Oakley Press Questions & Responses

By Pat Anderson

100 Words or Less per Question

Personal Facts:

• Age: 57, Married 36 years to Ray, 2 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, 1 grandson & 1 on the way!
• Oakley resident since 1985
• Profession: Teacher for 35 years, currently at Oakley Union Elementary School District

• Councilmember since the beginning of cityhood, first Mayor and Mayor in 2005
• Solid understanding of municipal government
• Invaluable knowledge and experience in civic representation
• Collaborative leadership style
• Respectful, responsive and reliable approach to issues and citizens
• Measurable commitment to the job + in 9 years I have missed 5 meetings

An Oakley issue of priority is business or economic development. Development of large and small businesses will provide local jobs, offer needed goods and services, and supplement city revenues by keeping sales tax dollars local so that funding for city services, personnel, maintenance and improvements is more than just adequate. We need to continue to market Oakley and seek distinctive and complimentary shopping opportunities for both our historic downtown and our larger commercial/retail acreage. The challenge is to maintain high quality of life and our unique identity in the balancing act of this development and residential growth.

3. What is the second most important issue or challenge?

Improving Public Safety is an important Oakley issue. Although our County contract for police services costs $7.5 million this year, about 47% of our annual general fund budget, our number of officers (.86:1000) is still below the industry standard (1.1:1000). Recently added motorcycle enforcement has enhanced traffic control/safety. Maintaining acceptable response time and keeping positive responsive relationships with citizens is critical. Bringing Fire service to a safer level, both for citizens and firefighters, is vital. A supplemental revenue source and/or service option that is consistent and adequate must be identified, found or created in the next few years.

4. With the economy in a recession, stores on Main Street struggling to survive and the difficulty in attracting businesses to locate here, is this the best time to raise taxes on Oakley businesses?

Yes, for many businesses the tax will be reduced and easier to calculate. When amended, the base used to calculate the tax will change from the number of full-time equivalent employees to the total gross receipts of a business + much more reflective of ability to pay and fairer to smaller businesses. Residential rentals are recognized as businesses and under this tax structure will help pay for their impact on police and code enforcement services. Keeping our Business License Tax comparable to our neighboring cities is healthy for our community, will not deter viable businesses and supplements our general fund.

5. The City Council is enthusiastic about converting the Cline vineyards into a shopping center with big-box retail in order to increase city revenue but appears lukewarm on a proposed power plant that might bring in $800,000 annually to city coffers. What's your position?

No power plant proposal has come before the City although a company has shared its vision for this development with individual council members and staff and is in early stages of CPUC approval. When I have more information, I will take an informed position. As for now, I have concerns about location even though this is a zoned use. Plants such as this are noise generating and can have an aesthetically negative impact on the landscape. The money would be great, but budgeting based on it would be risky as it would NOT be annually secure nor even bondable revenue.

6. Should Oakley's mayor be an elected rather than a rotating position, and should live and archived video of the City Council meetings be placed on the city website?

No, a rotational mayor balances the responsibilities of the position on all council members allowing for a fresh perspective and leadership style annually. Placing live and archived video on the City website would require enhancement to the website, additional equipment and staff to perform the task. I do not believe we have adequate funds at this time to provide this. In my opinion, the cost to do this would better be spent on other city needs.

7. Why should voters vote for you?

I bring strong, decisive and objective leadership and applicable experience to our Council. I study all issues thoroughly, listen to all input, and share my thoughts respectfully so that my decisions and my process for developing them are transparent to all. In these tough economic times, my fiduciary responsibility to the citizens is even more focused and I am watching our budget very carefully. I want to continue to provide my guidance and insight as we build our community together.