EAST PALO ALTO: Two council candidates are disqualified

Fifteen are still in crowded race

by Don Kazak

The East Palo Alto City Council race got a little less crowded last week when two candidates were disqualified by the county for not collecting enough signatures of registered voters on their campaign papers. Twenty such signatures are required, which means that Keith Carter and Montel Yarborough won't be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

That reduces the field to 15, including all three incumbents who are up for re-election.

In their ballot statements, one candidate is calling for a one-year moratorium on redevelopment projects in the city and another wants to establish a civilian review board for the Police Department.

Samuel Rasheed, a member of the East Palo Alto Sanitary District board, is advocating the police review board, while A. Peter Evans, a former sanitary district board member, is calling for the redevelopment moratorium.

The 15 candidates are:

Ayodele Ankoanda-King, 23, a business manager. In her statement, she said that when she returned to the city after college, "I witnessed the decline of my community which amidst the new face of development lacks compassion and loyalty, and fails to nurture its youth."

Robert A. Alexander, 54, entrepreneur/educator. "We need policies that address commuter traffic on our residential streets, our air quality, recreation programs and safety for our children, property flooding issues, street repairs and economic development that provides a comprehensive plan for residential concerns."

Duane Bay, 48, general management. "We are at a crossroads. Will we finally get what's rightfully ours? Or will we be left out?" Bay is an incumbent on the City Council.

Jose Beltran, 45, apartment manager.

Evans, 61, business operator. "It is apparent that the redevelopment agency has been plagued with corruption and mismanagement. A. Peter Evans is the only candidate who proposes a one-year moratorium on redevelopment to give us time to carefully analyze and plan for a better life for the residents of our city."

Patricia Foster, 58, small business and nonprofit consultant. "We are at the cusp of endless possibilities. My commitment to the residents of our city is to ensure that these possibilities benefit all the people of East Palo Alto." Foster is a City Council incumbent.

Eldrick Haggans, 61, project manager. "We must re-establish the integrity and ethical standards of the City Council by ensuring that the council serves the needs of the community, not their own personal interests."

Irving E. Hemingway Sr., 49, electrical construction supervisor. "We also must build more affordable housing so young people raised in East Palo Alto can raise their own families here."

R.B. Jones, 51, small business owner. "We must find ways to help local citizens to purchase homes in East Palo Alto."

Everardo Luna, 26, United Parcel Service. "I promise to re-establish a resolution that protects (the Human Resources Commission) from ever being abolished again."

Victor Perez, 54, business consultant. "I will implement a wise approach to redevelopment which will include local business participants, and redevelopment which will not burden taxpayers with additional debt."

Rasheed, no age listed, pricing analyst. "I am committed to building a strong, professional police force, supported by citizens through creation of a police citizen's review board."

Donna Rutherford, 48, social rehabilitation coordinator. "If elected to this position, I will never lose sight of the needs, wants and desires of my constituents." Rutherford currently serves on the Ravenswood school board.

Ola Wallacee, no age or occupation listed.

David E. Woods, 34, real estate broker. "My focus will be on responsible development, less displacement of current residents."

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