Message from Gateview Candidate Forum: Voters Have "A Clear Choice" Among Council Hopefuls

Miss last week's City Council candidate forum? Watch the full event online, and on KALB 33 twice a day until the election. See the full Albany Patch Election Handbook here.

On Tuesday, an unseasonably balmy night, all four City Council candidates made their pitches before residents at the Gateview clubhouse.

The weather, along with a full slate of other city events, may have been a factor in the sparse attendance, as only about a dozen people turned out for the forum. (There are nearly 500 units in the complex, in addition to neighboring complexes on the west side of Albany Hill.)

All four candidates stuck close to their stump speeches.

Challenger Caryl O'Keefe said her background, as an economist, would bring a set of unique skills to the council, which will have to deal with a projected $300,000 deficit in next year's budget. She also highlighted her analytical perspective on decision-making and her call for campaign finance reform.

Mayor Joanne Wile touted the Fire Department's excellent response time of four minutes, the city's low violent crime rate, which she said was half that of neighboring cities, as well as balancing the city budget without layoffs. Wile said 79 percent of American cities have had to let go of staff during the economic downturn.

Councilwoman, and former mayor, Marge Atkinson listed her 34 years in Albany and her experience as a teacher, which she said makes her a fair person in dealing with and partnering with others on behalf of the city. She said she was proud of her work on Voices to Vision, which brought together various factions to discuss the waterfront's future. She also, as an advocate for seniors, mentioned the plan she initiated to buy the house next to the Albany Senior Center for expansion.

Challenger and Waterfront Committee member Francesco Papalia said he has the "perspective, talent and energy" to address the city's problems and issues. He said he was struck by "the total lack," in relation to Wile and Atkinson, in addressing economic issues.

"I'm afraid the City Council is focused on external things," Papalia said. He said two projects – the proposed remodel of the Safeway on Solano Avenue and the Whole Foods, retail and assisted-living senior housing units in University Village – would be a $135 million investment in the city, and would revitalize Solano and San Pablo avenues. And he described Voices to Vision as a $600,000 "boondoggle."

O'Keefe and Papalia disagreed with Wile over the issue of layoffs, saying vacancies have not been filled and that the city has suffered from staff departures, resulting in a reduction of services.

The four ran in 2006, with close alliances between Wile and Atkinson on one side and Papalia and O'Keefe on the other. (A cursory look at campaign signs in yards around town often reveals the same split.)

Wile called Papalia's description of the Safeway and Whole Foods projects a "narrow response to financial needs." She said much more needs to be done to help businesses along the avenues.

Wile said the Safeway project stalled at times because of neighborhood concerns. She said Whole Foods was wrestling with a different set of problems, including a union issue that put the project on pause.

In response to a question from the audience, Wile and Atkinson said they had not supported funding for Pierce Street Park because they wanted to consider using reserves for other projects.

Papalia and O'Keefe said they supported the park.

But even the park issue wasn't unanimous for audience members, with some saying it would bring more traffic and hazards to the neighborhood. The park, which has been a dream dating back 20 years for some supporters, is currently tied up with CalTrans.

The candidates also addressed questions about the need for more revenue in light of the city's reliance on parcel taxes; the need for a yellow line to be painted on Pierce to improve traffic and safety; a new street project that dumps traffic from Central Avenue in El Cerrito onto Pierce; the issue of trust as elected officeholders; as well as a perception that the council is anti-business. 

In closing, Papalia referred to his "Albany First" campaign and said he would make the myriad interests of the city's residents and businesses first and foremost. 

Atkinson said Papalia's vision "is not going to get us far," citing the need for the city to form partnerships with the business community and others.

Wile emphasized her experience making "difficult decisions"; her handling of multimillion-dollar budgets; and the importance of forming partnerships.

"Voters have a clear choice," she said.

To learn more about all the candidates, visit the Albany Patch Election Handbook.