What is your position on the Livermore Trails project?
I believe it addresses many needs for our community. We need a third high school and fire station north of the freeway; we need a sports park. We need housing for seniors, workforce housing, and low, moderate, and middle income housing in addition to preservation of open space. Therefore, I like the project. However, I will completely support and respect the will of the voters. If this initiative passes, I will ensure that the developer delivers as promised. If the initiative is defeated, I will work hard with the proper agencies to fulfill these needs.
How do you feel about the council majority’s adoption in late 2002 of the urban growth boundary without putting to a public vote?
I believe an issue of this magnitude should have gone to the voters.
The council has approved up to 3250 housing units downtown in the general plan, but with a review after 2000 units are built. What number do you think is appropriate?
3,000+ units downtown will probably be too many, but fortunately it is an up to number and not cast in stone. I believe the review should come somewhere between 1,000 to 1,250 units, therefore, we can get a fair assessment on how much pedestrian traffic is being created versus automobile traffic being created. If everything is going as expected, then we could incrementally approve more units. If more auto traffic is being created as a result, then we may need to pull back on the number of units.
Though city general funds might not be involved, to what degree should city resources (redevelopment funds, Altamont dump fees, fees on new development, etc.) be used to pay for the downtown performing arts complex without voter approval?
I support the Arts provided the arts can support itself. If large amounts of city resources, as mentioned above, need to be used to pay for the performing arts or to subsidize the arts, then the voters should have a say in it.
What role, if any, should the city play in lobbying the state for school district equalization funding?
I believe the City should take a proactive role with the school district in lobbying for equalization. I would welcome taking on that role.
What can or should Livermore do to get a BART extension?
We need to get with the proper local, county, state, and federal agencies and officials to discuss what is necessary to get the BART extension, and then how do we go about doing it. I would like to see BART and the ACE Train somehow share a platform, so that East/West commuters could use public transportation.
Where do you stand on the airport? Should the expansion proceed?
I believe the airport should remain open and that the pilots that have been waiting for years to get hangars should get them. Prior to an expansion, an analysis should be done on the additional economic benefit and increased safety to the City versus the potential increase in noise, loss of quiet enjoyment, and decrease of property values in the surrounding area. If there is a huge benefit, then we may need to implement some noise mitigation efforts for the surrounding neighbors.
