The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Los Altos-Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Budget, Home Ownership, Service on Other Committees

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Margaret Abe-Koga:

I will first work on advancing economic development initiatives city-wide, understanding that healthy businesses lead to increased revenue for local government. I will also look to partnerships with federal, state and other local governments as well as with businesses and community-based organizations to maintain a high level of services. Also, we should explore investment opportunities and internal restructuring that will lead to long-term savings.

Answer from Laura A. Macias:

Mountain View is one of the few cities in the entire US to possess a AAA financial rating from Standard & Poor's. This reflects responsible fiscal management. I'll encourage increased economic development programs. Cities lag the overall economy in revenue recovery, so economic development must include short-term strategies for quick results. Public safety, planning services and public maintenance are core programs to be funded. I will make sure that those priorities are funded to insure day to day operations in order for the city to run smoothly for our residents, businesses and workers.

Answer from Stephanie Schaaf:

Economic development is key to increasing revenues, and I will continue to make that a priority. In addition, the city should ensure sustainable ongoing operating costs by making investments today that will pay for themselves and eventually save the city money.

We should invest in sustainable environmental policies that will also have a positive financial effect. The city saved $92,000 in one year by installing energy efficient stop lights, and I will expand that to energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems. Investing in recycled water infrastructure will save on ongoing water utility costs. The city should make green building techniques a standard for new public facilities. Such policies would also stimulate development of new technologies and business opportunities.

Answer from Matt Pear:

Maintain our City's AAA credit rating and balance the City's budget through effective use of taxpayer dollars and increase revenues through economic development rather than taxes. (California is one of the most expensive states in which to do business.) I volunteered for the SCCCA Economic Development Policy Committee to work with businesses and Councils to develope a regional strategy for consideration and adoption at the local council level to stimulate more sales, which is a significant source of revenue for Mountain View.

Answer from Tom Means:

As a professional economist, I am trained to evaluate tradeoffs that exist in decsion-making and know how to create value in the public sector. As a program director, I know how important it is to balance a budget. Proirity should go towards maintaining public safety and the quality of life for residents.

Answer from Nicholas B. "Nick" Galiotto:

Mountain View's FY 2004-05 budget, which I participated in adopting, provides for several service level reductions and related restructuring actions. I will continue to monitor the efforts of the city manager and staff to evaluate and recommend potential alternatives for organizational restructuring throughout the fiscal year. Also, I am strongly supporting our City-wide, North Bayshore, and Downtown economic development initiatives for a return to stability of City revenues and services through a positive business climate.

Answer from Matt Pear:

Our current housing crisis is the result of special interest and political impediments in the entitlement and depreciation of multifamily housing. Affordable housing can only be achieved through rental housing, which requires strong fiscal incentives. Government is the biggest impediment to affordable housing due to the numerous fees and the 1986 Tax Reform Act. The Home Builders Association of Northern California estimates City fees between $50,000 to $100,000 per unit. The objective is to allow investors to recoup their expenses through lower costs and shorter depreciation schedules, rather than completely through rents, as well as provide public assistance loans for home ownership.

We need to review zoning and surplus properties for housing in an environmentally sensitive manner that is supported by the appropriate infrastructure so that you do not diminish the character and charm of Mountain View.

Answer from Tom Means:

My website lists my viewpoints on how to develop more affordable housing. Similar to private colleges, I would support housing built for city employees.

Answer from Laura A. Macias:

For many years, Mountain View has been a city where working class people of many occupations live. That's part of what makes Mountain View a wonderfully diverse city. I want to find ways to increase home ownership. As a Council Member, I would support affordable housing stock and partner on programs to promote home ownership to encourage prospective home owners.

Answer from Stephanie Schaaf:

It clearly benefits the community to have workers who serve the community live here. In the long term, the best way to achieve housing affordability is to increase the supply of housing. Mountain View should pursue a sustainable balance of jobs and housing, focusing on putting new housing near transit options. In the meantime, I support continuing to give these families preference for our affordable housing units. The city should also pursue creative loans for first-time homebuyers, such as those programs already in place at the county level for teachers.

Answer from Margaret Abe-Koga:

Having public service employees living in the community is a great asset to strengthening our city. The Santa Clara County Office of Education which I currently oversee as a Trustee, has been a leader in bringing community leaders together to find ways to provide assistance for teachers to purchase homes in the communities where they teach, and I will continue to support such efforts. I would also look to applying some of those initiatives to other public servants such as providing assistance for down payments or loans for first-time homebuyers.

Answer from Nicholas B. "Nick" Galiotto:

I have promoted City efforts to meet the housing needs of our local critical service workers. The City has researched and offered educational housing workshops for employees of the City and both school districts, and can continue those. I want to improve our BMR (below market rate) opportunity which presently gives preference for the program's new housing units to local critical service personnel. These workers need to be fully anchored in our community for obvious reasons.

Answer from Tom Means:

I have over 20 years of experience as a faculty member working on various committees under collegial governance. I know how to produce results and consensus with committee members.

Answer from Margaret Abe-Koga:

I would be interested in serving on the Council's neighborhoods, transportation, and youth services standing committees and regionally on ABAG, Santa Clara County Cities Association Legislative Action Committee, the VTA board, and Project Cornerstone.

Currently as a member of an elected body, I have a track record of successfully balancing varied viewpoints and working as part of a governance team to build concensus in order to advance sound policy intiatives.

Answer from Laura A. Macias:

I would like to serve on the VTA board. Basic transportation must be maintained with adequate bus lines and train service. Recently in Mountain View, decreased train and bus service affected too many workers, seniors and school children. We can do better. Knowing how regional mandates affect city operations, I would like to serve on the Association for Bay Area Governments and other key Bay area bodies where I can influence strategic decision-making. Over twenty years' experience on boards, commissions and business management teams has been instructive as to how I work best as part of a leadership team. There are always times when one's personal views are not the view of the majority. As part of a Council representing the entire city, not just my personal views, I will move forward with a decision once it is made by the Council.

Answer from Nicholas B. "Nick" Galiotto:

I presently Chair the Council Transportation Committee and serve on the Neighborhoods, Procedures, and Youth Services Committees. On the regional level, I am a member of the Santa Clara County Cities Association's Legislative Committee, alternate to its Joint Economic Development Policy Committee, member Valley Water District Lower Peninsula Committee, member 2020 Peninsula Corridor Policy Committee, alternate to Santa Clara County Emergency Preparedness Council. The Council's adopted policies and goals set the parameters for issues that a Council representative may engage before other bodies. As Council representative, one must strive to present the Council's view, or ensure that a personal view is so identified.

Answer from Matt Pear:

I support Smart Growth, transportation, and water conservation; therefore, I'm interested in the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, the SF Bay Area Regional Water System, the CalTrain Policy Advisory Board, and the SCCCA Economic Development Policy Committee.

A Councilmember's committee vote is governed by the City's Legislative Guidelines and Policy Briefing book that represents the Council's position. For those issues not addressed by the City, the Councilmember is free to express their opinion.

Answer from Stephanie Schaaf:

Many of the issues we face are truly regional. I am interested in serving on regional bodies, such as the VTA board, Association of Bay Area Governments, League of California Cities and the Santa Clara County Cities Association. I would also like to serve on the Council Transportation Committee and the Community Health Awareness Council. I will advocate for my views at the council level, and then take the sense of the council to the boards.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.