We received 2 completed questionnairse, from Jon Crowder & Darryl Moore. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Click on "Read More" for the questionnaire.
Your Name: Jon Crowder Address: Addison Street Email:
Website: Soliciting Volunteers to Establish
1. Motivation -- Why did you choose to run for this office? Wishing for better life for the residents of Berkeley in low-income areas. Or, you could say that I was drafted. I choose to run for a whole host of reasons. I will address just a few of them here. I live in a place at San Pablo and University, where there is an ongoing problem with drug sells, use and abuse. In particular, the apartment where I live was THE MAIN site. Having had this experience before, I knew of some options. It all comes back to the environment, really, and people considering themselves a part of the environment in which they live. If, however, the presumption that some of us, for whatever reason, deserve a habitat, while others do not..... Well, you see the point. Since there's no sense of ownership, or of shared ownership, if you will, anything can and does happen in sites where there's a high concentration of low-income persons. Or so it seems. So, my running for office goes way, way back, the reasons have increased. This is not the first time.
Subsequently, this time around, people came to me, complaining specifically about the present individual holding the office. There were complaints from persons both knowledgeable and to be respected for their opinions. (Just how Mr. Moore ascended is quite amazing.) However, as it has forever been with me, I'm not really running against a person but rather for the people. I've never had the interest to be a professional politician. At may age, and having lived=2 0here for a great number of years, living on next to nothing, really, I can tell you that I know what's going on. As important I have the skills and drive to make a REALLY BIG difference. I want to work on making this City better from every perspective. Since I was a child I dreamt of going to a place, where if the worst should happen, I would have a chance. Of course, Berkeley has always been that place, since I can recall. I still would like a hand in making Berkeley that place we all desire it to be. The model place in America.
2. Priorities -- What do you believe are the main priorities for your office? What are some specific tasks (e.g. specific legislation, policies, et.) you intend to accomplish while in office?
My main priorities in office is to get know the people better. I want to know from them, what is it that they want. Bringing the people together so that we may heighten the consciousness of one another of where we are in time and space will be necessary. For example, without focusing first on the sense of desperation in which many of us live, how are we to deal with global warming, and a host of other environmental problems overtaking us. We need to get people walking and biking rather than driving and driving. Maybe this means examining the priorities already in place. I myself think t hat such an opportunity could entail emphasizing why younger persons should bike and walk more.This could save space for those who are less able to get about like this. I should think, as a way of restoring a sense of civility that we find a means to have cyclists and motorists alike exercise some common sense. Cyclists should stop at stop signs, for example. Motorists shouldn't drive so fast. There are many things to consider of course, but these things are better discussed in the by and by. Otherwise others may try to claim that they will do the very same thing. Can't reveal all here.
3. Qualifications -- Please give a brief summary of your background and qualifications for being a City Council-member. Aside from having attended, what could be among the better universities in the world, UC, Tufts, Stanford and Northwestern, across the land, I have experiences in most anything that you could possibly imagine. I've worked at one odd job or another sense I can recall, having grown up in a poor family in Yazoo City, Mississippi, home of Michael Espy (former Secretary of Agriculture in Mississippi). I went to college, at UC, with Aaron Peskin, present President of the Board of Supervisors for San Francisco. For 15 years I've been active in City politics in Berkeley, and environs. Under the tutelage of the late great, Howard P. Jeter, retired science school teacher, farmer, WWII medic, and avid environmentalist, he emphasized the importance of organizing the=2 0young people and the veterans. Howard's best friend, and advisor of mine, is a Mr. Alden Bryant, President of the Earth Regeneration Society. I've served on two City Commissions, thanks in part to the late Ms. Dona Spring and Ms. Margaret Breland. I've been around, and for no money.
4. Instant Runoff Voting -- The voters of Berkeley overwhelmingly passed instant runoff voting in 2004, but it has not yet been implemented in Berkeley by the County Registrar of Voters. What will you do to insure that there will be instant runoff voting for the 2010 City Council and Mayoral elections? As I will probably be voting the way of the progressive in most cases on the council, I will be following their lead in most cases. Can't say much more about this, but as an independent, of course I have no interest to monopolize power, as is presently the case. Has anyone noticed?
5. Public Campaign Financing -- Would you support a pilot program for financing mayoral campaigns in 2012? Yes, I would.
Would you support a measure on the Berkeley 2010 ballot in favor of full or partial public financing? Please elaborate.
Can't elaborate on the details of this matter, not having given my full attention to date. I can say that for me, serving the common20good, is the greater interest. I'd like some time to look at the numbers and consider the effects.
6. U.C. Berkeley-- Are there any conflicts between U.C.’s long range development plan and the City of Berkeley’s area and general plans? What remedies would you support? What ideas do you have for trying to get more accountability from U.C. in its proposed long range plan for both the U.C. and the LBNL campus? Would you support taking legal action if necessary? What is your position on the current campus Oak Grove and athletic facility controversy?
The university is a behemoth. It's a curious entity. It pays no taxes and it tends to expand for whatever reason, it being a public institution. I have not come up with any specific plans of how one should take on the university, but the university, being an old advisory of the City, I can tell you, I have plans. And so the same could be said for many others with whom I am familiar. As I say, the best way to take on any challenge is to organize the people, so to help facilitate a consensus among them. Obviously the present administration has no interest in holding ground on the behalf of the Berkeley residents, or so it appears. When people are made aware of what's at stake, are informed, then, there's no such thing as "we can't." My posit ion on matters at the university is informed by my knowledge of its power, and from whence this power is derived. One must admire the heroic efforts those few are making in defense of our environment. The question is how is it that these things come about in the first place. We must get at the root, no pun intended, of what goes on. Struggle seems more likely to succeed before the fact rather than after. Is this an answer?
7. What is your 10 year plan for downtown Berkeley and our other commercial districts? As of yet, I have no 10 year plan. In fact, it would be of great astonishment to me that a City Council member having one would make a difference. As for other commercial districts, too? I would have to address these questions more in the by and by. I look forward to any feedback that others may have, however. As for myself, I have limited time to respond to many different questions to make the Labor Day guideline. Not having the time here to go into detail, even had I the facts before me, I would have to defer. To be sure, I do have plans in mind.
8. Automobiles -- What policies should the city take to reduce automobile use and make the city friendlier to pedestrians and other non-automobile transportation? Should the city do anything about parking in the downtown area and, if so, what? Well, having never had a car my entire life until about 2 years ago, I have given considerable thought to these matters. In particular, being a low-income person, I've received a number of tickets. I'm extremely troubled by the amount of trouble one can find oneself because of a ticket. I will look at other cities confronting same, or similar problems to address these concerns. I think, in the interim that emphasizing, the environment and its effects on the whole would be a start. Incivility harms our ability to take on these issues ourselves. I have ideas, but mine are more comprehensive, but again, consensus is needed. From my perspective as an outsider, an independent, I must be careful about how I tread. On the other hand, because of it I think that I will also have some latitude. For me, my election will be an exercise as much about how I do things than what I do. .
9. Safety --What are the most important issues of public safety facing the residents of Berkeley? From what I've experienced there is no doubt that a lack of feeling that young people have any options, is a problem. School is forever becoming seen more as a commodity than an indispensable right in a democratic society. This, in my opinion is why key issue in the safety factor. Many of the young people find themselves on the outs. We place for far too long, in my opinion, too much emphasis on a tough love approach alone, generally speaking.
What ki nds of programs are useful for creating a safe environment for all people? You know prior to even receiving this questionnaire, I'd given this, safety, some thought (see my candidate's statement). I've done this because I have a son, now 20 years of age. I've experienced the challenges he faces, and it breaks my heart, really, to know the brutality he's experienced in my absence. This area is far far too rich in resources for young people to feel that they have no better options' none better than to stand around watching others living the good life. We need some direct intervention in the lives of these young folks. Believe it or not, the hands on approach is what many of those most in need expect of elected politicians. Let's face the facts, for whatever reasons, poverty, family break-ups, the divorce industry, drug use and abuse, young people have a lot more to deal with than in previous times. I wouldn't want to grow up in these conditions. I can't say specifically what I will do, because
1. I need a better assessments of what's being done and how successful or not these approaches have been and
2. Someone may say that they're already doing that. I will say this, I will be out there finding out what's going on in the most troubled areas, and I guarantee you something definitive will occur.
I don't like being afraid and I don't like others having the same feeling. I have years of experiences as a teacher of all age groups ; I know how to make a difference.
10. How will you work to make Berkeley sustainable for the long term, both economically and environmentally?
I would towards those persons established in this line of work and seek there advice and council, to begin. For example, I mentioned Mr. Alden Bryant, but there are others whom I know personally. I am in particularly engaged with persons at UC Berkeley who are connecting with Africa concerning agricultural options. One friend, who grew up in Berkeley, is a scientist, once responsible for running the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of a southern state. He lives nearby.He will help.
11. Please explain the conflict around Bus Rapid Transit in Berkeley. Are you in favor of BRT as currently proposed by AC Transit? Are you in favor of the BRT ballot measure? The BRT is a sham. It's another mess that AC Transit is trying to force on us after wasting our tax money on Van Hols. Transportation can be improved for everyone, and will get people out of their cars, if it does. We need for AC Transit to listen to us without changing schedules routes and stops without telling the riders.
12. The city and the school board have proposed a ballot measure for the June 2010 to fund a warm water pool. Would you support that measure. Yes. Please explain. Someone signing for me to run asked me to look into, and I promised that I would. We'll see.
13. What is your opinion of the current sunshine ordinance proposal and what changes would you make? Please explain. In my view those currently in power have an interest to operate more under cover than over it. As for me, it is imperative to me, to re-kindle the people's faith in their PUBLIC SERVANTS that we work in a way that is as open as open can be. Obviously there may be cases where this can't be done, but on the whole, from my perspective. more sunshine is needed.
14. Endorsements -- Who has endorsed you so far? I'm not aware of any endorsements thus far. Who do you expect to endorse you? Yes, I am. I would be expecting the Alameda Central Labor Council, the Berkeley Firefighters, and host of other individuals. Still, in these matters, one never knows, really.
15. Anything Else? -- Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
Yes. If you are interested in being a part of re-making Berkeley, in making it better place, join us. Believe me, it's a rare thing indeed--- to have this kind of an opportunity. I'm not a part of the machine, that is per se. This means that we will have the opportunity, by being20a part of this campaign and election to make history. Get to know me. You will be absolutely astonished to find how alike we really are, especially the young people, be them whatever age, or condition. Let us for a change be motivated rather than by vengeance, opportunism and, even, yes, hatred, by love instead.
When we're motivated by love, all things are possible. Thank you for your time and consideration. Peace and best wishes to all!!!
