Alamedans.com City Council Questionnaire Part 1
With Labor Day behind us, it’s time to start shaking off summer, and look towards November and the upcoming elections. In Alameda, we have competitive races for city council and school board. Alamedans.com will be presenting one-stop shop of election information between now and November 4, 2008. We asked all the candidates for both of these races three questions. Starting today, and continuing through next week, we’ll be presenting their answers. These will be permanently housed on the Alameda Election 2008 page going live later this week. The candidate order was randomly selected.
Today’s City Council Question:
What particular qualities or experiences will you bring to the city council, and how will they benefit the city?
Tracy Jensen:
I value Alameda, and I live here because our community is quiet, safe, friendly and accessible to all that the Bay Area has to offer. Over the past 7 years I have all worked hard to improve Alameda schools, and to expand opportunities for children and youth. I am running now for the City Council because I believe that Alameda is facing tremendous opportunities, along with significant threats. We have an opportunity to develop a huge parcel of land in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. The threats come from diminishing revenue, increasing energy costs, climate change, and economic uncertainty.
In the past several years Alameda has adapted to economic changes by strengthening our retail tax base. I believe that we must build on recent community-driven projects to prepare for the next decade of change. I chose to run for the City Council at this time because my experience as a School Board member and as a public administrator gives me the ability to effectively respond to these threats and opportunities. My background as a manager of local, state and federal government programs, my accomplishments as an elected leader in Alameda, and my commitment to education, the environment, equitable opportunities for families, and sustainable business, ensure that I can move Alameda forward. And I will do so with attention and respect for Alameda’s unique character.
My experience as the mother of a 7 year old child will also benefit the city. I want my son to grow up in a diverse, thriving, safe and successful community. I want him to be able to ride his bike to school or to the park without fearing for his safety. I want him to be able to pick up the materials for a school project, go see a movie with friends, and buy a new bike in Alameda. And above all I want him to relish – like I do – the community spirit that is Alameda.
Justin Harrison:
First and foremost I am not nor do I intend to be a career politician I have clear goals for Alameda that will not be impacted by future aspirations. I also bring years of experience in collaboration. One of the most important roles I see for myself as a council member is the ability to collaborate with member from the entire community so as to make desiscions that truly represents the needs of Alameda Residents. Lastly, I bring my youth and energy; I know that for some that maybe a detractor but I believe it to be my biggest strength. I’m investing my youth to ensure that my children grow up in the best possible city.
Marie Gilmore:
As a lawyer, I am trained to be analytical, logical and to consider all sides of a matter before making up my mind on a particular issue. I express myself clearly, cut through to the main issue and am a good advocate for my position. As a Councilmember and a member of various boards and commissions for the last fifteen years, I have dealt with every major issue facing the City and have met personally with hundreds of residents to learn their opinions about issues affecting the City and their quality of life. I bring these traits, accumulated knowledge and experience to the council in order to steer Alameda in a direction that allows us to benefit from our opportunities while minimizing our exposure in these uncertain economic times. Alameda doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for months while a councilmember becomes familiar with issues pertaining to Alameda Point, the City budget or public safety negotiations.
Doug deHaan:
I have served the city in numerous leadership capacities over the past 18 years. The experience and leadership I have gained in the private and public sectors over the years is priceless. I have been fair, honest and dedicated to what I believe is in the best interest for present and future Alameda residents.
As your councilmember, I have utilized my professional background in operational and fiscal management to benefit the city. I have managed over 1,000 employees (at one time) and managed operating budgets that exceeded $500 Million. From day one, as your councilmember, I have stressed the importance of fiscally viable city operations such as: Alameda Power and Telecom, Chuck Corica Golf Complex, Public Safety, Public Works, etc. This is finally being reflected in the city’s present intense focus on fiscal sustainability. I am proud to say that I have been instrumental in ensuring that the city has a more open and inclusive city government process, we are now able to view web castings of all key meetings, we now have a minimization of closed session council meetings, appeal fees have been revised to reflect a lower flat rate of $100 for all appeals regarding board and commission decisions, and we have an improved notification procedure (to the public) for all council, commission and board meetings.
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