Tag Archives: Beverly Johnson

The Princes of Alameda

For years, the Merry‑Go‑Round believed that the savviest political operator ever to occupy an office at City Hall was former City Manager John Russo. But in our estimation Mr. Russo now has got himself a rival for the crown:  City … Continue reading

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Their first time

If either Gig Codiga or Amos White wins election to Council this November, he will have achieved a feat remarkable in recent Alameda political history:  Victory by a candidate who has never appeared on any Council ballot before and who … Continue reading

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They just won’t give up!

If you were one of those who would have liked to see Dania Alvarez re-appointed to the Planning Board, there was a simple argument available to be made: Once appointed, a board or commission member who performs her duties competently … Continue reading

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Marching to the same drummer

No one would ever mistake Minnesota native and Alameda resident Joe Ernst for Professor Harold Hill, but that sure was an impressive parade he led in Council chambers last Tuesday in support of Alameda Point Partners’ development proposal for Site … Continue reading

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A Fire Department program on life support

Tuesday night, former IAFF Local 689 president and current fire chief Mike D’Orazi is scheduled to appear before Council to get the “basic life support ambulance transport” program run by the fire department moved from “pilot” to “regular” – i.e., … Continue reading

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How to get elected to Council

The Merry-Go-Round is pleased to be first to publish a questionnaire for prospective candidates for Alameda City Council. We have only three questions:

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Is everybody happy?

Two weeks ago, Mayor Marie Gilmore kicked off her re-election campaign with a rousing speech touting the many ways in which the Russo/Gilmore administration had improved the City in the last three years. Oh, wait a minute. The Mayor actually … Continue reading

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An RFP for the WTC?

Now that the key planning documents for Alameda Point are nearly finished and subject only to final approval by the Planning Board and Council, the time may arrived to consider issuing a request for proposals for developing the “central hub” … Continue reading

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Short takes: DelBono, Chen & the AA+ grade

While researching a piece for the Merry-Go-Round, we occasionally come across information that, while not pertinent to the piece itself, strikes us as worth passing on.  For example, did you know about firefighters’ union honcho Jeff DelBono’s passion for ferries? … Continue reading

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Through a glass diffusely

(Originally published in the Alameda Sun August 15, 2013) These days, Alameda’s political leaders are fond of justifying their decisions in legal terms:  We had no other choice to act as we did, they say, because the law requires (or … Continue reading

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