Aidan’s Priorities
Charting Berkeley's Future: Vision, Action, and Legacy
A Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive Future
In Berkeley, our relationship with the environment is not just about coexistence; it's about nurturing a regenerative partnership. My vision prioritizes climate resilience and adaptation, recognizing the urgent need for action in the face of climate change. We will champion regenerative agriculture led by family and cooperative farmers, ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. I am committed to modernizing and expanding our city's water infrastructure, not just to meet today's needs, but to prepare for tomorrow's challenges. This includes a robust plan for wastewater treatment and carbon reduction strategies.
Our streets will be transformed into safe, accessible spaces, reducing the risk of heat and cold-related illnesses. We will adopt a budget that prioritizes investments in clean electricity, safer infrastructure, and the expansion of green spaces, making Berkeley a model for urban environmental stewardship. Furthermore, I will advocate for the City of Berkeley to support the Sogorea Te Land Trust through the voluntary Shuumi Land Tax, acknowledging and respecting the Ohlone people’s custodianship of the land.
Climate Resilience And adaptation
Urban Design and Transportation: A reimagined Berkeley means a city where urban design and transportation systems serve the people and the planet. We will foster complete streets and prioritize safety, improving transit access and reducing emissions. Our urban planning will integrate water use and land use, emphasizing indigenous landscaping and drought-resistant plants. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of our city's infrastructure will incorporate accident prevention practices and be aligned with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In transportation, we will focus on creating pedestrian-friendly environments, expanding networks for bicycles and pedestrians, and implementing traffic-calming measures. Our public transit systems will be accessible, efficient, and powered by clean energy, making them a preferable alternative to private vehicles.
Energy and Zero Waste: Energy in Berkeley must be a right, not a privilege. We will work towards a future where Berkeley's energy is secure, affordable, and sustainable. This involves localizing energy production and encouraging the use of renewable sources such as solar and wind power. Our buildings will be energy-efficient and carbon-neutral, supporting green technologies that align with our ecological footprint goals.
A zero-waste Berkeley is not just an aspiration but a necessity. We will educate our community on sustainable waste practices, emphasizing the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Our policies will support the transition to a circular economy, where waste is minimized, and resources are used efficiently.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Central to our vision is a Berkeley that is inclusive and accessible to all. We will ensure that our policies and actions consider the diverse needs of our community, including the most vulnerable. This means designing a city that is not just environmentally sustainable, but also socially equitable.
In summary, my vision for Berkeley is a city that leads with resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity at its core. We will build a future that respects our planet, nurtures our community, and embraces innovation for the betterment of all.
Empowering a Healthier, Equitable, and Sustainable Community
Our vision is to transform Berkeley into a leading example of public health innovation and quality of life. We will pursue the establishment of a comprehensive, inclusive public healthcare system that ensures access to essential services including dental, mental, vision, and primary care, with affordable co-pay options. This system will respect human dignity and cater to diverse cultural, racial, and gender identities, ensuring healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Holistic Community Well-being: Recognizing that health extends beyond medical care, our approach includes robust support for mental health, substance abuse recovery, and long-term care, emphasizing confidentiality, compassion, and comprehensive treatment options. We will address the root causes of health issues, focusing on prevention and holistic well-being.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship: We commit to sustainable development, prioritizing environmental health in urban planning and supporting practices that respect and rejuvenate our natural surroundings. This includes promoting local food systems, organic farming, and green energy initiatives, ensuring a healthy environment for current and future generations.
Inclusive and Safe Communities: Our vision encompasses safe, inclusive neighborhoods where all residents, regardless of background, have access to affordable housing and essential services. We will advocate for human-centered zoning, equitable housing solutions, and protections for renters and homeowners alike.
Public Health and quality of life
Economic Empowerment and Equity: We envision a Berkeley where small businesses and co-operatives thrive, supported by fair economic policies and green incentives. We will foster a circular economy that benefits all, focusing on sustainable, community-oriented growth.
Empowering Education and Public Safety: Integral to our vision is a commitment to comprehensive, inclusive education and effective, community-based public safety strategies. We will prioritize the well-being and dignity of all residents, ensuring that Berkeley is a place where everyone can learn, grow, and feel secure.
A Vision for a Progressive, Inclusive, and Empowered Berkeley
In envisioning the future of Berkeley, my campaign is deeply rooted in the principles of good governance, community engagement, and participatory democracy. I am committed to fostering a transparent and open government, where every citizen is not just a spectator but an active participant in the decision-making processes that shape our city.
My vision for Berkeley is a city where government accessibility is a right, not a privilege. This includes tangible measures like providing shuttles to city council meetings and ensuring that essential utilities like heat, electricity, phone, internet, and public transportation are affordable and democratically controlled.
Technological advancement will be a cornerstone of my governance. I advocate for advanced, encrypted, and open-source communication systems in Berkeley schools and libraries, ensuring equitable access for all. This technological drive extends to supporting local innovation, especially in sustainable transportation, while protecting our election systems and vital technological assets.
Financial responsibility and equitable budgeting are central to my vision. A People's Budget approach will ensure that our city's spending reflects our values of social justice, environmental stewardship, and community welfare. This includes prioritizing health, education, public transportation, and environmental protection.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A key component of my vision is the Bank of Berkeley, promoting a cooperative and community-focused financial system. This aligns with my commitment to progressive taxation and sustainable economic models that favor the environment and social equity.
In the spirit of inclusive democracy, I support expanding voting rights and ensuring that all voices in our diverse community are heard. From supporting Instant Runoff Voting to advocating for the rights of non-citizens in local elections, my campaign is about making Berkeley a model of democratic inclusivity.
Transparency in government is non-negotiable. I stand for robust Freedom of Information practices, ensuring that all government dealings are open to scrutiny. This extends to the media, where I support initiatives for media literacy, community broadcasting, and the protection of public access to diverse sources of information.
In short, my vision for Berkeley is a city that leads with resilience, sustainability, and a deep commitment to democracy. A city that embraces technological progress while honoring its responsibility to its citizens and the environment. A city that is not just a place to live, but a community that thrives on the principles of equity, inclusion, and collective wellbeing.
A Blueprint for Unity, Justice, and Sustainability
Under Aidan Hill's leadership, Berkeley aspires to be a beacon of hope and transformation. Our vision is a city where social equity, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement thrive, ensuring every resident, regardless of background, experiences a high quality of life.
We envision a Berkeley where social security is a universal human right, with a community trust fund supporting retirees and a commitment to a living wage for all workers. Education will be a pathway to empowerment, accessible to all from pre-school to graduate school, and enriched with diverse, multilingual, and sustainable perspectives.
Honoring indigenous sovereignty, our administration will respect the Ohlone people's rights and integrate their voices in leading Berkeley's future. Family units in all their diversity will receive comprehensive support, including accessible birth control and family planning education, ensuring children grow up in safe, nurturing environments.
Our elders will enjoy quality healthcare, financial security, and active community participation. Women's rights will be fiercely protected, ensuring equitable healthcare, safety, and economic opportunities. The rights and full participation of disabled individuals will be a cornerstone of our policies, with rigorous implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Incarcerated individuals will see a shift towards rehabilitation and restorative justice, with a focus on alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. We will address homelessness with effective solutions and compassion, recognizing housing as a fundamental human right and striving to end its criminalization.
SOCIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Berkeley will become a sanctuary city, welcoming immigrants with dignity and ensuring their rights. Our community will be enriched by local artists and diverse cultural expressions, supported by our commitment to civic arts.
Finally, our vision includes a fair labor market supporting workers' rights, fair wages, and the right to unionize, with an economic focus on local, sustainable business practices and worker cooperatives.
Together, we will transform Berkeley into a community of shared values and aspirations, leading the way towards a more equitable, just, and sustainable future for all under Aidan Hill's visionary leadership.
Full 2024 Platform Coming Soon
As we stand at the crossroads of time, our political decisions hold the power to shape the course of our collective history. In Berkeley, under the guidance of Aidan Hill, we are charting a future that looks seven generations ahead, where true equity is not a distant dream but a tangible reality.
Our vision for Berkeley is a testament to our commitment to create a community where the dignity of every individual is respected, and fundamental human rights are not just upheld but celebrated. We recognize that many of our residents, having fallen through the cracks of our social safety net, are in dire need of support. In response, we're strengthening our community bonds through mutual aid and compassion.
At the heart of our vision is the protection and stewardship of our commons - the land, sea, and air. We understand the immense potential we hold for both nurturing and disrupting these natural resources. Our policies and actions are therefore designed to not only avoid chaos and degradation, but to promote regeneration and sustainability.
looking 7 Generations into the future
Our leaders are dedicated to fighting for future generations. This commitment is reflected in our comprehensive approach to addressing the myriad challenges we face today. From ensuring social security as a universal human right to advocating for educational empowerment; from respecting indigenous sovereignty to creating a sanctuary city that welcomes all; from championing the rights of the elderly, women, and the disabled to embracing rehabilitative justice for the incarcerated; and from nurturing local arts and culture to advocating for a fair labor market - every aspect of our policy is geared towards creating a Berkeley that is equitable, just, and sustainable.
As we move forward, our decisions and actions will be guided by this overarching vision: To create a Berkeley that meets the needs of the present and secures a thriving, resilient, and harmonious world for generations to come.
In conclusion, this is more than a political campaign. It's a movement towards a brighter future, a commitment to the well-being of our community, and a promise to preserve the beauty and integrity of our world. Together, with Aidan Hill's leadership, we will light the way for future generations, ensuring that Berkeley remains a beacon of hope, innovation, and prosperity.
Warm regards.