Interview with Justin Hill published in the Albany Journal

By Francesco Papalia

Q&A format with journalist

Background: Ten years in construction, eighteen years as a real estate agent in residential and multi-residential sales from Richmond to Oakland. Ten years at Red Oak Realty on Solano Ave. in Berkeley. Presently at Daniel Winkler and Associates on Solano Ave in Albany. Albany homeowner on Key Route Blvd. since 1987.

What is the main issue in Albany? How do you plan on addressing it?

Outsiders like the Sierra Club or their proxies should not control our city? Their policies carelessly disregard their affect on city services and our schools. I will stand up to them for Albany while always balancing the benefit to the city as a whole against the financial, social and environmental costs.

What are the other important issues in the city? How do you plan on addressing those? . I will meet and talk with every sector of the community while listening to their concerns. I will forge the compromises needed to create new sources of tax revenue from the commercial sector to pay for schools, police, fire, street repair, sewer maintenance, earthquake preparedness and citywide energy conservation measures.

Why did you decide to run? For decades too little significant change has happened to the commercial sector of the city and the waterfront while the residential areas flourished and grew. The present City Council seems unable to accomplish much change while forces outside the city are attempting to control how we make our own decisions.

What do you want to accomplish as a member of the council?

To listen to the citizens and serve the city's best interest. To find the middle ground where everyone wins and everyone compromises. A successful waterfront park will be measured by the numbers of people young and old who will come and enjoy the architectural and natural delights of the Bay.

What is your vision for the waterfront? How will you make it reality I will use my experience and skill in architecture, construction, real estate and real estate finance to negotiate a balance of development and open space in an architectural and commercial marvel bringing ever increasing revenue to the city, a Bay Trails connection from a renovated Bulb to the Gilman ball fields

Should the city encourage developer Rick Caruso or another developer to submit an application to the city for development on the waterfront? Why or why not?

The Albany voters deserve to be able to vote on a realistic proposal by someone who is prepared to invest $500 million dollars in Albany. After a CEQA review and an EIR, a modified plan can be put before the wise voters for their approval as required by Measure C.

Are you concerned about the number of tax measures residents have been asked to approve? If so, what are your ideas for generating different sources of revenue?

A new position Economic Development Officer at City Hall working with the Chamber of Commerce, local business and real estate leaders and experts from UC Berkeley Planning and Land Use Departments to develop a comprehensive program to revitalize Solano and San Pablo Avenues, I-80 Corridor and the Waterfront.

What should the city do to foster more economic development? Bring the Albany shopper back to Albany. We can make an active decision to support local businesses. The City Council can work together with the city staff and local businesses to make effective city policies that facilitate economic development. Some changes in the building code may be necessary.

Why should I vote for you? Every decision I make as your city councilor, I will put Albany's interest first not Berkeley's or El Cerrito's. I will fight for you. I will not let outsiders, who do not have to pay a teacher's salary or maintain a park control our city. I will look out for you.