2006-04-04 Oral Communications SubmittalApril 4, 2006
To Mayor Johnson, City Council
As the recipient of recent excessive charges by the Planning Department pertaining to the
appeal of the proposed cineplex/garage project I would like to appeal to you on behalf of
myself all of Alameda's citizens.
Not only do I think these charges are unwarranted because they were never identified to
us prior to our filing the appeals and in fact, at the time of filing the appeals we were
given information by City staff contrary to what we are now being told. Not only do I
feel that these excessive fees are a hardship on me and my fellow citizens who have filed
appeals opposing the proposed cineplex and garage, but I also feel they are a hindrance to
the democratic process.
If allowed to stand, fees such as this will effectively dissuade citizens from appealing
decisions of the Planning Board, City Council and other City boards going forward and
that would be a blow to democracy allowing only the rich and powerful to oppose
decisions that effect all of our lives.
Regardless of how you feel about this particular, the charging of fees that would prohibit
citizens of our town from making their voices and opinions heard would be a bad
decision for all citizens.
I request and encourage you to do the right thing and rescind not only the existing fees,
but also the alleged resolution that gives the City permission to charge them.
Thank you;
Valerie Ruma
Concerned Citizen
Submitted by Valerie Ruma at the
4 -4 -06 Regular Council Meeting
under Oral Communications