stephanie
10-09-2007, 01:22 AM
:cow::lmao:
Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, October 8, 2007
(10-08) 13:45 PDT Berkeley -- Berkeley tree-sitter and former mayoral candidate Zachary Running Wolf climbed out of the Memorial Stadium oak grove Monday to launch a recall of Mayor Tom Bates, whom he described as too conservative for the city.
Running Wolf, 44, said Bates should be recalled because of his crackdown on homelessness and his support for the University of California and high-density housing.
Backers of the campaign must gather the signatures of 17,500 registered voters in the city within 75 days to qualify the recall for a special ballot.
Bates, who was in London on Monday at a conference on climate change, was re-elected with 63 percent in November 2006. Running Wolf, who placed third with 4.6 percent of the total, announced several months ago that he plans to run against Bates in the next mayoral election.
"This city is under siege," Running Wolf said Monday. "When a mayor makes homelessness illegal, that's not left wing. Tom Bates is not progressive. He's conservative. This recall should have happened a long time ago."
Bates recently launched a wide-ranging program to remove homeless people from public areas by steering them to drug and alcohol rehabilitation, housing programs and social services. A controversial element of the plan allows police more latitude in arresting people for sitting on the sidewalk, urinating in public, pushing shopping carts or loitering.
Running Wolf and Bates agree on one issue, however. They both want to see UC Berkeley build its proposed $125 million sports training facility somewhere besides the Memorial Stadium oak grove.
The city of Berkeley is one of three plaintiffs suing the university over the planned gym, which Bates has called unsafe because of its proximity to the Hayward Fault. Closing arguments are expected Thursday in the case. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller has 90 days to make a ruling.
Reaction to Running Wolf's recall drive ranged from serious political analysis to uproarious laughter.
"Why don't we negotiate with the university over who gets Running Wolf?" said City Councilwoman Betty Olds. "San Francisco has Chicken John, we have Zachary Running Wolf. Recalls are a waste of everyone's money, but I guess this is good for amusement."
read the rest and lots of funny comments...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/08/BAAJSM7JL.DTL
Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, October 8, 2007
(10-08) 13:45 PDT Berkeley -- Berkeley tree-sitter and former mayoral candidate Zachary Running Wolf climbed out of the Memorial Stadium oak grove Monday to launch a recall of Mayor Tom Bates, whom he described as too conservative for the city.
Running Wolf, 44, said Bates should be recalled because of his crackdown on homelessness and his support for the University of California and high-density housing.
Backers of the campaign must gather the signatures of 17,500 registered voters in the city within 75 days to qualify the recall for a special ballot.
Bates, who was in London on Monday at a conference on climate change, was re-elected with 63 percent in November 2006. Running Wolf, who placed third with 4.6 percent of the total, announced several months ago that he plans to run against Bates in the next mayoral election.
"This city is under siege," Running Wolf said Monday. "When a mayor makes homelessness illegal, that's not left wing. Tom Bates is not progressive. He's conservative. This recall should have happened a long time ago."
Bates recently launched a wide-ranging program to remove homeless people from public areas by steering them to drug and alcohol rehabilitation, housing programs and social services. A controversial element of the plan allows police more latitude in arresting people for sitting on the sidewalk, urinating in public, pushing shopping carts or loitering.
Running Wolf and Bates agree on one issue, however. They both want to see UC Berkeley build its proposed $125 million sports training facility somewhere besides the Memorial Stadium oak grove.
The city of Berkeley is one of three plaintiffs suing the university over the planned gym, which Bates has called unsafe because of its proximity to the Hayward Fault. Closing arguments are expected Thursday in the case. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller has 90 days to make a ruling.
Reaction to Running Wolf's recall drive ranged from serious political analysis to uproarious laughter.
"Why don't we negotiate with the university over who gets Running Wolf?" said City Councilwoman Betty Olds. "San Francisco has Chicken John, we have Zachary Running Wolf. Recalls are a waste of everyone's money, but I guess this is good for amusement."
read the rest and lots of funny comments...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/08/BAAJSM7JL.DTL