West Berkeley-Yes On Measure T

Deborah Matthews from Berkeley (CA) is a Real Estate Broker, City Commisioner and Activist. We have conducted an interview with her on the project Yes on Measure T:

How do you balance your life as an activist as well as a real estate broker?

Balance my life, activist, real estate...Actually for me personal life activism and real estate are hand in hand. Because my personal life is centered in supporting quality equitable family living, participating in actions for neighborhood safety, seniors affordable housing and protecting our youth with safety and awareness on street corridors there is little separation in personal business.

As an expert in the real estate industry I understand the correlation between safe community, pride of homeownership and excellent community schools these key areas translate to the highest home values for any community.

What is "Measure T" about? Why is it named so?

Measure T is called that because of the placement on the November 6, 2012 voting ballot, they are given names in alphabetically

What are the benefits yield to the West Berkeley community?

Most of the old manufacturing facilities are long gone or empty and shuttered. Many of the warehouses are underutilized or unrented. The industrial area West Berkeley has lost jobs — more than 1500 jobs — and 75 successful companies like Clif Bar and Sun Power have left town, either because they couldn't find space to grow, or because the land use categories in the zoning code prevented them from locating in large spaces. It's time to move forward to the 21st century to create new jobs and new sustainable and flourishing businesses in West Berkeley.

Measure T provides an opportunity to redevelop our underutilized large industrial sites for technology-based industrial sectors, to increase employment and revenue to the entire City, and generate ongoing funding for programs and projects that will directly benefit West Berkeley such a free shuttle, possible housing, employment, job training, park improvements and educational benefits.

What kind of endorsements does your initiative have so far? Who else would you like to be endorsed by?

Endorsements: Berkeley Democratic Club

Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County, AFL-CIO

Cal Democrats (UC Berkeley)

Alameda County Democratic Party

Loni Hancock California State Senator

Nancy Skinner California State Assemblymember

Tom Bates Mayor of Berkeley

Laurie Capitelli Berkeley City Councilmember, District 5

Linda Maio Berkeley City Councilmember, District 1

Darryl Moore Berkeley City Councilmember, District 2

Susan Wengraf Berkeley City Councilmember, District 6

Gordon Wozniak Berkeley City Councilmember, District 8

Berkeley Chamber of Commerce

Berkeley Firefighters

In five years time, what do you hope to achieve within your organization/initiative?

New jobs in local community. 24 million in tax revenues. Youth technology training programs. Innovative start up businesses. Artist housing. Green sustainable commercial development. Shuttle service. 

Vote Yes on Measure T at: www.yesonmeasuret.org