Tom Bates

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Tom Bates
Tom Bates
Mayor of Berkeley
Incumbent
Assumed office 
December 2002-
Preceded by Shirley Dean
Born February 9, 1938 (1938-02-09) (age 70)
Political party Democratic
Spouse Loni Hancock

Thomas H. Bates (born February 9, 1938) is an American politician and is currently serving as the Mayor of Berkeley, California. He previously served 20 years as a member of the California State Assembly before being termed out in 1996. Bates is married to Loni Hancock, a former mayor of Berkeley who currently represents the 14th District in the California State Assembly. Bates is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and was a member of the Golden Bears' 1959 Rose Bowl team. Bates was a Captain in the United States Army Reserves and served in Germany in the late 1950's.[1][2] He worked in real estate prior to his service in the state legislature.[2] Bates also served as a member of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.[3]

Contents

[edit] State Assembly

Bates served in the California State Assembly representing the 14th District (the East Bay Area) from 1976 to 1996. During those 20 years, Bates was known as one of the legislature's most liberal members. Under Republican governors, Bates authored over 220 bills that became law, including the creation of the East Bay Shoreline State Park, a number of progressive social policy laws, and the founding of the first Community Bank in the Bay Area.[2] Bates authored the first legislation in the country allowing "brew pubs" - establishments that brew their own beer for sales on and off the premises and are typically combined with a restaurant.[4]

After retiring from the Assembly in 1996, Bates taught at UC Berkeley and worked to ensure healthier foods in the Oakland and Berkeley school districts.[2] In 2002, Bates was drafted out of retirement to challenge the two-term incumbent mayor of Berkeley, Shirley Dean. He won the race with 55% of the vote.[3]

[edit] Mayor

Bates at a strike for UC workers in 2005.
Bates at a strike for UC workers in 2005.

Shortly after his successful 2002 campaign for mayor, he admitted to throwing away copies of The Daily Californian on the day before the election after the student-run campus newspaper endorsed his opponent, then-Mayor Shirley Dean. He was charged with an infraction and was fined $100. During his term, Mayor Bates worked with the City Council to pass a law outlawing the stealing of free newspapers. Additionally, he took the opportunity to speak to Berkeley public school students about the consequences of his actions.[5]

Mayor Bates' priorities include: expanding youth and education services, creating stronger environment policies, improving relations with the UC Berkeley campus, building more housing in the downtown, and restoring civility to Berkeley government [1]. He also supports zero tolerance in enforcing the legal drinking age, and in 2004 Berkeley police launched sting operations against many liquor stores and bars throughout the city, and found that 40%[citation needed] sold alcohol to minors and adults under age 21.[6]

In 2004, Berkeley voters approved Measure I, amending the City's charter to change the date of mayoral elections to coincide with presidential elections and to adjust the mayor’s 2006 term to two years on a one-time basis to accomplish this result. Therefore, the next mayoral election will take place in 2008.

In November 2006, Mayor Bates won re-election in a landslide, defeating former City Planning Commissioner Zelda Bronstein 63% to 31% - the largest margin of victory in a Berkeley mayor's race since 1967. (Native American and community activist Zachary Runningwolf and Christian Pecaut won 5% and 1%, respectively.)[7]

In January 2008, Berkeley drew national attention when the Berkeley city council passed a motion to send a letter to the US Marines to tell them they were "unwelcome intruders."[1] Bates voted to approve the motion.[8][1] He voted to amend the letter on February 12 to remove language like "unwelcome intruder" from the letter.[9] On 13 February 2008, Bates said: "I think it stands (that) we didn't want them here and they came here. And (they are) unwelcome, you know we'd like them to leave voluntarily. So I don't think an apology is in order."[10]

[edit] Offices held

Political offices
Preceded by
Ken Meade		 California State Assemblyman,
12th District
1976–1992		 Succeeded by
John L. Burton
Preceded by
Johan Klehs		 California State Assemblyman,
14th District
1992–1996		 Succeeded by
Dion Aroner
Preceded by
Shirley Dean		 Mayor of Berkeley, California
2002–		 Succeeded by
Incumbent

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c In Berkeley, push to rescind letter to Marines
  2. ^ a b c d Mayor's Biography
  3. ^ a b Bates, Hancock do a switcheroo He's mayor, she's in Assembly
  4. ^ Tom Bates: Beer Savior
  5. ^ Mayor walks with $100 fine: Bates stole Cal newspapers
  6. ^ BERKELEY POLICE CRACK DOWN ON STUDENT UNDERAGE DRINKING
  7. ^ ELECTION 2006 EAST BAY: Berkeley backs Bates; Albany takes progressive turn
  8. ^ City Council Info (sources 8 council seats and 9 total votes. 9th vote is Bates).
  9. ^ Berkeley will not send Marines "unwelcome intruders" letter
  10. ^ Berkeley Mayor To Marines: 'Don't Expect An Apology'