Candidate for
Council Member; City of Palo Alto

Having lived in Palo Alto for over 30 years, I have come to appreciate how my hometown set some expectations and appreciation of the built and natural environment. It helps me recognize so much that is good about our town.

I was born in Carthage, Missouri, a small town with a dense canopy that often meets in the middle of the street. Much of the town's core is either stately or working class post-bellum architecture built of native materials and more recent, largely compatible, infill construction ordered around a square, which was once the primary shopping district. The visual appeal and organization of Carthage is what prompted me to major is art and graphic design in college. Good design, old or new, really excites me.

I had four older brothers, and with a large yard, beautiful parks, and surrounding countryside, sports and exploring were natural activities. We were born to older parents who had lived through the Depression, so we learned not to waste anything of value.

When my former husband and I moved to Palo Alto, I thought we had achieved Nirvana. Remarkable canopy, beautiful neighborhoods, a downtown reminiscent of Bailey Falls at night, Christmas Tree Lane, May Fete Parade, numerous bookstores, and the Bijou Theatre. And Stanford University was a big bonus. Now I can't imagine living anywhere else.

I grew up curious, eager to be out of doors, and with a keen sense of fairness. I am glad to have maintained these same values as an adult......

These interests and qualities that I appreciate led me to become engaged in Palo Alto activities in ways that I never considered when we moved here. More recent concerns over projects that do not serve the community well and need for better transparency in City processes have held my attention.

It has been my privilege to invest time and energy in such activities as eight years on the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission serving two years as chair, neighborhood associations, the Palo Alto Zero Waste Task Force, and the Palo Alto History Museum.

I would be honored to serve you on the Palo Alto City Council.