Night on the Town

Last week, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates spent a night on the streets of Berkeley as a homeless man, giving up a warm house and bed for a sleeping bag at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Some called it a media stunt, but it was a well-intentioned event to help both Bates and the public capture a taste of what it's like to be homeless.

Bates' event was well-timed to bring attention to the people who are in need of social services to provide mental health care, shelters for the homeless and services to reduce substance abuse.

Those who criticize Bates might have expected the night to be a more realistic experience. The free sleeping bag came from the box if you get a sleeping bag at all. The park really does close at 10 p.m., and the police really do force you to leave. You're not followed by 25 staffers and reporters to ward off people from committing assault. It wasn't raining. Yesterday had the luxuries of food and shower. Yesterday was a day with respect and dignity.

Let's not lose sight of the point of the event. There are people in our community without a place to go, and we need to give them the ability to move into shelters and get jobs. I don't expect Bates to immerse himself into homelessness like an actor would; after all, we need our mayor back in Old City Hall to vote on the budget.

City funds only cover one-third of homeless services in Berkeley; the majority of funding comes from the state and federal levels. The city of Berkeley funds the ASUC-sponsored Suitcase Clinic that performs services from haircuts to feet washing, the Telegraph Mobile Crisis Team and a variety of health and counseling services.

Bates getting the message out on the news raises awareness about what's happening in Berkeley and what we can do about it. Telegraph Area Association advocates for an Alameda County detox center were also thrilled to hear Bates' support for the idea. Unless these services continue receiving funding Berkeley will get worse.

The growing unemployment in the county, state budget cuts and the change in San Francisco homeless policy could send a wave through Berkeley.

Let's give the credit where it's due-to Jackl, who rose in a campaign debate to make the challenge and to Bates, for following through with a vision to improve the situation.

Planning Director Plans New Direction

Planning Director Carol Barrett is going back to Texas after less than two years on the job in Berkeley. Though Berkeley doesn't have a reputation for holding onto planning staff long, the city has its share of veterans and a competitive contract compared to the benefits offered by other cities.

That is, except for the benefit of working with the city's Planning Commission and the public. Berkeley's a demanding place. The people care about process, take an active role in setting the agenda and don't let a point go undebated.

The officials are firm believers in creative solutions to pressing problems-like industrial retention in West Berkeley and striking the balance between adding affordable housing and keeping less dense neighborhoods in scale. It takes time to get used to, and not everyone's cut out for it. It shouldn't reflect badly on anyone who leaves; it's just not the right place and the right time.

With a month and a half to find a temporary replacement, the Planning Department has a lot on its plate. It processes the applications for new development and carries out the analysis on new plans.

The Southside Plan-a comprehensive neighborhood plan that would increase housing capacity close to campus and encourage safety and nighttime business-has been primarily a captive of stalled environmental review but also a disagreement between major players of the city and university for more than four years. Luckily, the key staff on other major projects are all staying on staff. Kudos to the planners in the thick of it, and sticking it through.

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