Photos by Joseph Taecker-Wyss
One of the best reasons to vote “No on R” was expressed by a Berkeley man who stopped by the “No on R” booth at the Solano Stroll this past Sunday (Sept. 14).
“If you don’t understand it, don’t vote for it,” he said.
His reaction echoed a typical response to the confusing and legally flawed 28 pages of deletions and insertions into the Berkeley zoning code otherwise known as Measure R.
Photos by Joseph Taecker-Wyss
Those who take the time and trouble to understand it find even greater reason to oppose this anti-growth measure whose stringent restrictions would block transit-oriented housing and sabotage Berkeley’s remarkable Downtown revitalization.
Photos by Joseph Taecker-Wyss
Many curious Berkeley voters stopped by the “No on R” booth, and the vast majority of them acknowledged that they were confused by the conflicting messages from “No on R” and “Yes on R,” especially since both claim to insure a “green” Downtown.
But when they learned the facts, they understood why labor unions, environmental organizations, Democratic Party organizations , professional associations and Berkeley’s top elected officials all belong to the broad community coalition opposed to Measure R.
Here is a sample of the endorsers of “No on R”:
Organizations:
- Greenbelt Alliance
- Alameda County Labor Council (representing 100,000 East Bay workers)
- Alameda County Democratic Party
- Berkeley Chamber of Commerce
- League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay
- Berkeley Democratic Club (oldest and largest Democratic club in Alameda County)
- Downtown Berkeley Association
- Alameda County Building Trades Council (28 affiliated unions)
- Hotel, Food Service and Gaming Workers Local 2850 (also known as Unite Here!)
- Livable Berkeley
- Berkeley Design Advocates
Individuals:
- State Senator Loni Hancock (representing Berkeley)
- Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (representing Berkeley)
- Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates
- Berkeley City Councilmember Laurie Capitelli
- Berkeley City Councilmember Linda Maio
- Berkeley City Councilmember Darryl Moore
- Berkeley City Councilmember Susan Wengraf
- Berkeley City Councilmember Gordon Wozniak
- East Bay MUD Board President Andy Katz (representing Berkeley)
- BART Board Director Rebecca Saltzman (representing Berkeley)
- UC Prof. Robert Reich (former U.S. Secretary of Labor)
- Downtown Berkeley Association President Susan Medak
- And scores of others! See longer list here …