Platform

By Barbara Kerr

Goals for the Next Four Years

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT: Top quality design, not tacky plans, should be the City Council's standard for future projects. Using my seven years experience on base conversion I'll work for the best possible cleanup of the base and the best possible financial agreements from the Navy and developers. I was part of the successful negotiations for no-cost conveyance. I've always supported creative planning. MEASURE A: I will continue to support Alameda's architectural preservation and density control section of the City Charter.

HOUSING: I chaired the city's first Housing Element Committee in the 1980's. The city should continue to use its redevelopment affordable housing funds to build well designed projects. An example is Independence Plaza on Atlantic at Webster which was built with affordable housing funds from the redevelopment district commonly know as Marina Village. I spent two years before I was elected persuading the then City Council to institute an assistance program for first time home buyers. To those who claim that the city hasn't done anything for affordable housing, I'd point out that one out of every six rental units in Alameda is subsidized, and Alameda has taken on far more than its fair share for the area's homeless housing with the over 200 units at Alameda Point.

SENIORS: As a senior on a fixed income, I understand the issues facing Alameda's seniors. I was pleased to support the transfer of the Mastick Senior Center to the City.

TAXES: Fiscal conservative. I support the right of the people of Alameda to receive money from the leasing or title transfer of public property. I co-founded Alamedans Against Unfair Taxation which saved the taxpayers up to $61 million dollars.

LIBRARY: I supported the right of the people of Alameda to vote on how the funds from Measure O were to be spent. Not only is the location of the Main Library an issue, but there is strong community support for the expansion of the branch libraries.

AIRPORT: On my watch the City Council voted to take legal action against the Port of Oakland on the Environmental Impact Report for the expansion of the Oakland Airport. This expansion is an issue for all of Alameda.

NEIGHBORHOODS: For thirty years I have actively fought for the preservation of Alameda's residential neighborhoods. I helped defeat a new version of the development code that would have created more infill and overcrowding. Now I support thoughtful planning as absolutely necessary for new development in order to preserve the quality of life in existing neighborhoods.

TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT: We need sane planning that recognizes that pouring massive amounts of concrete in Alameda will not change the fact that there are only four bridges and two tubes for the transit to and from the main island.

OPEN SPACE: An increasing population will need more usable open space and recreation areas. I've supported the extension of the north waterfront shoreline trail. I support acquiring the Beltline as open space by enforcing the agreement that was signed by Alameda and the Beltline back in the '20's.

PREPARATION FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS: City Councilmembers should be thoroughly prepared for City Council meetings and should not automatically accept staff recommendations.