League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Derrick H. Muhammad Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Oakland; Council District 3

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

Questions & Answers

1. (Foreclosure challenges) Many Oaklanders have lost their homes because of the economic recession; how can the city help homeowners, and how can the city help neighborhoods experiencing high rates of foreclosures and vacancies?

Promote intensive outreach and education to victims and potential victims to direct them to existing resources. Recruit trained financial counselors. Ensure enforcement of policies to address vacant foreclosed properties. Engage the lending industry and policy makers to negotiate their role in both addressing the current crisis and developing long term solutions.

2. (Public Safety) Improving public safety is about more than just increasing the police force. What should be done for violence prevention?

I see public safety as a combination of law enforcement, preventative programs and employment opportunity. I will work to better connect youth and adults to existing programs. I will work to help create jobs by attracting business investment and pushing the unions to open up their apprenticeship programs to give people an opportunity to learn a trade and become gainfully employed. Through strenghthening the neighborhood crime prevention councils I will increase the communitys vigilence to combat crime.

3. (Bringing businesses and jobs) Oakland needs more neighborhood serving businesses. What can the City Council do to bring more businesses and jobs to the city?

There are 3 major projects that promise to boost Oaklands economy. The Army base project, the Bus Rapid Transit Project and the Airport connector project. I will work to facilitate the success of all these projects. Additionally, west Oakland is ripe for technology manufacturing. I will study cities like San Jose to learn what works and find a way to duplicate it here. 18% of the jobs in San Jose are in the manufacturing of widgets. Ditrict 3's West Oakland can accomodate this kind of industry. I will promote Oakland as a destination for tech firms.

4. (Your Council Legacy) In 20 years what do you want to look back on as having been your legacy in the City of Oakland?

To have achieved a community of peace, sustainability and fluent opportunity for the most marginalized groups in the city.

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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 26, 2012 12:26
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