The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Fremont-Newark-Union City and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Diana Rodriguez:

Due to the existing constraints, I will encourage the developers to build a highly efficient house model, in order to economize space and expand the number of houses. Thus, bringing economies of scale to reduce the house prices.

Answer from Dominic D. Dutra:

By proactively rezoning old and underutilized commercial and industrial areas, we can increase affordable housing options in Fremont to ensure that our hills and open space are protected, our children can afford to live here, and our seniors can afford to stay.

Answer from Pauline A. Weaver:

In order to have a vibrant city and a good quality of life, we must guarantee that there is good affordable housing in all ranges. I want to ensure that people who work in the community live in the community. Having starting police officers, teachers, and city employees living away from the community that they serve makes no sense. Of 212 sworn police officers, only 30 live in Fremont. In case of a disaster, we need those who know this community to be here to help.

The city is currently providing assistance to first time homebuyers, but it serves those making $60,000 or more and only 30 people or so have been able to take advantage of it. We need to subsidize the construction of housing units near BART and other commuter rail lines, encourage the in-fill development of our older neighborhoods and develop a course of action to help stabilize the rents of existing apartments. We need to partner with non-profit affordable housing developers like Bridge, Eden and Mid Peninsula to develop more very low and low income units. We should look at rezoning our industrial areas and creating more high density, mixed use developments, particularly in the central business district will give us the best of both worlds - the sales tax dollar and retail customers - to create a win/win situation.

The inclusionary housing ordinance will help, but with about 5% of our land left that is buildable, we are really in a difficult situation. We need a firm policy and creative ideas if we are to solve this difficult problem.

Answer from L. K. Mathur:

First and foremeost we should provide housing for our excellent police, fire fighters, exemplry teachers, low to moderate income workers before committing our resouces to other cities. There are about 200 policemen, an equal number fire fighters, a few hundred teachers plus low to moderate income workers for a total of 1500-2000. We have $80 million in our Redevelopment Agency, sufficient to subsidize their housing needs. These peole want single family houses, not apartments, want back yard for barbeque and family gatherings on Christmas etc. Create Fremont Housing Authority to manage our valuable inventory of affordable housing. Right now it is managed by ACHA & affordable housing units go to others before our people are evn considered. We will have continuous problem because our City Councillors have never understood what our teachers, police etc. want and keep mixing our people's needs with those of other cities. We have been building affordable housing apartments for last 10-15 years and these people did not want to live in there. As an example, only 20 % of Fremont's police officers live in Fremont because they want single family houses with back yards. So do our teachers, fire fighters etc. Let us work to solve their problems otherwise they will start looking for jobs in other cities.

Answer from Robert "Bob" Wasserman:

Rezone land that is right of way for highway 84. Support mixed use in redevelopment projects with affordable housing required. Re zone failing shopping centers.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.