League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 7, 2006 Election
	Jim Sorden 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?

Saratoga needs and deserves the strongest fiscal leadership possible. I bring decades of management experience to the City. As a corporate executive vice president, I managed a budget more than 10 times greater than Saratoga's. In doing so, I did not spend frivolously or throw money at proposals and problems without careful study and the assurance that the time was right for action.

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

I have many concerns for the betterment of Saratoga. To name a few: the need to improve our roads, walkways and trails, stronger compliance with the state's Emergency Response Plan, and stronger pollution controls. I am especially concerned with protecting our beautiful neighborhoods. One way of doing so is by listening to and valuing all neighbor's concerns and maintaining careful oversight of architectural compatibility.

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

All cities have basic critical needs: structural, environmental, and being in compliance with state laws. These needs must not be compromised by the wishes of any one group. However, there are often circumstances where a specific group evidences a need that does not conflict with the city as a whole and which, in fact, may enhance Saratoga. This is another reason why I am strongly committed to listening to the needs of all residents and giving each citizen a stronger voice. I feel it is therefore imperative that the City Council restore the commissions and advisory committees which the current City Council terminated.

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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 2, 2006 16:41
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