“I’m not familiar with that” was OakDOT Director Josh Rowan’s answer to a question about the homeless encampments and fences blocking the Lake Merritt Channel bike and pedestrian paths, at a SPUR talk last year. District 2 Councilmember Charlene Wang said the same thing when I asked about it at a ribbon cutting for a protected intersection in Chinatown.
Oakland voters rejected a parcel tax meant to raise $34 million a year to plug a hole in the city’s budget, marking the first time in 15 years that voters have declined to raise their own taxes when the city asks.
The Chronicle editorial board, by the way, endorsed a “no” vote. “E” lost by 8,621 votes. It was supposed to raise money for, among other things, cleaning up trash and helping the homeless.
Of course, Josh and Charlene knew exactly what I was asking about; they just didn’t want to answer. And I don’t blame them: the situation on the paths is truly embarrassing. The Lake Merritt Channel paths were once a significant, car-free route for cyclists to get between Jack London Square, Laney College, and Lake Merritt. But it was neglected by the city and became blocked with trash and encampments. For a while, back when Libby Schaff was mayor, a semi-successful effort was made to clear the path and provide Tuff-Shed shelters for the homeless…