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Berkeley is struggling to retain city workers, both rank and file and key top administrators. Even the city manager left unexpectedly.
The problem has been exacerbated by some councilmembers who have placed excessive demands on staff and overstepped their authority.
At a time when important city revenues are flattening while expenses, especially in personnel-related costs, continue to rise, the city needs elected leaders who will stay in their lanes and prioritize balancing the books and providing foundational city services.
For that, Berkeley residents should cast their votes for Adena Ishii for mayor and for Terry Taplin for council in District 2, Deborah Matthews in District 3, Todd Andrew in District 5 and Brent Blackaby in District 6.
Mayor – Adena Ishii
Adena Ishii (Photo courtesy of Adena Ishii)
An education consultant, Ishii holds degrees in business and law and has a long volunteer record. Not only was she president of the local League of Women Voters chapter, she also served as first vice president of the organization’s statewide board.
She steers thoughtfully through some of the city’s policy issues. For example, she rejects some councilmembers’ past suggestions of severely cutting police funding, but she’s willing to look at creative ways to more efficiently deliver public protection. And she wants to expand housing throughout the city, but she’s mindful of the potential fire risks in parts of the hills.
We were impressed by her temperament, desire to bridge compromises and recognition that the council needs to rein in its focus.
That stands in sharp contrast to the two other major mayoral candidates: former Councilmember Kate Harrison and current Councilmember Sophie Hahn.
Conversations with about 10 current and former city employees made clear to us that both candidates have treated staff poorly and bypassed the city manager to directly make demands on city staff.
It’s mindboggling that Harrison is running for mayor. She abruptly quit her elected City Council seat in January after reading off a perplexing list of grievances. Now she wants a seat on the same council that she just declared she couldn’t stomach, this time holding the gavel.
As for Hahn, she has wielded power with an inflated sense of self. Barry Fike, a retired Berkeley teacher and former president of the teachers’ union, described to us and in an op-ed for Berkeleyside a meeting in which Hahn disclosed that she had been the driving force behind the departure of multiple city employees. Fike’s account buttressed what we had heard from others who didn’t want their names used for fear of retaliation.
The two other candidates in the race are not serious contenders. Logan Bowie did not return our messages, and Naomi Pete declined our interview request.
District 2 – Terry Taplin
Terry Taplin (Photo courtesy of Terry Taplin)
Seeking his second term, Taplin is thoughtful and reflective about his role on the council. He has been focused on the city’s needs rather than political ambitions that consume some elected officials.
In the end, he said, his West Berkeley constituents want their streets …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
