Who does the Daily Post Support?

By Warren Lieberman

Read about which three candidates the Daily Post supports and the reasons driving their endorsements

Daily Post Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Belmont voters will select among six candidates for three seats on City Council in this election. Two incumbents, Dave Warden and Coralin Feierbach, decided not to seek re-election, leaving Warren Lieberman as the only incumbent in the race against five challengers.

On perhaps the most polarizing issue to face council in the past couple of years -- the proposed Crystal Springs Uplands School campus pro- posed for 10 Davis Drive -- all six are in agreement that they wanted a school there, and would have tried to negotiate a better deal rather than giving up, as council did.

That's encouraging since council's decision to reject the school baffled us. A deal could have been reached in which the school would have paid enough to make up for the loss in property taxes that would come with a nonprofit using that land. And there were various ways to mitigate the traffic caused by the school.

But council's decision seemed to have been based on emotions and personal agendas rather than logic.

Hearing the six candidates explain how they would have handled the approval was encouraging.

During the Crystal Springs debate, Lieberman was a voice of reason on council, offering solid arguments in favor of the school though he ultimately lost the battle in a 3-2 vote. Lieberman has impressed us as thoughtful, prudent and open to different points of view. Keeping him on council would provide continuity and institutional knowledge as two new members will join the dais after this election.

Another good choice is Eric Reed, a former planning commissioner, who would bring a positive outlook to council. We like the part of his plat- form that calls for reducing burden- some regulations on homeowners and businesses. He also wants to make the city more family friendly by improving playing fields and recreational facilities, and strengthening the city's relationship with its various schools.

Another candidate who will improve the city's bond with schools is Charles Stone, chair of the Belmont-Redwood Shores education foundation endowment known as School-Force. He has solid ideas about attracting new business. He wants to focus growth near the Caltrain-El Camino corridor and protect residential neighborhoods from overdevelopment. He promises to convert Barrett Community Center into a modern recreational facility.

Of the six candidates, the Post is pleased to recommend Lieberman, Reed and Stone for City Council.