Two Hayward City Council candidate forums are coming up this Saturday.
One at 10 a.m. at the Linekin building, 22248 Main St. The second at 1 p.m. at the Georgian Manor clubhouse, 1419 Buckingham Way.
Here are seven questions from Prospect Hill residents that Frank Goulart, host of the first forum, circulated to candidates in advance of the event:
1. What will you do to alleviate the deluge of traffic which will cut through our neighborhood because of the mini-loop? Specifically, first, what will you do to prevent cut through traffic from Foothill on Hazel and City Center Dr/Maple Court? And second, what will you do to prevent cut through traffic from Mission on Hotel, Simon and Sunset?
2. During morning commutes and especially in the evening, prostitutes are working Mission Blvd. between A Street and Grove. The streets and alleys fronting this area are often littered with used condoms. I am also concerned that this promotes related crimes such as drug use and theft. What amazes me is that the Mission Blvd. corridor often has patrol cars from the Hayward Police department as well as the Alameda Sheriff’s department, so there is a regular police presence. What will the candidates do to address this issue? Also, short term enforcement efforts do not seem to work. The prostitutes go elsewhere (ie, to the other jurisdiction) until the enforcement campaign stops.
3. How will either of the power plants be beneficial to the citizens of Hayward?
4. There are a number of properties along Mission Blvd. between A Street and Grove that currently house used car lots. Some of the lots are vacant or change business owners regularly. The empty lots such as the former Volkswagen dealership, are magnets for graffiti and illegal dumping. What will the candidates do to address this issue? What redevelopment plans, does the City of Hayward have for this corridor. Hopefully the plan is not to put in more low income housing since there is already a large percentage of low income housing west of Mission. If the city is trying to revitalize downdown there is a need for more higher income housing within several blocks of downtown who might actually shop or dine downtown.
5. The owners of the Palace Card Club are intending to relocate and expand their business to the former Kumbala site on Foothill Boulevard. Do you believe revenues generated will outweigh the potential for increased crime and prostitution?
6. Do you favor district elections and why or why not?
7. What part should the city take in funding the zucchini festival, farmers markets and the Thursday street parties?