League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Sean Barry Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Berkeley; Council District 7

The questions were prepared by the LWV Berkeley/Albany/Emeryville and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What do you see as your District's biggest problem and how would you address it?

The biggest challenge facing District 7 is the affordability, availability and quality of housing. The addition of hundreds of new apartment units downtown, coupled with the construction of dormitory Units 1 and 2 in the early 2000s, have helped ease the shortage, though many new units are unaffordable for many. Cooperative housing and the Greek system offer affordable space to tens of thousands every year, but these options are either not a good fit or remain out-of-reach for too many students. New construction and support for small landlords can help improve quantity and affordability, while increased tenant outreach and resources about on non-campus apartments can educate incoming students about their various options. All ideas should be on the table.

2. What would be your highest priority for the good of the City as a whole?

Berkeley can and should do a much better job of creating living wage jobs for people of all socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We already have a strong commitment to K-12 education and to helping students on the path to higher education or job training. Good jobs should be available to those with and without college degrees. Committed corporate citizens such as Bayer, which offer apprenticeships and regularly give back to the community, are crucial to connecting employers with potential employees. Many of the jobs of tomorrow will be in green energy, and Berkeley can and should be at the forefront of these industries. Strengthening partnerships between the City of Berkeley, the university and Berkeley City College -- along with Berkeley Unified School District -- is also critical.

3. The Downtown Initiative, Measure R [Initiative Ordinance Amending Downtown Zoning Provisions and Creating Civic Center Historic District Overlay Zone] proposes detailed changes to the current zoning rules. Do you support or oppose it and why?

I'm joining the Greenbelt Alliance, League of Conservation Voter East Bay, Alameda County Labor Council, Alameda County Building Trades and others in opposing Measure R, which would dismantle Berkeley's pro-transit, pro-housing downtown plan. Tenants in District 7 and throughout the city are still feeling the effect of the severe limitations on apartment construction during much of the 80s and 90s. We can't make the same mistake again. Measure R is also an example of ballot box zoning at its worst. Height limits and hours of operations for bars ought to determined through the legislative process, where trade-offs can be properly assessed and revisited.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. 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: September 18, 2014 05:22
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