Candidate for
Member of City Council; City of Albany

Albany is facing significant financial issues that require sound policy actions by the Council. Much of the underlying financial problem is loss of City funds to the State, but Albany has been operating "hand to mouth" for many years due to declining revenues, increasing expenses, and a fairly fixed tax base. City staff project a deficit in Albany's General Fund in 2007/8. Albany cannot pay for millions of dollars worth of essential capital improvements without asking voters to approve additional taxes and bond measures at every election. And even that is not enough. Many of our streets need major repairs. Consider that Albany is operating under a "cease and desist" order + issued in 1982 - because our sewers and storm drains pollute ground water in heavy rains. Albany has repaired about 75% of the problem sewers and storm drains but we are not done yet and it rains every winter. Beyond capital improvements, Albany struggles to maintain its parks and public spaces, and needs to ask for parcel and property taxes every election.

We need to enhance Albany's tax base to find alternative sources of revenue for Albany. I can help with that effort.

For Albany's waterfront, I support a fair and open planning process, directed by the City of Albany, to identify a variety of waterfront land-use plans.

If the waterfront property owner proposes development, the Albany voters should be the ones to decide whether the development proposal works for Albany. I would want the developer to pay for an Environmental Impact Report first, to allow voters to consider any proposal with full, objective information. Consideration allows exploration of fiscal and recreational benefits to Albany, without commitment, thanks to Albany's 1990 Measure C.

Albany's City Council must work effectively with City staff and make the best use of their considerable skills. I have had extensive experience as a policy making manager and can help enhance the working relationships. I would also like to improve Albany's responsiveness to citizens.