June 2006 SLCAN Candidate Questionaire

Responses from Anthony B. "Tony" Santos, candidate for San Leandro Mayor

SLCAN asked each of the candidates to complete a questionnaire and were informed that their responses would be posted on our web site. Candidates responded to the questionnaire by electronic mail. Except for formatting, SLCAN has not modified the candidate's responses.

A. Experience and History

1. How long have you lived in San Leandro?

I have lived in SL for past 43 years. Several of my family members resided in SL and my parents and my sister and I followed. I still have a number of family members in town, including my daughter and her family.

2. What is your current job and place of work, if any?

I am presently retired, except for my work on the SL City Council.

3. What community, professional and/or advocacy groups are you a member of?

I am a member of two IDES organizations and UPEC and one German/American organization titled Hermansohns of California. I also am a member of the SL Historical Society and the SL Chamber of Commerce.

4. Are you a member of a political party and, if so, which one?

I am a registered Democrat.

5. In a one sentence answer, why are you running for office?

I am running for office mainly due to my interest in maintaing SL's wonderful quality of life and also due to my past work in San Leandro affairs.

6. What are your relevant skills, experience, or education that qualifies you?

I am a graduate of SF State; I have a degree in Social Science. I studied History and Government while at State. I have had a life time of interest in the role of Government in our lives. I wanted to have the experience of working within Government; I have been fortunate to have done so. My 14 years of experience as a member of the City Council has helped to allow me to complete many of my objectives. I was able to get my colleagues to support a "Clean up City" program in 1984; I helped pass the first Neihborhood Preservation Ordinance and a Fireworks ordinance. My interest in noise issues led to my introducing a noise ordinance in 2001. I have had a long history in attempting to quiet our skies caused by airplane over flights.

7. [current office holders] What are the top five accomplishments of your time in office?

• My major accomplishments noted above.

B. Goals

8. What are your top 3 priorities and what resources/programs would you advance to support them?

• I have a number of priorities beginning with our Marina. We all know ithas been a major problem. I want to involve the community in formulating a plan we can all live with. Presently, I am advised no one wishes to have housing at the Marina; if this is so, we then can plan a development all can cherish.
• I want to continue to negotiate with the Port on reducing airplane noise and eliminate those aircraft that are the most noisy from our skies and lastly I want to restore our police officers to the full 94 compliment which it was prior to our cutbacks.
• Finally, I want to develop a closer relationship with our School districts to improve educational opportunities in San Leandro. I am a firm believer in a public education; my major opponent states he moved to San Leandro for its schools and yet he sent his kids to Catholic School.

9. Do you have any big ideas/visions for the future of the city?

My major vision for our city is to make certain we can all come together for the betterment of all of us. I want to hold "Coffee with the Mayor" sessions weekly. This will allow me the opportunity to gain insight into what the public is thinking about our community.

C. Opportunities for Public Participation

10. How will you improve communications between residents and city government and improve public participation in city government?

I have always believed in open governament. I suggsted previously the idea of holding work sessions in the districts. This would allow the City the opportunity to discuss studies and plans for the various areas. Hopefully, people will attend and let their insight into the suggestions. I want to avoid disputes such as MacArthur and Lewelling Blvds. I also want to attend as many Homeowner Association meetings as possible. I have always been accessible to all; I return all calls and messages received; I will continue to do this.

11. What would you do to improve the prompt availability of more information (meeting minutes, etc.) on the city web site and other places?

I hope our website is used by those who have computers etc.

12. What steps will you undertake to improve the transparency and quality of decision making by the City of San Leandro?

One last item. I have suggested, never accepted by my colleagues, that all closed sessions be taped. This would allow the public to know what transpired behind closed doors. Naturally this raises a great many issues; such as when will tapes be made available etc.

D. Campaigning

13. List your top five endorsements.

Central Labor Council of Alameda County, Building Trades Council, Alameda County Democratic Party,Four members of the San Leandro Board of Trustees and now 8 Homeowner Associaiton Presidents, along with Andy Katz, David Tam, Jeff Houston, all leaders in the Sierra Club.

14. List your top five (in dollar amount) sources of campaign contributions.

Tony Batarase. Local 70, Carpenters local 713, Local 1176 and a number of contributions less than ninety nine dollars; I have a number of contributions under $20; I just received a five dollar contribution recently; these small are very important to me; it establishes grass roots at its best.

15. How would you reform the way that campaigns are currently financed, if at all?

I believe in public financing and have limits on spending. Equalize all campaigns. Everyone has same amount of money to spend. this would allow all to participate in the process.

16. What is your position regarding changing City Council member elections from city-wide elections to district-wide elections?

As for district elections, it certainly would simplify elections and reduce cost of elections. If public supports it, so would I.

E. Schools

17. How will you promote collaboration between the city and public schools?

I believe i have done a good job here. Upon my return to the Council, I was able to sit on the Liasion commities; I truly this led to a closer School District/City Council relationship. I was involved with developing the play area at Manor Middle school, instrumental in suggesting we build a new Gym, in both districts. I have made suggestions on new school sites, not accepted, but I had input. I have attended Board meetings and have had discussions with both the Board and staff. As Mayor, I want to meet with School Board members and work on mutual issues.

18. What opportunities do you see for joint use projects between the city and schools?

19. What do you see as the city's responsibility for impact of new housing development on schools?

Housing does create an impact on Schools; we must be certain the district is aware of all housing projects so they can plan ahead.

20. What was your position on Measure A, the parcel tax for the San Leandro Unified School District? How did you contribute towards the campaign?

On Measure A, I believe I was first Council Member to support it. I phoned banked for the measure and walked a precinct on its behalf.

F. Positions

21. Briefly state your ideas on how to encourage and protect local businesses development. What is your position on enacting limits on chain businesses? What actions would you propose to accomplish your vision?

I have worked closely with the business community on maintaining businesses; I have assisted businesses in pushing projects through City Hall and I want to keep our fees as low as possible to encourage businesses to remain in town.

22. What is your position on the establishment of a living wage ordinance?

On living wage, I am pushing it and hope to have it passed this fall. I am working with both Central Labor Council staff and EBASE in formaulating a workable ordinance. All should be completed soon.

23. How would you ensure that community benefits are negotiated into city contracts, development assisted by the city, or franchise monopolies such as Comcast?

Negotiating with franchises a major concern. WE must be certain our citizens get afair price for services coming to SL. I want to see the telecommunication market openup and that we can have the type of service we want. I don't believe in bungling all together; this forces people to pay more than necessary for what they want.

24. Briefly state your position on the use of eminent domain.

I only support eminent domain for street improvementand for schools, if it becomes necessary to do. I do not believe in using eminent domain to remove housing.

25. What would you do in office to address poverty and homelessness in San Leandro?

On homelessness issue, I have requested we survey our homeless individual and to assist them where possible. I have requested our Human Relations Committee, of which I am a member, to review homelessness in SL and come up with a plan to eliminate the problem.

26. What would you do to improve public transportation and make San Leandro a more walkable city?

On transportation, I have always believed in encouraging public transit. With high gas prices, it would be better to use public transit than the good old automobile.

27. How would you promote opportunities within San Leandro for historically-disadvantaged populations/minorities?

How to improve the poor? By having a living wage and pay people an amount that would allow for afforadable housing.

28. What is your position on the EBMUD Heron Bay groundwater project?

Finally, my position on Bayside Water Project well known to Heron Bay residents. Ihave been there from day one. I objected to the large project and I have promised all thatI will oppose phase two.