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The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Experience,
Concerns,
Balance
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the city council?
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Answer from Frank Jewett:
In order to stimulate economic activity and build on the quality of life within our community, I will work to increase business marketing through the creation of the Campbell TV Business Channel to promote and showcase small start-ups and on going businesses that will provide resources to maintain services and increase home values within the city. I will work for the creation of a business incubation program that will support education within Campbell. I will lead the charge by using my 20 years of business experience and community resources to promote and make the case for lower taxes necessary to attract and keep businesses in the City of Campbell. The reduction of taxes and the increase in local businesses with the decrease
Of non-vital services will be assist in getting beyond the budget crisis. Growing jobs and businesses in Campbell proactively will be at the TOP of my agenda as your Ambassador on the City Council. My personal commitment is to encourage and secure (5) new companies for the City of Campbell within first 100 days after election.
Answer from Brian Brennan:
--BROAD POLICY EXPERIENCE: The issues that I work on professionally with tech companies across Silicon Valley are the same ones of concern to us in Campbell: from education and jobs to traffic and the environment.
--UNDERSTANDS SENIOR CITIZEN ISSUES: My work on the Santa Clara County Senior Care Commission has given me the opportunity to delve deeply into seniors' issues.
--LAND USE BACKGROUND: I have been exposed to land use issues through participation in both a general plan task force and a land use advisory body.
--ECONOMIC VITALITY: My professional work with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group means that I understand businesses' decision-making processes surrounding where to locate and grow jobs.
--THE COMPLEXITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: California local government was the subject of my PhD dissertation, such that I have a strong understanding of the local government landscape.
Answer from Elizabeth "Liz" Gibbons:
I have 20 years of experience with the City Manager form of government, beginning as the RDA project manage for the Downtown Streetscape Project, establishing an endowment fund for the Historical Museum as a means of financially sustaining the Ainsley House and Historical Museum. Also as Planning Commissioner where the Capital Improvement Plans are presented each year, the General Plan updates are scrutinized in Public Hearings for City Council approval and major City initiatives for development within Campbell are presented. As Chair, I conduct Public Hearings - calm and contentions as well as disappointing and rewarding. I respect and support the open public process.
Answer from Richard Waterman:
As a local Campbell business owner, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Vice-Chairperson of the Campbell Parks and Recreation Commission and Board Member of the Campbell Chamber of Commerce, I have the critical, broad-based experience needed to ensure Campbell prospers during these difficult times.
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2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?
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Answer from Brian Brennan:
--EDUCATION: There is no more important issue to our community than education. While school districts have primary responsibility in this area, the city can support their critical work by more agressively looking for opportunities to share facilities, and by celebrating the academic acheivements of our students as part of our city awards program.
--PARKS: With budgets tight, we have to be creative to be sure that our parks remain gems in our community. One way of doing this is through and "Adopt-a-Park" program, in which community groups would agree to help keep a park in good shape. Not only would this conserve municipal resources; it would also provide an opportunity for civic engagement.
--ECONOMIC VITALITY: We want a diverse and growing economic base, and technology companies have an important part to play in this. Part of my mission on the Council would be to highlight the remarkable tech companies already located in Campbell, and work to champion our city as a great destination for cutting edge companies.
Answer from Elizabeth "Liz" Gibbons:
First, managing the impact of the economy on City services. We need to support the business community is to ensure Campbell remains a destination where people want to visit and spend money. Small infrastructure projects such as trees, lighting and facade programs contribute. Important Council actions now include:
- Continue to control and monitor expenditures;
- Support staff in implementing the cost controlling measures of 2010-2011 budget;
- Look for partnership opportunities with surrounding towns and cities with similar community value;
- Continue to educate the residents that the money spent in Campbell directly fills the City's general fund;
- Maximize technology to reduce costs
The General Plan, Zoning and Ordinance need continued monitoring for compatibility of uses and a business-friendly revenue-generating economy. There are solutions, preferable without trade-offs. I support zoning that entices new businesses to Campbell. We need a Council that gives confidence to investors and entrepreneurs in Campbell. RDA has implements some very successful programs and these should be continued. The City should not risk taxpayer dollars underwriting small business loans.
Second, maintaining safety, including traffic control.
First priority is to ensure Campbell PD has what it needs to enforce existing laws and regulations in all neighborhoods. Second priority is to evaluate the City's policy for non-physical traffic control measures. Non-intrusive measures are possible. Stop signs and red curb to improve sight lines are non-intrusive.
With my election, a network of email trees connected to the Police Department will facilitate distribution of information about criminal activity in specific neighborhoods. Equally important, this structure may well serve our community in the event of an emergency. Emergency Preparedness will be a hallmark of living in Campbell. The Public Works Department will be asked to revisit the policy and, at the very least, provide an expanded list of options for residential areas impacted by speeding and cut-through traffic where there is a documented problem.
Answer from Frank Jewett:
I would develop partnerships between local school and educational districts to build state of the art new library facility and badly needed homework centers to promote student educational achievement. Implement a partnerships program between local business organizations to create a business technology incubator program to support start-ups and ongoing small businesses to develop an innovation technology conference center in Campbell to generate revenue.
Answer from Richard Waterman:
We, as a nation, are going through a big economic downturn from which Campbell is not immune. Campbell has been forced to dramatically cut its budget by raising taxes and fees while reducing city services. We can address these issues by encouraging appropriate new businesses to reside in Campbell through proven methods such as small business loan guarantees.
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3. How would you balance the needs of the city as a whole with groups' interests?
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Answer from Richard Waterman:
We need to provide open forums for all affected parties to discuss and air their issues in public and in front of the City Council. As a City Councilmember, I will weigh the short- and long-term needs of the city next to the residents' concerns, business needs and other city-wide group interests.
Answer from Brian Brennan:
James Madison thought that pluralism - a vibrant discourse between social groups - was critical to the success of our democracy. I believe that citizens have the right and responsibility to participate actively in their government, both as individuals and with others, and listening carefully to citizen concerns will be critical for me. At the same time, the role of the Councilmember, in my view, is to assimilate the input of the various interests in our community, and make the decisions that are best for the whole community. This is what I would strive to do on the Council.
Answer from Elizabeth "Liz" Gibbons:
Instilling transparent government as an intuitive practice.
- Keep up the "Election" dialogue. Hold at least two City Council meeting per year in the community, perhaps at schools
- Require City projects to follow the same entitlement process as private projects
- Expand the notification for project requiring Public Hearings
Answer from Frank Jewett:
Maintain prudent fiscal management of city resources without raising taxes.
I would focus on fiscal issues such as increases in the Emergency Reserve Fund.
Develop 3, 5 & 7 year-long term fiscal priority plan.
Develop work metrics to reduce cost and enhance city services
Avoid tax measures that impact vital city services.
Support sunset provisions in tax measures for non-vital emergency services
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
