Candidate for
Council Member; City of Mill Valley

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My goal as a member of the Mill Valley City Council is to maintain and improve the quality of life in this wonderful town. I believe in pursuing excellence in every facet of City government. I have lived in the City of Mill Valley for over 23 years and I have been involved in a wide range of activities in our City including the following:

1. Mill Valley Planning Commission (six years, Chair for one year);

2. Mill Valley Bicycle and Trails Committee;

3. Mill Valley Affordable Housing Committee;

4. CERT certified (Community Emergency Response Team);

5. Fundraiser for the Mill Valley Community Center;

6. Fundraiser for the Tam High Foundation;

7. Fundraiser for Kiddo!

8. School District Class Size Reduction Task Force;

9. Old Mill School Site Council (two years. president for one year);

10. Old Mill PTA (committee chair three years);

11. Tamalpais Preschool Board of Trustees (president);

12. Mill Valley Soccer Club (president four years, board member twelve years, coach for 12 years, team manager for 8 years); and

13. Mill Valley Little League Board Member (coach nine years, statistician 4 years.

My broad involvement in the community, including the people I have met and the decisions I have made in these volunteer situations, is an important and helpful, background for any Mill Valley City Council member. Any success I have achieved results from my efforts to reach a consensus on issues. When resolution is difficult and I must take on a decision maker role, I give all participants a free and fair chance to present their side, and I thoughtfully consider all issues, ramifications and the people involved. I learn much more by listening than by talking. I am proud of the fact that while in a decision making position, such as on the Planning Commission, I have not hesitated to change my position if I am given new information that justifies a change. This flexibility is an important characteristic for a City Council member.

As for my education, personal history and work experience, I graduated with honors form UC Berkeley in 1973 and from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1976. I moved to Marin in 1976 and to Mill Valley in 1984. I married my wife, Leslie, in 1983 and we have four children, ages 21, 18, 16, and 12. They attend USC; University of Colorado, Boulder; Tam High and Marin Country Day School. My wife is as active in community affairs as I am, and we encourage, each other to volunteer to work for the community, its organizations and its citizens. I joined the law firm of Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick in 1982 and have been a partner since 1986 with a specialty in land use, real property, financial institutions and litigation. I have been a partner since 1986.

MY KEY ISSUES ARE

(1) (a) The Miller Avenue Precise Plan and (b) concerns about traffic congestion and parking through out Mill Valley;

(2) Need for increased community participation in City decisions;

(3) Environmental responsibility/Repair;

(4) A reasonable City policy to increase the inventory of affordable housing in the community;

(5) Emergency Preparedness and Fire Safety;

(6) Support of local serving businesses; and

(7) Personnel Issues.