Alameda Municipal Election 2004

Election Date: November 2, 2004

2004 City of Alameda Green Party Endorsements

Source: City of Alameda Green Party

Source: School Board Candidates Responses to Green Party Questionnaire

School Board

Endorse David Forbes and Bill Schaff, with some reservations.

Bill Schaff and David Forbes are running together for the school board and we endorse both with some reservations. Both candidates have a good grasp of educational issues and are thoughtful and open. They support teachers and recognize the need for clear and direct communication from the district to the teachers and the community at large. Schaff and Forbes express the need to provide students with further assessment beyond the limited measurements of standardized testing. Our reservations stem from not hearing how these ideas would be implemented in a practical and concrete way. In addition, we would like to see greater attention paid to the systemic educational inequalities within Alameda based on class and race, which seems to get short shrift in discussions within the school district. We truly hope that if elected the candidates will be as progressive and effective as some of the views they put forth.

Janet Gibson and Bob Reeves both currently sit on the school board. Since we have concerns about the actions of the current board, we are not comfortable endorsing either candidate. Reeves shows a solid knowledge of how the education system works, but he fails to address any specific issues directly, relying instead on explaining the roles and regulations set out by state and local entities. While we are glad that a sitting board member has a good understanding of the financial and power structure of Alameda schools, Reeves lacks a strong vision for how the schools can be improved.

Karin Lucas displays an extreme lack of understanding on key issues in the school district, including the state of the schools and curriculum. A candidate for the school board should have a well-defined philosophy of the major issues within the district. Lucas does not.

Vernice Boone did not return answers to our questionnaire, though he did respond to us. Unfortunately, Boone's lack of knowledge on fundamental issues and the role and duties of the school board raise serious red flags. We strongly do not recommend voting for him.

City Council

No endorsements.

Marie Gilmore stands out because of her previous record. Since becoming a councilmember, Gilmore has taken principled stands that are in line with Green values and our vision for the community. She studies the issues before council meetings and has shown herself to be adept at listening to all parties and fairly considering all viewpoints. Her experience as past president of the Planning Board has helped her to courageously take the lead on issues that demand hard decisions. Her strength in keeping things moving has helped the public process move forward and prevented it from breaking down due to indecision and excessive deliberation.

Marilyn Ashcraft has the qualifications to serve. Her efforts on behalf of the new library were essential. As a consequence, she is very knowledgeable about the state legislature as it relates to municipalities. Ashcraft's effort to create a healthcare district to save Alameda Hospital was successful. Ashcraft appears flexible and willing to consider varying options.

Doug deHaan, after years on the Alameda Point Advisory Committee (APAC), has intimate knowledge of the complexities of returning the former naval base to civilian use. He also serves on the Economic Development Commission and supports vibrant main street retail on both Park and Webster Streets. While deHaan has demonstrated the necessary civic dedication and competence to serve on the city council, he falls short on having a comprehensive vision for Alameda's future beyond base conversion and retail development. He also did not return our questionnaire.

Ruben Tilos is more difficult to evaluate. Due to his lack of experience on any commission or board, Mr. Tilos is without a track record. While his financial background would be a plus on the council, we have some concern that he lacks a deep understanding of issues in Alameda, particularly with the process of reviewing large scale residential and commercial developments and their impacts. We wholeheartedly agree with his astonishment at the lack of council candidates attending the city's budget workshops. We hope that Tilos will become actively involved in public service and develop a record that will demonstrate his suitability for the job.

Pat Bail is an advocate for maintaining Alameda's small town qualities. However, her lack of service on public boards, and her unrefined and contradictory policy ideas do not meet our expectations for council consideration or Green support. Bail's public comments also suggest an unwillingness to listen to divergent views, a characteristic that is antithetical to the role of a city councilmember.

Betsey Elgar has not responded to the Greens' questionnaire for two elections in a row. Her unwillingness to address Greens speaks volumes about her engagement in the public process.

Vernice Boone will be listed on the ballot, but has dropped out of the city council race.

Ballot Measure F: YES

This common sense initiative seeks to clarify in the City of Alameda Charter, what has existed in reality for years: the separation of the City of Alameda from the Alameda Unified School District. After the two were separated, some language unintentionally remained in the city charter that kept the two bodies intermingled. Along with the unanimous support of both the city council and Board of Education, we cannot find one reason why these changes should not be adopted. Vote YES.

Hospital Board: No opinion.

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Last modified: October 29, 2004

Disclaimer: This website is the sole responsibility of Mike McMahon. It does not represent any official opinions, statement of facts or positions of the Alameda Unified School District. Its sole purpose is to disseminate information to interested individuals in the Alameda community.