May 2012

You said it: Cheering is OK

Ron Matthews
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 12:05am

This is my 19th year at Alameda Little League and I have enjoyed every year immensely. We have a great community and a great environment for our kids to develop into strong people and that is Little League’s primary purpose. Little League is an international organization that has very detailed rules developed over many years of experience to improve the game, player safety, sportsmanship, and spectating. Read more >> about You said it: Cheering is OK

Today's news: A year after Zack drowning, public safety brass say they're ready

On the afternoon of May 7, just a few weeks before the tragic anniversary of the drowning death of Raymond Zack, Alameda police and firefighters responded to a call of swimmers in distress less than a half mile from where the 53-year-old Alameda man died. Within minutes, police were on the beach, and despite a lack of water rescue training, they stripped down and entered the shallow Bay water, buoys and bags in hand. Water-trained firefighters showed up shortly after that, rescuing the swimmers and transporting them to the local hospital. Read more >> about Today's news: A year after Zack drowning, public safety brass say they're ready

You said it: Value teachers as an asset

Sylvia Gibson
Monday, May 21, 2012 - 1:00pm

Let’s value teachers as an asset.

What is Alameda Unified School District’s greatest asset? District leadership will often remark that good teachers are its greatest asset. But where are teachers accounted for in the financial statements? Today they are classified as “expenses” on the income statement and “liabilities” on the balance sheet—not as an investable asset. Thus, when AUSD seeks to cut costs, it cuts teachers and teachers’ salaries, rather than investing in its greatest asset—teachers. Read more >> about You said it: Value teachers as an asset

Q&A: Superintendent Kirsten Vital and Alameda Education Association President Gray Harris

Michele Ellson
Monday, May 21, 2012 - 12:05am

Two weeks ago, we asked the community for their questions regarding negotiations over a new contract for Alameda's teachers. Today we publish responses from Superintendent Kirsten Vital and Alameda Education Association President Gray Harris. Read more >> about Q&A: Superintendent Kirsten Vital and Alameda Education Association President Gray Harris

You said it: AUSD vs. AEA: It's got to stop

Sarah Olaes
Sunday, May 20, 2012 - 6:00pm

On Thursday, May 17, the Otis PTA hosted an information session between Kirsten Vital, Alameda Unified School District superintendent, and Gray Harris, Alameda Education Association president. Each party was advocating their positions, which is course is why they were there. However, what struck me during this process is that all this arguing and advocating needs to stop going on in public. During the meeting, and subsequently in writing, I asked both parties to consider stopping everything that is going on in public; basically take the negotiations back behind closed doors. Read more >> about You said it: AUSD vs. AEA: It's got to stop

Conversation piece: Are city employees paid too much?

Michele Ellson
Friday, May 18, 2012 - 12:05am

This week, city officials released 2011 salary data for hundreds of city employees. Some 50 city employees earned salaries and benefits totaling $200,000 or more. Police and fire managers held nine of the top 10 spots on the earnings chart, taking home more in pay and benefits than the directors of any other city department. Read more >> about Conversation piece: Are city employees paid too much?

Today's news: City releases employee compensation data

Ever wonder how much money Alameda's city employees earn? City officials have released compensation data for 2011. You can find out who Alameda's best paid city workers are, how many workers earned $200,000 or more in pay and benefits and more by clicking the link to today's piece. And while you're there, we'd love to get your comments on city employee pay for the first outing of our new feature, Conversation Piece. Read more >> about Today's news: City releases employee compensation data

Foreclosures drop, short sales on the rise

Michele Ellson
Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 12:05am
Courtesy of ForeclosureRadar

Foreclosure filings are declining here in Alameda and across California, recent data show, though local real estate professionals said the numbers don't reflect a “shadow inventory” of homes with troubled mortgages and others lenders own but haven't put on the market.

But they said banks are more aggressively pursuing short sales to get some of the properties off their books. And with a dearth of homes on the market, they said the short sales in Alameda are producing market-rate results. Read more >> about Foreclosures drop, short sales on the rise

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