Candidate for
Member, Town Council; Town of Tiburon

I believe that a balanced, moderate approach will produce good government for its citizens. I want to see our community improved and not stand for the status quo. Residents of Tiburon are fortunate to live in a great community, but we can aspire to make it better. I pledge to work towards that goal. I'm not an idealogue nor a single issue candidate. I will provide balanced leadership on the important issues we face in the coming years and press for the improvements that will make our community better.

PARKS. Imminently our multi-use path along Tiburon Blvd. is scheduled for reconstruction to accommodate a new water main. Let's not miss the opportunity of not only improving the path but take a larger view to the adjoining fields and the future of our vital recreational corridor. We need a committee to develop a master plan. Topics to consider: Should Blackie's pasture be irrigated? Should non-native trees and shrubs be removed? Should McKegney Green be re-leveled to create a better playing surface? What plantings should be restored along our shore? What will the retaining wall through the cut look like? Should the improvements to the playground at South of Knoll Park be incorporated into the plan? Do we really want to ignore this opportunity for improvement? Are we to leave it with MMWD to make it look right? It's time for prudent planning and foresight.

ROADS. The town's Director of Public Works has declared a substantial portion of our roads to be "dead", yet the town council only recently committed more capital expenditure to deal with this expanding problem despite annual budget surpluses and a remarkably healthy reserve. I'll advocate for more funds within the budget to bring our roads to the standards our community deserves. Secondly, let's also work with the County to widen and/or re-stripe Paradise Drive to accommodate the needed safety improvements for bicycles and cars.

LAND USE. The main issue facing the town is the Martha Property. I will be a friend to our environment on this issue, but at same time will work to find a balanced solution, which will benefit the immediate neighbors, the community at large, and create the maximum amount of open space. As a member of the Design Review Board, I have tried to promote cooperation and balance on contentious issues and to protect neighborhood characteristics.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. I own and operate a business with more than 65 employees and more than 10 times the operating budget of the town. I can be hawk when it some to overspending - I hate to waste money - but our reserve is now greater than our operating budget and that is not prudent management of the town's finances. We need to maintain a healthy reserve, but not to the extent of letting our infrastructure (roads & parks) decline, which is what has happened. I'm the candidate with the highest level of practical business and organizational experience to lead the Town Council on all financial matters.

LIBRARY. The Library is one of the town's most valuable resources for all ages. Let's fast track the extension to the greatest degree possible.

DOWNTOWN. Let's promote the continued revitalization with greater focus on the needs of the surrounding community and not on tourists from Pier 39.

It is not easy to unseat incumbents in an election, but such change can be good governance because it creates a new vitality on the Town Council. I will take a proactive role to provide fresh prospective, even handed leadership, and a balanced, practical voice for the town.