Candidate for
City Council Member; City of Menlo Park

Important Issues

Rejuvenate El Camino Real - Call to Act

The property blight along El Camino Real from Atherton to Palo Alto is the number one issue in this campaign. The current and former city councils have failed to make timely decisions, and the result is disgraceful. The automobile dealerships began leaving Menlo Park over six years ago. The Park Theater has stood empty for even longer. Millions of dollars in potential tax revenue from this commercial land has been lost. At the same time the city has spent tax money on study after study. The only winners have been the consultants and lawyers. And still we have no decisions. We have "analysis paralysis" and a landscape of urban blight. The next planning phase will force the council into some hard decisions. I am sure they will find ways to stall the project with NO ACTION
It's time to stop the studies and start affirmative discussions with planners and developers. The continual investment renewal that has taken place in our residential neighborhoods should be the model we follow. Private land owners bring their proposals to the city engineers. If they conform to published codes and are not totally offensive the owner is allowed to invest and build. A drive through our residential areas gives proof that taking a positive approach works.

The City Budget - The Time is Now

The topic that has generated the greatest number of return comments is the budget management (or mis-management). There is concern that over the past two years the current city council has used money from the General Fund (rainy day fund) to balance the current budgets. Two years ago the General Fund contained $36 million. Today it contains $25 million. That's a 30% reduction! The goal for the city's rainy day fund is to have an amount equal to at least one year's operating expenses for the city. We're now well below that. It will be my goal as a fiscal conservative to restore the fund to where it needs to be, even higher.

We live in earthquake country. We are all told to keep a supply of water, food, batteries and other necessities in case we have a catastrophe. We'd hope to receive help to re-build damaged infrastructure, but a healthy rainy day fund will allow us to take quick independent action to address our own needs.

Menlo Park citizens are weathering the current national financial storm reasonably well but the water is rising around our comfortable island and we can't ignore the signs. Federal and state budgets are deep in debt. We can expect federal and state funds that have been flowing to local communities to dry up. Building budgets on a foundation that expects a continuing flow of funds from our governmental big brothers is imprudent. We need the tax revenue restored from the vacant commercial property along the El Camino Real corridor. And we need to start cutting back on expenses. Labor is the city's largest expense we need to look at current and future labor expenses.

Transparency of local government is critical

We need to preserve and improve our communications with the voters. My professional career has involved many public projects with communities of a variety of sizes. I've found that aggressive communications and education about projects has resulted in faster consensus and completion. Side deals and conversations invariably lead to confusion, misunderstanding and delay.

We have an excellent set of committees established to deal with special topics who volunteer to help the city. I have sat on some of these committees and worked with many others. I'd question if we need to form more "boards", "committees", or "action groups" in Menlo Park. If we use the channels now open to address citizen issues the communications will be clear and open and we will be able to act faster.

Improve community and open space

We must preserve and maintain the precious environment and remaining open spaces in Menlo Park. report card of what you can expect from me as a member of the city council.

Change in a World of New Energy

Menlo Park will need to anticipate alternative energy sources. Bicycles provide fun and exercise as well as transportation. We need to take a hard look at bicycle integration into our infrastructure.

Support our schools

Excellent schools are a major contributor to the quality of life in Menlo Park adding tremendous value to our community. We must ensure the City has open communication and a supportive relationship with the School District.