Berkeley

Berkeley Moves to Finance Home Solar Panels: Bright Idea?

Sep 18 2008 - 9:00am by CitizenSugar

Berkeley, CA, has grabbed attention again — this time for starting a pioneering new program to provide city-backed loans for home solar-electric systems. This week the city council approved a new tax district that allows residents to finance solar energy systems through their property taxes.Here's how the program works: the city provides the money for the installation and materials, and homeowners are able to pay back the loan at a fixed rate over 20 years. The cost amounts to about $180 per month to be added to property tax bills to eventually pay for the $22,000 system. Officials say those who choose to stick the panels where the sun do shine will recoup that cost through lowered energy bills. Is this a perfect way for cities to make greener technologies a reality for homeowners? Source

Berkeley Moves to Finance Home Solar Panels: Bright Idea?

Bright idea! It's a perfect way to offset the start-up costs of solar energy.

Dim. Why would I sign up to pay more taxes instead of buying the system myself?

It's an interesting concept, but I'd rather not borrow money against my property taxes.

Other. I'll shine on in the comments.

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20 comments

Front Page: Tree-Sitters Climb Down, Quake Shakes Iran, More Calling Suicide Hotline, US Deficit at $438 Billion

Sep 10 2008 - 6:00am by CitizenSugar

53 Views - 8 comments

Front Page: Tree-Sitters Climb Down, Quake Shakes Iran, More Calling Suicide Hotline, US Deficit at $438 Billion

Tree-Sitters Climb Down: After a 21-month occupation, four remaining tree-sitters in an oak grove on the UC Berkeley campus, climbed down and into police custody. School officials had cut off food and water supplies Monday and were prepared to remove the activists using force. The tree-sitters were trying to stop the construction of a $125 million sports center which threatened 42 trees on campus.

Quake Shakes Iran: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake has hit southern Iran near the site of a large Iranian oil refinery, injuring 22 and killing three.

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8 comments

Berkeley to Ban Smoking Outside

Mar 27 2008 - 12:00pm by LibertySugar

426 Views - 26 comments

The notorious Berkeley City Council has been busy. Last night, it moved forward a ban on smoking outside! People caught lighting up on commercially zoned sidewalks will face a $100 fine.

Read Related: Berkeley Headline No Smoking Smoking

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26 comments

Should Berkeley Apologize to the Marines?

Mar 3 2008 - 10:00am by CitizenSugar

284 Views - 42 comments

The independent group Move America Forward just released a new commercial following last month's controversial city council decisions first to ban, then allow Marine recruiting centers in the city.

The commercial features a Marine, a military mother, and a veteran, all demanding an apology from the Berkeley City Council. Move America Forward's website also has a petition for the public to sign, asking for contrition. Reaction to the ad from the local community has been less than enthusiastic, with the University of California Berkeley's paper, The Daily Californian, calling the ad "pure comedy."Should Berkeley apologize? Is this ad the way to make it happen?

Should Berkeley Apologize to the Marines?

Yes. Berkeley should apologize, and I'm glad this ad is publicizing their mistake.

Berkeley's actions didn't amount to more than a letter. This ad campaign is extreme.

No. The council acted on behalf of the community. They have no reason to apologize.

Some conclusion is necessary, though this ad might not be the way to encourage it.

I love the idea of an apology, but I hate this ad.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Read Related: Ad-rageous Berkeley Citizen Poll Military

42 comments

The US Marines vs. Berkeley — Who's in the Right?

Feb 13 2008 - 9:00am by CitizenSugar

666 Views - 85 comments

The US Marines vs. Berkeley — Who's in the Right?

In January, the City Council of Berkeley, CA, voted to tell the United States Marines that their downtown recruitment office was to be shut down, and that they were "uninvited and unwelcome intruders." After fervent protests, this morning the City Council voted 7-2 to pass a follow up resolution written by two council members that would retract the original letter and make a distinction between opposing the war in Iraq and "our respect and support for those serving in the armed forces." The council's new position is firm opposition to the war, but that "we recognize the recruiter's right to locate in our city and the right of others to protest or support their presence."Both sides of the controversy surrounding the initial policy and its reversal feel very passionately. One member of the pro-military group Move America Forward, whose son is a Marine said, that he wants a personal apology from council members, and that "the Marines have the right to recruit anyone, anywhere."Some in the anti-war group Code Pink have said, "we want to ask the Marines to not recruit in our community. The majority of citizens here are fervently against the war. We're not against the Marines, but against what they're recruited to do."What do you think? Should they have stood by their original resolution? Is the city of Berkeley within its rights to ask the Marines to leave? Source

The US Marines vs. Berkeley — Who's in the Right?

The Berkeley City Council had every right to ask the Marines to leave if they thought it was against the wishes of the town.

The Marines and their supporters are right. A local body has no right to override the requirements of the military.

Other. It's much more complicated, I'll explain in the comments.

Read Related: Berkeley Citizen Poll Marines

85 comments

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Berkeley

Berkeley Moves to Finance Home Solar Panels: Bright Idea?

Front Page: Tree-Sitters Climb Down, Quake Shakes Iran, More Calling Suicide Hotline, US Deficit at $438 Billion

Berkeley to Ban Smoking Outside

Should Berkeley Apologize to the Marines?

The US Marines vs. Berkeley — Who's in the Right?

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