Meanwhile, refinery issues "root cause analysis" on Thanksgiving accident, says it had no idea that it had spewed toxic dust into the community, no mechanism for knowing if it happens again
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. I strongly support reviving the amphitheater for a number of reasons, mainly the lack of entertainment options (some business establishments have acoustic and there are many activities for kids) and cultural activities. I see Martinez changing, with an influx of younger residents, and it's time we moved forward! I have lived in Martinez for 12 years and during that time I was aware of just a couple of events there. I see this as a lack of interest and creativity on the part of city management. As a San Franciscan I enjoyed endless opportunities for public events of all sorts and I think that with experienced and visionary management, programming and marketing the venue could attract a wide audience. It might not be a big moneymaker and the venue is rundown but it is worth trying a modest re-opening that need not cost big bucks. I would happily volunteer to get this enterprise off the ground and gather support for doing so. BTW the idea of permanent structures such as hotels and restaurants on the waterfront is hideously inappropriate and counter to the concept that our waterfront is public space and a natural environment. Let's not let non-water-related business be the driving force for the future. Let's adopt a vision of nurturing the gift we have of open, natural space for all.
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary here, Lisa, and taking the time to read my newsletter.
As far as the amphitheater, the city manager clearly indicated in his comments that it will require costly repairs to once again make it usable, and if residents and the city decide they want to retain an amphitheater, it may be more cost-effective to build a new one from scratch. There definitely seems to be support for the idea of keeping an amphitheater at the waterfront, but the question seems to be how to make it viable and attract performances. I personally agree with you that we do need more arts-related amenities to balance out the recreational ones both at the waterfront and city as a whole. I encourage you to attend the Feb. 22 community workshop and make your views known.
Will attend the 22d for sure. I have the strong impression that - Martinez being a cultural backwater - the A theatre was poorly managed by non-professionals of limited imagination. People do love Martinez, and I've grown fond of it here as well for the landscape and the cute neighborhoods, but as you point out recreation and kiddie activities and pub crawls are the extent of it, making it really boring for people like me (I assume there are others!) who neither sport nor have children and crave intellectual stimulation and the arts. BTW, if you're not familiar with the Bedford and you appreciate art, check it out. It's well-curated and progressive.
So, I always like your perspective on things, Craig. Housing has always been a real issue, here in Martinez. Decent low income or “affordable” housing has been largely ignored which really ticks me off. People deserve a nice place to live and thrive, period! The homes going up here are being built by DeNova Homes and each home is not designed for low income nor what I would call as necessarily affordable. That money has to be allocated soon or we will forever lose out on the opportunity of housing anyone.
Thanks for your comments here, Marlene. I couldn't agree more. Our city leaders are expressing support for affordable housing initiatives during these workshops (not that they really have a choice), but my concern is that politics and NIMBYism too often get in the way when it comes to this issue. It will be important for folks like you and me who believe that this is fundamentally a moral issue to make our voices heard and put pressure on the city to back up words and plans with real action. Needless to say, I was disappointed with the statement I saw from Thousand Friends of Martinez on this issue in their newsletter, and it did nothing to allay concerns I have about whether there is a streak of NIMBYism in their agenda. We'll see, but focusing on preserving the "character" of downtown over the human toll of the lack of access to housing, and remediating the impacts of development over remediating the human impacts of this crisis, is not a good sign, IMHO.
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. I strongly support reviving the amphitheater for a number of reasons, mainly the lack of entertainment options (some business establishments have acoustic and there are many activities for kids) and cultural activities. I see Martinez changing, with an influx of younger residents, and it's time we moved forward! I have lived in Martinez for 12 years and during that time I was aware of just a couple of events there. I see this as a lack of interest and creativity on the part of city management. As a San Franciscan I enjoyed endless opportunities for public events of all sorts and I think that with experienced and visionary management, programming and marketing the venue could attract a wide audience. It might not be a big moneymaker and the venue is rundown but it is worth trying a modest re-opening that need not cost big bucks. I would happily volunteer to get this enterprise off the ground and gather support for doing so. BTW the idea of permanent structures such as hotels and restaurants on the waterfront is hideously inappropriate and counter to the concept that our waterfront is public space and a natural environment. Let's not let non-water-related business be the driving force for the future. Let's adopt a vision of nurturing the gift we have of open, natural space for all.
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary here, Lisa, and taking the time to read my newsletter.
As far as the amphitheater, the city manager clearly indicated in his comments that it will require costly repairs to once again make it usable, and if residents and the city decide they want to retain an amphitheater, it may be more cost-effective to build a new one from scratch. There definitely seems to be support for the idea of keeping an amphitheater at the waterfront, but the question seems to be how to make it viable and attract performances. I personally agree with you that we do need more arts-related amenities to balance out the recreational ones both at the waterfront and city as a whole. I encourage you to attend the Feb. 22 community workshop and make your views known.
Will attend the 22d for sure. I have the strong impression that - Martinez being a cultural backwater - the A theatre was poorly managed by non-professionals of limited imagination. People do love Martinez, and I've grown fond of it here as well for the landscape and the cute neighborhoods, but as you point out recreation and kiddie activities and pub crawls are the extent of it, making it really boring for people like me (I assume there are others!) who neither sport nor have children and crave intellectual stimulation and the arts. BTW, if you're not familiar with the Bedford and you appreciate art, check it out. It's well-curated and progressive.
So, I always like your perspective on things, Craig. Housing has always been a real issue, here in Martinez. Decent low income or “affordable” housing has been largely ignored which really ticks me off. People deserve a nice place to live and thrive, period! The homes going up here are being built by DeNova Homes and each home is not designed for low income nor what I would call as necessarily affordable. That money has to be allocated soon or we will forever lose out on the opportunity of housing anyone.
Thanks for your comments here, Marlene. I couldn't agree more. Our city leaders are expressing support for affordable housing initiatives during these workshops (not that they really have a choice), but my concern is that politics and NIMBYism too often get in the way when it comes to this issue. It will be important for folks like you and me who believe that this is fundamentally a moral issue to make our voices heard and put pressure on the city to back up words and plans with real action. Needless to say, I was disappointed with the statement I saw from Thousand Friends of Martinez on this issue in their newsletter, and it did nothing to allay concerns I have about whether there is a streak of NIMBYism in their agenda. We'll see, but focusing on preserving the "character" of downtown over the human toll of the lack of access to housing, and remediating the impacts of development over remediating the human impacts of this crisis, is not a good sign, IMHO.
exactly.