District 1: Debate Wrap Up

Candidates for District 1 Council seat face off

The seven candidates vying for the City Council seat representing District 1 left vacant by Jane Brunner, who stepped down to run for the office of City Attorney, squared off earlier this evening at College Avenue Presbyterian Church at 5951 College Ave.

The debate, sponsored by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, was the third in a series of six debates to introduce the candidates for City Council and City Attorney positions who are running for office in the November election.

The District 1 face off, held in front of some 100 potential voters and business leaders, was moderated by Paul Junge, the Chamber’s Vice President and Director of Public Policy. The candidates were presented with a series of questions by a three-person panel – Julie Hadnot, director of public affairs for Kaiser Permanente; Gregory Chan, senior community affairs officer for the East Bay Municipal Utility District; and Jessica Reynolds, director of government affairs for the Oakland Association of Realtors.

The seven candidates running for the City Council District 1 seat are Craig Brandt, Dan Kalb, Amy Lemley, Don Link, Donald Macleay, Leonard Raphael and Richard Raya. The candidates answered a range of questions regarding policy positions, public safety, and collaborative working relationships with other council members.

Discussions ranged from job development, gang injunctions and increasing the Oakland police force to economic development issues and education.

Brandt, who said that he’d push for a reduction of the business tax, admitted that he’d like to place another parcel tax on the ballot -- $80 per year for the next four years. “We might not reach 800 police,” he said, “but we’d be moving in the right direction.”

Lemley wants to see 800 sworn police, she said, affordable housing for needy children, and more business and investment in Oakland.

“Fix the crime,” said Raphael, “and business will come.” He said that he’d like to double the number of police.

The candidates also agreed that there must be a restoration of trust and confidence in City Hall. “That’s very important,” said Kalb.

But the issue of public safety kept coming up in every discussion. Candidates differed on the subject of gang injunctions, whether they work, and how they’re tracked. Besides demanding more police on the Oakland force, Raya insisted that the city also needs to reduce crime, “but also improve the relationship between the police and people of color.”

The Chamber’s next candidate debate will be tomorrow, Tuesday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m.  when candidates for District 5 meet at the Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 E. 12^th Street near the Fruitvale BART station.

Thanks for joining us!

Live Blogging #oakdebates | 8:03pm 

That’s all folks! The debate has ended with a large round of applause for the all of the candidates and their efforts.

Full Debate Schedule

Tonight’s District 1 debate is the third of six debates in this series. The full schedule is posted on this blog; all debates are FREE and begin at 6:30pm. 

See you tomorrow night for more live blogging at the District 5 Debate, or join us in person at the Fruitvale-San Antonio Senior Center (3301 East 12th St.) on Tuesday, August 28. Opening statements begin at 6:30pm.

What do you think of the discussion?

Let us know your comments by following the event on Twitter tonight @oaklandchamber and using the tag #oakdebates.

Closing Statements

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  8:02pm

Lemley: big opportunity for a new council. Want to partner with small and large businesses alike.

Raya: wants Oakland transformation, shares story of personal transformation. Is optimistic for change for Oakland.

Brandt: still champions small biz tax cut, and $80 four year parcel tax for police.

Kalb: had lots of policy experience, restore of trust in local govt and new green/clean tech jobs are top priorities.

Macleay: a vote for him is a vote for youth. And a vote for improved systems. Says he is a green party reformer.

Raphael: wants to fix the structural debt problem first. Says he is the only one [of all District 1 candidates] who won't take "union or big non-profits with contracts" financial support in this campaign.

Link: wants this city to nurture development, also wants the city to improve safety and generate jobs.

Lighting Round 2: On Job Growth...

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  7:54pm

Link: community labor agreements are key, same for local hire.

Lemley: coordinate project by project. Mentions Safeway by name.

Raya: build on success with city, community and labor. Finish the 4 specific plans already in pipeline at the city.

Brandt: give tax base to small businesses. 'Start at bottom and work up.'

Kalb: wants smart growth including on the San Pablo corridor. And points to the the same 4 plans Raya mentioned.

Macleay and Raphael: point to their materials on line for more reading and detailed answers.

Lighting Round: On Pensions...

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  7:49pm

Raphael: unfunded liabilities is the elephant in the room, has written extensively on this topic, directs audience to read his answer (in full) the Oakland Tribune.

Link: pay it off with bonds. Will pay if elected.

Lemley: must pay and honor obligations. Unions and elected officals must act.

Raya: there have already been police and fire sacrifices but we can't "push this problem on to the next council like the previous one did."

Brandt: not totally sure what the answer is but will 'keep fighting.'

Kalb: establish and fund a rainy day fund to pay this down.

Macleay: pay employees in full in every check.

On Hurdles to Growth in Oakland...

Live Blogging #oakdeabtes |  7:43pm 

Macleay: The way cities get revenue (through taxes) is itself a challenge. We will have to decide if it will be through, property or sales tax.

Raphael: violence is a barrier to development. Period.

Link: the attitude here is very negative, the message is from the city that [the city makes] 'developers to jump through hoops' in order to come here, and the city should instead 'open our arms' to all new businesses.

Lemley: we needed a better coordinated strategy to land businesses. And we aren't  'doing that now.'

Raya: the top three hurdles include 1.Crime  2. A Divided Council and 3. Bad Schools. Wants a new council to turn this around.

Brandt: we need to better trumpet Oakland's strengths in a way that isn't "fear based" -- let's make it positive and call it 'edgy' instead.

Kalb: reduce crimes, especially try and reduce recidivism crimes. Points to workforce and education as the key to achieving this.

On Economic Development....

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  7:35pm

Kalb: wants to see development on San Pablo ave. will champion it, especially clean tech development.

Macleay: wants to consider larger project impacts, wants the neighborhood to be involved in the process.

Raphael: as a CPA he knows what a start up needs. Oakland should 'get out of the economic development business' and should not take on more affordable housing.

Link: the city should be active in developement, relax rules and 'let the art community blossom' and he does support affordable housing. Cites city diversity as strength.

Lemley: doesn't want to continue 'pitting community against the developer'. Wants a 'durable, predictable process' with timelines that provide certainty for the developer.

Raya: Economic development doesn't 'have to lead to displacement' cites the army base redevelopment as an example. Wants to attract urban infill and information workers around transit stations (TOD).

Brandt: says labor and developer collaboration is key, local jobs will also be key. Supports inclusionary housing.

On curfews and gang injunctions...

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  7:26pm

Brandt: The effectiveness of the gang injunction is "still a question mark" for him.

Kalb: feels "skeptical" of both these topics. Doesn't see the data to support these as effective tactics, he has other ideas for techniques to deal with these topics instead.

Macleay: is opposed 'strongly' to both curfews and injunctions. Must deal with issue of trust/race in communities where these techniques are used first.

Raphael: Could support a stop and frisk policy. Thinks these issues [gang injunctions and curfews] are 'feel good band aids' and not effective.

Link: thinks we could 'try' a curfew. Mentions that the drug dealing at Bushrod Park stopped with the gang injunction. Sees it as and effective tactic in this area.

Lemley: doesn't think 'criminalizing' youth is a good idea.

Raya: is anti curfew, and pro Cease Fire for restoring trust between/with communities of color and police. It "can be done", and in as short as "a matter of months."

On police staffing and public safety...

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  7:17pm

Raya: parcel tax failed because of lost confidence. Wants to restore confidence, and generate more economic development, 'build on what is working.'

Brandt: his proposed 4 year 80 dollar property tax will fund police. Economic development won't "be enough"

Kalb: wants 803 officers as soon as possible. Want to evaluate after that point. Wants more police investigators. Solving crimes, "prevents more crimes." wants to reauthorize and increase Measure Y in two years.

Macleay: let's use sworn officers in a effective way. Have more civilian officers on patrol.

Raphael: Is skeptical of economic development and says there will be "no way to grow out of this one" thinks parcel tax won't cut it. Instead we have to lower what is paid to new police.

Link: We need more than 2 police academies, after getting to 800  officers wants to go to 900. Wants to fill unfilled civilian positions in the force and apply those positions to solving existing cases.

Lemley: Regarding increasing officers numbers, she wants to "get there" through economic development. Doesn't think that a parcel tax will fly.

On serving residents...

Live Blogging #oakdebates |  7:08pm

Lemley: always learning how to do this better. Unions contributing to making the budget better (e.g furlough days)  wants to work more on getting these folks to work harder for residents.

Raya: An outcome based budget is answer to measuring what service looks like. Points to San Jose as an example.

Brandt: has had good experiences with building services and the library. Says that things like 'filling the pot holes in the city matters' with respect to service.

Kalb: work with line workers to get a 'bottom up solution' on improving customer service.

Macleay: systemic oversight will improve service. Quotes the management saying, "you will get what is measured." He wants to measure quality.

Raphael: has had poor experiences with customer service at the old CEDA [permit] counter, thinks they have little incentive to change. Wants faster response times from departments.

Link: because we have cut positions we can't expect the same level of services. But nonetheless, is proud of our hard city workers, wants to thank them for doing more (and maintaining) with less.

On collaboration with council colleagues...

Live Blogging #oakdebates | 7pm

Link: lots of experience with 'keeping one's eye on the goal' is used to community work where there is 'no room for ego'

Lemley: council is a policy making body  and she "can form a block of 5 votes" and is endorsed by three seated council members.

Raya: good at assembling votes, cites his past budget director experience. Says teamwork, communication and trust are key.

Brandt: cites trial experience, "been in the frying pan before" can take it again.

Kalb: 10 years of mediation experience, and is "good at counting votes" and building consensus.

Macleay: will debate in the open, and be transparent. Things that will get his vote include basic services and education.

Raphael: couldn't work with "all of them" (current seated council members) and said he will stand up to strong non profits (with contracts) and unions in the city.

Program Starts + Opening Statements

Live Blogging #oakdebates | 6:52pm

With the squeaks of basketball shoes in the background (the debate hall is next to the gym) the District 1 debates are underway on College Ave.

Raphael: 35 year resident, last 30 years in Temescal. Kids went to Oakland Tech. Renter and owner lots of passion for the district. Platform is on website, he directs listeners to it.

Link: 31 year resident, former college history professor. Involved in neighborhood watch. Part of community policing board/watch. Focus on public safety and economic development.

Lemley: lives nearby, founded First Place an NPO in Downtown Oakland. Works with John Burton in CA state legislature. Wants to get 800 sworn police and economic development into the city.

Raya: loves the diversity of  Oakland. Wants to leverage Port and neighboring UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley, enforce Cease Fire approach to crime. Wants to promote transit oriented development.

Brandt: 28 year resident of District 1. Trial lawyer by profession. Wants to improve safety with parcel tax $80 per year, and wants to cut Oakland business tax.

Kalb: issues and policy making is where his experience lies, wants to restore "trust" in city hall, including "modeling good behavior" and developing clean teach jobs. Also crime prevention is a priority.

Macleay: has started attending Inside Oakland seminars to listen to folks, wants to reduce crime and improve schools.

Live Blogging #fail -- no wifi @ the debate

Live Blogging #oakdebates | 6:26pm

Hey debate live-blog gang,
Looks like the CAPC doesn't have wifi tonight. So we will try this from our phone. Get ready for some typos. Or you might have better luck on twitter. Follow the comments under #oakdebates

Oakland Council District 1 Debate Begins, Seven Candidates Discuss the Issues

Live Blogging #oakdebates | 6:15pm

The seven leading candidates for Oakland’s District 1 City Council Seat will debate tonight in an open forum at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church (CAPC), located in Rockridge.  The debate, produced by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee  will start at 6:30pm. Paul Junge, the Chamber’s Vice-President and Director of Public Policy will moderate, and the candidates will be presented with a series of questions by a three-person panel – Julie Hadnot, director of public affairs for Kaiser Permanente; Gregory Chan, senior community affairs officer for the East Bay Municipal Utility District; and Jessica Reynolds, director of government affairs for the Oakland Association of Realtors. Questions will also be solicited from the audience.

The District 1 boundaries border Berkeley and Emeryville to the north and west, the City of Piedmont to the south and Grizzly Peak to the east. It also includes landmarks like the Claremont Hotel, portions of Piedmont Avenue, and the Rockridge and Temescal neighborhoods. There are seven council districts total in Oakland, and one at-large member for a total of eight seats. There are no term limits for the city council members. In fact, long time North Oakland resident Jane Brunner has held the District 1 seat since 1996, for nearly 16 full years (4 consecutive terms).

Program Starts

A group of about 85 are in the audience tonight, in CAPC’s church space and the intersection of College Ave and Ross Streets. It is unknown whom Councilmember Brunner will show her support for at this time, and with ranked choice voting, an incumbent’s support may prove to be less crucial to electoral success. The candidates are settled on the dais and now the opening statements are underway!

Inside Info for Tonight's District 1 City Council Debate

Candidates for Oakland District 1/North Oakland City Council Seat will Debate Tonight in Rockridge

After filing the papers indicating their intention to run earlier this month, the seven leading candidates for Oakland’s District 1 City Council Seat will debate tonight in an open forum at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church (CAPC), located in Rockridge.  The debate, produced by the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee starts at 6:30pm and is free to attend. Doors open at 6pm, and questions will be solicited from the audience.

The boundaries of District 1 encompass the vast North Oakland area, including the Rockridge and Temescal neighborhoods and portions of Piedmont Avenue. The District is sometimes characterized on the council as more affluent and politically connected to the city power structure than other Oakland council districts.

The role of the Oakland City Council is to be an elected governing body representing the City of Oakland. There are seven council districts in Oakland, and one at-large member for a total of eight seats. If needed, the Mayor serves as the tie breaking vote. Since 1998, Oakland has had a strong mayor form of government. The mayor is elected for a four-year term and council members serve staggered four-year terms. Oakland's Mayor is subject to a tenure limited to two terms. There are no term limits for the city council members.

The job of council member for District 1 has been most recently held by Jane Brunner, for nearly 16 full years (4 consecutive terms). Ms. Brunner is stepping down at this end of this term (Dec ember 2012) to concentrate on her campaign for City Attorney for Oakland.  By many accounts, Ms. Brunner has been a reliable and dedicated council member, and she is widely viewed as a policy and “big picture thinker” in the areas of labor relations and community development, citing the development of the Oakland Army Base as one of her  many accomplishments. Most recently, Councilmember Brunner has chaired the influential Community and Economic Development Agency (CEDA) committee of the council. She has been a Rockridge neighborhood resident of Oakland for 35+ years.

 

Many political consultants consider this year unique for the Oakland City Council in that it will have at least three new council members after the November election, a turnover unseen for 16 years. The existing council is characterized as having “fractious dynamics” and even some seated council members themselves are excited for a chance to change the tone of the conversation.

This debate will likely cover (but won’t be limited to) several critical issues concerning the Northern part Oakland, including the pending Safeway store development, gang injunctions, schools and property values. What do you think are the biggest issues facing District 1 in the next four years? Please attend and submit a question for the candidates. Or let us know your comments by following the event on Twitter tonight @oaklandchamber and using the tag #oakdebates.

 

Candidate Backgrounds (Alphabetical by First Name)

Amy Lemley

Amy Lemley lives in North Oakland with her husband and two daughters. In 1998, she co-founded First Place for Youth in Oakland, which provides affordable housing to hundreds of youth and young adults. Ms. Lemley holds degrees from the University of Chicago and UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and has served on the Measure Y Oversight Committee.

 

 

Craig Brandt

Craig Brandt has been a District 1 resident for 28 years.  Mr. Brandt is a trial lawyer in private practice and a Board Member and Secretary for the International Center for Integrative Medicine, a 501(c)(3). He holds a masters in Community Planning from Antioch University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration also from Antioch University.

Dan Kalb

Dan Kalb has been the California Policy Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Chapter Director of the Sierra Club. Mr. Kalb also co-led the Isaiah Project, and currently serves on the Youth Leadership and Community Safety Strategic Planning Task Force for the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth. Mr. Kalb holds a B.S. in Conservation of Natural Resources from UC Berkeley and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.

 

 

 

 

Don Link

Don Link joined the Shattuck Corridor Neighborhood Watch in 1991, and chaired Oakland’s Community Policing Advisory Board from 1999 to 2008. Mr. Link is an electrical contractor specializing in energy efficiency for his company, Controlled Energy.  He holds degrees from UC Santa Barbara (AB) and UC Berkeley (CPh).

Don Macleay

Don Macleay owns and manages a computer networking business in Oakland; East Bay Computer Services, Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Macleay has spent over 24 years doing industrial work, 19 of them as a general machinist/millwright and as a member of the machinist union (IAM) and IAM shop steward.  Mr. Macleay got a GED in California and went on to graduate from Laney and then San Francisco State (Phi Beta Kappa).

Leonard Raphael

Leonard (Len) Raphael is the co-owner of Car World in Temescal and has been a staff auditor and tax accountant for Price Waterhouse and Deloitte.  Mr. Raphael has been the Treasurer Temple Beth Abraham and on the board of directors of the Oakland Food Pantry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Raya

Richard Raya lives in North Oakland with his wife and four sons. Mr. Raya is currently the policy director for California Forward. He sits on the Board of Directors for two Oakland-based organizations, Youth Radio and TransForm, and has previously been the budget director for the Alameda County Public Health Department, an analyst for the Alameda County Administrator, and an auditor for the City of San Jose. Mr. Raya holds two degrees from UC Berkeley, where he earned a B.A. in English and a Master’s in Public Policy.

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Chamber Support

The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (OMCC) public policy committee does not endorse political candidates, but there is a separate political action committee OakPAC that does.  For more information on OakPAC, please contact Paul Junge, OakPAC Executive Director at pjunge@oaklandchamber.com 

Full Debate Schedule

Tonight’s District 1 debate is the third of six debates in this series. The full schedule is posted below; all debates are FREE and begin at 6:30pm.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend.