Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Millbrae

I am Millbrae's hometown candidate, having attended Spring Valley, Taylor Intermediate and Mills High Schools. I was a cheerleader for the Bulldogs! and was honored to represent Millbrae's Chamber of Commerce as their 1971 Miss Millbrae at the young age of seventeen.

It was great being raised in Millbrae during the 60's and 70's - kids could ride their bikes forever without a care...the beautifully tree-lined streets were and safe and friendly, and the schools were unequalled anywhere on the Peninsula. It was an amazing little city then, and it is an amazing little city today.

Yes, the economy is wreaking havoc on our city budget, but Millbrae only needs to bridge over the short-term to a great future. We are well positioned with the opening of BART's intermodal station to be in a front row seat for new development when the capital markets take a better turn.

Yes, it's a difficult time, but Millbrae will survive. We are a proud and independent citizenry, and I am committed to listening to your ideas and concerns on how to beat this budget down - or to to stand by you and be supportive if your feel we must make tough-love decisions to bridge this economic gap. I will be there for you.

I remain committed as well to continue my fight to mitigate the negative impact BART could bring to our city. I am passionate about reducing speed in our neighborhoods, and have already set a program in motion to expand the State's Safe Routes to Schools program that enforces double fine for traffic violations on residential streets adjacent to our schools.

My husband and I are raising our family to embrace the spirit of volunteerism, and to be active, good citizens. My sons raised over $5,000 for the NY Police and Fire Widows and Orphans Fund following 911 by having people sponsor LEGO bricks in a 2,400 piece LEGO Statue of Liberty in front of Leonardo's Deli. They learned their actions speak louder than words through that experience, and that is how we live our lives.

Our actions - my actions speak louder than words, and through my activism, $315,000 came home to fund landscape improvements for the districts adjacent to the BART alignment, and the Senior Transportation Van received $50,000 in operating funds through a grant I championed through the Congestion Management Air Quality Committee.

I have gained experience over my 24 years in regional shopping center management with balancing multi-million dollar operating budgets for Fire and Police protection, infrastructure improvement reserves, new construction and maintenance programs, retail recruitment and retention and public relations- much like Millbrae.

There is much to do, but we absolutely have a bright future ahead of us. We have wonderful, vibrant, and beautiful community that deserves to survive this economic downturn with grace and strength.

Millbrae raised me - and it's raising my family as well- with much the same values I learned on it's beautifully tree-lined streets.

Will I work hard to protect the value of our homes, to strentghen and broaden our economic base,to support our Police and Fire Safety, and to grow our recreational opportunities for youth and seniors?

You bet I will - and with all my heart!

Mayor Linda Larson