In the January 22 Albany City Council meeting the topic of possible ferry service between Albany and San Francisco was discussed. After listening intently to a number of speakers from the public (many presenting good reasons to encourage the Bay Area Water Transit Authority to include an Albany site in their EIR study) the City Council abruptly passed a resolution urging the WTA not to include an Albany site in the EIR study. (We think EIR refers to the term: Environmental Impact Review (Report?)--which some say means the ferry shouldn't hit the dock too hard, or something like that)
On the bright side, the Council passes a lot of resolutions these days, and the WTA is probably going to study an Albany site anyway. And besides, while water is blue, the concept of a ferry for Albany is pretty green. And isn’t that where we’re supposed to be headed? That is, attracting green businesses to Albany?
AC: Excuse me, do you think a ferry service between Albany and San Francisco would be good for Albany?
Respondent: Yes I do.
AC: But perhaps you heard that Mayor Robert Lieber thinks a ferry might bring a lot of gamblers to Albany.
Respondent: No way. Ferries are real safe these days, and you don't take any kind of risk or gamble riding one. I mean some do sink in the far East, but the're usually way overloaded and get hit by a big wave or something. Also, you may not know this, but at the turn of the last century, William Randolph Hearst had his guys jump off ferries into the Bay and then he timed how long it took to rescue them. If it took too long, he made it a headline. But I don't think the Chronicle would pull something like that today.
AC: Well that's all very interesting, but actually the gambling the mayor was referring to was betting on the horses at the Golden Gate Fields race track.
Respondent: Get outta town! That ain't gambling! That's just 'playing the ponies', and if you can get yourself a hot tip, you'll hit a winner for sure. No gamble to it! You just need the hot tip.
AC: Pardon me ma'am. Do you think the Albany City Council should have voted yes on ferry study?
Respondent: No I don't! Those EIR studies are totally useless and a big waste or money. Don't have a thing to do with ferries. I'm absolutely opposed to it and the Council did right.
AC: Ma'am, do you know what an EIR is?
Respondent: Of course I do, Sonny, and I see two big ones sticking out the sides of your head right now, so just leave me alone!
AC: Sir, did you agree with the Albany City Council's resolution on the ferry issue?
Respondent: Absolutely. The Sierra Club supported it, and that's good enough for me.
AC: You mean you just agree with everything you read in the Yodeler?
Respondent: Hell no! I'm as much of an independent thinker as the next guy! For example, I thought their idea about relocating I-80 600 ft. inland along that stretch between Berkeley and Emeryville was way over the top, and I told 'em so in no uncertain terms.
AC: Hello there. How did you like the decision on the ferry?
Respondent: Son, you've got yourself hold of a rare bird here. See I'm one of three citizens in this town who really believes that development is good for Albany. I had a picture of Rick Caruso on my fridge. My wife took it down. I stuck it back up. Then she demagnetized it so it won't stick any more. I never figured out how she did that. But anyway, if I were this Lieber fella, I'd be in negotiations right now to buy the QM 2. You got to admit that ship would make one hell of a ferry boat for Albany!