DAVE BLASE ANSWERS THE WEST COUNTY TIMES

By Dave Blase

PINOLE CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONNAIRE

Each candididate was asked the following questions by the Contra Costa Newspaper Group, this is how DAVE BLASE responded.

• WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY AS A COUNCIL MEMBER?

Open, honest, and accessible government, the keystone of democracy, must be vigorously and unequivocally demanded and pursued at the city level. City government is the base of which all higher levels of government [and the democratic process] rest.

My top priority as a council member would be to demand open government where decision making, to the maximum extent possible, occurs in the daylight of a public forum.

Currently, too many significant city council decisions are made either in closed session or are adopted on the council's consent calendar; both, without the benefit of public discussion or scrutiny.

• WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES FACING PINOLE RESIDENTS TODAY AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THEM?

2.) Years have passed and a youth/community center has not been build. As a Council member, I urge that a recreation/youth coordinator be hired and that the Faria site be improved and used on an interim basis as a Youth Center. Once the Youth Center is established and a Director is hired, I foresee a tremendous opportunity to fund innovative programs through the use of grant monies. Also, I would like to see the leverage of our young and senior populations needs where each supports and enriches the other.

3.) Should Hercules source its sewage and collection needs elsewhere, sewage and collection rates in Pinole will nearly double. We must actively work with Hercules to keep fees lower for everyone.

• THE COUNCIL HAS TARGETED ITS MAIN DEVELOPMENT AREAS AS SAN PABLO AVENUE, PINOLE VISTA SHOPPING CENTER AND OLD TOWN. WHAT IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND WHAT OTHER AREAS [OR PROJECTS] WOULD YOU LIKE THE CITY TO CONSIDER?

I believe that Pinole should "inventory" all of its assets in this regard. i.e. its location relative to regional commercial centers, its access to transportation, its available capital for investment, its land available for development, Pinole's semi-rural character, etc.

With this inventory in hand, a list of potential projects should be articulated and discussed (and ultimately implemented), keeping in mind that both the short term financial needs of the city and the long term ramifications of any project should be considered.

With hard work and a little luck, Pinole's economic development future can be bright in both the short and long term, given the fundamental structural changes our society will face as the Information Age transforms all aspects of our lives.

I believe development of Old Town is a "quality of life issue" and not an "economic development issue." Monies put into the development of Old Town will not likely result in a direct dollar-for-dollar payout to the citizens of Pinole. A viable Old Town will provide a sense of place for Pinole and ultimately result in increased property values for all Pinole home owners.

The Pinole Vista Shopping Center is "built out" and is currently a major source of General Fund revenue through the sales taxes generated. We must prepare for the future at Pinole Vista. I believe that in the foreseeable future, the food concession businesses at Pinole Vista will thrive. The "big box" retailers of Pinole Vista (K-Mart, Target, Mervyn's, Old Navy, Best Buy, Good Guys, etc.) will be impacted by Internet commerce which will transform their future.

Our long term redevelopment bonds and the Redevelopment Agency itself will sunset in 2017. I am concerned that adequate reserves are not being set aside to retire those bonds and provide for the adjustment and modification of Pinole Vista to the coming Internet economy.

San Pablo Avenue warrants development and doing so will increase the attractiveness and the overall property values of our city. Investment in San Pablo Avenue should provide a positive pay off to the Redevelopment monies expended with the bonus of "intangible benefit" to all other city property owners with the improved vitality of San Pablo Avenue.

Finally, Pinole must invest in our youth. I will strive for an interim Youth Center to be built on the city owner Faria property using the existing building with minimal capital cost. Once a viable "youth program" is established at the refurbished Faria House, we can look to build a state-of-the-art Youth/Community Center, either on the Faria property, or on the Lucky/Albertson shopping center property in the Valley.

I am opposed to hotel/motel development on the Faria property as has been proposed.

I believe a fire station can and should be built in Pinole Valley. This will require cooperation and compromise at all levels but it can become a reality.

• WHAT ISSUES DO YOU THINK THE COUNCIL HAS OVERLOOKED OR UNDER-PRIORITIZED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS?t issues do you think the council has overlooked or under-prioritized in the past few years?

The Task Force Committee presented a comprehensive report and recommendations to the City Council [three members of the current City Council were sitting council members at that time and our other council member was herself a member to the Task Force Committee]. The Task Force's recommendations were not acted upon and all but ignored. This was a slap in the face to all Pinole citizens and particularly the committee members. Perhaps, with the new City Manager, increased respect will be given to the work and dedication of its citizenry.

Many, if not most, of the 1995 recommendations of the Citizens's Task Force Committee are still applicable today and should be implemented.

• WHAT SORT OF LEADERSHIP STYLE WOULD YOU BRING, AND HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WILL MESH WITH THE OTHER FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS?

I will be the first to admit that I don't have a ready solution for every problem. I do know however, that good ideas can surface when you least expect them from those who you least expect. I will strive to remain open to all ideas and remain poised to welcome any good idea. I anticipate that this leadership style will "mesh" well with the existing council members.

As chairman of Pinole's Citizen's 2000 Blue Ribbon Committee, I have demonstrated the above philosophy and style and my ability to moderate diverse views, thus allowing all viewpoints to be heard. This style resulted in the complete consensus of Citizens 2000 Blue Ribbon Task Force Committee members when decisions were made.

One last thing, I'll do my best to carry out my duties and to maintain my sense of humor.