League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Jon Baer Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Los Altos

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 worked effectively with the Los Altos community for over a decade, including my service on the Planning Commission for over 5 years, twice as its chair; serving 4 years on the Neighborhood Traffic Advisory Task Force; and my involvement in creating the civic center master plan, revising downtown zoning and creating new downtown design guidelines.

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

Downtown vibrancy-I will work with the various community organizations to identify ways to increase our downtown population days, nights, and weekends. I will continue to support new office construction outside the core of our downtown to increase foot traffic and restaurant business. As a City we need to be proactive about encouraging developers who share our values and well as enticing businesses that will be desirable to residents such as a great variety of restaurants and retail shops.

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

By asking good questions, listening carefully and remembering that the best solution is often one that neither side gets everything they want.

I have seen firsthand the difficult tradeoffs that are made between keeping things the way they are and helping the city evolve as new residents and businesses come to town and our needs change. I have worked effectively with City staff and the City Council as well as the community to help effect changes while respecting the values and sensibilities that make Los Altos special.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 6, 2012 12:53
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