Sweeney and Dowling in Hayward

The Sierra Club has endorsed Michael Sweeney for mayor of Hayward and Kevin Dowling for City Council.

Michael Sweeney for mayor

Michael Sweeney has served previously as a council member, mayor, assemblymember, and assistant secretary of resources under Gov. Davis. Sweeney has a 100% track record on environmental and labor issues and was once honored by the Planning and Conservation League as Legislator of the Year.

While mayor he led the Council in dramatically reducing proposed development on Walpert Ridge. He chaired the Hayward Area Shoreline Planning Agency, which for 30 years protected Hayward's shoreline both north and south of Highway 92 from development. He helped create neighborhood planning teams throughout the city and led the city in beginning recycling efforts and policies. He was a member of the first Alameda County Waste Management Board. Creek protection is one of his current interests, and he stresses cooperation with the Hayward Area Recreation District, which maintains the park system in Hayward and nearby communities.

Re-elect Kevin Dowling to Council

Incumbent Council member Kevin Dowling consistently  votes for the environment. Before and after his election, he opposed the expansion into a freeway of Highway 238 through Hayward neighborhoods and open space.

He voted (unsuccessfully) against two large housing projects, Eden Shores and the Hayward Golf Course development. Eden Shores developed an uplands property important for the conservation and recovery of two endangered species in an area designated by Congress for inclusion in the Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. The Golf Course project cut in half a historic public golf course.

He recently supported the La Vista Quarry project, 30 acres of housing in a former south Hayward quarry, which balances growth near BART with protection of upper slopes near Garin Park. One of the conditions of development was the building of a community center to house neighborhood recreational facilities.

Dowling was supported by the Sierra Club four years ago when he first ran and was elected.