Thanks, zirkus; I was starting to think no-one eve...

2008-09-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks, zirkus; I was starting to think no-one ever reads this stuff. The tone of your comment brings out better than I ever could the depth of feeling concerning the club's reopening. Thanks for adding the information about the Silver Lion; I don't recall hearing that aspect mentioned before in any of the many e-mails that have been flying around, nor at the permit hearing.

Well, I certainly don't want a business that forces people to move either, but Eli's has been open frequently since 1974 and the neighbors haven't moved as a result as far as I am aware. Is your argument that the new club owners are different that previous club owners, in a negative way that will cause the neighborhood to deteriorate? That also is a new perspective. To date we have heard a lot of invective from neighbors about transgressions of previous owner Sam Marshall, and we also heard Mike McDonald keep emphasizing at the permit hearing his belief that the new owners would be much better. Hmmm. . . what to believe?

Thanks for your encouragement to me for trying to "work out a solution that helps everyone." I have offered several positive suggestions, like using redevelopment funds to better soundproof the club, and to purchase the lot next door for offstreet parking. But, I have gotten zero support from anyone to pursue those suggestions. My take is that the neighbors don't want any solution that might keep the club open.

The lot I suggested for parking, 678 36th Street, is a 21,000 sq ft empty lot currently being used to store trucks and construction equipment, is for sale, and is adjacent to Eli's. If that doesn't meet your definition of "construction yard," well excuuuse me. How about "big empty lot currently used to store heavy equipment?" Is that "sincerely objective" enough for you?

Larry, your divisive stance on Eli's is not only d...

2008-09-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Larry, your divisive stance on Eli's is not only disappointing it's irresponsible for someone who is on the board of WOPAC. It does the current owners of Eli's a great disservice by alienating the neighbors. It would be more productive to try to reach out to all the residents nearby and work out a solution that helps everyone. You might be surprised to find that most of residents are willing to work with Geoff and Jason, but are concerned about the problems that have occurred since Eli's reopening. The only people dead set against Eli's opening have lived two doors down since the building housed an ice cream parlor.

Please do not fault neighbors who chose to live here. There are many seniors that cannot easily move. There are also several children as well. We have a great community and we do not want a bad business operating that will destroy it by forcing people to move. If this was going to be a traditional blues bar, like when Eli's reopened in 2003, there would be less opposition.

Many of the patrons and bar staff are transplants from Silver Lion Buffet. "We lost the Silver Lion but we gained Eli's Mile High Club! " http://www.yelp.com/biz/elis-mile-high-club-oakland-2
Please take the time to read the Silver Lion reviews on yelp. http://www.yelp.com/biz/silver-lion-buffet-oakland This was the bar for getting wasted and behaving badly. Geoff saw Silver Lion's closing as an opportunity. This is what is causing the problems and concerns.

FYI, there is no contruction yard on the 3600 block of MLK. If you want to be called a "journalist" please make an sincere attempt to be objective.

Comments on JAMMI Blog: Cabaret hearing for Eli's club is inconclusive

Thanks, zirkus; I was starting to think no-one eve...

Larry, your divisive stance on Eli's is not only d...