Political turmoil is brewing in Alameda, and the stakes are high due to the November 2 mayoral and city council elections.

Because there is quite a lot of controversy surrounding a few of the candidates, I’d like to take a moment and outline the platforms. As voters, I believe it is our collective duty to ignore political games and focus on the facts.

Part I is an overview of the five mayoral candidates:

·         Tony Daysog - http://www.daysog.com/biography.html

Former City Councilman; businessman and urban planner

Platform: Change, Balancing the city budget - no new taxes, jobs, downtown renovation, schools, historic preservation

Urban Growth Angle: Daysog is our top “urban growth” pick. As an urban planner by trade, Daysog gets it.  He is a champion for transit-oriented development, and realizes that the city can maintain Alameda’s small-town feel with the redevelopment of Alameda Point… only if the city can secure a source of funding.

·         Marie Gilmore - http://www.gilmoreforalameda.com

Councilmember (Term: Dec 2004 - Dec 2012)

Platform: City budget, Jobs, Alameda Point, Youth opportunities, Senior   needs

Urban Growth Angle: Gilmore’s active advocacy of and participation in the creation of Alameda Towne Center, renovation of Park Street and development of Harbor Bay Business Park shows she has a keen eye on urban economic development. We’d like to see her continue her good work.

·         Frank Matarrese - http://frankformayor.org

Councilmember (Term: Dec 2006 - Dec 2010)

Platform: Preserving the character of Alameda, Jobs, Education, Alameda Point, City budget

Urban Growth Angle: Mararrese is never quick to vocalize his own opinion, but is usually quick to follow someone else’s – let’s hope smart, sustainable urban growth becomes an Alameda trend, so we will follow it. He has supported Webster and Park Street development, which is promising.

·         Doug deHaan - http://dougdehaanalameda.com/

Vice Mayor (Term: Dec 2004 - Dec 2012)

Platform: City budget, Alameda Point, downtown renovation and retail expansion, community services

Urban Growth Angle: DeHaan holds some archaic views on urban growth. His Alameda Point redevelopment stance leaves a bit to be desired:  

“Work/live has its place to utilize worthy existing industrial buildings. It’s worth coming back to (the ordinance) and look at it. Should it have come to the voters as a change to Measure A? That’s still a questionable thing.”

·         Kenneth Kahn - http://www.myspace.com/kennydaclown

Professional clown who ran in 2006

Urban Growth Angle: We are always open to fresh ideas from up and coming candidates. Show us what you got Kenny the Clown!