The Editor's Back Fence

Readers should check out the flurry of press releases that came in the last couple of days regarding the aborted city council meeting, supposedly to bless some sort of compromise that various politicians claimed to have brokered regarding the dueling ballot proposals for a Berkeley minimum wage. At this point I can't begin to explain what they all thought they were doing. I'm going to ask around, and if I figure anything out I'll write it up in the editorial space. Meanwhile, the previous editorial still holds: get involved in regime change in Berkeley if you have any time or money to spare. It couldn't get any worse, and it might get better.

Here's the full set of links. Read them and weep. In reverse order of occurrence, roughly.

Betrayal at the Berkeley City Council (Public Comment) Harry Brill 08-11-2016

Flash: No Special Berkeley City Council Meeting Tonight Re Minimum Wage John Caner, CEO Downtown Berkeley Assn. 08-11-2016

Flash: Whole Lotta Shakin' at a special City Council Meeting tonight? Becky O'Malley 08-11-2016

City of Berkeley News: City Council Special Meeting, Thursday August 11 at 6:00PM Councilmember Kriss Worthington 08-11-2016

Press Release: Berkeley City Council to hold special meeting on raising minimum wage Stefan Elgstrand, Office of Councilmember Jesse Arreguin 08-11-2016

Press Release: HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD: Council Special Meeting re MINIMUM WAGE, Tomorrow, Thurs, Aug 11, 6pm, Old City Hall, 2134 MLK Jr. Way. John Caner, C.E.O. Downtown Berkeley Association 08-11-2016

Press Release: Agreement Reached on Berkeley Minimum Wage
Attorney Andy Katz led negotiations for Special City Council vote Thursday Andy Katz, andy@andykatzlaw.com 08-11-2016

Press Release: PROCLAMATION CALLING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL From Leslie D. Harris, City of Berkeley City Clerk Department 08-11-2016