League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Gary C. Waldeck Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Town of Los Altos Hills

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

Los Altos Hills concerns that I have observed include:

• Continue our robust fiscal policy
• Provide essential services and infrastructure (Fire, Sherriff, cell, roads, sewers, etc.)
• A balanced approach to property rights
• Having a council that is approachable, gets involved with issues and is responsive to the community's needs

The town has had excellent fiscal stewardship and the participation of a skilled financial advisory group to help guide it as needed. There has been steady investment in infrastructure, but perhaps not quite as fast as desired. In particular, cell and internet services remain spotty in parts of our Town. A new 'Fast Track Guide' has just been released for developers designed to help them understand what is (and is not) important in the planning process that will result in reduced time, cost and disruption to develop or remodel properties. It is a very good work, but we need to maintain the momentum. Three words characterize my work ethic well: Involved, Responsive, Skilled. My approach is to get involved by digging in and understanding the issues, study the alternatives and then, make informed decisions. Each call is returned and acted upon to acknowledge our citizens and to better understand their concerns. I will use the skills developed over my professional career to effect measured, beneficial change.

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

The role of a Councilman is to examine issues and find a solution, usually, involving some compromise when contentious issues are in play. In many ways, it is like a contractual negotiation. Every stakeholder has a say in the outcome. In most cases, no one individual is completely satisfied with a particular result. But by considering the points of view of all of the interests and then considering what our long term goals are, reasonable people will usually arrive at a workable solution to almost any issue. In the end, not everyone will be completely happy with an outcome, but, they will be able to accept and live with it. A council member also operates as a mediator/negotiator that will protect and ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected.

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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 5, 2010 16:29
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