The Island’s CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: Marie Gilmore

Age: 49

Occupation: Attorney

Relevant experience
City Council Member since 2003
Chair of the Planning Board
President of the Recreation & Parks Commission
Attorney

Why are you running for this office?: Alameda needs a full time Mayor to focus on
building consensus on a locally-grown solution to Alameda Point and supporting the school
district as it battles State funding cuts. I decided to run for Mayor because I have the energy
and commitment to be a full time Mayor and I believe I have the skills to bring people
together to solve problems. I love this community and if elected Mayor, my office will be
open and accessible and, together, we can protect and enhance our quality of life.

Why should we vote for you?: There are several distinct reasons I offer for my
candidacy. I never wavered in my support of the renovation of Alameda Theatre and never
cast a vote against it. I not only supported the Towne Centre but also fought to cut the
timeline to complete the project from 15 to 7 years. I am the only candidate that has made
a dedication to our local school system the number one priority for the Mayor.

This type of leadership is why the Alameda Firefighters, Alameda Democratic Club, East
Bay Young Democrats, Alameda County Democratic Party, Asian Pacific American
Democratic Caucus, Alameda County Democratic Lawyers Club, National Women’s
Political Caucus-AN and Alameda County Central Labor Council have endorsed my
campaign for Mayor.

What do you feel are the roles and responsibilities of the office you’re
seeking?: Except in emergencies, the office of Mayor has no real differences to that of
council member, in terms of official duties under the Charter. However, I believe the
central job of the Mayor of Alameda is to work full time to marshal community energies
and resources to tackle the most significant issues facing the city: Education, public safety,
infrastructure and major development projects. This is the I will bring to the Mayor’s
office.

What do you think is the most pressing issue you would face if elected and
what would you do to address it?: Our school system is our most vital piece of
infrastructure. Closing school sites and sending kids to overcrowded classrooms would be
an historic step backwards for the community of Alameda. We need a Mayor who will
make education a city priority.
As Mayor, I will work with school district officials and teachers, as well parents and
businesses, to bring to the community a set of steps we must take to keep our schools great
and fight school closures and overcrowded classes. This includes support for an equitable
parcel tax.

What do you think needs to be done with Alameda Point – and what steps
would you take to make that happen?: I am pleased that we continue to move
forward on the cleanup with the Navy. We must now support and encourage the
construction and opening of the new Veterans’ Clinic.

As Mayor, I will ask City staff to work with consultants experienced in Alameda to develop
plans for Alameda Point that meet the community’s goals: commercial and job creation
projects surrounded by open space, recreational opportunities and a sensible housing plan.
In short, the City must be in the driver’s seat regarding the development of Alameda Point.

I believe we can arrive at a consensus on a plan quickly since we have done so much work
to date. Then, the City and the community can work together to attract investment and
implement projects. The impact financially to the city must be at least neutral and we
should seek innovative projects that could actually share revenue with the City.

In short, I also believe it is unnecessary to create a costly new bureaucracy at City Hall – in
the form of a development corporation – to accomplish these goals. Our city staff and
experts right here in Alameda can do this without the need for yet another agency.

What steps would you take to bolster Alameda’s economic base?: I would
like to start by filling up retail and commercial vacancies with more locally-owned
independent businesses. I believe the city should do more to provide incentives and
technical assistance opportunities for local entrepreneurs who want to take their careers
into their own hands or generate a second income for their families.

I believe Alameda must focus on attracting innovative and sustainable employers that create
good paying jobs. Our city is best suited for this kind of economic development. As
Mayor, I will focus on attracting employers in the fields of alternative energy, high
technology and other industries that create sustainable jobs and have little impact on the
environment.

Questions have been raised about whether the city is transparent enough in
conducting its business. Do you think this is an issue and if so, what do you
see as being specific problems and how would you seek to resolve them?: I
believe too much happens behind closed doors in Alameda. I will propose two simple
ideas: 1) We need to limit use of closed session meetings and have a workshop facilitated
by the League of Cities to remind staff and council members about the do’s and don’ts of
the Brown Act so we can get back on the same page, and 2) We simply need to hold more
public workshops at City Hall on significant policies, rather than allowing staff to develop
policies entirely outside of public view and then rushed through City Council meetings in
tight timeframes that offer little public input. Council meetings also need to be more
public friendly--public comment should be at the beginning of the agenda, not the end, so
citizens don’t have to wait until midnight to comment on something of interest to them.

Pensions and retiree health benefits will be a huge financial issue for the
city. How would you address it?: I believe this should be done through negotiations
with Firefighters, Police Officers and other employees. I have told them that I will ask them
to make sacrifices but that I will be fair. I have explained to them that we cannot get into
ballot measure fights and that the taxpayers support them and the work they do keeping
our city safe and functioning, but expect them to share the pain during tough times. That’s
why Alameda’s Firefighters and the Alameda County Central Labor Council have
endorsed me for Mayor.

Would you seek to preserve Measure A or amend it and if you’d amend it,
under what circumstances would you do so?: I don’t believe it is necessary to
amend Measure A to build a project at Alameda Point that the community can support. I
am open to getting the public’s input on modifications to Measure A that would enhance
Alameda’s long term quality of life but keep it a residential community with a small town
feel. I would only support changes if there was community consensus on some common
sense amendments.

How are you financing your campaign and to whom are you reaching out
for money?: My husband and I put in a contribution and I am seeking funds from local
residents and business people, as well and friends and colleagues from our professional
circles. I have not and will not take contributions from SunCal or any other developer with
an interest in Alameda Point.