Meet Ben Barrientos, Candidate For Livermore City Council

LIVERMORE, CA — Learn more about Ben Barrientos, a teacher and president of the Livermore Lions Club who is running to represent Livermore City Council District 2.

1. Why are you running for City Council?

I’m running for City Council because “I Serve.” I’ve had a core drive to serve people, sometimes randomly. I am a member of the Lions Club International and our motto is “We Serve.”

2. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Livermore?

The biggest challenge facing Livermore is the haggling between the citizens of Livermore and the City Council.

3. How do you intend to address it?

To address the challenge I plan to be elected. I will have monthly or bimonthly town halls or coffee klatches. The purpose is to listen to the people’s concerns and ideas and get input and guidance.

4. What should be done to solve the affordable housing crisis?

The affordable housing issue has been an issue throughout history, not only in our country and state, but worldwide. To begin to mitigate the problem I’d lobby to create “olympic type villages, to house our teachers, nurses, police, and firefighters. They will be allowed to buy the units at low, below market rates and accumulate equity. These residential units will be locked in at the original purchase price, plus COLA, when sold to other teachers, nurses, etc.

5. What do you think the city can do to maintain water security?

To maintain water security all entities—local, county and state—must be engaged and develop a plan to conserve and make better use of our water. We could build homes and new buildings with the capability to recycle gray water. Also, to follow and enact the recommendations in the book “Water Always Wins” by Erica Gies.

6. What can the city do to help its downtown and small businesses?

To assist downtown businesses listen to their needs and wants. In Calgary, Canada, some blocks on their main street are closed to cars, which allows pedestrians to walk freely and enjoy meals in the expanded area outside. Parking is and will be a major problem downtown. It was cited as the #1 concern of people in a survey. To address the issue I’d seek to build robotic parking garages. YouTube has a video on these garages. They require smaller parcels of land. They increase the volume of cars, up to 30% more in less space, and are less expensive to build over the cost of typical public garages.

7. What is your idea of responsible development?

Responsible Development: Stick to and within our urban growth plan.

8. What other issues are important to you?

Other issues pertaining to District 2 where I reside. We need a viable grocery store. Currently, we have to drive over 580 to get to Safeway or Lucky’s. Part of the abandoned golf course in Springtown could be a site for a walking, biking, playground park and recruit volunteers from Springtown residents and charitable service non-profits like Lions, Rotary, Elks, etc., to help clear the area for hired professional landscapers. I want a new, modern library to replace the one that looks like two shipping containers stuck together. I’d like a police sub- station established on the north side of 580 for quicker responses and to act as a deterrent. There are vacant stores in Springtown where one or more could be used to house one. In that way we would use less taxpayer money and help the business store owner at the same time. A bike lane and pedestrian crossway on the 580 overpasses at Vasco and Springtown exits are needed.

9. How long have you lived in Livermore?

My wife Ann and I have lived in Livermore 24 years.

10. What brought you to the city?

I was born in San Francisco and lived there until I was 8 years old. Then, my family moved to South San Francisco where my mother still resides.

11. What experience do you have serving the community?

I’ve been elected to the Berryessa Union School Board in San Jose, served on the Alameda Civil Grand Jury, and have been President of the Livermore Lions Club for 12 years. Many years ago I was on the Santa Clara County Commission.

12. Of which accomplishments are you most proud?

Accomplishments I am most proud of are being a teacher, school administrator, and a coach. I’m currently the head coach of the Oakland High School wrestling team.

13. What is your education?

I graduated from South San Francisco High School, received an AA from College of San Mateo, a BA from Chico State University, a Masters degree from Pepperdine University and an Administrative Credential from National University.

14. Tell us about your family.

My family: I have a wonderful, smart and beautiful wife, two great sons, Jacob in Spokane and Eric in San Jose, and 6 grandchildren.

15. What is the best advice you ever received?

It wasn’t advice, but I recall the principal at SSFHS telling me that I wouldn’t succeed. I took it as a challenge. In high school I lettered in track and wrestling and was the wrestling league champion many times. While in college I became Golden Gate Conference Jr. College Wrestling Champ and also Far Western Wrestling Champ. When at Chico State I was elected as Student Body Vice President.

16. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’d like the voters to know and exercise “Random Acts of Kindness. It will make you feel good and make it a better day for you and even more for the recipient of your kindness.

17. Please provide links to websites and social media.

BenBarrientos.com