League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Stewart G. Chen Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Alameda

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Alameda and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. (Most pressing problem) What is the single most pressing problem facing the City in the next 24 months and how would you work with your elected colleagues to solve it?

In my opinion, the most pressing challenge facing the City of Alameda is maintaining a healthy financial reserve. We are able to have a balanced budget for the next two years, but the five-year forecast is not as promising. So, although we may not have to deal with this situation in the next 24 months, I would like to be proactive and steer our City as far away from financial problems as possible.

Our economy sustains our city and we need to be self-sufficient. One revenue stream that we can try to improve is our sales tax revenue. If we can attract more visitors and shoppers to Alameda, we can improve our sales tax revenue. Moreover, it would also create more jobs for our residents, boosting their income level and spending power.

I'm willing to work with my elected colleagues, as well as our staff, to come up with the best plan to achieve this. Our City was able to do this with Park Street; we should be able to take the lessons learned from this and apply them to Webster Street as well as the Marina Village and South Shore Center. I'm also aware that not all situations are the same, so we need to have a discussion with our local merchants and listen to their concerns and suggestions. I see this as a community effort. The City cannot do this alone. We need to work together with our local businesses if we are to successfully revitalize our commercial districts.

2. (Growth and development) What is your vision of Alameda ten years from now as it relates to residential growth and business development?

My vision of Alameda ten years from now is that of a safe, vibrant, thriving community with well-maintained homes, excellent schools and public facilities, clean and inviting recreational parks, and lively and bustling business districts, while retaining a warm and neighborly atmosphere. Actually, the qualities and feeling will not be unlike what my wife and I felt when we first moved here more than twenty years ago, but with the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the growth in our City's population. I'm hoping that we can develop and utilize Alameda Point for this purpose.

Alameda Point can be developed and utilized to improve the quality of life of our residents if we use it wisely to provide jobs, housing, recreational areas, and a transportation system. With over 900 acres of land, developing even just a fraction of the whole property would be enough to accomplish this. My vision of Alameda Point includes affordable housing coupled with recreational areas, like parks and a wildlife refuge, and maybe even an elementary school and a library that the residents can enjoy. It would also have a public transportation system to serve the area and minimize traffic and pollution. All of this would be supported by a vibrant mix of shops and businesses that would also help boost our economy.

However, I am also concerned about the toxic wastes and hazardous materials that have been left at Alameda Point. Because of this, I would like to proceed with caution and we may not be able to get everything done in ten years. Nevertheless, I plan to do my best to get this started and accomplish as much as I can for the sake of our future generation.

3. (Partnership of city with schools) Good schools are important for a city's economic growth and well-being. What is the most effective way the City can partner with the school district to improve the academic performance and perception of our schools?

In my opinion, academic performance can be measured objectively by using standardized tests and perception of our schools can be influenced by our students' academic performance, the colleges they attend, as well as the level of success that they achieve in their chosen fields.

I agree that good schools are important for a city's economic growth and well-being. Aside from their families, schools play a major role in molding our young people's minds. I also recognize the expertise of our educators in teaching our children and developing their talents. I believe that the City should play a more supportive role and be willing to listen to the recommendations of the school district.

Parents, students, educators, and city officials can work together to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. Parents can instill the value of education and the joy of learning in their children; educators can teach and help students discover and develop their talents; students can help and support each other; and city officials can help provide the resources to support these activities.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are presented as submitted. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 29, 2012 01:54
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