League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Alameda County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Elisabeth Reid-Gonzalez, MPA, CPHQ Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Newark

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

Questions & Answers

1. Do you support development in Newark Area 4? Why or why not?

The City of Newark has been working on the "in-fill" of Newark for several years. As part of this plan, the City declared Area 2 as "blighted" for 40 years - despite property owner outcry. This amounts to 581 acres and more than 700 homes (including newly built homes) of Newark as now wrongly labeled as an area that has "serious physical or economic deterioration (i.e.: dilapidated buildings, increased crime, disease) which cannot reasonably be reversed without governmental action". See my article about the issue: Http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_16033253

Area 4 is adjacent to Area 2.

Development is a wonderful thing if it is done in a quality fashion, however, like in Area 2, the citizens have voiced concerns about the impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods that are currently being considered as apart of the Area 3 & 4 EIR. The EIR raises serious concerns for the development of that areas. The overall plan is an addition of 2,500 new homes that will bring 5,000-9,000 new residents to our small area. With new residents come new cars, traffic, waiting lines. These plans will change Newark. It has also been discussed to expand further into the wetlands.

The real question that needs to be asked: Is development of Area 4 what the citizens of Newark want?

As Councilwoman, I will ensure that question is asked.

2. Should the City of Newark ban the sale of "safe and sane" fireworks?

I was born on July 4th, 1976 - I am a bicentennial baby (born on the 200 year anniversary of this country). I enjoy fireworks and would like to see the Bay Area City's work together to provide safe entertainment on our national holiday. Citizens want a safe 4th of July for their families and the environment. Banning "safe and sane" will not prevent individuals from accessing the illegal fireworks. Additionally, it will only hurt funding for local not for profit organizations who count on the sales.

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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 25, 2014 15:35
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