League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Diane McNutt Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Town of Los Gatos

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the city council?

I have served eight years on the Los Gatos Town Council and have more than 25 years of experience as a community volunteer in Los Gatos and the Silicon Valley region.

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

The Town of Los Gatos has accomplished much in the past few years, but there are major challenges ahead and decisions to be made that will impact the community for generations to come. The lingering recession continues to jeopardize revenue coming to the Town that pays for General Fund expenses such as police, library, parks and streets. Several huge development proposals are expected in the next two years that will require careful and cautious analysis and tough decisions. As a hillside community with many neighborhoods at risk of wild fires and floods, and all residents at risk of earthquakes, we need to increase emergency preparedness. I will approach all of these concerns in the same way as I have in the past -- with thorough preparation, fair and objective consideration of alternatives, and thoughtful policy decisions that protect the special nature of our town and enhance it whenever possible.

3. How would you balance the needs of the city as a whole with groups' interests?

Every decision that comes before the Town Council has at least two opposing points of view. In many cases, the answers are not easy or clear cut. We use the General Plan and other standards and guidelines as the base for analysis, and then weigh the pros and cons of competing values and priorities. It is important to approach each issue with an open mind and the willingness to make difficult decisions, knowing that they will displease some.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 4, 2010 14:14
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