Who you gonna call?
After posting my report last week on the failure of the city staff to even mention the need for a new animal shelter, a number of folks asked who they should contact to express their concern over the absence of any mention of the animal shelter in the city’s presentations and the “F” grade that the building got. After doing some further investigation, I have determined that there is no easy way to add the shelter as a priority to the city survey except as a comment at the end of the survey. I don’t think this will do the job.
So I am asking everyone who is concerned about the future of the shelter to email Erin Smith, who is the head of the public works department. Her email address is [email protected] or you can call her at 510-747-7930. The City needs to know that the shelter is a vitally important part of our community and deserves to have funds from the proposed bond measure allocated and restricted. Unless the funds are restricted in the language of the bond measure, there is no obligation to spend any of the bond money on the shelter.
The City’s fact sheet says, “Alameda’s high quality of life depends on infrastructure that works.” It is clear that the current building is not working based on the failing grade it received, and while the survey doesn’t even mention the animal shelter building, it did ask how important it is to “ensure trees are well maintained along city streets and in parks.” So, all of us animals are considered less important than the street trees??? For updated information on the shelter and bond measure be sure to read my Sunday reports.
In other matters, we are halfway through June, which means we have reached the summer solstice and our long days will start to get shorter. June is also Pride month, and there are rainbow flags and banners everywhere like the one on the flagpole at Alameda High School.
In two of my earlier reports, I covered the sidewalk brands and some of the signs of Alameda’s more famous and popular businesses. I found two images that merit inclusion even if it is a little late. The first is a brand from 1922, and my HC (human companion) let me know I forgot to include Dan’s Produce located at the corner of Oak Street and Central Avenue as an Alameda institution.
While I was on that corner, I crossed the street to find some shade and saw the plaque in front of Twin Towers Church. This was the first church in Alameda, dating back to 1853.
A few weeks back, Herb Campbell sent me the address of two of his former homes here in Alameda. I did a walk by 2045 Santa Clara Avenue and snapped a picture for him. I hope to get by 3261 Briggs Avenue next week and will get that picture as well. If you would like me to do a walk by your old Alameda house, please send your address to my HC at [email protected].
I found some somewhat disturbing writing on the back of a car a while back and wanted to remind everyone that getting any animal is a big responsibility and the decision to bring home a “free” puppy requires a big commitment in both time and money. Securing a dog license requires that the pup have all the necessary vaccinations, which are not free. How about spaying or neutering? Please be sure you fully understand the commitment you make when bringing an animal home.
We are rapidly approaching the Fourth of July holiday, and I am asking readers to send my HC the addresses of any houses or businesses that are decorated for the nation’s birthday party. And please send your thoughts and comments on the animal shelter issue to my HC at [email protected].
Happy Summer Solstice everyone!
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
