Hernandez, Simon are prepared to confront San Leandro’s issues

San Leandro faces financial, policing and housing challenges as voters in the Nov. 3 election pick two members of the City Council.

The candidates best equipped for the task are incumbent Ed Hernandez in District 2 and Fred Simon, a member of the Oro Loma Sanitary District board, in District 4.

Both are thoughtful candidates, with Hernandez focused heavily on the city’s budgetary and housing challenges while Simon has given a lot of thought to how best to improve the city’s policing.

The election comes as city officials:

• Adjust to the economic challenges of the pandemic, for which the city was better prepared than many municipalities because of the council’s prudent and cautious budgeting in recent years.

• Rethink the city’s approach to policing after two fatal officer-involved shootings this year. One is under investigation by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The other led to voluntary manslaughter charges against the officer, who is the first Bay Area cop in more than a decade to face charges in the death of a civilian.

• Ponder how to best develop affordable and transit-friendly housing, especially on sites like the Bayfair Center Mall next to the BART station.

District 2 — Hernandez

Hernandez, a global real estate manager and business consultant, is seeking his second term. He has a keen understanding of the city’s budget and financial challenges, wants the city to reexamine how it polices while keeping residents safe, and sees Bayfair as a golden opportunity for mixed-used, transit-oriented development.

The race between him and his opponent, sheet metal worker Bryan Azevedo, is a repeat of their 2016 matchup. Azevedo, who doesn’t have a strong handle on city finances, fails to articulate a reason for unseating the strong incumbent.

District 4 — Simon

Simon, a civil engineer and construction manager, has worked for the Contra Costa Water District for 23 years and was elected to the Oro Loma board two years ago. He says he was moved to run because of the infamous killing of George Floyd combined with the two fatal shootings by San Leandro police.

He needs to study city finances in more depth but seems motivated to do it. And he has clearly given a lot of thought to how to train and help police, and find better ways to handle calls involving people with mental health problems. His opponent, Christopher Bammer, an automotive detail technician, said he was too busy for our interview.

The incumbent for this district, Benny Lee, cannot seek reelection because he is completing the city’s maximum two terms.