Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 2

I am a Santa Clara resident and homeowner, married to Terri (Silva) Kolstad with two grown daughters and one granddaughter. I graduated from San Jose State University and joined the Santa Clara Police Department where I served for over 31 years. After my retirement as a Police Sergeant, I was elected to the Santa Clara City Council.

When I was elected as a Councilmember in 2000, and again in 2004, I promised to work for regional solutions to traffic problems; expand affordable housing opportunities; support high quality public safety; maintain low utility rates and the annual clean up campaign; and keep Santa Clara fiscally sound.

I kept my promise.

When I served on the Santa Clara City Council, I voted to approve four Balanced Budgets.

I consistently voted to approve new housing projects, particularly affordable and senior housing projects.

I voted to adopt new guidelines and establish an agreement with a new bank to keep the First Time Homebuyers Program strong. This program has provided loans for hundreds of families to purchase their first home. Santa Clara was ranked #1 in the State of California and #2 in the Country for performance in providing affordable housing options.

I served as Chairman of the City Audit Committee, annually reviewing and recommending the approval of the Audit of the CAFR and the City's financial records. I was Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Mission City 21, working closely with business and the Chamber of Commerce in promoting economic growth in the City of Santa Clara.

I have strongly supported regional solutions to traffic problems including: BART to Santa Clara, Baby Bullet Cal Train, the ACE train to Santa Clara, and the Light Rail Extension.

As Santa Clara's representative to Regional and National Energy agencies, I voted for every generation and transmission project proposed which kept our rates the lowest and our service the most reliable in Northern California. We have refinanced JPA Bonds which saved Santa Clarans millions of dollars.

I have served as Vice Mayor, President of the Modesto-Santa Clara-Redding Power Agency and Chairman of the Board of the Northern California Power Agency. I have been a consistent advocate for Local Control and Public Utility issues with our elected representatives and regulators in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

As a former member of the City Council for eight years, I was and continue to be committed to conducting Santa Clara's business in an open, ethical and professional manner.

With your support I will continue to serve Santa Clara.