Feb 28, 2008

Wozniak compromises on commissions

Proposal would put info on Web sites

By Doug Oakley / Daily News Staff Writer

Commissions that advise the Berkeley City Council may offer more information to the public following the national outcry over the council's approval last month of a Peace and Justice Commission item asking the U.S. Marines to leave town.

Council Member Gordon Wozniak originally had proposed that the council review items from the Peace and Justice Commission twice before approving them in order to avoid future embarrassment to the city. But he has now reached a compromise with backers of the commission to get more information to the public on all city commissions before items reach the council.

"I talked to the former chair, and he said I was unfairly singling out the Peace and Justice Commission," Wozniak said.

On Jan. 29, the council approved an item from the commission asking the Marines to close their recruiting station on Shattuck Avenue, calling them unwelcome intruders and urging people to impede their work in the city.

A national uproar followed, and the council attempted to backtrack by softening the language. There was a massive demonstration by people on both sides of the issue in front of City Hall before and during the Feb. 12 council meeting.

Wozniak said he withdrew his item from Tuesday night's council meeting after reaching the compromise to put more information on upcoming statements and actions by commissions on their individual Web sites.

Currently, the public can get only general information about what the commissions are working on. With the new proposal, more information will appear on each commission's site before items reach the council.

Wozniak's new proposal will come to the council in the coming weeks, he said.

"I think it can work," he said. "I didn't think mine is the only way. If we get some buy-in from all the commissions, it will work."



E-mail Doug Oakley at doakley@bayareanewsgroup.com.