LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
Smart Voter

Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Answers Questions

Candidate for
Council Member; City of Alameda

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

Questions & Answers

1. (Most pressing problem) What is the single most pressing problem facing the City in the next 24 months and how would you work with your elected colleagues to solve it?

The Budget. I would work closely with my elected colleagues, City staff and all stakeholders to take the necessary steps to address the City's "unfunded liabilities" for employee pension and retiree healthcare costs that currently exceed the actuarial value of the City's assets to pay these obligations. I look forward to hearing the recommendations of the Pension and OPEB Task Force appointed by the City Manager to explore possible solutions, which may include negotiating with employees to contribute more toward the cost of their benefits, exploring a two-tier system where employees hired after a certain date are subject to a different retirement benefit formula, changing from using the single highest year of salary to an average of the highest three years when calculating benefits, and a combination of all of these options. The Task Force report will be presented at a special City Council meeting on October 30.

To address the budget shortfall, it is also important to increase revenue. Since the major source of General Fund revenue is property tax, we must assure that Alameda's property values remain strong by supporting our schools because good schools are a major reason new families come to Alameda and the reason many families stay here. The City must also work to attract new businesses and retail establishments, which will create jobs and increase revenue from utility user, franchise and sales taxes.

2. (Growth and development) What is your vision of Alameda ten years from now as it relates to residential growth and business development?

Alameda will have initiated development of Alameda Point, beginning with conveyance from the Navy and planning for infrastructure repair and replacement. Alameda Point will have been rezoned in order to implement recommendations from the community-driven 1996 Reuse Plan and subsequent reports that advocate a transit-oriented development that accommodates job-creating uses, diversity of housing types, some retail, open space (including wildlife refuge) and recreational uses, as well as a VA Clinic, columbarium and offices.

Our business districts (especially Webster Street), shopping centers (especially South Shore) and our business parks (especially Marina Village) will have filled most vacancies.

3. (Partnership of city with schools) Good schools are important for a city's economic growth and well-being. What is the most effective way the City can partner with the school district to improve the academic performance and perception of our schools?

To answer this question I consulted with current school board members and relied on my experience as a member of the Library Building Team and co-author of the "Adopt-A-School Handbook", prepared for then-Assemblymember Wilma Chan.

It is important to continue to strengthen the partnership between the City Council and AUSD. If elected, I would be pleased to be the City Council's representative to the School Board Sub-Committee which meets quarterly to address issues of mutual concern. I would like this committee explore how the school district and city can work together to provide a new community swimming pool that could be used by both high schools, as well as for kindergarten swim lessons.

To improve academic performance, the City should continue the partnership between the schools and City libraries, where resources such as course materials, mentoring, homework help, study rooms and test preparation assistance are made available to students.

I would also advocate creating partnerships with Alameda Municipal Power and AUSD's science, technology and math programs, and exploring internship and mentoring opportunities with local businesses, to provide practical experience and create career paths for students.

Other issues highlighted by current school board members include difficulty finding volunteers for West End schools, a lack of after school programs for students enrolled in special education classes, and a need for interpreters for parents of English Language Learners (ELL) students. These parents, collectively, speak 80 different languages.

I co-authored the Adopt-A-School Handbook at the request of then Assemblymember Wilma Chan, to provide a guide for private businesses, government agencies, civic groups, and faith-based organizations who wanted to assist local schools by providing volunteers and supplies. Based on this experience, I believe the City of Alameda could help connect the school district and the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) -- which does so much to support local schools -- with local business associations and civic organizations who might be able to help meet the needs identified above.

Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are presented as submitted. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 18, 2012 21:53
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