The Mayor’s decision to push for a sit-lie ordinance on the November ballot has provoked a heated discussion on Berkeleyside. While many feel groups of transients or travelers congregated on sidewalks can be intimidating, one reader questioned whether an ordinance in a homeless-friendly community like Berkeley would enable the community to address this problem in a meaningful way.
Other civic issues being debated this week include the state of our streets and the closure of a public swimming pool, as well as transit plans and new ways the police is to engage with the community.
The death of a six-year old boy following a car accident that also killed his mother haunted readers.
Meanwhile, our weekly Shop Talk column, in which we round up news about local businesses, continued to be a popular draw, and two food-related events planned for this weekend and next — the Three Squares benefit featuring Bi-Rite Market’s founder Sam Mogannam, and the Urban Farm Tour showcasing edible gardens — promised to draw crowds.
Berkeleyside is at Chocolate & Chalk all day today. See you there?
Do you like staying informed about local news? Would you miss us if we were gone? Then help sustain this independently owned, locally grown news site by supporting us with a monthly subscription or a donation.