Justin Harrison

All responses remain in their orginial forms without any editing of content, language, grammar, and spelling.

Educational Background

AA Administration of Justice, BA Humanities, and Currently enrolled in PsyD for Community Psychology

Alameda Civic Experience (Boards, Commissions, Community Groups):

V. President Board of Directors Alternatives in Action, Alameda Youth Collaborative, Rotary Club of Alameda

Brief professional history not including civic experience:

I started in finance straight out of college and shortly there after decided that I was interested in social service work. I left my position at Community One Financial and began working for the Youth Guidance Center of San Francisco (Juvenile Hall); there I spent two years running programs for an organization at YGC called YTEC, I then stepped in to run a teen center for the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco where I focused primarily on building a client base and creating new programs for high risk youth. After BGCSF I came to work for the McCullum Youth Court here in Alameda County creating and building programs, building client base and expanding their network. Currently, I am an independent consultant helping small organizations build their infrastructure and training staff in community relations.


What particular qualities or experiences will you bring to the city council, and how will they benefit the city?

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.

List the top 5 issues you see moving forward (short explanation ok) and a brief description of how you would like to deal with them?

  1. Alameda Telecom
    I see an immediate need to address Alameda Telecom’s growing troubles. I would purpose selling AT to a private company or investment group and would negotiate the best return for Alameda.
  2. Alameda Point
    Alameda Point is currently generating less revenue that it costs for the city to maintain it. I would push for a master redevelopment plan to be adopted and implemented or push to immediately start re-developing sections of the Point through partnerships with new businesses.
  3. Education
    Alameda home owners and business owners were asked to fill a vital need this past spring when Measure H was introduced. Although I am a supporter of measure H, I know that it is a short-term fix and will not be a sustainable option in the long term. I want to facilitate a partnership between the city and AUSD that can help subsidize some of the costs that existing parcel tax dollars now cover e.g. Art, after-school programs and sports.
  4. Financial Growth
    We are loosing tremendous amounts of money to other cities because of a low consumer-spending rate here in Alameda. As a council member I would aggressively pursue more retail, entertainment and tech-based business to begin occupying our business districts.
  5. Small Business
    Small business is struggling and as much as new larger businesses contribute to bringing visitors to Island our charming small businesses will keep them coming back. I believe we need to begin assessing taxes on businesses based on revenue and not square footage. I would propose a measure that would re-structure the current parcel tax to draw less from small business and more from larger companies.


Incumbents, why do you feel you should be re-elected, what are your top accomplishments of the past four years? Challengers, why do you feel one or both of the incumbents should be replaced?

No answer