WELCOME

Exciting news, the USS Emory S. Land will dock at Mare Island for routine maintenance with Mare Island Dry Dock, and the community is invited to welcome the ship on the "Vallejo" side of the strait along the waterfront green and Independence Park, near the ferry building.   There will be celebrations for the public who are invited to grab lunch on the waterfront and watch them sail in. The crew will be on deck so we can see them and they can see us.

I look forward to this happy event unfolding right in front of my home.  I'll just cross the street to the river to watch the fine old ship, wave to the sailors, and enjoy a picnic lunch.  But wait! There aren't any picnic tables in Independence Park; there are no park benches either, and there's nowhere to sit.  It's dangerous to your health if you walk on the grass, which is regularly poisoned so it can't grow and need to be mowed.  Independence Park is a shameful blight that welcomes visitors by water to our city.  We do nothing to take care of it, and somehow, it became a political issue, and we know how the wise leaders of Chelm - er, Vallejo deal with such matters. 

Where is the PB money voted and approved to fix the park three years ago?  What about the thousand signers to the petition four years ago who demanded the city clean up that park up?  What about the will of the people?  Is this the way we welcome the crew of the Emory to our shores?  Let's hope they don't notice.