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Dublin City Council District 3 candidates John Morada and Razi Hasni tried to appeal to the city’s southeastern voters at a forum on Monday evening over topics like the city’s two ballot measures, public safety, economic development and housing.
The hopefuls found common values in supporting businesses and improving public safety, but distinguished themselves on subjects like Measure II and affordable housing.
District 3 is the only contested council race this election season and the seat is wide open to newcomer Morada and second-time candidate Hasni, with no eligible incumbent running in the race during Dublin’s first district-based election.
Also up for grabs in this election are the positions of Dublin mayor with four candidates on the ballot citywide and City Council District 1, where Mayor Michael McCorriston is running unopposed to represent the western part of Dublin in a regular council seat.
The District 3 forum immediately followed a debate featuring the mayor candidates on Monday evening in the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District boardroom at the Dublin Professional Center. Pleasanton Weekly publisher Gina Channell Wilcox and editorial director Jeremy Walsh moderated the event, which was co-hosted by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Hasni, former board chair of the chamber who also ran for council in 2020, opened the discussion with about 30 people remaining in the audience after the mayoral portion.
“As a local business owner and a proud father of a high school senior who’s right here at Dublin High School, I understand the joys, challenges and opportunities that families like ours face day in and day out,” Hasni said.
He said he prioritizes public safety, including police and fire departments, and maintaining a balanced budget. And as a leader, he considered himself to be a collaborative problem-solver.
Next up was Morada, a first-time candidate and former Dublin High School Parent Faculty Student Organization board member who also served as a trustee for the Dublin United Soccer League. “These experiences have taught me the value of listening and the importance of acting in the public’s best interest, rather than being swayed by either commercial interests or populist rhetoric,” he said.
Morada said his top three priorities are improving public safety, expanding affordable housing and supporting fair pay.
To kick off the question period, candidates were asked about their position on Measure II, called the “Dublin Traffic Relief, Clean Air/Open Space Preservation Measure”. This measure asks if City Council will acquire the power to approve limited commercial development in an area on the east side eyed to include the Dublin Boulevard extension.
Morada began by saying he supports Dublin working within its own boundaries. But if Livermore supported moving forward with “that”, then he’d also be supportive. If Livermore didn’t support “that”, then he’d want to understand why.
According to a letter from Livermore City Manager Marianna Marysheva to Dublin City Manager Linda Smith on July 15, Livermore doesn’t support commercial development along the extension area.
Morada said in terms of Measure II, “It’s yet to be determined exactly how we’ll benefit from it. The way that the budget today is being defined is somewhat nebulous, so I want to understand who’s paying for what and where that will come from because there’s still a lot of unknowns left.”
Hasni came out in support of Measure II — which is on the ballot as a letter-based label as assigned by the county (preceding Dublin’s other ballot issue, Measure JJ), although Hasni also pronounced it as “measure two” during the forum.
The measure would allow Dublin to consider options for constructing the road, he explained. And though he endorses Measure II, Hasni said he would listen to all supporting and opposing points of view before voting on a potential project.
To determine the impact of the extension, Hasni said that he wants to make sure an environmental impact report and California Environmental Quality Act review are completed prior to any development. (The city’s website notes that a final EIR for the Dublin Boulevard extension has already been prepared in accordance with CEQA, but the environmental impact of potential development alongside the extension that has not been studied yet.)
In final comment on the topic, Hasni said, “I support open space. We want to make sure we maintain our open space and protect our eastern urban limits, but I also know how important it is for us to bring in higher paying jobs to Dublin.”
Candidates were also asked how they would promote economic development for all businesses citywide and in District 3 specifically.
Morada, who cited 17 years of experience in the commercial sector and a background in mergers and acquisitions, said he wants to focus on refilling vacant commercial lots.
“That’s one of the most important, quickly impactful ways we can bring businesses back,” Morada said.
He suggested working with the city’s economic development team to find businesses to fill vacant locations, noting his connections with start-ups.
Hasni, who has been a small business owner for the last 15 years, shared Morada’s priority of filling up vacant lots. But Hasni focused the conversation on revitalizing Hacienda Crossings.
Also on Hasni’s priorities was business growth in eastern Dublin, which he said will be key to attracting higher paying employers to Dublin. Of particular interest to Hasni was bringing in industries like manufacturing, biomedical and clean technology, saying he has connections in the fields.
When the floor opened to what each candidate considered the most important issue in District 3 and their proposed solutions, Morada focused on improving bike lanes and public safety whereas Hasni focused on business development and improved traffic.
“I would love District 3 to become a much more bikeable part of the city,” Morada said.
Riding from nearby Fallon Sports Park to the events at Emerald Glen Park with his family, Morada said there aren’t enough well-defined bike lanes. “We’re either rumbling through a bunch of gravel or we’re having to divert ourselves to avoid the potholes that exist,” he said.
Also on the topic of safety, Morada said well-lit barrier poles along streets would improve safety for people who walk in the evenings.
Hasni followed up by complimenting the police for keeping residents safe to walk at night.
He repeated his support of business development in East Dublin and leasing out all of Hacienda Crossings, so “that doesn’t become another sad story like Stoneridge Mall”.
Hasni also wants to improve traffic and parking around Emerald High School.
Closing statements began with Morada, who expressed public safety as his top concern.
“Let’s talk about three specific numbers: 110, 11, one … 110 is the average heart rate for an 11-year-old child. And when I got the call that my daughter was hit by a car, I wondered if I’d ever hear her heartbeat again,” Morada said, his voice breaking.
He added, “When my daughter was hit, there was one driver in the car who was distracted because she was talking on the phone. So I stand before you today with the conviction to ensure that public safety is my No. 1 priority.”
Morada also said he wants to “frame affordable housing as affordable living” and address the insurance crisis with state representatives.
Hasni, who started by acknowledging his opponent’s emotional personal story, then shared, “As a father, husband, small business owner and entrepreneur, I am your candidate for this critical time as we transition from building homes to fostering and supporting businesses that will improve our local economy.”
Hasni also voiced support of public safety, operating a balanced budget, investing in parks and recreation, protecting open space and development of downtown Dublin.
A video of the full forum is also available on the Pleasanton Weekly’s YouTube page. Other question topics included Measure JJ, downtown Dublin and public safety.
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