Manna From Kaiser; Plus Who Should Rule The City?

(Confidential is an occasional roundup of items about San Leandro.)

San Leandro's business climate is harsh. Just look at the vacant storefronts all along East 14th Street.

But Tuesday at 8:30 am City Manager Chris Zapata will talk about the brighter horizons when the opening of the Kaiser Hospital brings thousands of workers and patients to town -- and retail dollars rain down like manna.

The session is sponsored by the entrepreneur's committee of the Chamber of Commerce. It is free and runs until 10 am, and will be held at the Chamber offices at Bayfair Center.

If you've never been to Chamber HQ, park near Fresh Choice, use that door, and walk to the back left.

The entrepreneur's committee is organized by Jerry Garcia (jerry@jerrygarciasf.com).

Neighborhood Groups Hold City Council Debates

Three city council seats will be on the ballot in November. A debate at the Senior Community Center Wednesday night will help sharpen the issues.

What issues?

Pensions have been hot with citizens. Will candidates explain their stands?

Crime is a perennial topic. Hint. They're all against it.

Will questions draw the candidate out and elicit differences?

The event is hosted by the Halcyon-Foothill Neighborhood Association; the Best Manor Home Owners Association; and the Business Association of South San Leandro.

Doors open at 6 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

At 6:30 pm Rob Bonta of Alameda and Abel Guillen of Oakland will face off in their race for 18th Assembly District. 

The city council debate is slated to begin at 8 pm.

The local candidates are:

• Incumbent Ursula Reed, who defends her seat against school board president Morgan Mack-Rose (of Mayor Stephen Cassidy's camp) and Bal Theater owner Dan Dillman (who marches to his own drummer).
• Incumbent Jim Prola, lifelong friend of organized labor, faces a challenge from school board member Hermy Almonte, who has targeted city employee pensions as a drain upon services. 
• There's a wide open race to succeed Joyce Starosciak. Candidate Benny Lee (along with Reed and Prola) was endorsed by the city's well-pensioned police association. The other candidates are Chris Crow, the Young Turk of San Leandro politics; neighborhood activist Darlene Daevu and retail executive Justin Hutchison.

Thomas Dlugosh to serve as the interim City Councilmember 

The San Leandro City Council has appointed Thomas Dlugosh as temporary replacement for Councilmember Joyce Starosciack, who resigned in August 2012. He will serve through the end of the calendar year.

Dlugosh has served on the Planning Commission (1985-96, 2005-present) and was elected chair three times. Among many other activities he was a member of the City of San Leandro Budget Advisory Committee in 2009 and 2010. He has been involved in the Chamber of Commerce since 1982. 

"Tom has been an engaged and active member of our community for decades," said Mayor Stephen Cassidy. "We appreciate his willingness to continue to serve our community." 

School board member Mike Katz-Lacabe wrote about the selection process and the other applicants on his blog.

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