Livermore Council Races: See Where The Candidates Stand
LIVERMORE, CA — Many candidates are debating many issues in Livermore this election season.
A total of five candidates are competing for two seats, while Mayor John Marchand is running unopposed for reelection. Former Planning Commissioner Steven Dunbar, Livermore Municipal Airport Commissioner David Farley, and engineer and LAST Factory owner Jeff Kaskey are competing to represent District 3 in southeast Livermore. Residents will not vote on any local ballot measures.
Engineer and community volunteer Thomas Soules and LVJUSD Board member Kristie Wang are competing to represent District 4 in southwest Livermore.
This election, major issues include the Eden Housing project and affordable housing in general, infrastructure and traffic, homelessness, crime, and more.
The Eden Housing project, which will bring 130 units of affordable housing to downtown Livermore, remains a divisive topic. Soules said in a Patch questionnaire that the housing would not help the affordable housing crisis, and would instead "destroy the character of the city." He advocated moving it to other parts of the city, like Railroad Avenue. Farley also said in a Livermore Vine candidates forum that he believes the housing does not belong downtown, and in a Patch questionnaire advocated building more single-floor homes for empty nesters looking to downsize.
Dunbar, who approved the project while on the Planning Commission said he feels the project should move ahead, and he thinks the housing will be a "positive site." Wang also said she supports moving forward with the project, and noted that it has withstanded court challenges.
Candidates also touched upon traffic, congestion, and meeting climate goals. " We have infrastructure maintenance needs for things like roads, traffic signals, pipes, and buildings, and we have to figure out how to pay for them. Our city is bisected by I-580, one of the most congested corridors in the Bay Area. We have to ensure the forward progress of Valley Link to ease this congestion and improve our air quality, as well as implement our Climate Action Plan," Wang said in a Patch questionnaire.
Kaskey advocated for more sophisticated tools for streamlining infrastructure needs, and resident engagement. "Sophisticated planning tools can replace simplified schedules of when items need repair or replacement," he wrote. "Combine that with effective communication so the public knows their potholes or streetlights are not being ignored but rather will be completed by a certain time."
Unlike some other Tri-Valley cities, Livermore has a balanced budget, and all candidates said that the city is on the right track in that regard, though it must be careful to maintain it. Some candidates, like Dunbar, advocated an Asset Management Plan to figure out how to best ensure efficient spending, while Kaskey suggested using machine intelligence to help allocate resources.
On the question of crime and public safety, candidates all advocated continued support for police and emergency services. Candidates had differing views on managing homelessness. Kaskey advocated safe parking areas and working with local nonprofits. Farley said encampments must be dealt with straight away, and asked why all the Tri-Valley's homeless shelters are located in Livermore. Wang noted that while this is true, the cost of running them is shared by all Tri-Valley cities. Dunbar emphasized prevention, and local, regional, state, and federal partnerships. He also said that homelessness is a housing problem, which can be alleviated by building more affordable housing.
See here to learn more about each of the candidates in their own words. See here to watch the candidates forum, and here to learn more about other issues and candidates on the Livermore ballot.
