San Leandro Times: Almonte runs for Council in District 6

By Hermy B. Almonte

I did not pursue a re-election to the School Board to give a chance to serve...parents, active community members and leaders. I am running for city council because there are community issues that have to be addressed.

"We have to diffuse the city's ticking financial time bomb," says District 6 City Council candidate Hermy Almonte. And he says the way to do that is simple + pension reform. Almonte doesn't waffle on the issue of pension reform for San Leandro employees and police officers + he says changes need to be made, and soon, or the city will be in bad financial shape. "The biggest challenge in the next few years will be to balance the budget with public safety," said Almonte. "We can't afford pensions as they are. San Leandro needs real reform in order to reach its full potential." Almonte says that pension reform will actually strengthen public safety in San Leandro, because he'd like to use some of the money not spent on pensions to pay the salaries of new officers. He said he'd like to hire about 20 new cops. Almonte says that his views on pension reform are what sets him apart from his opponent in District 6, incumbent Jim Prola. Almonte also pointed out that, if re-elected, Prola will have been on the City Council for 10 years + he was appointed to replace Tony Santos when he was elected mayor in 2006 and then elected in 2008. "Six years on the council and he wishes to serve four more," said Almonte of his opponent. "Time and time again he has sought to serve the best interests of city employees. I will be an independent voice on the City Council." Almonte, an affordable housing property manager, says he can bring his professional expertise to housing projects that are in the works in San Leandro, such as the Crossings development. "I've had 20 years in property management and I am for fair housing for all," Almonte said. Almonte has spent the past four years on the San Leandro school board and could have run for reelection, but said he felt he could do more for his community on the City Council. Almonte has been pounding the pavement and has gone door-to-door in Washington Manor and Mission Bay already, with plans to campaign in the Broadmoor and Estudillo areas soon. He says that the voters he's spoken with have all agreed with him about pension reform and other issues, such as being proactive about creating jobs. One way to create more jobs, Almonte says, would be to reach out to the city's minorities, including the Asian population. "What I have noticed is that Asian business owners are being left behind," said Almonte. "I would propose a round table discussion with them and the City Council. I could be a liaison." Almonte has a laundry list of things he'd like to accomplish if elected, including everything from creating a youth leadership program to planting more trees around town. "I'm going to be a very busy councilman," said Almonte.