I immigrated to Berkeley years ago, where I was greeted with ample love and acceptance. I saw opportunities in a city that was known for its inclusion of a variety of viewpoints, and I was happy to take part in civic discount. But more recently, I have found our community straying towards inequality and diversity - rather than inclusivity. I see in Berkeley policy decisions are being made from a one-sided approach and that do not take into consideration what's best for all the citizens it represents. I told myself that one day I would give back to the community that has given me so much. And now that time has come.
I would bring a balance to the Rent Board that is currently missing. It is meant to represent both landlord and tenant, yet the board is almost wholly comprised of renters. If I elected I will provide consideration for both tenant and property owner. I will work endlessly to ensure that decisions are made using fairness, equality, and empathy. This is an essential step in continuing to make the city of Berkeley one of the most desirable to live in.
I deeply encourage in-depth levels of communication and openness to all constituents. We must foster relationships that promote communication, not adversarial action. We must succeed in providing safe and affordable housing, not discouraging those that own housing to hold it back from the market. Continuing to deny homeowners that right to control their rental as they see fit through increase restrictive regulations, only continues to pose a major problem in dealing with our housing supply problem.
Susan Wengraf, Councilmember, City of Berkeley
Laurie Capitelli, Former Councilmember, City of Berkeley
Gordon Wozniak, Former City Councilmember, City of Berkeley
Malcolm Plant, Engineer, Former Member, Zoning Adjustments Board
Todd Andrew, Member, Homeless Commision; Advisory Board Member, Solano Avenue Business Improvement District
Stan Momtchev, Real Estate Broker
Babak Ghassemi, DDS, Dentist
Alameda County & City of Berkeley Voter Guide Candidate Statement
Daily Californian, Soulmaz Panahi Runs for Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, August 3, 2020
Copyright 2020 Paid for by Bahman Ahmadi for Rent Board 2020 FPPC #1431231; McDunn for Rent Board 2020 FPPC #1434066; Soulmaz Panahi for Rent Board 2020 FPPC #1431229; Wendy Saenz Hood Neufeld for Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board for 2020, FPPC # 1432145; Moldenhawer for Rent Board 2020 FPPC #1432468. Major funding provided by pawel Moldenhawer, Berkeley, $1,000.