The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Oakland and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Public Input, Records Management, City/School District Cooperation

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Gregory Hodge:

We should have single issue study sessions in community settings to delve deeper into major issues like the Mayor's housing proposal, community policing strategies, job creation and development (especially re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated people) and reforms in education financing which require us to work at the State and Federal level. I also advocate for a internet based system of polling members of the public on city council action items in real time during televised meetings. Selected issues could be submitted to the public, internet based voting or toll free call ins prior to a city council vote.

Answer from Nancy J. Nadel:

We could have committee meetings on both Tuesdays and Thursdays to have more time for each committee. I had proposed many years ago a resolution on community participation but the Rules Committee did not allow it to proceed to committee.

When we have large numbers of people speaking for an issue that then fails to get majority support, I think it is important for the majority leader on the council for that particular issue to explain to the public why their input did not sway their vote.

I tried to do that, for example, on the Industrial land use zoning vote. I explained to the those who wanted housing in the industrial area, why I didn't think that was a good idea and why I felt their data was misleading.

Answer from Sean Sullivan:

The City Council's current bi-weekly meeting schedule is not sufficient to provide adequate opportunities for public comment and thoughtful discussion of important issues. If elected, I will advocate for a return to weekly meetings.

But citizen input should not be limited to public meetings. I will have an open door policy for concerned constituents, and I will hold regular town hall meetings throughout the District. I am committed to respecting the opinions and input of our many citizen Boards and Commissions, and working with them to identify solutions.

Answer from Sean Sullivan:

The City needs to make public records more accessible to the citizens, and our current records management system needs a complete overhaul. I will work with the City's Department of Information Technology to ensure that the public has readily available access to official documents from the Planning Commission, Public Ethics Commission, and other Boards, as well as access to accurate crime statistics.

Answer from Gregory Hodge:

From what I understand about it, the current system is in need of a serious overhaul. Public records should be highly accessible so our constituents can rely on the historical record of actions taken, policies passed and programs implemented. Elected officials have an obligation to transfer the record of their offices activity in a timely and transparent way.

Answer from Nancy J. Nadel:

I would like to see records maintained for longer periods. I would like to see our hand written records systematically computerized especially in code enforcement.

I was very concerned when I found that the city did not have a copy of a DDA on a piece of property in West Oakland.

I think that the City Clerk's Records Management staff should meet with every department to see how they store their records and recommend improvements so that the Clerk can easily access any requested document.

Answer from Nancy J. Nadel:

The City could work more effectively with the School District if the School District was locally controlled. Ideally each City councilmember and school district director should meet on a regular basis and review the specific problems in particular schools that have overlapping jurisdiction.

The city and school district must work out an affective plan to address truancy and discipline/behavior problems. I advocated for Measure Y funds for a Restorative Justice Coordinator for Cole School which has had a profoundly positive affect on reducing suspensions, disciplinary hearings and physical fights. This model could be replicated in other middle schools. Other Measure Y funds supported a conflict resolution curriculum that in some schools is still sitting in boxes. The school district must send a message to teachers that while teaching for the exams has some importance for evaluation, it is essential that they teach communication and conflict resolution skills to our youth and be rewarded for doing so, in addition to the improved classroom management that will result.

Answer from Sean Sullivan:

The first thing we need to do as a City to assist the schools is to improve truancy enforcement. Oakland's School District loses out on millions of dollars every year because so many of our students are not in the classroom. I will advocate for increasing truancy officers, and to create site-based truancy centers.

Answer from Gregory Hodge:

The political leadership of the City should advocate for the return of full local authority of the duly elected Board of Education and the residents of this city immediately. City government should make the neighborhoods surrounding our schools the safest, cleanest, most developed areas of Oakland. We need much stronger partnerships to be sustained as we find joint uses for parks, libraries and other public facilities. In addition, we need a stronger partnership between the City, County and School District using the Joint Ventures Joint Powers Authority as the vehicle for coordinating services, reducing truancy and improving public private partnerships in support of creating quality schools.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.