Good afternoon Drew and Ray,
I have just read the article in The Almanac dated 2/18/2022. I can not express enough my deepest disappointment in the both of you, once again ! I believe and yet cannot believe that you both have the audacity to state that the community of Belle Haven will not be impacted by the Housing Element. I'd like to inform you Drew and Ray that this community of Belle Haven has already been impacted by the Housing Element, you may claim to not see any new homes as a result of the Housing Element.. Well you may not believe that, however that may be due in part to the fact that over 2,500 homes are already scheduled to be built in my tiny community of BH as I write this email, but you already know that !
It appears that your severe reaction to having 80 units built in Suburban Park has upset you . I can not believe that Drew Combs stated in the Almanac, " I can not sit back and support outreach to a part of a City that has no impact " ! No impact !! Drew let me educate you, Belle Haven has suffered all the IMPACT of new construction ! Drew you complain about 80 units, well try FACEBOOK ! How about 4 new buildings and a VILLAGE, and over 2,500 new housing units? I'm embarrassed for both of you to have the audacity to complain that some residents of BH requested a little focus to be placed in our community. A community that everyone wants to surround us with an additional 2,500 outpriced homes, more traffic and more pollution !
Many residents have made tireless efforts to get representation for our community that has historically been overlooked since Redlining was established back in the late 40's early 50's. FaceBook moved in and overnight all eyes were placed on improvements, which also meant pushing this community out. This community has repeatedly asked for the City to hire outreach workers, instead $100,000's of dollars are spent on hiring outside groups like M-2 to collaborate with a community organization. How many of these M-2 folks are from the bay area ? How many of the M-2 members really know the needs of our community, because they certainly do not know how to conduct a CEOC group, let alone create and collect surveys.
It also appears individuals are having private discussions and voicing similar sentiments at council meetings. It is interesting to note that the only two male council members appear to be in opposition to substantive issues other council members voice. It is amazing that for over 65 years Belle Haven has been excluded from upgrades or monies for improvement on schools, streets, lights, parks and efforts to have representation on City Council.
I find it painful to see that the two male City Council members appear to be pointing fingers at specific members of our Council. I have seen for the first time, as a native resident, a representative of Belle Haven sit on City Council and you attack her and Mayor Nash. We are asking for some support and yet you both are clearly not in favor and complain that your communities are being excluded in the West sides, please ! SO WHAT if Belle Haven could finally get something we want and not what you think is best.
I ask that you think about where the greatest impact of new construction has taken place ? I ask that you think about the greatest impact of traffic /pollution and where housing is being built? I ask that you really think about all your decisions and who really has suffered the greatest impact... unfortunately you can not, because these things have NOT impacted you. To sum it up, I also find it extremely interesting that what was really stated by many CEOC members interviews conducted, mine included, has not been written correctly by the Almanac journalist. Many of the members had requested to view a previous Housing Element, participation in creating a survey( not being provided a survey) and to have been a part of the process. We have yet to have many of the questions that we have asked repeatedly be answered. This is the process we are familiar with and this appears to be a process you have both created and presented to the public.
Is this the process you are happy with Drew and Ray ?
Sincerely,
Victoria/Belle Haven resident and native to the bay area
