I don’t work directly for the A’s. I’m working for a coalition called the roots, which is a coalition offans, community members… and others who are supporting the A’s staying in Oakland…There’s several hundred people… We have people coming from all over the bay area todemonstrate their support for the A’s to start this process of the A’s building a new ballpark indowntown Oakland.I’m happy to introduce you to several people that I know personally who are from Oakland.Q: One concern is that the majority owner of the As, who is a close associate of DeVos and hasa long history of opposition to public education and now he wants to build a stadium right nextdoor to the A’s. Would you comment on that?A: I can’t speak to anything related to the secy. of ed….Q: We’re not talking about DeVos. We’re talking about John Fisher. He has a long history offavoring privatizing public education.A: I can’t speak specifically to that because I’m not aware of what you’re referencing. But I willsay that when the A’s made this announcement, that they plan to engage in a process ofcommunity engagement, working with the Peralta Board of Trustees and with Laney College,faculty, staff, students… that’s exactly what they announced. It’s a process of communityengagement. So if there are people who have concerns about the way the project could bedone, we want to hear those concerns and make sure those concerns are addressed. I mean,this is the beginning of a multi year process of community engagement, community input thatwill benefit not just Peralta, not just Laney but the community as a whole.Q: re Matier and Ross… talked about building not just matter of building a stadium; what it’sreally a matter of is what can be built around it. I’d like you to comment on what the thinking is,especially since John Fisher is a real estate developer,A: I think if I’m reading between the lines, I’m reading your question is about what the impactwould have on the surrounding community, and I think you’re absolutely right. When the A’sannounced this process, it isn’t just about building a ball park; it’s about building a ball park thatfits in with the surrounding community. That’s exactly what the process of communityengagement is for. I understand what you’re trying to ask but you’re misinterpreting what thatcomment that you read in the paper is trying to say.Q: Not how it fits in, but what can be built around it. and there was also references to buildinghotels, restaurants, and so on.A: If you go back and look at what was announced in Sept. It’s the beginning of a process. Andyou’re absolutely right, it’s not just the ballpark itself; it’s ancillary development and that iseverything from affordable housing to market rate housing to retail to restaurants. That’s whyyou have so much community that is supportive of this. You’re at a restaurant — La Estrellita -that’s been a landmark in Oakland for decades and they’re very excited about what this projectmeans for Oakland… That’s why we’re having this long process of community engagement tomake sure that we hear from the community and the community hears from the team as well.Q: The Bd. of Trustees from the Peralta District never heard directly from the A’s themselvesthat that was their decision, to build there. they first read about it in the news. So there wasnever any direct communication with the board of trustees.A: That’s not my understanding…. The A’s had long standing conversations with people on theboard of trustees, with the chancellor, with people at Laney College going back quite some time.
And that’s been in the public record so I don’t think that’s accurate.Q: Can you tell us who on the board of trustees they’ve had long standing conversations with?A: No, I can’t comment on particular conversations…. I’m personally not aware of everyconversation that’s been had, but I know that there have been many conversations with thePeralta Board, the A’s and Laney College….Q: If you know there have been many conversations, you must know who has been involved.A: I know the chancellor has been involved in many conversations, and he’s said as muchQ: So you’re mentioning the Chancellor. does that include conversations where the A’s madeclear to him their intention before their public announcement or where they discussed directlywith him building the stadium on that site?A: I can’t because I don’t know.Q: So we don’t really know what conversations were held with whom, then.A: I don’t have all the answers to all the questions you’re looking for. I personally don’t have allthe answers to everything.Q: No, I expect you to know something