Proud and happy

Editor:

I'm not sure what Barbara meant by "ersatz glory from the America's Cup" (City Council Quit Exploiting Alameda," June 15). But Alamedans who have been working with the city development staff for the past 17 months to try to bring a portion of the very real economic benefi t of those races to our city are pretty proud and happy that the Swedish team (actually from many countries around the world) will be making its base here.

Team members will spend real money in Alameda between now and the races next year, and I hope we do our very best to make them feel welcome!

— Dave Bloch

Thanks for heads up

Editor:

Glad you brought this up ("AMP Warns Residents of Phone Scam," June 21). You know, articles like this help consumers like me to avoid being scammed. Although I've read a similar scam being reported at www.caller center.com, it's the fi rst time I read about Alameda Municipal Power being used in a scam.

Well, it looks like these scammers will not stop anytime soon. So I guess the decision is left to us. We can remain uninformed and let them steal our money or be aware and avoid being victimized. And it's clear which path we'd choose.

Thanks for the heads up.

— Clarissa Flint

People should take care

Editor:

Not sure if this is related, ("Beware of PG&E Staff Imposter," March 9) but recently a young man wearing a Pacifi c Gas & Electric T-shirt and shorts drove up in a private vehicle (a gray Honda coupe) and walked the street checking meters, but only selective houses. I have no idea if this is legitimate activity but it does seem strange to not have a company vehicle. Thought I'd at least note it so people take care.

— Jeremy Schmitz

Putting a value on coaching

Editor:

What a fantastic view on coaching ("Facing Life Challenges with Life Coaching," June 21). You have shared your perspective in a way that makes coaching and coaches tangible in terms of value. As a professional coach, I thank you and Barbara!

— Jamee Tenzer

Escaping the hands of the law

Editor:

Jeff Smith's satirical editorial ("Graffi ti Moron Not So Stupid," June 28) makes a point with which I agree and causes a smile. His notso- gentle railing against the stupid and criminal offense of graffi ti is right on, as he usually is.

Midnight urban "artists" have for too long escaped the hands of the law, defacing public and private property at will. Misguided supporters treat their illegal efforts as art. Books are written, galleries sell it and teachers promote it.

Recently, an entire building on Mandela Parkway in West Oakland was subjected to "artistic" splendor. Many drivers and bike riders admired the not-so-avante dragons, skulls, and overlayed lettering, all composed with Krylon paint of various colors.

The owners of the building let it stand a bit long, and then painted over the entire spectacle with industrial gray. Had they waited a few more days, the "art" would have been defaced by more graffi ti.

— Joe Mariscal

Projectors, not cameras

Editor:

On behalf of Alameda Municipal Power (AMP), I would like to clarify the story that ran regarding Robert Lippert's cameras being relocated to the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex ("Lippert's Cameras on the Way to Theater," June 28.)

The projectors (not cameras as they are called in the story) are actually on loan for a limited time to AMP from the Alameda Museum. As part of AMP's 125th anniversary, the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex graciously allowed us to set up a temporary display in their lobby.

We learned about the projectors' existence during our work with the museum (they provided us wonderful photos and research material about AMP's 125-year history and Woody Minor is doing a presentation about AMP at the Museum Thursday, July 26). Because the history of electricity so closely parallels the history of movies, we thought it would be a nice tie-in for a display, especially since the projectors belonged to local movie producer and theater owner Lippert.

Special thanks to both the Alam-eda Museum and Alameda Theatre & Cineplex for partnering with us for AMP's 125th anniversary. And we encourage everyone to go see these pieces of Alameda history.

— Rebecca Irwin

Alameda Municipal Power

An open letter to school board, Vital

The Alameda Sun received a copy of this letter.

Superintendent and the Alameda School Board:

Having been the second generation of my family to have passed through the halls of the beautiful red-brick edifi ce known as Washington School, it troubles me that you, as the superintendent and the members of the school board have or will have by now spent excessive amount fo money to change the name of Washington School and whatever else was needed to complete the change. All you had to do was change the curriculum.

Since you as the superintendent feel unsafe or just want more modern quarters, let me remind you that Alameda does not have money to pay for the move and/or additional rent. If there is space in one of our more modern state-of-the-art schools, move there. If space is unavailable, forget it! Let me remind you Measure A was passed for the students of Alameda, not for your use.

If your contract as superintendent provides for additional raises, it would be best for you to waive the right because you have already secured a very substantial raise in the last fi asco when the teachers got stiffed. it is time for you to sacrifi ce for the sake of Alameda kids and teachers.

It is a shame that we here in Alameda cannot fi nd an educator who has come up through the ranks to run our schools. Just wait until we hit the next bump in the road, and our superintendent doesn't have her way — she will bolt and seek a position in another community.

When there are cost-saving alternatives and money is wasted, it is upsetting. I am not the only one in this community who feels the same way. As an Alameda native, I love my city.

P.S. In 1957, the West Wing of Alameda High School was deemed unsafe in the event of an earthquake. Let me advise you that it took two days for the wrecking ball to break through the wall at Walnut Street and Central Avenue.

— Frederica Hofmann-Kapp