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Dona Spring, councilmember from Berkeley, passes away
Dona Spring represented my district in Berkeley for several terms. She was a strong political progressive, and was surprisingly responsive to letters about very mundane issues like cars and trash cans blocking the sidewalk. One thing that she was fairly well known for is the fact that she used a wheelchair, and in her last year, attended the council meetings via telecommunications devices because she couldn't get out of bet. When you compare Berkeley with most other larger and small cities, it is much easier to get around if you have a baby stroller or a wheelchair because there are curb cuts, good sidewalks, and adjusted building access. Other areas often are completely obstructed and drive people into the streets, or they can't go out at all. Much of the street-level infrastructure results from the actions of Dona Spring and a list of other folks at city hall who insisted on disability-friendly conversions.
BERKELEY -- Longtime Berkeley City Councilwoman Dona Spring died Monday at the age of 55, according to City Manager Phil Kamlarz.
Kamlarz said Spring, a member of the council since 1993, passed away Sunday afternoon.
City spokeswoman Mary Kay Clunies-Ross said Spring had been in the hospital for more than a week and died of natural causes related to a long illness.
Spring represented Berkeley's downtown area and was known for being a strong advocate of tenants' rights and rights for the disabled.
Kamlarz said in a memo to council members, "With her passing, we lose a true public servant devoted to her district and to Berkeley. She was a passionate advocate on behalf of her constituents, her city and people of all walks of life who she cared so deeply about."
"My sympathies and those of the rest of the city are with her friends and family and with you, her colleagues, during this time," Kamlarz wrote.
Kamlarz said funeral services are pending.
Spring suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and used a wheelchair. She didn't attend many City Council meetings in person, often participating remotely via a hookup from her home.
According to Kamlarz, Spring, who was born in Plentywood, Mont., graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with honors in anthropology and psychology.
Spring came under scrutiny last year when she reached a stipulation with the Berkeley Fair Campaign Practices Commission that called for her to pay a small fine and admit violating the city's election laws.
Spring admitted that she didn't report all the contributions she received and that there were discrepancies between her bank balance and campaign statements dating back to 1998.
But Spring said the omissions were only mistakes, weren't deliberate and didn't affect the outcome of the 2006 election or previous elections.
Spring was re-elected in 2006 with 72 percent of the vote. Her term expires at the end of 2010.
Clunies-Ross said city officials are discussing today how to determine who will serve out the rest of Spring's term.
Kamlarz said Spring, a member of the council since 1993, passed away Sunday afternoon.
City spokeswoman Mary Kay Clunies-Ross said Spring had been in the hospital for more than a week and died of natural causes related to a long illness.
Spring represented Berkeley's downtown area and was known for being a strong advocate of tenants' rights and rights for the disabled.
Kamlarz said in a memo to council members, "With her passing, we lose a true public servant devoted to her district and to Berkeley. She was a passionate advocate on behalf of her constituents, her city and people of all walks of life who she cared so deeply about."
"My sympathies and those of the rest of the city are with her friends and family and with you, her colleagues, during this time," Kamlarz wrote.
Kamlarz said funeral services are pending.
Spring suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and used a wheelchair. She didn't attend many City Council meetings in person, often participating remotely via a hookup from her home.
According to Kamlarz, Spring, who was born in Plentywood, Mont., graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with honors in anthropology and psychology.
Spring came under scrutiny last year when she reached a stipulation with the Berkeley Fair Campaign Practices Commission that called for her to pay a small fine and admit violating the city's election laws.
Spring admitted that she didn't report all the contributions she received and that there were discrepancies between her bank balance and campaign statements dating back to 1998.
But Spring said the omissions were only mistakes, weren't deliberate and didn't affect the outcome of the 2006 election or previous elections.
Spring was re-elected in 2006 with 72 percent of the vote. Her term expires at the end of 2010.
Clunies-Ross said city officials are discussing today how to determine who will serve out the rest of Spring's term.
For more information:
http://www.ktvu.com/news/16879932/detail.html
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