Labor Day is the traditional start of the campaign season, and Berkeleyside reported on the sprouting of lawn signs, kick-off events, and endorsement meetings. Six candidates are running for mayor, eight are running for four of the council seats (although one, Susan Wengraf in District 6, is unopposed), eight for four Rent Stabilization Board seats, and four for two school board seats. In case that’s not enough democratic action, Berkeleyans have votes on 10 city measures on November 6.
Berkeley’s City Council members have funds available for donations to community groups. Berkeleyside interns Hannah Long and Natalie Orenstein sifted through the records to figure out what each member’s donations have been over the last four years. Kriss Worthington and Mayor Tom Bates have been the leaders in donations, followed by Jesse Arreguín. “I try to support small groups and projects that are struggling or that might not happen,” Worthington said. Laurie Capitelli, who gives the least, had a different view: “I have a philosophical problem with the whole process,” he said. “It’s a little like patronage.”
Edmond Heatley, recently superintendent of schools in Clayton County, Georgia, looks likely to be Berkeley’s new superintendent. The school board will consider Heatley’s contract in a meeting later this month, but the board had unanimously approved him as the only finalist for the post. Berkeleyside reported that in Clayton County, Heatley has both proponents and detractors.
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