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Top 3 Issues and Community Service

Here are the top 3 issues I see for Concord:

1.  Creating and maintaining a safe community is the number one purpose of local government.

2.  Actively managing the City Budget.  The uncertainty of this economy and the growing costs associated with meeting our commitments to current and retired employees requires active oversight by the City Council.  The Council must set clear priorities to ensure we have the dollars to provide vital services and maintain our roads and parks without raising taxes

3.  Planning for the Future.  The Re-use process for the Concord Naval Weapons Station is only one of several important efforts that will determine Concord’s future.  The General Plan Update that covers everything else in Concord besides the CNWS needs to be completed.  We need a new, user-friendly Zoning Ordinance because that document hasn’t been thoroughly revised in almost 50 years. Redevelopment plans for the Monument Corridor and North Concord also deserve our attention because they promote neighborhood revitalization.

Community Service on Boards/Committees/Commissions

Planning Commissioner, City of Concord, 2001 to present  Chair 2004-2005, 2006-2007

Citizens Leadership Academy Graduate, City of Concord, 2006

Fundraising Committee, Concord Youth Sports Foundation, 1997-2000

Chair, Budget Review Committee, City of Concord, 1994

Citizens Advisory Committee on Measure "A" Bond, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, 1992-94

Citizens Advisory Committee on Surplus Space, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, 1981, 1990, 1993

Housing Trust Fund Taskforce, Contra Costa County, 1992

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Measure "C", Contra Costa County, 1988

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Planning Commission Endorses Bjerke

I’m very humbled by the unanimous support my colleagues on the Planning Commission have expressed for my application for the City Council vacancy.  Here’s the text of the letter they sent:

August 19, 2007

Mayor Peterson
Vice-Mayor Shinn
Councilmember Allen
Councilmember Hoffmeister

Re: City of Concord, City Council Vacancy

It is with the highest level of trust and regard for his skills, that we endorse Planning Commissioner Guy Bjerke for the current vacancy on the Concord City Council.

Guy Bjerke has demonstrated a strong commitment to the city in his six years as a member of the Planning Commission, two of those as Chairman.  His decisions and comments are thorough and are always presented with a basis of sound reasoning.  Guy is able to bring his vast work experience to the commission, allowing for all of us to gain the knowledge to make informed decisions.

It was Commissioner Bjerke who suggested the change to take the "numbers for the CNWS" out of the 2006 General Plan Update that allowed the community to re-embrace the possibilities of the CNWS.  He has demonstrated an understanding of that process and potential costs of the CNWS, while leading a commission making decisions on planning decisions affecting Concord today.

Each of us has worked with Guy Bjerke as a business associate, a long time personal friend and our time as commissioners together.  If the council is looking for the best candidate, that understands the current and future needs of the city, who brings skills and background to make those difficult decisions for Concord, then we believe Guy Bjerke is the right person to fill the vacancy.

Bill Brumley – Transpac Liaison
Kevin Costa – Chair
Rich Jensen – Vice-Chair
Gene Sylls – DRB Liaison

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Applying for Concord City Council Vacancy

As you may have read in today’s Contra Costa Times or Lisa Vorderbruggen’s blog or Bill Gram-Reefer’s Halfway to Concord blog – I am one of 19 applicants from which the City Council may choose a successor to the late Councilmember Michael Chavez.

The public interviews are slated for Monday evening, August 27 at 5:30 p.m.

For those who stumble upon this site looking for more information about me – here’s what I wrote on why I’m seeking the vacancy.

I am seeking the Council seat to offer my business experience, knowledge of planning and land-use, and consensus building approach to issues. My number one goal is to keep Concord a great city to live, work and raise a family.

My wife, Denise, and I grew up in the Ygnacio Valley. We have lived in Concord for 18 years raising our children – Amanda (19) and Brandon (16). I have a B.A. in Government from CSU, Sacramento and am enrolled in the Masters in Public Administration program at CSU, East Bay – Concord Campus.

I have spent a significant part of my career working in the private sector for business oriented non-profits explaining public policy processes to executives and business realities to public officials. I am now working in the public sector to improve the jobs/housing balance and reduce traffic congestion.

As a Planning Commissioner I am familiar with local issues and neighborhood groups. I supported the Commission’s efforts to broaden public participation in the General Plan Update by attending numerous PTA meetings at local schools and led the effort to remove the Concord Naval Weapons Station "preliminary numbers" from the GP Update to avoid tainting the Community Re-use process.

I have good working relationships with other elected and public officials throughout our county and will be an effective advocate for Concord.

I’d love to hear your thoughts either in the comments (moderated due to spam) or via email – guybjerke at comcast.net.  Thanks.

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Lessig Changes Course

Lawrence Lessig, the Stanford professor who invented the Creative Commons system and has written numerous books about intellectual property rights over the past 10 years, announced via his blog that he is shifting his academic focus to the topic of "corruption".  His explanation is worth reading and the line that rang clear as a bell for me was this:

"That our government can’t understand basic facts when strong interests have an interest in its misunderstanding."

I have strong concerns about the lack of civic engagement, the civility of political and public discussions and the consistent decline in the amount of coverage local government receives from the media.  In my view they are inter-related and a dangerous trend.  Perhaps Professor Lessig will show us ways to fight corruption and promote civic renewal.  Stay tuned.

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Is Shaw’s Weapon Station Proposal Worth a Look?

Former Assemblymember Joe Canciamilla has authored a pretty persuasive opinion piece in today’s Contra Costa Times arguing that Shaw Environmental’s bid for the Concord Naval Weapon Station merits – at least – a very close and serious evaluation.

"…While I understand the initial shock in the Concord community to the proposal to transfer the Naval Weapons Station property to Shaw Environmental, I would like to register my support for continuing to research how this type of transfer might potentially benefit all of Concord.

For example, it is possible that by trading military construction services for the property, Shaw Environmental could receive title to the land at a market rate that includes Concord’s plan for public benefits.

If this is possible, the Shaw proposal could represent a huge windfall for the city of Concord and its residents…."

I’m sure there are strong arguments for continuing with the current BRAC process – but as best I can tell the positive aspects of the current path can – with Council and City staff leadership – be melded into a new process that might lead to greater rewards and control for Concord residents.  That deserves evaluation and public discussion.