***URGENT HELP DOGS IN OAKLAND SHELTERS***

2 Urgent Actions

ONE We need to convince the City of Oakland that closing the shelter for ten days is not an option for saving money

.
Please send an urgent email to Dan Lindheim, Budget Director at the Mayor's Office at dlindheim@oaklandnet.com, and/or call at (510) 238-6840 to let them know the shelter is different from other city agencies, in caring for HUNDREDS of animals each day, and needs special accommodation during the mandated Oakland shut-down days!

Talking points for your email/phone calls as to why the shelter needs special exemption for closure from 12/26 thru 1/2: Talking Points

TWO

We need to protect Point Isabel from developers who want to put a shopping center there. The final chance for public input is this Tuesday December 16 at the City Council meeting, at 1401 Marina Way South in Richmond Annex or Richmond. For more information see the Point Isabel Newsletter or contact PIDO via email at m22257m@yahoo.com or 5150-559-8362.

URGENT San Leandro Dog Parks In Trouble

By Karen Holzmeister - The Daily Review

12/10/2008


SAN LEANDRO — The City Council is backing offfrom its consideration of San Leandro'sfirst dog park, a decision that has canine lovers yapping mad and determined togather more support.

General park dedication fees paid by developers,which might have been a potential funding source for the dog park, couldinstead be used for projects at other parks, or even for upgrading policeheadquarters on East 14th Street,council members suggested Tuesday.

"This economy is in desperate straits, if you don't know it,"Mayor Tony Santos told six dog-park backers Tuesday during the council'sFacilities and Transportation Committee meeting. He suggested the city use thefees — the park dedication fund currently has $700,000 — for "desperatelyneeded" equipment and structural improvements in the police building.

Dog lovers pledged to fight for a dog park at the San Leandro Marina. AndPeggy Combs, vice chairwoman of the Recreation and Park Commission, said theconcept of a dog park has been "unanimously embraced by thecommunity."

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," park advocate SabrinaAlmazan said after Santos complained he is fielding 10 to 25 e-mails a day —and four phone calls on Monday alone — from dog owners.

"We represent a huge population of dog owners," added Almazan, amember of the Four Paws Society, which has gathered 1,100 signatures on apetition for a dog park at the San Leandro Marina.

"We will gather more support, and (demonstrate the) need for a dogpark," Almazan told Santosand the two other committee members, councilwomen Diana Souza and JoyceStarosciak. "You are our elected officials; they are yourconstituents."

Four Paws and the Recreation and Park Commission, the latter acouncil-appointed advisory group, have spent 18 months studying the dog parkissue. In September, commissioners asked the council to spend $491,000 for a1.3-acre linear park on the shoreline.

It had been assumed that the money would come from park dedication fees,paid by builders in lieu of land dedication, and traditionally used for newpark or recreation developments.

On Tuesday, council members and city administrators said the city attorneyis reviewing the park dedication fee ordinance to see if the money can be usedfor existing facilities.

The attorney's opinion will be available at the committee's next meeting inJanuary. Starosciak also asked that a list of citywide capital projects beavailable by that meeting so that the committee — and, eventually, the entirecouncil — can prioritize projects for all sources of funding.

©2008 Bay Area News Group
spacer (1K)

For more information on the Dog Park Recommendation, Plans, Facts and Articles...

And, to Volunteer...

visit: www.FourPawsSociety.org

or contact:
Sabrina@FourPawsSociety.org or (510) 909-2163