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Articles by Adriel Hampton

Coming March 29 to Dublin: Free Citizen 2.0 Training

by Adriel Hampton on 2009.02.22   |     Comments

elanI’m very happy to announce details of the Tri-Valley’s first Citizen 2.0 training, March 29, 2009, from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at the Elan community room in Dublin (between BART and Dublin Blvd). This is very important to me, because the main reason I write a blog is to spread the word about how busy folks can use modern communications tools to take direct control of their democracy. Social media and 2.0 culture has the power to engage active citizens and businesspeople with their local community and government in ways not seen since the decay of small town life. This changes everything, from business development to governance.

This free training will target entry-level folks who don’t know a Twitter from a MySpace but may already be engaging their customers with newsletters, or their government with public comment. PR pro George Millington, Realtor and social media enthusiast Jonathan Fleming and I are taking on this project with support and help from the Around Dublin Team. We also hope to get a local business or two to offer raffle prizes to get folks in the door, and we’re providing food, because what good event is complete without it?

So, what does a Citizen 2.0 training consist of? This is what we hope to convey in our two-hour program:

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Topics: Citizen 2.0, Social Media

Inclusionary Zoning is Good for the City

by Adriel Hampton on 2009.01.18   |     Comments

mainpic_316Yesterday, a line in a story at Around Dublin and an anonymous comment there, caught my eye. The story covered an upcoming development in my neighborhood, and mentioned that the number of below-market-rate units in this new apartment building had been reduced by the City. The first comment blasted BMR in the rental context. And while I understand some of the sentiment in that comment, I felt compelled to respond. I am strong supporter of inclusionary mixed-use zoning, which means requiring developers to include a percentage of units in each building with a cost cap based on income criteria determined by the City.

I agree with the commenter that BMR units are best in the for-sale context. However, I think that impugning BMR residents wholesale is poor form indeed. I own a BRM unit. It’s what brought me to Dublin from the home I rented in Walnut Creek. It was a way to gain stability at a reasonable price, and the City sharply limits any prospect of me making a significant return on a sale within 55 years.

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Topics: Avalon, Inclusionary Zoning