Letter: Occupy Saltworks IS a 'Group of Knee-Jerk Reactionaries'

Dear Editor:

Occupy Saltworks that the City has done a poor job regarding affordable housing.  The Redwood City I know has in this county and should be applauded, not criticized.   

One reason Occupy is against Saltworks is because the developer isn’t required to include affordable housing.  With the recent loss of Redevelopment in California it is unbelievable that a group that claims to advocate for affordable housing would be against even reviewing a project in which a developer voluntarily commits to 15% affordable housing. 

If Occupy is truly advocating for affordable housing, they would be demanding review of the proposal.  Occupy also states they are against Saltworks because it will create construction “next door” to one of Redwood City’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Occupy says it is “not afflicted with ‘Not in My Back Yard’ Syndrome.” Won’t those construction jobs for Saltworks be for the 99% and right in our backyard?  And, what about the permanent jobs that Saltworks will create with all the office space that is included in the proposal? 

Are high tech or bio tech jobs, the backbone of our Silicon Valley economy, part of the evil 1%?  Occupy says that they “are not a group of knee-jerk reactionaries,” but, really, that is exactly what they are.

Sincerely,

Corrin S. Trowbridge

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