tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post4946361722802839947..comments2024-03-28T16:54:44.319-07:00Comments on The Emeryville Tattler: Election 2016 Candidates Questionnaire: John Van GeffenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post-44755287050337208852016-10-06T00:42:43.640-07:002016-10-06T00:42:43.640-07:00For the record, the questions asked by the Tattler...For the record, the questions asked by the Tattler of all the candidates are not repetitious. Many questions are designed to draw out his or her thinking on directions the City is taking that is conflicting with settled policy in various areas. The answers tell voters how the candidate sees the specific solution but also can reveal how he/she organizes a general governing philosophy.<br /><br />We disagree with your assessment.Brian Donahuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705682112476904502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post-28599026188766073822016-10-05T20:52:48.817-07:002016-10-05T20:52:48.817-07:00Actually, I would say he was very clear about his ...Actually, I would say he was very clear about his answer, since all the remaining questions were more or less asking the same question six times. Can't we be better than this? Here's what he said: "In answer to the remainder of your questions about the Sherwin Williams project, the people of Emeryville want, in some shape or form, for the development to move forward. So, instead of cultivating dissent, we should take a cue from the advocacy group PARC and concentrate on what our residents' priorities are and how to best achieve them."<br /><br />There are so many issues facing our City; why not explore more than one?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post-51097378232833952792016-10-05T19:53:26.686-07:002016-10-05T19:53:26.686-07:00A "big" idea should be considered if it ...A "big" idea should be considered if it is shown to be what the people have said they want, is practical and is fiscally responsible. Good ideas that have those characteristics should always be considered by the government. A culture of group think should always be assiduously guarded against. Remember the 'big' and unpopular idea that posited that invading Iraq would be ill advised. Unfortunately a culture of group think had descended on our country and dissent was quashed leading to that disaster. Rational and cogent ideas should always be welcome in a democracy, even when the majority doesn't like it.Brian Donahuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12705682112476904502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post-74820866446946812012016-10-05T18:34:05.473-07:002016-10-05T18:34:05.473-07:00He doesn't want to answer the questions. That&...He doesn't want to answer the questions. That's not good for a politician to reveal that. What's he going to say to someone he disagrees with if he gets on the council? I'm not listening? Sounds like Affeldt. Not good not good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post-28227448308465314742016-10-05T18:34:04.192-07:002016-10-05T18:34:04.192-07:00Good for you, John. The City's leaders, and th...Good for you, John. The City's leaders, and the neighborhood itself, have reached broad consensus on the Sherwin-Williams project. But since when should the will of the people living in the neighborhood take precedence over a Big Idea, albeit however impractical, but repeated ad nauseum? You got my vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394711926853801811.post-86216125951637884132016-10-05T09:25:05.207-07:002016-10-05T09:25:05.207-07:00John T. Van Geffen - I should clarify that the rea...John T. Van Geffen - I should clarify that the reason I did not answer your last four questions, is because they're all the exact same "YOU AGREE WE SHOULDN'T DO THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS PROJECT, RIGHT?" question, just phrased differently. <br /><br />To reiterate, when Emeryville residents voiced their opinion at the City Council meeting, a majority clearly stated that they supported the project in one way, shape or form. <br /><br />If Emeryville citizens want something to move forward, the City Council should work towards finding a consensus on how best to proceed, not attempt to create dissent through pointless vitriol. John Van Geffen for Emeryville City Councilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13301995084695893761noreply@blogger.com