Forum features 5 vying for seats

Friday, September 17, 2004 By Susan Fuller, Alameda Journal

The five candidates for two seats on the City Council introduced themselves and answered questions to about 25 people at a forum called by city employee unions, the firefighters group and the city employees association.

The candidates are Alameda Hospital trustee Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, community volunteer Pat Bail, Economic Development Commission President Doug deHaan, social worker Betsy Elgar, incumbent council member Marie Gilmore and financial analyst Ruben Tilos.

Each made a five-minute introductory statement at the Sept. 14 forum on their background, qualifications and platform. They then responded to written questions from the audience.

These topics generated the widest range of opinion:

Affordable housing

"There are two issues, creating new affordable housing and maintaining housing for all socioeconomic levels" as neighborhoods improve and landlords are tempted by opportunities to sell, Gilmore said.

"I prefer to see moderate-income housing set aside for city employees first, especially those at lower pay," Bail said. "Many (city employees) don't live in town."

"I have information for seniors," Elgar said. "To have more affordable housing you have to have 163 acres."

We need more housing at all income levels and need to take a fresh look at Measure A at Alameda Point, Ashcraft said. "Not everyone wants or needs a single family dwelling. Seniors or singles just starting out may have different needs."

"The best thing is Section 8," Tilos said. "I'm a strong supporter of Measure A. If you build high density housing on the base it's not going to be affordable."

DeHaan went into details about the increasing demand for affordable housing and the cost of subsidies. "We really need to understand how affordable housing can occur," he said. "Most will have to be subsidized somehow. I'll work to find out and come up with new ways of addressing those issues."

City economic issues

All candidates agreed that the city budget is the most pressing economic issue facing the city but disagreed on the cause and solutions.

"We are now in a budget crisis because the state couldn't balance its budget," Gilmore said, adding that, of the city's $7.8 million gap, $6.2 million is money the state took. "To keep essential city services, we have to be frugal, make tough cuts and look at new revenue sources from new merchants and charging fees. We have to look at everything."

"We're in a budget crunch because we've been ill-advised and have ill spent," Bail said. "We can't afford high-priced salaries and sweetheart deals. We have to be lean and mean (and) make those moves before we talk about fees or taxes."

"We need to generate more revenue," Tilos said. "That (more fees) mentality has to go."

"I'm running for City Council because I know I'm the best," Elgar said. "I am an advocate for consumer protection rights. I go to Sacramento every year. There is money for a free lunch for the needy and non-needy."

Ashcraft raised several suggestions from her experience on the Health Care District board: reducing fat in management, postponing capital expenditures and evaluating insurance. For more revenue she wants to see Alameda Point negotiations completed so the city can develop the land.

"What you want to do is have the basic core of employees in place," deHaan said. "When days get better, we can't afford to lose those people. We can obtain the money if we all strive to keep the workforce in place."

Measure A

In historic Alameda Measure A "served its purpose and still is (doing so)," deHaan said. "When we get to Alameda Point I want to look at denser (housing)."

"There are no sacred cows," Ashcraft said. "We shouldn't be afraid to talk. The mayor should name a task force, not use six-figure consultants. I understand why it applied and where it applied."

"I support it knowing there's funding from HUD (U.S. Housing and Urban Development) for new construction of condos and for renovation," Elgar said. "Also for teenagers, those who are responsible for themselves. They can have their own home, business or car."

"That's what got me involved in this race," Bail said. "When the work/live lofts were approved in opposition to Measure A I felt it was wrong. If Measure A is to be changed it should be put to the voters."

"Measure A is the law of the city," Gilmore said. "I would encourage discussion about Alameda Point. Any change needs to be brought by the people."

"I'm a firm protector of Measure A," Tilos said. "It harms me when we say we have to have a fresh look. When you build something with new rules you build a separatist community."

Library over-budget bid

DeHaan, Ashcraft, Gilmore and Tilos favor the city's current intense negotiating process with the sole bidding contractor to bring the price into line with the budget. A second bidding process wouldn't guarantee an offer from such a good a company and could mean a higher price, they all said. Tilos placed blame on the engineers who made the original estimate.

"A mistake was made in not putting it back to bid," Bail said. "The contractor has (us) by the throat."

"I know we have two libraries, on Santa Clara and on Central," Elgar said. "I can't make a decision but will go by the public bodies. Why don't we build a post office at Alameda Point?"

Hospital

"We were misled, we don't need a whole hospital, just an emergency center," Tilos said. "I don't think Alameda supports a hospital."

"We should create another hospital at Alameda Point," Elgar said. "I know there's funding."

"I voted for the hospital measure because I've had several occasions when it was important," Bail said. "Some things you just have to suck it up. I'd hate to have a heart attack and be 45 minutes from a hospital in traffic."

"I believe the jury is out," deHaan said. "They had to bring someone in to take control (and) now we need a commitment from (hospital) staff to put the operation back together. It will take two or three years before we understand if we can make it. I hope it will."

"We are still a democracy and 66.85 percent of Alamedans voted to save the hospital," Ashcraft said. "It was a good decision. An emergency care center is a misconception. You cannot have a standalone (center) that could help with a heart attack, stroke or other true life-threatening emergency."

"I grumble when I pay my insurance premiums and I pay them anyway because they are my hedge against disaster," Gilmore said. "I voted for the hospital because it's not inconceivable we could have a disaster and not be able to get off the Island. A hospital is our insurance policy."

The forum sponsors were two city unions, the 93-member firefighters group and the 234-member Alameda City Employees Association. ACEA isn't going to endorse candidates but may make a recommendation to the Operating Engineers Union. The firefighters have started a process to recommend candidates.

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