Pacifica Progressive Alliance Saves The World (At The Expense Of Pacifica.)

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.

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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