Posts Tagged ‘Government’
The Weekly 3: Land Development
What are the three biggest stories each week in the world of California land development? You’ll find them right here each Monday, or follow LP&A all week long on Twitter at @LPALand for up-to-the-minute news and analysis. This week:
1. Is Developing Alameda Point worth the hassle?
Alameda Point - What Could Have Been
The city of Alameda voted last week to terminate an exclusive negotiating agreement with SunCal for development of the city’s former Navy base, which closed 15 years ago. SunCal invested nearly $15 million during its four-year process, but was stymied by ever-changing political winds, a city staff with personal agendas and a public that’s not happy without a fight on its hands. SunCal came on board in 2006 after a partnership of Shea and Catellus got fed up and walked away, which begs the question: Is developing Alameda Point worth the hassle? >>Read More
Bummed Out Voters In OC
Here’s a troubling stat, from the Brandman University 2010 State of Orange County survey:
In 2000, 38 percent of Orange County residents felt their quality of life was going very well, and only nine percent thought it was going badly. In 2010, eight percent thought their quality of life was going very well and 35 percent thought it was going badly. This dramatic reversal means, at one level, a greater dissatisfaction with local government.
In our experience, there is a far greater chance decisions made by local government will be challenged by referenda in times like these, compared to more happy-go-lucky times.
Did Social Media Influence the State of the Union?
Can s
ocial media impact government policy decisions? Even at the White House level? A group of U.S. veterans thinks so. Led with the help of lefty group Brave New Foundation, the Rethink Afghanistan campaign aimed to coerce, err…persuade, President Obama into providing an exit strategy for our troops in Afghanistan during Wednesday night’s State of the Union Address. And how did they plan to wield such influence? By bombarding the White House Facebook page with hundreds of posts demanding such language in the speech.
