Citizens for East Shore Parks Press Release
Contact:
Patricia Jones,
Citizens for East Shore Parks,
(510) 461 - 4665

NEW NAME FOR EAST BAY OPEN SPACE ORGANIZATION!

Albany – In order to better reflect the current focus of its work CESP, which formerly stood for Citizens for the Eastshore State Park, will now stand for Citizens for East Shore Parks.

For decades, CESP worked actively with fellow community residents, with agencies, and with local and state representatives, to establish the Eastshore State Park. On December 6, 2002, that goal was successfully achieved. Since then, CESP has been working actively with park agencies, local representatives and organizations to ensure that the General Plan for the Eastshore State Park, which ensures the preservation of area wildlife, is properly implemented.

We are also, however, working actively to preserve open space in surrounding areas, e.g. Richmond. Thus, we decided a name change to CITIZENS FOR EAST SHORE PARKS (CESP) most accurately reflects the shift from our previous work to our current mission.

Our address and contact information will remain the same:

Citizens for East Shore Parks
P.O. Box 6087
Albany CA 94702
(510) 461-4665
eastshorepark@hotmail.com
www.eastshorepark.org

For more information, contact Patricia , Communications Coordinator at CESP, (510) 461-4665, eastshorepark@hotmail.com.

Citizens for East Shore Parks works to protect and promote open space along the eastern shore of the Bay through advocacy and education.



Citizens for East Shore Parks

Press Release
Contact:
Patricia Jones,
(510) 461-4665

CASINOS IN RICHMOND: CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Richmond – The City Council of Richmond will meet tonight to discuss Upstream Investments proposal for a mammoth casino at Point Molate.

CESP opposes the sale to Upstream Investments due to the scope and purpose of their development. CESP and many other environmental organizations, such as Golden Gate Audubon Society, Sierra Club and others, do not believe that a gigantic casino is the optimal use of this beautiful undeveloped shoreline peninsula. Its open space and wildlife should be preserved.

The idea of a casino complex that would dwarf the waterfront is the worst of all possibilities, said Robert Cheasty, President of CESP. It would overwhelm the site and prevent the kind of public access and shoreline parkland that Point Molate can and should provide. Furthermore, he emphasized that Point Molate is and should remain public property.

The meeting will take place in the Council Chamber of Richmond City Hall South, 1401 Marina Way South at 6:00 p.m.



RACINOS IN ALBANY: CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE POSITION

Albany – The City Council of Albany will meet on Tuesday, September 7 to take a position on Prop. 68. If passed, Prop. 68 would permit up to 3,000 slot machines to be placed near any existing racetracks -- such as the Golden Gate Fields Racetrack in Albany -- with the option to add an additional 800 at a later date.

CESP urges a no vote on Prop. 68. Prop. 68 will take away local control over the waterfront and radically change its use. Prop. 68 flies in the face of local laws, such as Measure C, which require local voter approval of development proposals along the shoreline. Measure C was passed through the efforts of CESP. We supported Measure C because it gives area residents control of their waterfront.

CESP is very concerned about the effects that Prop. 68 will have on the local community.

Robert Cheasty, President of CESP and former Mayor of Albany, said that adding slot machines to Golden Gate Fields "will not only threaten the center of the newly established Eastshore Park, but also make traffic on I-80 absolutely horrendous."

The meeting will take place in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Avenue at 8:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Patricia Jones, Communications Director at CESP, (510) 461 - 4665 eastshorepark@hotmail.com

Citizens for East Shore Parks works to protect and promote open space along the eastern shore of the Bay through advocacy and education.