League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Yoriko Kishimoto Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Palo Alto

Questions & Answers

1. What specific steps would you support to balance the financial needs of the city with a changing regional business climate and potential effects on the quality of life in the area?

My top priority is to help Palo Alto meet its future challenges without sacrificing our environmental and community values.

On the Finance Committee, I have introduced new ways to deliver city services while reducing staffing to 1998 levels by focusing on productivity, innovation, accountability, and community partnerships. For example, in the libraries, I encouraged a self-service system and stronger partnerships with non-profits and volunteers.

On the revenue side, I am working with the California Avenue business district to attract a strong mix of businesses and improve the pedestrian environment. I believe in strategic initiatives such as Fiber-to-the-Home. Finally, I support tax reform initiatives to reduce our dependence on sales tax and have a broader, smaller tax more reflective of our new economy.

2. What are your priorities with regard to the balance of neighborhood issues and the broader needs of all Palo Alto?

We need to listen to neighborhood concerns but always in the context of a broad Palo Alto vision. I combine my background of neighborhood and environmental activism with my leadership at the city and regional level. As Chair of the VTA Policy Advisory Committee, I encourage neighborhood leaders to educate themselves on city and regional issues so they can speak as informed voices.

3. Where do you stand on the goal of retaining socio-economic diversity in Palo Alto, and if you support that goal, what steps would you take to achieve it?

Retaining socio-economic diversity in Palo Alto is one of my top priorities. We have a good mix of renters and owners, people of all races, a mix of single-family homes, apartments, single people and families. I was proud to become the first Asian elected to the city council. Retaining diversity takes constant vigilance. I support below-market and rental housing, our housing impact fee on new commercial development, our partnerships with housing corporations, and a zoning code and comprehensive plan which provides diverse housing types and sizes. I would also like to increase the diversity on our commissions and boards to make sure our changing demographics are reflected in policies and resource allocation.