Blogmaster's note:
I received a copy of the following mass mailing from the Pacifica Progressive Alliance, run by Cynthia "Capitalism is Evil" Kaufman. It's no surprise that the questions are primarily concerned with larger-scale "Social Justice", "Climate Justice" and "Save the World" issues that Pacifica, in all reality, can't solve.
Personally, I would rather vote for candidates focused on more practical city issues such as public safety, maintenance and development of public infrastructure and services, and digging the city out of the financial hole that the business-hostile PPA crowd helped put us in. Your beloved blogmaster endorses none of the PPA-endorsed candidates. They're bad for Pacifica.
I plan on voting for Mike O'Neill, Sue Beckmeyer, and Vickie Flores. It's curious that the PPA didn't include answers from these three. I don't know if it was because Mike, Sue and Vickie knew that the PPA endorsements were pre-ordained and didn't want to waste their time, or because the PPA thought their answers were too rational and appealing to most voters.
I get the feeling that Adonica Shaw Porter, who nobody I know has ever heard of, was drafted as a candidate because the PPA's previously preferred candidate, Bridget Duffy, got into some legal trouble and has an upcoming court case in September.
- Steve Sinai
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The
Endorsement Committee met, compiled questions from our member
organizations, collected responses, and deliberated, as directed by
our by-laws.
That committee recommended that the following
names be forwarded to this body to decide who to endorse; John
Keener, Mary Bier, Adonica Shaw Porter.
Below are their
answers to the questions.
John Keener's answers
1. What is your position on the workforce housing proposed for Oddstad Blvd?
I'm in favor of it.
2. What do you think the City Council should do for people living in RVs and cars?
This came up as a recent study session. RV parking on the streets of Pacifica has become a serious problem, along with the trash and human waste that comes with it. I proposed banning RV parking, either overnight or 24 hours, in conjunction with a designated offstreet parking area administered by the Pacifica Resource Center. The city could lease a lot for $1/year to the PRC, and folks that wanted to park there would have to sign up with the PRC and agree to trying to become "housed", which could be in an RV facility. A waste dump for RVs would be available also. Cars would be welcome too. The lot next to the Thai restaurant on Francisco would be one place where this could happen. Residents could obtain 1 or 2-day permits online for loading and unloading RVs, or for visitors.
3.What commitments do you think Pacifica should take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change.
One big step is already taken. Pacifica and its residents get their electric power from Peninsula Clean Energy. It is much cleaner (currently 85% greenhouse gas-free) and 5% cheaper than PG&E. I was a founding board member. Peninsula Clean Energy is also planning to incentivize electrification of vehicles and home heating. Fuel switching means less ghg emissions because Peninsula Clean Energy will be ghg-free by 2021, and 100% renewable (solar and wind) by 2025.The City is replacing vehicles with hybrids where possible. I would like to see more electric vehicle charging stations in Pacifica. I would also like to see expanded use of ride-sharing programs by commuters, such as Scoop. I think this is the best way in the short-term to reduce traffic congestion and single occupant cars. The county has a promotion whereby each driver gets $1 more, and each passenger pays $1 less on trips originating or terminating in San Mateo County.The utilization in Pacifica so far has been minimal.
4. What would you do as a council member to improve public transportation?
Samtrans is a county agency, and we in Pacifica have little influence over it. It's frustrating. At the very least we need a quick route to the Colma BART station. 50% of the proceeds from the proposed 1/2 cent increase in sales tax on the ballot in November will go to Samtrans. Will it improve service here? We're an underserved community. Do we have to wait for self-driving vans and busses (not operated by Samtrans)?That's the way it looks right now. And see my comment about ride-sharing above, although that has gotten a very tepid response.
5. Would you help to designate Pacifica as a Compassionate City and what would a Compassionate City of Pacifica do?
Pacifica City Council has as one it's goals, to be a Compassionate City. I would rather we live up to that than spend a lot of energy designating it. Compassion might be outlawing parking of RVs on the streets, but giving those folks a place where they can park. It's our Police taking training in how best to deal with folks that have mental health issues. It's not imprisoning (illegal) immigrants. It's a lot of little things that add up.
6. What do you want to do for Pacifica and what experiences have most prepared you to serve our community?
I have learned a tremendous amount since I was elected 4 years ago. I want to put that experience to work in the next 4 years, especially on the Local Coastal Plan Update, and the General Plan Update. I also want to be a voice of fiscal moderation in this era offinancial uncertainty for the city.The 2 years in the wilderness when it was just Sue and I, before Deirdre got elected, benefited me, and in terms of learning what I could accomplish and how to do it.
7. What would you do for immigrants in Pacifica?
I assume illegal immigrants? I would offer the same assistance for whatever their particular problem is, as I would for any other resident. We're not supposed to ask or know their status. Pacifica is a Sanctuary City.
8. What would you do about income disparity in Pacifica?
Traditionally, balancing income disparity has been a Federal or possibly a state function, through the tax code and other means. Obviously that function has been eroded to almost nothing since the Reagan years. I really don't see that the Pacifica city government can do anything, but I'm willing to be educated.
9.Given that Caltrans has not acted accountably to Pacifica, what would you do as a City Council member to change that?
That applies to Caltrans and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) both.With the Highway 1 paving and pedestrian overpass projects, it has been a good relationship with Caltrans. I am pressing them to step up their litter clean up. Highway is the only view of Pacifica that many folks have, and Caltrans lets many months go by between clean up efforts, while prohibiting local folks from picking up litter in the medians.We're currently lobbying the TA for a $375,000 planning grant for the (former) Calera Parkway, to figure out what would be the best combination of the alternatives.Some of our traffic comes from the Coastside.Development in the unincorporated county and Half Moon Bay promises to send more our way.This is not a Caltrans issue so much as a regional issue.I plan to be in better communication with political representatives of that area.
10. Where do you stand on city liability for new development in at-risk areas?
At risk for bluff erosion or sea level rise? The City has no liability for development in any area. That's written into every permit granted by the Planning Department. And permits in the coastal area have a Coastal Commission mandated statement that the development doesn't have any right to demand that the city keep up their coastal protections.
Mary
Bier's answers
1.
What is your position on the workforce housing proposed for Oddstad
Blvd?
I
completely support the development of workforce housing on Oddstad
Blvd.
2.
What do you think the City Council should do for people living in RVs
and cars? People in our community that are vehicularly housed are our
friends, family and neighbors. The city should do everything in its
power to create a safe, welcoming parking program so folks have a
safe space to rest their heads, a program so they can deposit waste
in an environmentally safe process and be connected to services to
assist them in living a full, happy life. Criminalizing, targeting
and ticketing only creates more stress and additional financial
burdens to those already facing difficulties. I do not support a ban
on parking of “recreational vehicles” in any way until there is a
solid program in place.
3.
What commitments do you think Pacifica should take to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change.
The
City of Pacifica needs to be committed to working towards getting
people out of their cars and onto public transportation. In order for
that to happen we need to first begin building the capacity to
improve the current transit system. Then we can take a look at land
use policies that include transit-oriented development and invests in
affordable transportation and housing. Creating strong, equitable
development policies that invest in affordable transportation and
housing near transit systems can reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
Land
use policies must also increase access to open public spaces and
encourage the development of healthy neighborhoods. Everything is
connected. Transportation, housing and land use policies all need to
strategically address the root causes of climate change.
4.
What would you do as a council member to improve public
transportation?
To
help advance transportation justice for the City of Pacifica I will
partner with leaders in North County and the Coast side to engage
people who have historically lacked political and decision-making
power into the planning process of transit related funding, projects
and development. Participation in regional transportation coalitions
allows me the opportunity to ensure that Pacifica has a seat at the
table if and when funding for transportation related projects becomes
available to the county. Relationships created from coalition models
can lead to future assessments, capacity building and transparent
planning for future transportation related projects. Pacifica’s
transit system is represented by limited service followed by an hour
wait in between buses. The express bus line was also removed and has
made it very difficult for people to rely on public transportation.
Regional planning can help to access the resources needed to begin to
address these issues.
5.
Would you help to designate Pacifica as a Compassionate City and what
would a Compassionate City of Pacifica do?
Compassion
is clearly stated in the current City of Pacifica City Goals: “A
Healthy and Compassionate Community” includes addressing affordable
housing and mental health services, investigating strategies related
to homelessness, and supporting youth services.” Therefore, it is
the responsibility of the city council to work towards this goal. I
will happily help to designate Pacifica as a Compassionate City and
begin to assess and identify the issues that need to be addressed
through compassionate action.
6.
What do you want to do for Pacifica and what experiences have most
prepared you to serve our community?
I
want to bring the community together to begin, ever so slightly, to
heal from the divisiveness we are experiencing. I want to bring an
equity lens into all decision-making processes and help to forward
policies that will create be designed to build the capacity of those
who need it the most. I look forward to speaking with you so I can
show you in person how passionate I am about this. I have been
working collaboratively with all sectors of the community since 2005
to create a safe and healthy community for our youth and I will bring
all of this experience with me to the table when elected. I truly
care about Pacifica and have enjoyed growing up, going to school,
working, playing and worshiping here. I feel its time for us to care
for one another and work together from the inside out to create
positive changes in our precious city.
7.
What would you do for immigrants in Pacifica?
My
father and his family escaped Nazi Germany and traveled through Ellis
Island making their way to the San Francisco Bay Area. Presently our
communities are blessed to have a network of resources available to
assist people with their journey. Immigrant families in Pacifica
should feel safe in accessing these services. My work with the North
County Outreach Collaborative has taught me the importance of
culturally competent outreach and how important it is to have people
in place in our community to assist with this. Through continued
collaborative efforts I will make sure that immigrants in Pacifica
know and understand their rights and feel safe in seeking help.
8.
What would you do about income disparity in Pacifica?
I
believe that as a city we need to have more opportunities for people
to work where they live. I would like to look into the possibility of
a city specific minimum wage that gives our workforce a fighting
chance to right livelihood.
9.
Given that Caltrans has not acted accountability to Pacifica, what
would you do as a City Council member to change that? This is where
relationships regionally can be very important. Being connected to a
network of groups working together can have a larger presence in
dealing with entities such as Caltrans. It is always possible to
bring people together to have conversations about the needs of our
city. It takes relationships to continue those conversations and move
them forward into actions.
10.
Where do you stand on city liability for new development in at-risk
areas?
A
city with no revenue cannot be liable for new development in at risk
areas. Private property owners who choose to develop on these parcels
should be solely liable. Policies can be explored that prohibit new
development in these at risk areas.
Adonica
Shaw Porter's answers
1.
What is your position on the workforce housing proposed for Oddstad
Blvd?
I
believe the housing is necessary. The school district is the largest
employer in Pacifica and we need to do more to support our educators
and administrators. If they aren’t going to get a living wage, we
must support them in other ways and this housing project is a viable
way to do that. I’m raising three children in Pacifica – ages 9,
6 and 1. My older two attend public schools and are reliant on having
teachers who are in the community to educate them. In the past 5
years alone roughly 60-70% of county workers, educators and those
working in the public sector have moved out of the county due to lack
of affordable housing and livable wages. This project is just one
step of many that will be required to retain our educators, and keep
them in Pacifica.
2.
What do you think the City Council should do for people living in RVs
and cars?
As
a county commissioner for the healthcare for the homeless and
farmworkers board I’ve heard story after story of people who could
not afford to stay in their homes and have been forced into living in
their cars or RV’s because the cost of living has become too
burdensome for their family. What is more troublesome is that some of
the people living in these cars and RV’s have children that are
sleeping in these cars overnight and then getting up and going to
school in the morning. This is not safe. It is not healthy and this
is not the kind of Pacifica people should have to raise their kids
in. I believe we need to do more to work with community organizations
and community churches to discuss overnight housing options. I also
feel we should invest in social houses that the city would own and
manage to provide temporary, but affordable housing options to these
people. These houses could be extended to these people on a 3-6 month
basis while they
secure
better wages, recover from any health related issues that took them
out of work, or pay off bills, fix credit etc. to remove barriers to
housing and employment.
3.
What commitments do you think Pacifica should take to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change.
I
believe we should have mandated days during the year where businesses
close, or people are encouraged to walk, or take alternative means of
transportation to school or work to “spare the air.” A few other
options we have as a city are taking the proper steps to decarbonize
our electricity grid – which is important because a low carbon
electricity source can be an enabler of low carbon tech in
other
sources
like electric cars.
4.
What would you do as a council member to improve public
transportation?
I
have three priorities in this area. The first is to improve the
streets. The second is to work with public transit to increase the
frequency of buses to all parts of the city that will make it easier
for people to get through the city and over the hill if necessary.
Lastly, I think we
need
to do more to work with rideshare companies like LYFT, Uber and
Charriot. These are affordable options that are in many cases cheaper
than a traditional taxi. They currently do not travel to certain
parts of the city and I would like to work with them to
expand
their coverage area to all parts of Pacifica.
5.
Would you help to designate Pacifica as a Compassionate City and what
would aCompassionate City of Pacifica do?
Yes
I would. A compassionate city would have programs at the elementary
and high schools that talked about everything from hate
crimes
and cyber bullying to anti-semitic issues and homophobia. I believe
by educating the population on compassion and various lifestyles,
that we can create a city we want for our children and residents. As
a graduate of the ADL Glass Leadership I learned firsthand
how
cities can do more to make our communities through strong policy that
would protect people regardless if sexual orientation, class, race or
disability. I would leverage that experience through my approach to
creating thoughtful policies that would make
Pacifica
a friendlier place to more people.
6.
What do you want to do for Pacifica and what experiences have most
prepared you to serve our community?
I
want to be a voice for families. I want to reduce our homeless rate
and reduce the number of people living in cars and RV’s, I want to
increase civic engagement from the working families, immigrants, and
first-generation households and I want to work with residents to
identify the correct approach to addressing sea level rise and
climate change.
7.
What would you do for immigrants in Pacifica?
Pacifica
is already a Sanctuary city. My mother in law immigrated to the
United States in her mid-thirties. She came here as a nanny and met
and married my father in law roughly 30 years ago. Despite the fact
that she’s legal and has paid taxes and contributed to society
there are still very real fears around being in the US under the
current administration. One thing I think we need to do in addition
to allowing immigrants to stay safely in our community is work more
closely with some of the local embassy offices to connect these
people to cultural resources and to people who might be able to speak
their language. My goal would be to get them in touch with resources
that would be most vital to their long-term success, and work with
city and county officials to ensure their rights aren’t being
violated by their employers, neighbors or agencies that seek to
deport these individuals without cause from our city.
8.
What would you do about income disparity in Pacifica?
I
would like to expand social housing as an option to make some houses
in Pacifica more affordable on a sliding scale. I’d like to work
with council members like Deirdre Martin and mayor John Keener, to
put forth policy that benefits working people, and work with labor
unions to protect people who are working at the schools, Safeway and
those who will be working at the new hotels in Pacifica. By fighting
for, and protecting fair wages for these people we can protect jobs,
and prevent the wage gap from widening between residents and workers
in our community.
9.
Given that Caltrans has not acted accountably to Pacifica, what would
you do as a City Council member to change that?
I
would work with statewide officials to put pressure on them to uphold
their end of the agreements that are in place. I would also take a
closer look at our existing policies and agreements with the Caltrans
with a team of lawyers to see if there is any action we can take that
would force them to fix certain issues in a timely fashion. It has
been my experience that contracts often spell out remedies with
timelines and consequences for each party if there’s a breech. I
would look at it from a legal perspective to see what else can be
done to help Pacifica.
10.
Where do you stand on city liability for new development in at-risk
areas?
Any
kind of development requires thoughtful dialogue on the current
social, socioeconomic and environmental issues facing the city
between developers and city officials. While I believe developers
would ultimately need to be responsible for mitigating problems
and
being
responsible to our community, I also believe we shouldn’t foot the
bill for covering the cost of at-risk development projects. That said
- there are a few projects that are projected in areas around
Pacifica that are vulnerable to the rising sea level. As a former
weather woman, I will be basing my decisions from a science-based
perspective. I plan to evaluate projects on a case by case basis, and
leverage people in my network at NOAA and who are meteorologists and
scientists, to fairly consider these developments as they arise.
Posted by Steve Sinai