League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 5, 2013 Election
	Gustavo Magana Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Sunnyvale; Seat 2

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. Of all the experience related to city government you would bring to the City Council, which three would be most important to your effectiveness and why do you think so?

The three which would be most important would be my experience leading a large organization when I was the Multicultural Center Director. I dealt with students, University Administration, and community groups to accomplish collaborative goals. I also would point to my strong experience helping my community and providing programs to educate and promote higher education to local disenfranchised youth. Finally I was able to successfully reduce a budget deficit while I was Director and leave the organization with a surplus.

2. The City Council is now in the process of selecting a new City Manager. What, specifically, is working well about the selection process, and what would you like to see done differently?

They are currently trying to work together so that is a plus. Yet what I would like to see differently would be the criteria thats being considered of the new city manager. I would like to see the position filled by a woman because I feel that in Sunnyvale there is a lack of adequate representation of higher level jobs filled with qualified women. It is not because there are not any qualified women, there are several, it just up to us to make it a priority because our city representatives should reflect the make up of the city.

3. What has the City done to make its pension liabilities sustainable? Would you advocate for additional changes?

They have worked with the different labor groups to a certain degree to negotiate changes and I respect that. I would advocate though that we not look to cut pensions right off of the bat to save money. People who have worked for years loyally to Sunnyvale depend on and deserve those pensions. It is the American dream to be able to work hard at a job and not have to worry about financial security when you retire. Personally I would never want severe financial insecurity to cloud and ruin any fellow citizens retirement.

4. What is the most important accomplishment of the City Council in the last two years? What is its greatest failure?

Its greatest accomplishment is that it has worked towards making Sunnyvale more sustainable. Its greatest failure is that there are so many issues that need to be addressed that are overlooked and have been overlooked for decades in this city. Issues like drugs, gangs, or poor high school graduation rates. They are not addressed effectively and sufficiently and its a shame it has not been a priority. As a city council member I would tackle all of those issues.

5. Who are your top five donors and what total amount have you received from each one? What conflicts of interest can you foresee from your campaign contributions, and how would you handle them?

My top five donors are:

Santa Clara County Democratic Club with $100 Matthew Maloof with $5.00 Gustavo Magana with $100 Vitalis obdene with $15 Gildardo Villa with $20.00

I see no conflicts of interest from campaign contributions.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits for answers are 400 words for all questions. 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: September 18, 2013 17:14
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