Randy Pope
I’m an 18 year veteran of the Oakland Police Department, currently serving as a Sergeant in our 9-1-1 dispatch center. My wife and I selected Oakley to start and raise our family because of the character of the town and affordable home prices. We quickly fell in love with the sense of community and family here, and the friendly people. We now have two boys (4 and 2 years old), and are expecting our third (a daughter). I want Oakley to be a place that our children can be safe growing up, and can be proud to live in.
I have a vision of what Oakley can be. It embraces our agricultural heritage and small town character with beautiful homes and quiet safe neighborhoods. It showcases our vineyards and The Delta. I see the potential for a thriving down-town, which invites families to stroll and enjoy local restaurants and shops; where we can close Main Street for a weekend festival like an “Oakley Honey & Wine Festival.” I believe it is time for our Oakley vineyards to put us on the map. Our local vintners should stop exporting our harvested grapes to Sonoma and create their own Oakley wine label, with wine tasting and event venues among the vineyards.
I love Oakley, and in general I believe Oakley is headed in the right direction, but we can do better. To really know how to fix our problems, you first need to be aware of them. I’ve studied important local issues while attending City Council meetings, talking to voters at events like the Almond Festival and in living rooms and door-steps of our neighbors. I want to bring my solutions to the City Council.
We must focus on attracting businesses to locate in Oakley, bringing much-needed jobs and retaining our tax revenue. We need more quality places to eat, shop, conduct business and work. I will direct City staff to maximize their efforts at identifying businesses which are consistent with our vision of Oakley. I’m also proposing a local hiring ordinance that, when fiscally responsible, would direct City jobs and expenditures to local residents and businesses.
In a few years, my children will enter Oakley schools. I have a vested interest in the quality of our schools. A strong public education system also raises our property values and lowers crime. Maintaining open and regular communication with the Oakley Union Elementary School District and the Liberty Union High School District is critical, especially as we discuss plans to build a new high school in our community. I’m endorsed by a broad section of the educational community that includes local parents, teachers, professors and school district employees.
I’ll fight to make sure our neighborhoods remain clean and safe, protecting our loved ones and property.
These are the types of solutions I’m excited to present to the public and city staff.
Oakley Fire Fighters and Vice-Mayor Jim Frazier have endorsed me. A full list of my supporters can be viewed at www.popeforoakley.com
I would like to know out of the obligated 8,000 homes mentioned by Randy, how many of them are committed to a benefit assessment specific for the fire district and fire needs as some of the Cypress lakes is ?
( Obviously do not include Cypress Lakes )
Lack of implimenting a district wide benefit is a major reason our fire district is in financial restraints.
In addition, what candidates support a wrap around benefit assessment for fire on ALL new development ?
A joint mutual agreement between Contra Costa County, City of Brentwood, and City of Oakley should be formed to create a ECCFPD (Fire District) entire area benefit assessment.
Example of loss revenue;
For every 1,000 homes approved not in a benefit assessment specific to fire, Your Fire District looses up to about $ 200,000.00 annually.
This is a key issue for East Counties projected growth and must be addressed.
What are the candidates feelings ?
As an Oakley resident, voter and candidate for city council, I have concerns about the candidates' platforms in regards to the rapid urbanization (target 70,000) while not honoring our “traditional rural character” as described in the General Plan. Above all, I want to encourage all Oakley residents to participate in the process of creating Oakley's future by taking advantage of this “forum” and submitting questions and suggestions to your candidates. This way we can eliminate any rumors about our positions, and address your concerns publicly.
Randy, Tuesday night you stated that you think it's time to review and change the General Plan. That general statement about wanting to look intelligently at the General Plan doesn't really clarify your position. You “embrace our agricultural heritage and small town character,” yet you don't share what needs changing in order to shape Oakley to suit your vision. Are you aware that the city is racing to rezone all agricultural land very soon? It's impossible to make the drastic departure from Oakley's current “urban inertia,” without revising several of the General Plan's land-use designations.
You know as well as I that all but one candidate has adopted some position for targeting the General Plan now. This is the stalwart issue this electoral season. Why? Because residents are concerned with the pace of Oakley's development and do not want to end up like Antioch. Over 8,000 homes are already legally entitled but developers have not applied for building permits to begin construction yet due to the poor economy. We will not benefit financially through fees and taxes until permits are sought. Just because we don't see the lumber going up is no reason to approve more; it won't bring jobs and revenue any sooner, but will forever blemish the potential character of which you speak.
I am very clear on my reasoning and propose concrete solutions for a General Plan revision.