League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Ken Houston Answers Questions Candidate for Mayor; City of Oakland

The questions were prepared by 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. Oakland sits on the Bay, and the waterfront, downtown, and West Oakland areas are particularly low-lying. With climate change bringing major changes, including sea level rise, what are your plans to bring this to the forefront of the Oakland mayor's agenda?

As a community advocate, I have already been working with the Port regarding this issue, and we both have plans to adjust the land level to address climate change and rising sea levels.

2. What is your vision for Oakland, i.e., what issues are of special interest and concern and what ideas do you have to put Oakland in the forefront?

Oakland is a great city that does not know its potential. I plan to change the face and image of the city through eradication of blight and by creating jobs. All of the problems in Oakland are a result of these two problems -- high unemployment and image of the City. As a contractor I have already been instrumental in creating jobs for re-entry adults and youths without high school diplomas. I was also instrumental changing policy from 30 to 50% local participation. As Mayor I will raise that to 75%.

3. How would you address continuing high rates of crime in Oakland?

Jobs is the first thing -- put a hammer in their hand and they'll be too tired to pick up their gun! Construction jobs is more than hammers and nails -- there is opportunity for all, including administrative work, engineers, lawyers, the whole nine yards. As Mayor I will ensure that Oaklanders get the work on the many upcoming construction jobs coming to Oakland. Secondly, I am a strong advocate of community policing. Until the marginalized communities areas have a better relationship with the police, the civil unrest and the crime in Oakland will not be reduced substantially. Education is also key, and as Mayor I will work with the schools to find ways for the city to assist the at risk youths and bring opportunity and inclusion to those who have been consistently excluded for decades. The exclusion needs to end before crime will go down.

4. While most of the Bay Area has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, Oakland is still in trouble. How do you plan to stimulate the economy in Oakland?

Again, it is all about local jobs. As a community advocate I was instrumental in changing local participation policy from 30% to 50% on all construction jobs, and the was adopted by the Oakland Unified School District. We have not yet seen the effects of this recent policy change, nor is it enough. As Mayor I will raise the local participation to 75% which can be done through training and education in the trades industries. Oakland has the most construction jobs in Alameda County going down the pipeline yet the highest unemployment rate! This is a result of contractors consistently excluding Oaklanders from the work. As Mayor I will change policy that contractors give Oaklanders the jobs, and if they do not abide by policy, hey will not get the contract -- period. The City has for too long been allowing contractors to profit off the backs of Oakland residents, and it is time to end the exclusion and bring inclusion to Oakland.

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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: October 23, 2014 15:53
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