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Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez \u2014 BANG archives)\u00a0<\/p>\n2025 was a tumultuous year that tested our resolve \u2014 from federal funding cuts to local road safety and climate resilience projects, a lengthy government shutdown that caused federal workers to miss paychecks and suspended nutrition assistance programs and the loss of subsidies for health insurance premiums for those who buy their insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.<\/p>\n
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez \u2014 BANG archives)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alamedans constructively expressed their opposition, though, by participating in \u201cNo Kings\u201d marches, supporting the (new and improved!) Alameda Food Bank and more. Then came a deeply troubling announcement that the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) intends to terminate its plans to build a health clinic and columbarium at Alameda Point (the former U.S. Naval Air Station Alameda).<\/p>\n
Alameda has a strong military affiliation \u2014 as the location of Coast Guard Island, a Navy Reserve center, Coast Guard housing and Alameda Point, we are home to many U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members and their families. There has always been an underlying assumption that the U.S. government would honor its commitments to its military veterans.<\/p>\n
We do not take the VA\u2019s announcement lightly and are working with our elected representatives in Washington, D.C., to challenge it. In mid-December, we held a news conference on the steps of Alameda\u2019s Veterans Memorial Building, where speakers included veterans\u2019 organization members and representatives from our federal, state and local elected officials\u2019 offices.<\/p>\n
California Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Alameda (in remarks delivered by her District Director Haley Hester), noted that, \u201cCongress approved nearly $400 million for this project, environmental reviews were completed, engineering challenges were identified and addressed, and the work was underway. Then, without notice, without consultation from the city of Alameda and without a single conversation with our veterans, this promised clinic had the plug pulled on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe LoParo, a local business owner, U.S. Marine veteran and Alameda County Veterans Affairs commissioner, described these projects as \u201ccommitments earned through service, sacrifice and decades of defending this nation.\u201d He called the sudden decision to halt them without a clear explanation, community consultation or alternative plans \u201ca breach of trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
LoParo added that abandoning the Alameda Point clinic will increase barriers for veterans seeking timely medical care. Currently, many elderly veterans in our community face long waits and long drives and sometimes delay care as a result. While some injuries are visible, others are not.<\/p>\n
Omar Farmer, a Navy veteran and Alameda County VA commissioner, shared that our homeless population includes veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder who need mental health care to help them become, and remain, housed. Also, 17 veterans die by suicide every day, tragically highlighting the need for easily accessible veterans mental health services \u2014 which the Alameda Point VA clinic would provide.<\/p>\n
Please note that the Veterans Crisis Line is an important resource for veterans and their loved ones. It provides free, confidential crisis support \u2014 24-7-365 days a year \u2014 for veterans, active-duty and reserve U.S. military troops and their loved ones. Dial 9-8-8, then press 1 to chat live, or text 838255 to contact a qualified responder who will connect you with resources that can help you. More information is online at veteranscrisisline.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Alameda Point columbarium is also critical to Bay Area veteran families because the closest other cemetery for current veterans is the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, a 60-mile drive from Alameda that takes an hour in the best traffic conditions.<\/p>\n This distance presents a hardship for aging spouses, loved ones and funeral teams coordinating final honors for those who served our nation. The Bay Area \u2014 with one of California\u2019s largest veteran populations \u2014 desperately needs the Alameda Point columbarium.<\/p>\n \u201cTo cancel this project now abandons veterans when they need their government the most,\u201d Mr. LoParo concluded in his Dec. 15 news conference appearance. \u201cVeterans kept their promises to this country; we expect the country to keep its promises to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Support news media: I have had the honor and privilege of writing a regular newspaper article for our local news outlets since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when local leaders were encouraged to keep their residents informed about that new, deadly and rapidly changing virus. I know firsthand how important it is to keep our communities well informed and that we can\u2019t do this without an independent news media.<\/p>\n Today, news organizations large and small, are struggling to stay in business, and in 2025 Congress terminated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If you are able, please consider making a financial contribution to the news outlet(s) of your choice, because free speech is the foundation of our democracy.<\/p>\n Finally, as we begin a new year, the New York Times \u201cWell Newsletter\u201d of Dec. 26, 2025, suggests that, instead of making resolutions, you ask yourself questions including: \u201cWhen did you feel the most joyful and carefree?\u201d \u201cWhat gave you energy \u2014 and what drained it?\u201d and \u201cWhat habit, if you did it more consistently, would have a positive effect on your life?\u201d Maybe give these a try?<\/p>\n Happy New Year, Alameda \u2014 keep being \u201cAlameda Strong\u201d and awesome!<\/p>\n