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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 Nancy Mendizabal:
I have thirty-six (36) years of Public Service with an emphasis in construction management and public works. I have hands-on experience with budgets including large construction projects, our public schools, and contract negotiations in the City of Milpitas. I work closely with our schools, City bargaining units, and community groups to reach common goals.
Answer from Althea Polanski:
It has been my honor to serve the citizens of Milpitas for eight years on the city council. I have been actively involved in the community for 30 years. I served for 19 years on the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Education and helped to pass a successful bond measure to ensure all the schools in Milpitas benefited. During my term on the council we have built a new 60,000 square foot library while preserving a historical site on time and under budget. As the chair of the Neighborhood Services and Education Subcommittee, I was instrumental in working with staff to complete the renovation of the old library to a new 20,000 square foot senior center on time and under budget. I believe my experiences and proven leadership on the council make me uniquely qualified to continue to serve the citizens of Milpitas for another four years.
Answer from Gary Roope:
As a citizen (not a professional politician) running for office, I do not have the experience that our current incumbents have. I do have enough experience to know when politicians make bad decisions that hurt Milpitas. As a resident of Milpitas, I could no longer sit back and allow current policies ruin Milpitas.The first 3 words of the United States Constitution says "We the people", not "We the polititian".
Answer from Carmen Montano:
My experience includes serving on the Milpitas Planning Commission which gave me the background knowledge on land uses, permits and structural integrity of businesses and other structures and what environmental impacts they have in our city.
As a school board Trustee this gave me experience with bargaining units, analyzing budgets, approving capital projects that support our school facilities.
As aFirst 5 Commissioner for Santa Clara County I see first hand how the state legislature impacts various government agencies and their budgets. These experiences and more have given me an insight on how government can work for it's citizens.
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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 Althea Polanski:
The recession has had a major impact on city revenues and the residents of Milpitas. The council has streamlined permit processes to ensure government is more efficient to assist businesses to remain and move to Milpitas. Sun Power will be bringing much needed manufacturing jobs to the city. Increasing revenues is a major concern to ensure the services provided to citizens will be maintained at a high level. We must work to bring more business to the city to provide jobs and revenue.
Answer from Carmen Montano:
As with most other cities whose revenues have been in the decline, the most important thing is to attract new businesses into our city. New busineses will create jobs and ultimately bring in revenues to sustain public services to our residents without compromising quality of services.
We need to reevaluate and prioritize funding. Communicate with staff who work in the front lines who are experts in their field. Include them in the problem solving process so that we can work as a team to come up with new ideas and solutions so that we may become more efficient with less.
Answer from Gary Roope:
The city of Milpitas is controled by the city employee unions. The Walmart expansion vote and the "sacred cow" vote proves this. These 2 votes hurts Milpitas, and our residents know it knows it. Our projected city budget is 18% deficit. I will take the city in a new direction by standing up to the special interests and voting for what is best for Milpitas, not my campaign bank account.
Answer from Nancy Mendizabal:
An area of concern includes the growth and planning for proposed building in the Midtown and Transit Areas. As a Councilmember I will work with staff and developers to ensure that there is adaquate space for Community services, parks, and schools. I will not vote for new developments that do not include the necessary open space needed for a healthy community.
A balanced City budget is a major concern. Being fiscally responsible includes honest negotiations with city employees, not voting for contracts the City can not afford. It is my experience that open and honest negotiations create an atmosphere of trust so both the City management and employee groups can work together to balance the budget. A balanced budget allows us to avoid employee layoffs while providing the quality community services that we deserve and enjoy.
The quality of our community and the services we provide will help attract businesses to relocate to Milpitas. The City needs to streamline the permit process to create a more user friendly process to facilitate large and small business growth in Milpitas. This will create more jobs and expand revenue sources for the City of Milpitas.
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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 Nancy Mendizabal:
It is time to elect political leaders who can work with all stakeholders to build consensus around a plan to take advantage of our vast potential and make Milpitas a city where businesses can grow, workers can thrive, students can succeed and residents can enjoy the quality of life that they deserve. I am ready to accept that challenge and look forward to bringing a new common sense approach to our City government.
Answer from Althea Polanski:
I have always tried to take the needs of the city as a whole over any particular groups' interests. Recently, an expansion appeal came before the city council to expand a business owned by a large international company. There were strong arguments on both sides for and against the expansion. I felt it was important to read all the documents provided to the council as well as hearing from all of the citizens that spoke before making a decision. This is how I approach my decision-making process and will continue to do this when I am re-elected to the city council. I have found that open communication, listening to all sides and being flexible are important in working with all groups.
Answer from Carmen Montano:
Priority number one is safety, making sure that our residents receive the most prompt and efficient, public safety services possible. Secondly is to find out what are the priority needs of the community . Work with the city manager, city council and key staff to create an an assessment of services . Look for any duplication of services, waste, and how to streamline without compromising quality of city services, etc. Communicate with groups who have a shared vision in the well being of the city.
Answer from Gary Roope:
The only "group interests" that I care about are the residents of Milpitas, whether they vote or not. I, like many Americans, are fed up with self serving politicians, who treat our issues as a political game instead of working to solve the issues. It is time 'We the People" stand up to these special interests and take our city back.
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
