Candidate for
Council Member; City of Menlo Park

The Specific Plan was a city-wide and community led process that took us over six years to complete. We have projects coming in now that are very exciting and could bring a diverse mix of housing and retail and office i.e. start ups and software companies. The plan is now getting challenged through Measure M which will be on the ballot. We need to get this settled once and for all, send the Measure to defeat and move forward with projects that produce positive outcomes. The idea here is housing near transit and a more diverse mix of housing.

Redevelopment of our M2 (industrial corridor) has begun in earnest with Facebook and the approved Menlo Gateway on deck. We have a new police substation in the region and new fields. Crime is down and our local Belle Haven visioning process has been a great success. We need to keep the momentum behind this revitalization plan.

Pedestrian and bicycle safe passage is needed throughout our city. We have sidewalks coming to Santa Cruz Avenue from our downtown to Hillview Middle School. We have a potential pedestrian and bicycle tunnel proposed as part of the Specific Plan (this will go away if Measure M passes). We need to get people out of cars around town.

Environmental leadership is needed to help our great city move forward in challenging times. The drought will create new water policies that are long overdue, such as gray water infrastructure, water storage and new wells. We must continue to address our carbon footprint via the goals in the Climate Action Plan.

Sustainable budgeting and fiscal strength. We have come out of the recession with great success as a result of new projects and responsible negotiations with our city employees. The budget is balanced to allow us to preserve our wonderful quality of life.