Years ago, when I was just starting to film the beavers, I’d wander blearily down to the dam in the morning and stare into the water waiting for ripples. Everything was so different then, the beavers were living in the old lodge, and the location of the dam seemed so far away, almost like a vast green murky wilderness in the distance.
I guess it’s the wildness of a mystery before you know all about it, before their habitat was finite and shrinking, when it seemed like anything could happen. Sometimes when I’d walk back past the parallel parking spaces on Castro Street I’d see them filled with unmarked white vans. Obviously rentals, apparently gathered there overnight for no apparent reason. I realized later that they were the ‘ballot’ transport system. Those vans would pick up votes in San Ramon and Concord and Oakley and carry them back to the warehouse beside the beaver dam to be counted.
Have you ever driven by on election night? There are police closing one line and guarding the process, reporters gathered, officials and ballot-counters. One year (before the sheetpile) mom beaver climbed up almost to the pathway to get a sowthistle and everyone went WOW at the same time. One year Jon threw in a piece of apple and one of the security guards ran over to him worried that he was throwing ‘rocks at the beavers’. Our beavers couldn’t be any more closely tied to the election process in Contra Costa County. If you doubt me watch the November 7th video for a reminder.
So its fitting that Friday’s article in the Contra Costa times outlines the significant spending by downtown property owners on maintaining the current council and points specifically to perks and special favors like a certain sheetpile wall.
Residents who say property owners and developers wield too much influence over the City Council point to the stream of campaign cash that has flowed to the incumbents in recent elections. This year, members of the Bisio, Dunivan and Busby families, which own many downtown Martinez properties, donated a total of $3,564 to Schroder and $4,400 to Menesini, according to campaign statements. Menesini also received $1,000 from Concord-based Albert D. Seeno Construction. The Busby family gave DeLaney $1,750.
Several recent decisions have fueled criticism that the council is beholden to downtown interests.
Last year, the council agreed to pay $250,000 over five years to rent the Campbell Theatre, which the Bisios own, for the Willows Theatre Company. Even if the Willows folds, the city is on the hook for the five-year lease. Despite opposition from neighbors, the council last year approved an apartment project for low-income seniors to be built on property owned by the Dunivan family. And in 2008, the city paid about $355,000 to stabilize the Alhambra Creek bank near Escobar Street after the Dunivans, who own property nearby, threatened to sue.
Ahhh we waited a long time for this article, but I can’t imagine a better time for it to be written. Think of the beavers tomorrow and go vote!
