On this episode, I chat with Brentwood City Councilwoman Karen Rarey, who is running for Brentwood Mayor this fall. We go over a series of issues from economic development to public safety.

Episode Overview

• 01:15 – What made Rarey want to run for Mayor. She explains what a “Better Brentwood” means to her which focuses on economic development and higher paying and higher quality jobs.
• 03:09 – Rarey gets into how we can maintain the businesses we have here vs. focusing on bringing in new business.
• 07:32 – We talk about the Brentwood Police Department and its future.
• 11:05 – We get into the national rhetoric on police and if it matches Brentwood Police.
• 16:25 – We get into a “Brentwood Only” Fire Department and where we are headed with the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District. Rarey says for Brentwood to start its own Dept. it would cost Brentwood $17 million – a $800-$1k tax per Brentwood parcel annually.
• 20:43 – Rarey talks about her Open Letter to East County Voters for Equal Protection (ECV). We get into where we go from here which includes Community Facility Districts for fire service.
• 27:50 – Rarey explains smart growth in the City of Brentwood knowing we are 80% buildout already and where we can go with future development. We get into rezoning and potential unintended consequences due to state law and land use grabs. The need for more affordable housing.
• 36:26 – Why can’t Brentwood invest in more “starter homes” for people.
• 39:50 – We talk about homeless and solutions on homelessness in Brentwood. Rarey explains many are from Brentwood, but others are coming in from Antioch and Stockton.
• 46:00 – We talk about blight in Brentwood and what is being done.
• 47:16 – Drilling in Brentwood, what is Rarey’s position on that.
• 49:50 – Rarey talks about Brentwood spending habits lately (budget question).
• 53:14 – Rarey gives her opinion on new city manager Tim Ogden
• 54:00 – Rarey talks about Deer Ridge & Shadow Lakes and its future. Where can it go from here and how will she guide this as Mayor.
• 57:58 – Idea of creating a tax so Brentwood could have its own municipal golf course?
• 01:02:35 – divided Brentwood, how will you work to bring people together on a variety of issues? We get into gas stations, Costco possibly coming, fixing Sand Creek Road to Deer Valley.
• 01:08:00 – I explain the types of interview I am doing with candidates.
• 01:08:37 – Rarey provides her “elevator pitch”.
• 01:10:46 – Agriculture and how does Brentwood move forward with it.

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If you would like to be a potential guest, email [email protected] and explain why… this show is open to anyone in Contra Costa County.