Candidate Spotlight: Seven questions with Tom Campbell

The Herald recently invited City Councilman Tom Campbell for an interview, to discuss his campaign for re-election to the council. Dr. Campbell provided responses to the following questions posed by the Herald.
1. How did you get into politics? When were you first interested?
Dr. Campbell’s interest in politics grew of his involvement with the city pool, he explained.
“I applied for the Planning Commission to get my name in those circles,” he said. “I was hoping that when something opened up in Parks and Rec, I would have a better chance of getting in over there.”
Campbell told the Herald that he has been a swimmer most of his life and in fact continues to compete in triathlons. He said he has been a supporter of the city pool, James Lemos Swim Center, since moving to Benicia in 1986. In fact, he said, when he first ran for city council in 2001, his platform was essentially keeping the pool open.
“I was a one-trick pony. I wanted to get the pool to stay open 10-1/2 months out of the year, instead of (the plan at that time to drop down to) 1-1/2 months per year.” Apparently, that issue resonated with voters, because he won that election despite that narrow focus.
2. What motivated you to run for re-election? What have you accomplished as a councilmember?
Campbell was well prepared for that question, as evidenced by the three-page list he produced, categorizing his accomplishments as a councilmember over the years by quality of life, roads and environmental improvements.
Campbell said he doesn’t like to take credit for himself, since ultimately, it’s the entire city council, planning commission, staff and participation from the public that steer policy. He did emphasize two major issues that he felt stood out, however, as items that he was most passionate about and for which he worked hard to garner support.
The Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was an idea Campbell supported when it first arose around the year 2002.
“I lost that vote 3-2, but then when Measure K came around (in 2003), allowing amendments to the UGB only by a vote of the people, it passed with 70 percent of the vote, he said.”
The UGB delineates an area in the north portion of the city commonly known as the Sky Valley property.
Benicia’s open government ordinance was also one that Campbell vehemently supported.
“The majority on the council said no,” he recalls. “I got Bill Whitney on board, and Dan Smith. I also give a lot of credit to our city attorney, Heather McLaughlin,” whom Campbell credits with helping to clarify their ideas and put them in writing.
“Voters need to know where the campaign money comes from,” he stated as an example. “I only accept endorsements from elected officials.”
Campbell’s endorsements include Rep. Mike Thompson, State Senator Lois Wolk and Solano Supervisors Linda Seifert and Erin Hannigan.
3. What goals do you have for the next term?
“I’m big on budget.” Campbell said that at one time, the city had only annual budget reviews and no forecast budget at all. “I got them to go quarterly.” Campbell also pushed for five- and ten-year forecasts, which he sees as one important tool.
4. What issues in this race do you feel you’re most qualified to address?
Referring to his emphasis on budget and finance, Campbell cited his specific education and experience. “I was on the finance committee for nine years, and I have an MBA from (University of California-) Berkeley.”
5. What direction do you think Benicia is heading?
“Keeping what we’ve got,” Campbell replied, pointing out that Benicia is a safe community, a place people want to live.
“I was a part of that,” he smiled. He said he feels confident that the overall quality of life in the city and its appeal to families and visitors will continue with his contribution to leadership.
6. In what areas do you think Benicia has succeeded in the past, and where has it fallen short? How can we do better?
“Benicia has developed the downtown,” he said. “It used to be all antique stores. Now there are lots of activities, and restaurants.”
Campbell cited events like wine walks, the farmers market and holiday open house, crediting Benicia Main Street and other local groups for much of the progress in vitalizing the downtown.
On the other hand, he said, the Industrial Park is “not working.” He pointed to the urgent need for attracting intellectually-based business, and bringing technology into the park, such as broadband internet service.
Regarding the 500-plus-acre parcel currently referred to as the Seeno or Northern Gateway parcel adjacent to the park, Campbell said he feels strongly that the city needs to find a developer that will embrace the city’s goals.
7. Finally, why should Benicians vote for you over your opponents?
“All five are good candidates,” Campbell replied.
He added that the fact that all of the current councilmembers and the candidates have differing views is a good thing.
As far as his own contribution compared to the others, Campbell summarized, “I’m more vocal. I’m pragmatic. My strong points are finance, budget, and balance.”