InBerkeley

Looks like this local Berkeley story is spreading.  Now the San Francisco Chronicle is covering it.  What’s next, the New York Times?

“Sometimes democracy can go too far,” Councilwoman Susan Wengraf, one of the six council members opposing the petition, said of the proposed referendum.

State Sen. Loni Hancock, Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner and Mayor Tom Bates have appeared in glossy flyers urging the public: “Please don’t sign the petition.” There have been e-mails and, in some cases, people shadowing signature gatherers to discourage potential signers.

Wengraf and Bates said they could not recall another time in Berkeley history when so many elected officials campaigned against a citizen’s petition.

via San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate.

Downtown, Politics

The Berkeley school district will consider in-school swine flu vaccinations, installation of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and staff training to protect its 9,000 students from swine flu, which is predicted to come back with a vengeance this fall.

Berkeley school officials will meet with Berkeley Health Department brass next week to hash out a plan for the school year, which starts Sept. 2, said schools spokesman Mark Coplan. Also next week, the school district will mail informational fliers to 7,000 families on reducing swine flu risk.

via Oakland Tribune/Inside Bay Area.

Education

A federal judge has ruled the University of California cannot build a new computer research center near the Berkeley campus without further environmental studies.

San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge William Alsup said Monday the $113 million project is covered by federal law and therefore requires a new government study before construction can begin.

via AP/San Jose Mercury News.

Downtown, Environment, UC Berkeley