City Council Candidate Q&A:Jean Sweeney

What is the Primary reason you are running for office? I am running for City Council because I want the best for Alameda. One of my greatest concerns is that SunCal is trying to take control of the entire city government. I will work tirelessly to prevent that from happening. I believe that I made the right choice in rejecting Measure B and that we now need to move ahead with plans for Alameda Point that are in the community's best long term interest

What will be the single most important priority if elected? To promote a sane plan for Alameda Point. A plan such as the Community Reuse Plan, which was adopted by the council in 1996. A plan that would restore, renovate and reuse buildings to provide jobs and tax revenues. This plan will allow the city to continue to make improvements to the infrastructure. We need jobs to make Alameda Point work.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? Others talk about what they want to accomplish; I have actually done the following things: (A) I was instrumental in getting the Beltline Railyard for a Park. Not only did I save the city millions I went door to door collecting signatures to let the people decide. (B) I put the Veteran's Memorial Building on the National and State Register of Historic Buildings. (C) I carefully monitored the clean-up on the Point by attending and participating in the process for ten years. I encouraged and cajoled the regulators and the Navy on the Restoration Advisory Board so that now  nearly half of Alameda Point is ready for transfer. (D) I was on the Northern Waterfront Committee that wrote development guidelines, subsequently made applicable for the entire northern waterfront and amended to the General Plan.  

I mean what I say: I stand for open government. I believe that all decisions must be made by providing citizens with the full knowledge of the benefits and consequences of each issue. I will keep an open mind about matters that affect our city and its residents. I offer a mature and trusted voice: I would never divulge confidential information; I won't make promises that I cannot keep; and I will always do my homework.

Where do you work and what is your job title? I am a retired elementary school teacher and for fun I enjoy doing genealogy for people.

Where were you born? I was born on the Western Shoshoni Indian Reservation, Owyhee, Nevada.

What about your family? My husband Jim and I are very proud of our two daughters and our six grandchildren.

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained. The University of Idaho with a BA degree

Have you ever run before for an elected public office? Eight years ago I ran for city council and came in second.

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign? Well, it won't be $50,000. It will be with donations from the local community. 

Have you ever served in the military? No, but my husband Jim was a Staff Judge Advocate in the Navy and I was a Navy wife.

How long have you lived in Alameda? Since 1972. That's 38 years.

What is my favorite thing about Alameda? The weather, the proximity to San Francisco, Yosemite and the ocean. I like the long sandy beaches, the small town feel where people know each other, and the people, who are wonderful.

What is the biggest problem in Alameda? We have an intelligent hard working acting City Manager who has managed to balance our budget to keep our city from financial ruin. There was a huge build-up of city staff during the last 10 years but due to recent extreme measures, there are 20 fewer employees today than there were in 1997. The reduction in employees has saved the city from financial ruin. I have seen several city managers over the years and our present ICM must be given credit for steering this city away from the brink of financial disaster. I will work to make her our city manager.