On the Issues
Solutions for San Leandro
Solve The City's Budget Crisis
Mayor Tony Santos and city councilmember Joyce Starosciak are amassing millions in red ink – $21 million over the past three years, burning through reserves, and placing the fiscal solvency of the city in jeopardy. If significant action is not taken, San Leandro could be forced to declare bankruptcy. Cassidy is the only candidate for mayor with a plan to solve the city budget crisis that does not rely on a sales tax hike. top
Read Cassidy's plan to restore San Leandro to fiscal health.
Protect the Safety of All San Leandrans
Sadly, robberies, auto theft, vandalism, and home burglaries are occurring throughout San Leandro. In November 2008, the voters passed a tax measure to fund emergency services. Despite this, we have less police officers protecting San Leandro than last year, and less than when Mayor Santos took office. Today, only 88 police officers safeguard our city of 85,000. Cassidy will bring the police department up to full strength and implement innovative policing strategies to reduce crime. top
Keep San Leandro Hospital Open
|
| Cassidy with nurses Roxann Lewis and Carole Rodgers at the Sausage and Suds Festival, gathering support to keep San Leandro Hospital open. |
Cassidy is an active member of the Coalition to Save San Leandro Hospital. He is working to keep acute and emergency care at the hospital. When Mayor Santos and councilmember Starosciak had not spoken out against the planned closure of San Leandro Hospital, Cassidy called upon the city council to adopt a resolution in support of keeping the hospital open. At the next meeting of the city council, the city council followed Cassidy's lead and adopted a resolution. top
Read Cassidy's Op Ed in the Daily Review on saving our hospital.
Improve Our Schools
Cassidy knows strong schools make a strong city. Cassidy was at the forefront of the campaign to pass Measure B which will solve the overcrowding at San Leandro High School with the new 9th grade campus. As mayor, Cassidy will form a real partnership between the city and both school districts that includes financial support of valued school programs by the city. top
Read about Cassidy's accomplishments as a school board trustee.
A Child and Family-Friendly City
Cassidy opposed the city's elimination of school crossing guards before the vote was made, and successfully advocated for the restoration of the program. Cassidy also advocated for the continued operation of Farrelly Pool when it was threatened with closure. As mayor, Cassidy will ensure that our city helps our diverse families raise their children in a healthy environment. top
A New Culture of Collaboration At City Hall
A key problem facing San Leandro today is the lack of shared goals and objectives among the mayor, city council, and staff. If you asked Mayor Santos and each council member what is the most critical issue facing our city, you would get seven different answers.
Repeatedly, Mayor Santos and councilmember Starosciak have made decisions – such as the planned closure of Farrelly Pool and adoption of the San Leandro Crossings/Transit Oriented Development Plan – that left members of the community feeling their views were ignored. Councilmember Starosciak met behind closed doors and without public input on how funds for city parks and recreation facilities should be used, recommending that the majority of funds be spent in her district.
Cassidy will end the isolation of city hall from the community. Cassidy understands that an important part of the job of mayor is to inspire and empower the community to achieve more. He will take a collaborative approach to governing and engage the public in open and honest dialogue.