Tag Archives: Stewart Chen

Their first time

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Robert Sullwold

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 →

Posted in City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Campaign quiz

Posted on February 10, 2019 by Robert Sullwold

One of our favorite columnists, Gail Collins, occasionally presents her Saturday column in the New York Times in the form of a multiple-choice quiz. Today, the Merry-Go-Round will follow Ms. Collins’s lead, but we’ll confine ourselves to three questions.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Pros and cons

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

Like a diabetic staying away from sweets, the Merry-Go-Round makes it a rule to avoid private communications about political issues with the fine folks who sit on the dais at Council chambers every other Tuesday.  If they haven’t said it, … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

They said it

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

Years ago, Professor Irving Younger taught us that one of the primary objectives of a closing argument should be to strengthen the convictions of those jurors who already are inclined to vote your way and to dispel the doubts of … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bull “cap”

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

The Merry-Go-Round received our first mailer of the election season two days ago. It was paid for by Alamedans-In-Charge. It urged a Yes vote on Measure K. And it contained a claim that was, at best, misleading, and, at worst, … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Where the money’s coming from

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

The Merry Go-Round has reviewed the first batch of campaign disclosure statements filed by the candidates for Alameda mayor, city council, and school board.

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Real Alamedans united

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

At the Merry-Go-Round, we’ve always had a soft spot for grassroots organizations formed by ordinary citizens to use the electoral process to achieve shared policy objectives, especially when the ruling class won’t listen to them. This is why we admire … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Development, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

What got into Jim?

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Robert Sullwold

It was, perhaps, no surprise that, at its last meeting of 2017, Council failed to approve a development agreement with Tim Lewis Communities for a project featuring 589 new housing units on the Encinal Terminals site. After all, approval would … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The hidden costs of development

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Robert Sullwold

If you believe Willdan Financial Services – and why wouldn’t you? – 3,227 persons will be living, and another 5,016 working, every day at Alameda Point when the site is fully built out.  In addition, again according to Willdan (in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, City Hall, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Firehouse rules

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Robert Sullwold

Once upon a time, there were a couple of basic rules for Alameda Council elections: No first-time candidate ever will be able to spend her way onto Council. The incumbent always wins.

Posted in City Hall, Firefighters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments