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As your Councilmember I will pledge to address the following issues:
1. BERKELEY’S PUBLIC
SCHOOLS: I will work c losely
with the School Board and the Superintendent’s office to ensure that
our schools receive their fair share of the budget. With two young
boys I have a vested interest in improving the condition of each and
every classroom.
I will work vigilantly to close the achievement gap currently
plaguing our schools. There needs to be a clear path for our high
school graduates who want to enter college and those who want to
enter the work force. I will work to forge that path. Let’s ensure
that our children are given the best opportunity to start their
adult lives.
2. HOUSING: Berkeley needs
affordable housing. Our wonderful education system produces some of
the brightest minds in the country. Unfortunately, many are
forced to move to other cities where homes are more affordable. I
believe part of the solution is to allow higher density housing to
be built in appropriate areas such as San Pablo, University, and
Shattuck Avenues. In return we receive truly affordable and family
housing to keep our young families here. I will fight to provide our
City with housing (both rental and for purchase) that is affordable
for our young and elderly. I want to see more 2 and 3 bedroom family
units built. New housing should incorporate green building practices
and discourage new car trips by building near transit corridors,
offering sufficient bicycle/scooter parking, and participating in
programs such as City Car Share.
3. EMERGENCY SERVICES:
I will
ensure that our firefighters and police officers are a priority
 in
this City. I will fight to put an end to the threat of rolling
brownouts. This plan passed by the current City Council proposes to
close fire stations, on a rotating basis, for 24 hours at a time.
This policy puts our residents at risk by increasing response time
and creating a domino effect of inadequate coverage for the City. I
feel that emergency services for the residents should be
non-negotiable.
4. DOWNTOWN: For the past decade
we have watched
business after business leave for near by cities. We have seen store
fronts stand empty for years. As a result the Downtown district has
become the lowest generator of tax revenue for the City. Every other
district generates more tax revenue than our own Downtown. As a
result we see less social and City services. These are the very
services that make Berkeley such a great place to live. My council
office will work to renew relationships that will result in a new
wave of long standing businesses. This will help revitalize our
ailing Downtown. We need a family friendly Downtown…a place where
you can bring your family to play, eat, and shop. I will fight to
bring the Downtown back to life!
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