Page One
Letters to the Editor
1-2-3-What are we fighting for?
Editor:
Let me get this straight: The CIA brings peace to Jerusalem; Bush and Putin exchange Father’s Day greetings. Listen, folks ... the revolution’s gone and frankly, comrades, I don’t give a damn.
George Kauffman
Berkeley
Beth El gave neighbors lip service while stonewalling
Editor:
I am writing with reference to the Beth El Project and a statement which is constantly made by Beth El spokesmen. I would like to set the record straight regarding the allegation that Beth El has been trying to work with the neighbors over a four-year period and, in fact, has met with them a number of times (15 was mentioned at the June 24 City Council meeting), all to no avail. The implication of this is, of course, that the neighbors are difficult, demanding, and unreasonable.
I would like to point out that in all of these meetings, Beth El has not responded in any significant way to the requests of the neighborhood regarding size and parking. We met, Beth El listened, went away, and returned with its plan unchanged except for a few minor revisions which in no way significantly impacted the design or project.
This has certainly been a frustrating process: Beth El paying lip service while stonewalling. Whenever I think of what could have been, in terms of cooperation between citizens and developers, I am reminded of a ZAB meeting at which neighbors of a Dwight Way project that was approved by ZAB, spoke about how they supported the project. From the very beginning, they said, the developer worked with them in a straightforward and honest fashion to reach a conclusion acceptable to all. They were pleased and proud to speak in support of the project. I was struck, at the time, by the difference between that project and the one we are faced with on Oxford Street. And, I might add, I still am.
This project has taken four years to get to this point. If Beth El sticks to the facts and tries to work out the problems in a forthright, cooperative manner rather than appealing to the emotions, we might get somewhere.
Carol Connolly
Berkeley
