League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA June 3, 2008 Election
	Nancy J. Nadel 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 could have committee meetings on both Tuesdays and Thursdays to have more time for each committee. I had proposed many years ago a resolution on community participation but the Rules Committee did not allow it to proceed to committee.

When we have large numbers of people speaking for an issue that then fails to get majority support, I think it is important for the majority leader on the council for that particular issue to explain to the public why their input did not sway their vote.

I tried to do that, for example, on the Industrial land use zoning vote. I explained to the those who wanted housing in the industrial area, why I didn't think that was a good idea and why I felt their data was misleading.

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

I would like to see records maintained for longer periods. I would like to see our hand written records systematically computerized especially in code enforcement.

I was very concerned when I found that the city did not have a copy of a DDA on a piece of property in West Oakland.

I think that the City Clerk's Records Management staff should meet with every department to see how they store their records and recommend improvements so that the Clerk can easily access any requested document.

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

The City could work more effectively with the School District if the School District was locally controlled. Ideally each City councilmember and school district director should meet on a regular basis and review the specific problems in particular schools that have overlapping jurisdiction.

The city and school district must work out an affective plan to address truancy and discipline/behavior problems. I advocated for Measure Y funds for a Restorative Justice Coordinator for Cole School which has had a profoundly positive affect on reducing suspensions, disciplinary hearings and physical fights. This model could be replicated in other middle schools. Other Measure Y funds supported a conflict resolution curriculum that in some schools is still sitting in boxes. The school district must send a message to teachers that while teaching for the exams has some importance for evaluation, it is essential that they teach communication and conflict resolution skills to our youth and be rewarded for doing so, in addition to the improved classroom management that will result.

---

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).

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: March 27, 2008 09:29
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.