. It’s only because of statements made publicly” that people are tarred and feathered in the Measure A debate in Alameda. Clearly, some people don’t understand that their opinions are supposed to be strongly held in silence. They get what’s coming to them.

1:40 - Bail gets things back on track. The Housing Element is a perfect, factual, objective document. “we have all read and love it.” Some audiences clearly feel uncomfortable knowing they haven’t read the document, fake love for it. Now that that’s settled, we can clear up the issues of provincialism, xenophobia and fear of intelligent discussion. Bail tries first “an Outsider, a hired consultant, can come into our community” and tell us what’s best. “No more tax payer money” for consultants. Addressing the issue of the uniqueness of Alameda, she says “only Alamedans should speak.” Ezzy Ashcraft has already shown that Alameda falls outside the known realm of physics, those from the other side of the bridge cannot possibly understand. Bail finally nails the coffin shut, everyone had a chance to hear Woody Minor tell them what Measure A is about at the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society meeting last year. Anyone who’s lived in town more than 5 years knows all about it. This forum is for newbies. The silence appears to indicate that everyone recognizes the incredibly objective view on Measure A that the AAPS has and that Woody Minor wouldn’t dare to have a specific opinion. {editor’s note: AAPS has not taken an official position on Measure A}

1:47 – Everyone begins to wonder if Barbara Kerr is all there. In a rambling rant that accused Anne Cook of saying “let’s all get along and change measure A” at the Mastick Senior Center meeting about Alameda Point. (she didn’t). She then accused staff of lying about the viability of Ferries and Gondolas. Ferries have to run to Oakland and Gondolas are a great idea it seems. She jumps on the anti-consultant bandwagon by saying “The idea that we hire these WHORES from out of town to tell us about” our city and development. Many whispers, no ones quite clear on what she said. Facilitator Early asks her to watch her language and reminds her of the rules they agreed to.

1:49 - almost three minutes into the rant, Early tries to cut Kerr off…..not successful.

1:50 – Kerr has left the building (oratorically). She concerned about people who “Don’t know the city as ‘WE do’” coming to town and talking about issues. It’s clear that there are only about 15 people who understand how this island city works. Early suggests that they return to the question at hand, that being “what’s the overall format for the meeting.” Kerr snaps “I’m answering the question!” She doesn’t explain which question however.

1:52 – Kohlstrand makes a stab at a non-divisive format for the meeting. Still no traction

1:54 – Kerr “We have a right to choose speakers representing our sides!” Unfortunately she fails to explain which sides and whether each Alamedan who feels they have a unique position on the issue also has this “right.” When asked by facilitator is Team Appellant fear “objectivity” Kerr answers “absolutely.”

1:57 – After saying that she’s seen Woody Minor’s Measure A presentation and that it’s “factual,” Bail breaks ranks with Team Appellant and suggests that city staff be allowed to present the changes in city ordinances that have been put into effect since 1973. Kerr will have none of it. Apparently staff’s ability to make up new laws that don’t exist is so strong in Alameda, that they can’t even be trusted to hire the consultant who might do the research.

2:05 – After much more consultant bashing, Early points out that Woody Minor is a consultant but fails to mention that Minor has, at one time, lived in Berkeley. After some befuddlement, it turns out there’s a Wood Exception to the Evil Consultants rule.

2:08 – Kerr continues to travel off the map. In a description more reminiscent of a western tale, she explains that the much read and loved Housing Element is not at all objective and that it was a “knockdown, gun toting fight” to get it produced. Fortunately for all attendees, the fabric of the space-time continuum does not tear because of this counter-claim.

2:11 – Diane Coler-Dark of the Alameda Museum explains that the issue of the “red brick building” (a large historic building, which was red and of brick construction, that was on the ballot in attempt to save it by converting it to condos) was vetoed by voters. There are “a lot of historical buildings in town” which might be saved that way, she explains. But the voters have clearly said tear them down and so we should honor that. Again, the space-time continuum holds.

2:15 – Facilitator Early again has to ask Kerr to let someone else talk. Kerr is like Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator, nothing will stop her.

2:17 – Early suggest that perhaps the forum could break up into small groups so that many people can give extensive input in a comfortable environment. Apparently this suggestion has something to do with his being from Berkeley according to Kerr. Early again asks her to not to interrupt.

2:19 – Early explains how small groups were able to be used in Livermore, which is not in Berkeley, Kerr yells “Don’t you think we’ve tried this?” Ezzy Ashcraft holds up her palm in the universal “speak to the hand” and says “you’re interrupting.” Kerr accuses Early of “speaking down to her.” The irony of her 5-year old behavior appears not to be intentional.

2:22 – Audience member begin to suspect that Kerr is actually attending a meeting in another dimension, which explains the self-cancelling arguments and odd behavior. Clearly dimension X meeting is much more raucous and lively, as her behavior is a sharp contrast to the calm and polite demeanor of the other 5 committee members. The moment that confirms this is when Kerr, who early had defended democracy and the first amendment, says that small groups don’t work because one side might have a “limited amount of people” and therefore might not get their way. Everyone in the audience knows that the fabric of space-time could not survive an incongruity this large.

2:25 – Kerr continues: “There’s always been a big split in Alameda” [over Measure A], “we don’t need to protect anyone.” Small groups clearly limit the pro-measure A voice, Kerr says.

2:26 – Safe in the knowledge of the Dimension X meeting, the audience relaxes as Kerr suggests a format similar to the recent Mastic Senior Center Alameda Point meeting. After calling that meeting a disaster because of its format, some audience members thank Zeus for multiple planes of existence.

2:28 – Lots more discussion of small groups. It is suggested that some people are unwilling to speak in public when others are yelling and derisive. Ezzy Ashcraft suggests that Kerr’s other-dimensional behavior is an example of such a tone. Bail sees the table tilting towards consensus, says that she understands that some people are “uncomfortable with public speaking” when it’s raucous, but explains that we “can only accommodate so many people’s problems.” The discussion turns to “so-called” experts and “so-called” staff people. Apparently, the status of some city staff is now in question, no one asks Planning Director to look into whether we are paying people who do not actually work for the city.

2:31 – Small groups are ‘very nice….and….very kind,” says Bail, but “we need solutions!” Everyone appears to agree that solutions only come from anger, disrespect and meanness. Bail then explains she has a problem with Experts talking before or after public speakers. While no one is sure whether this includes “so-called” experts, it appears that Bail would like the experts to speak at the same time as the public. Perhaps like a round of Row, row, row, your boat.

2:40 – Time to pile on the experts! Coler-Dark is concerned about “quote, un-quote experts.” Apparently, like Joan Konrad, Team Alameda doesn’t have Coler-Dark’s email and she didn’t get the memo about saying “so-called” instead of “quote, unquote.” It spoils the whole effect.

2:41 – Coler-Dark continues “we don’t need [experts] because that’s not what this town is about.” Light bulbs go off in the audience; suddenly the calls of “reduce traffic, buy cars for the poor so they don’t take the bus” make sense.

2:42 – Early nearly loses his life by suggesting that the dreaded HOMES be allowed to pick 3 speakers and Team Appellant pick the other 3. Early clearly believes the spin that the planning board members are neutral when we all know that they are on tape saying that they want to destroy the town. In fact, we’ll get you the tape some time, but until then you’ll just have to believe us, because we say it so often. Coler-Dark yells “don’t you even go there” and later “don’t you dare put them on equal footing with us.” Early has clearly forgotten that Team Appellant has been given more rights than normal citizens.

2:52 – Coler-Dark gets up to get some water. Kerr asks “Did you raise your hand and ask to get up.” It appears she’s returned from Dimension X.

2:53 – Kerr digs in. With new ideas on the table, Kerr makes it clear that only her idea is a good one. Everyone can clearly see she’s right. Early, Cook, Kohlstrand chuckle at having pulled off a pretty good practical joke on the others. As if the forum should be anything but divisive.

2:55 – Don Roberts walks to the back and chats with someone. A loud cry about an “asshole” is heard. No one’s clear if it was meant to be heard by everyone.

3:08 – After a 10 minute break, Early has to ask Coler-Dark to return so they can start. Somehow this goes unreported on the Alameda Daily News.

3:16 – After Kerr starts yelling again, Early asks the Planning Board members whether they are on record as being against Measure A. Bail, Kerr, Coler-Dark, Roberts and several audience members answer for them.

3:16 – Cathy Woodbury, the city Planning Director, shouts “This is not about advocacy! Get back to the task at hand which is planning a meeting.” Kindergarten calm is restored for now.

3:20 - Ezzy Ashcraft is speaking about the issues in the Forum, Kerr interrupts and Early asks her not to interrupt. Like a petulant child, she mutters “she keeps interrupting me.”

3:28 – Kerr makes her move. It’s time to nail down the title for Alamedan most-able-to-find-a-conspiracy and she thinks she has the clincher. “It’s about trust. T-R-U-S-T” clearly she’s been watching the National Spelling Bee. She continues, “I don’t trust staff!” Despite the wind up, the crowd is unmoved.

3:34 – Kerr and Bail both explain that Team Appellant has more say in matters than the Planning Board. The Planning Board should not be allowed to not-accept their choices. Having been placed on an Ad Hoc committee, it’s clear that they have a rock-solid defense.

3:45 – Consensus is reached. The Planning Department will solicit input from citizens for who should speak at the forum. The subcommittee for planning a meeting will then attempt to create consensus around 6 speakers, if consensus is not reached, then ½ the speakers will be chosen by Team Appellant and ½ by the Planning Board Members.

3:48 – Bail states that paid announcement should not be run in the Alameda Journal. Coler-Dark concurs: “Nobody reads it.” It appears all the cries last Fall about the size of public announcements in the Alameda Journal were unnecessary. It wouldn’t have mattered how big the ads for the hospital board were.

3:51 – Kerr returns to Dimension X, he mumbling about various consultants and city plans falling on uncomprehending ears. Bail explains that “living in Alameda can be a qualification” for being a forum speaker. “Or else it sounds like we just want experts.”

3:58 – Meeting adjourned.

SD&R note: while this may seem incredibly one-sided, the Planning Board speakers said very little during the discussions. They respectfully gave opinions and thoughts when they were called for, but for the most part, they listened.