League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA June 3, 2008 Election
	Gregory Hodge Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Oakland; Council District 3

The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Oakland and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Since the biweekly schedule for council and council committee meetings often significantly limits the time available for public input, what changes would you make to give the public real opportunities to give input and to feel that their input is valued?

We should have single issue study sessions in community settings to delve deeper into major issues like the Mayor's housing proposal, community policing strategies, job creation and development (especially re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated people) and reforms in education financing which require us to work at the State and Federal level. I also advocate for a internet based system of polling members of the public on city council action items in real time during televised meetings. Selected issues could be submitted to the public, internet based voting or toll free call ins prior to a city council vote.

2. What is your assessment of the City's present records management program and how would you change it?

From what I understand about it, the current system is in need of a serious overhaul. Public records should be highly accessible so our constituents can rely on the historical record of actions taken, policies passed and programs implemented. Elected officials have an obligation to transfer the record of their offices activity in a timely and transparent way.

3. How might the City work more effectively with the School District?

The political leadership of the City should advocate for the return of full local authority of the duly elected Board of Education and the residents of this city immediately. City government should make the neighborhoods surrounding our schools the safest, cleanest, most developed areas of Oakland. We need much stronger partnerships to be sustained as we find joint uses for parks, libraries and other public facilities. In addition, we need a stronger partnership between the City, County and School District using the Joint Ventures Joint Powers Authority as the vehicle for coordinating services, reducing truancy and improving public private partnerships in support of creating quality schools.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 26, 2008 13:14
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