Former Councilman Files Accountability Initiative

Former Councilman Bukowski Puts 
City Hall On Notice

Former City Councilman Ken Bukowski has announced he will make City Hall more accountable to the people's interests via an initiative he's started called the Emeryville Public Notice and Accountability Initiative.  The initiative seeks to make City Hall more accountable to the people by requiring better notice of city action and improved access for average citizens in the government decision making process.   The initiative will either appear on a future ballot or be adopted by council fiat, depending on the number of resident signatures secured.

The former councilman first introduced the idea of such an initiative as part of his re-election campaign last year stating he would pursue the initiative regardless of whether of not he was elected to office.  "It's needed [in Emeryville]"  Mr Bukowski told the Tattler.  "We've evolved into an era where better notification is essential to protect the people's interests" he said.  He noted the proposed initiative will shine a light on government doings, "We will finally have a full accounting of elected officials votes made on the residents' behalf, something not available before."

The initiative must receive about 590 valid signatures of registered Emeryville voters to appear on the November 2013 ballot but some 900 signatures would force the city council to either adopt it outright or call for an earlier special election.  Mr Bukowski will have 120 days to acquire the requisite signatures, and he is requesting help from residents on this he said.

Ken Bukowski lost his bid for re-election last November but he has stayed in the spotlight.  He formed the Emeryville Property Owners Association, an interest group comprised of businesses and residents to counter the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce, a 'for pay' membership organization he says stopped working for most businesses in town.  The former councilman assured the Tattler he has no bigger plans by forwarding the initiative, "I want to make this clear, I have no intention on running for city council.  I'm doing this [initiative] because it's necessary."

Interested residents can call Ken Bukowski at (510) 305-0000.

The text of the initiative is HERE.