Election Section

The Planet has asked our readers to submit short questions for Berkeley City Council candidates, who will be given space for short answers. Candidates may answer any questions, even those addressed to other candidates. 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am submitting candidate questions for District 5 candidates Laurie Capitelli and Barbara Gilbert: 

1. Both of you were involved in the Mayor’s Task Force on Permitting and Development (Laurie as chair and Barbara as active observer). What were the most important things you learned from that experience? 

2. Many of the Task Force recommendations aimed at improving the public process, yet none of these recommendations—even simple ones that cost no money—has yet been implemented. Which changes in the permitting process do you think are the most important to implement right away, and as council member, what will you do to implement them? 

3. Do you have any other ideas to improve the development process in Berkeley? 

Sharon Hudson 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A friend told me the Daily Planet asked for questions we’d like to see answered by those running for office in Berkeley, so here are two of mine: 

1. For District 3: Do you favor closing Derby Street for a baseball field? 

2. For all districts: Do you favor enlarging the path around the marina to a width of 12 feet, plus four feet of shoulder, and the removal of 98 mature trees in order to accommodate more bikers? 

R