After I waded through survey percentages, open ended responses, aggregated responses, first, second and third choices, a voter survey revealed that Alameda voters are concerned with…money.
Money for schools: address the school closings, school funding and how it relates to the overall budget.
Money management: balance the city budget, both long and short term, focusing on the sustainability of pensions, city services and school funding.
Making more money (JOBS): create more local jobs and boosting commerce.
And of course, Alameda Point redevelopment was a top concern for voters, citing frustrations on the lack of progress at Alameda Point, “going back 13 years since the base closed.”
And who do voters want in charge of the money? Gilmore.
Eighteen percent of voters would cast their ballot for Marie Gilmore, followed by Doug DeHaan with 17 percent. So bye, bye Matarrese; it looks like Gilmore and DeHaan will go head to head come November.
Some of the open-ended survey responses to the question (paraphrased) “what issue or problem is the top priority for Alameda?” were particularly interesting, so I pulled out a few choice replies:
It would be schools. Education is going downhill. It is a lot worse than it was when we were kids. That is very sad. A healthy school system means that there is a healthy community, and that kids and parents are happier and smarter. It just makes everything work out just fine. It is really important.
The schools are the primary issue. If the children aren't in the right direction of getting a good education, we will have a lot of grown up idiots. We need better teachers. The government must not be loose with the money. They need to be wiser.
They should find a way to take care of the education system without taxing more. They always throw it on the homeowners. The main issues are schools and employment. They need to stop doing these partial taxes.
They need to focus on the Alameda base. They need to be nicer to businesses. They are chasing businesses out of town because they think of themselves first as opposed to thinking of everyone else. It is a tiny island community
It is the naval air station. They should get on with redevelopment. It is not halfway finished, and for 15 years, they have been working on it due to arguments with the developers. The naval air station finally closed and the third developer just moved out. No property taxes or income are being generated, but it is the best view in the bay area.
They should address the development of the old naval base or Alameda point. It is an empty space on the island. I think the proper infrastructure needs to be placed before they start developing the island. Whatever they do, they need to make sure it doesn't clog the arteries into the city. They also need to help the school district.
… and just to get everyone riled up:
I would like to see a Wal‐mart or Kmart built here.
Of all the candidates for mayor, Gilmore's the best choice. She's smart, fair, and actually works to stay informed about issues, and most local groups are endorsing her for mayor. I won't be surprised, though, if Ann Marie Gallant makes up some more allegations to engineer an 11th hour stunt against Gilmore. I don't trust Gallant to stay out of the election, not when she might lose her three solid votes on the city council.
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