Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Alameda

From the "Alameda Sun"

Friday, September 6, 2002

Matarrese Plans for the Future

By: Mike Curtis

Frank Matarrese is a thoughtful man. He takes his time answering questions, chooses his words carefully and speaks in a calm, quiet voice. One wonders what draws him to the hurly burly of politics and why he is seeking a city council seat.

"It's like a puzzle," he said. "It is very interesting putting together the parts of a solution to please all parties."

Matarrese, a compliance engineer at Emeryville biotech firm Chiron, credits his time on the Planning Board with giving him a solid foundation in dealing with civic problems. "We see it all on the board, from setting a plan for Alameda Point to someone asking to add a foot onto their deck," he said of his current assignment. "It's good preparation for city council."

Matarrese began his public service shortly after moving his family # his wife Kris, and teenage sons Peter, Joseph and Philip # to Alameda from Oakland in 1994. He got involved in the campaign for a new library, then posted four years on the Economic Development Commission before landing a position on the Planning Board. Now pursuing an elected position, Matarrese wants to get closer to the action. "To make things happen, the council's the place to be," he said. "The boards and commissions are advisory and have some sway but city council sets the policy."

Like others running for office this year, Matarrese sees the next four years as crucial to Alameda's future. While on the EDC, which he chaired for two years, Matarrese helped develop a strategic plan for the city. Now he is eager to usher that plan into place. With all the development slated for the island, he wants to make sure essential services like police and fire are not diluted by additional needs resulting from new growth.

Matarrese also believes the city can harness development to offset revenues # revenues lost to hard economic times drying up regional funding for city services. "It's an opportunity to keep the level of service we're used to ," he said. "We can't rely on state, county or federal money to do what we need done. Things need to be done right if we're to maintain good services."

A man who bicycles to work three to four times a week, Matarrese cherishes Alameda's homey ambience and would like to bring more amenities to the Island without disturbing the present tranquility. Drawing on his science background, Matarrese welcomes better shopping opportunities but not at the expense of the planning process.

Referring to the recent Catellus proposal to build retail instead of office space behind College of Alameda, he displayed the careful thinking one expects of a scientist. "We need to test every condition for the new proposal that led us to the original plan. It was tested patiently. There is no need to rush. We should take the time to do it right."

While acknowledging the need for new development, Matarrese enjoys the quality of Island life. "Alameda is quiet, clean, a great family place," he said. "I'd like to see it stay that way."

And even though his two older sons have just left home to attend college, Matarrese says "I'm here to stay."