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Former mayor Bruce Van Allen makes another run for Santa Cruz council [Santa Cruz Sentinel, Calif.](Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 23--Editor's note: The Sentinel is taking a look at candidates running for city councils. Today's report on Bruce Van Allen is one in a series. SANTA CRUZ -- Former mayor Bruce Van Allen, one of the most experienced political figures in Santa Cruz, is running for a City Council seat Nov. 4, saying his platform has broadened to include economic development as well as the environmental and social issues he has long championed. "I think it will surprise some how much I want to make economic development a priority," said Van Allen, a software developer who has run campaigns for state Sen. Bill Monning and others and serves as a spokesman for Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives. Van Allen, 64, served on the council from 1979-1983 and was mayor in his final year. Van Allen served on the Vision Santa Cruz committee that laid the groundwork for rebuilding downtown after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and was involved in establishing affordable housing. Van Allen made a failed bid to rejoin the council in 2006 and said he is making another attempt this year to help the city establish a sustainable water supply, reactivate the San Lorenzo River corridor, create higher-paying jobs that will reduce commuting over the hill and improve services to the homeless and drug-addicted. "We need more direct services to people dealing with addiction but we also must have accountability," he said. Van Allen, a key figure in the city's San Lorenzo River planning a dozen years ago, said he does not support camping along the river but said the community needs to be more respectful of the homeless. He said he does not agree with "punish and banish" policies that he has heard calls for. Van Allen said the river habitat is important to protect and there needs to be more research about the impacts of recreation on the river before the city commits to allowing it. Results from a pilot series of paddling events that began in 2013 are being examined. Van Allen said he would like to see riverfront development on Front Street from Soquel Avenue to Beach Hill, citing the need for high-density, affordable housing. He sees that as one example of the economic development potential of the Riverwalk, better known as the levee. "That is gold that hasn't been mined," he said. As for water, Van Allen said he believes the city should create a formal water-demand neutrality program for development but advocates a cautious approach to using recycled wastewater given harmful substances that may remain in the water after treatment. He also believes fixing leaks in the infrastructure and possibly creating additional storage will contribute to a reliable supply. Van Allen is endorsed by Councilman Micah Posner, and former mayors Katherine Beiers, Chris Krohn, Celia Scott and Tim Fitzmaurice. He also garnered support from Monning, Assemblymember Mark Stone, county Treasurer Fred Keeley, county Supervisor John Leopold, former supervisor Gary Patton and the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council. Bruce Van Allen Who: Candidate for Santa Cruz City Council. Age: 64. Education: Bachelor's degree in economics, UC Santa Cruz. Occupation: Software developer and political consultant. Website: vanallenforcitycouncil.org ___ (c)2014 the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.) Visit the Santa Cruz Sentinel (Scotts Valley, Calif.) at www.santacruzsentinel.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |