League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Carmen Montano Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Milpitas

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?

My experience as a proven leader includes being elected twice as a school board trustee for the Milpitas Unified School District. This position entailed approving budgets, employee negotiations and prioritizing student achievement by approving programs that helped close the achievement gap. Also Community Service as a Planning Commissioner, Parks & Recreation Commissioner and a Library Commissioner. I currently serve as a First 5 Commissioner for the county of Santa Clara and there I also analyze and approve budgets.

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

Due to the state budget crisis and the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency, it has created challenges of balancing the city budget. The effects have created decreased revenues to maintain core services to our residents. Analyzing the city budget and finding where there is waste and prioritizing what services are vital. Negotiating with city employee groups is important as well. Attracting new businesses to Milpitas and investing in smart growth near mass transit will bring in new revenues.

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

In order to balance the needs of the city there needs to be prioritization. There needs to be evidence based analysis of the effectiveness of services to the community. City council and staff need to do work together as a team to study and evaluate their effectiveness to the needs of the community. Looking at all City departments and groups need to be examined to ensure that we maximize for total efficiency and effectiveness of city services to the community.

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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: November 5, 2012 22:04
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