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The following two poll responses came into the Alameda Sun newsroom after the poll closed answering the question, "What is the one thing you would change about how Alameda city government operates?" Interestingly, they agree.

Transparency: We don't know who gets what in terms of money until way later. For example rumors abound that the Alameda Fire Department paid the rent for Mayor Marie Gilmore's campaign headquarters. The city council makes decisions about the people who donated the money. The fi re contract got approved before the campaign dollars were even publicized. Ron Cowan gave to the campaigns of Johnson and Gilmore and now Cowan wants to break the law. If you have recreational land, you can't change it to something else. Cowan donated to the council and we fi nd out months later. Don't they have to say who donates to their campaign?

— Name Withheld

What we need at city hall is more transparency and more accountability for the far too many screw-ups in 2011. From the taint (in every extreme use of that word) and remaining stench of SunCal on the current power core, to the potential disaster at the Mif Albright Golf Course, the Park Street tree disaster, the fi re chief and city manager blunders, the beach suicide and far too many lawsuits against our city; we also desperately need some fi nesse and expertise from Mayor Marie Gilmore and our new "prime-time" City Manager John Russo.

For instance, I'd covered mayors Ralph (Appezato) and Beverly (Johnson) for years. They were present at most functions and accessible to anyone in our city, Gilmore not so much. I've yet to cover an event where she's shown up. Russo even blew off several Park Street tree removal discussions and sessions, which is reprehensible.

— Mike Lano