League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	Marilyn Marchetti Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Saratoga

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?

1.) I have been, and am currently, involved in several volunteer projects in the city that have given me a great understanding of how city government works and how to get things done in Saratoga.

2.) I have interacted with various neighborhoods throughout the city, have an accurate understanding of their concerns, and have great ideas on how to address and resolve their issues.

3.) As a successful small business owner, and previously with a large corporation, I have extensive experience in fiscal management, strategic planning, administrative oversight, budgets and board leadership.

I would add a valuable perspective to the City Council.

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

My largest concern is that the people of Saratoga feel they are not fairly represented; that they are not heard and that no one cares. We need to bring back the commissions and involve the citizens more in our decision-making. We need to earn back the citizens trust, so they will have confidence that we will make the right decisions for all of Saratoga.

After making sure that North Campus and Kevin Moran Parks plans are up and running, a few of the first things I would want to do is 1.) work on updating the General Plan, as it will help resolve many other issues the city has, 2.) restore our commissions to improve on citizen input and save consultant costs, 3.) explore options to reduce noise from Highway 85, 4.) review and improve on the plan for street maintance. 5.) work on plans to revitalize Saratoga Village, the Gateway and Cox Avenue Business Districts, with input from the citizens.

I am also concerned about the use of our city's limited funds and I would be fiscally responsible to ensure wise use of our tax-payers dollars.

3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?

I believe that each specific interest needs to be assesed individually. In most cases we need to do what is best for the greater good of the whole city. However, in situations that involve neighborhoods, the neighbors conciderations are extremely important. It is important to hear each side of an issue, do your own research, and adopt a plan that meets the needs of the community.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 7, 2006 21:27
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