League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Mary Emerson Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 3

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?

I have been a leader in grassroots local politics for the past 18 months, and have worked with and observed City government over this time. Santa Clara is a well-run city and a great place to live. However, it would benefit from more diversity of people, skills and approaches on the City Council. I will bring my core values as a progressive, my analytical skills and my unique experience in the corporate world to the City Council.

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

The Economy

Nearly half of our City's budget comes from two sources: Sales Tax (28%) and Property Tax (19%). These revenue streams are controlled by the State and the County -- both of which have their own economic challenges. In fact, the City's share of Property Taxes has eroded over the years, with Santa Clara losing over $44 Million since 1992.

My goals are:

• rebuild the reserve fund,
• control unnecessary costs,
• look at creative way to fund programs, and
• maintain focus on the core business of the city -- protecting public safety and serving the needs of the community at large.

Residential Development

The city has embarked on the General Plan update, developing an overall model for how we want to shape our city and our neighborhoods over the next 25 years. Meanwhile, several large residential development projects are being discussed prior to finalization of the plan.

Residents have raised concerns about these proposed developments, including how to ensure there is adequate infrastructure in place prior to approving new developments.

My goals for these new developments are to ensure there is a solid process in place for public participation and involvement in the development decisions. Development needs to be done in a manner that preserves the character of existing neighborhoods, and maintains a good quality of life for everyone.

All development projects should be examined to ensure we have the infrastructure to support them, including:

• appropriate transportation (including alternate forms of transportation),
• useful services integrated into or in the vicinity of communities sufficient open space,
• clean drinking water, adequate waste disposal

San Francisco 49ers Stadium Proposal

The city has spent the last 18 months evaluating the SF 49ers' proposal for the city to subsidize, own and operate a professional football stadium. While the concept of a stadium seems exciting, many residents have complained that the proposal seems too expensive, too risky and provides no benefit to most Santa Clarans. After extensive analysis of all of the facts and data made publicly available to date, and after speaking with City Staff and Santa Clara residents, I have concluded that this project is not good for the City of Santa Clara.

My goals are to:

• end the current negotiations, which have already cost the city close to $1 million in consulting fees and significant (but unaccounted-for) staff time. This will also free up millions of dollars of redevelopment funds that are essentially frozen until it is decided whether to proceed with the stadium.
• initiate a project to work with the community to understand what the real needs are in the North of Bayshore redevelopment area.
• work with the community and elicit proposals for projects that would meet those needs. If there is no substantial need identified, then we should retire all debt and terminate the RDA early.

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

First, I'd need to make sure I had a complete understanding of the situation, any common goals and where there are disconnects. By discussing issues openly, and involving the community, I would try to build a common understanding of the situation, the perceived outcomes, and the actual cause of any conflict.

With a clear understanding of the concerns of each stakeholder, we'd be in a better position to craft a solution that meets the needs of the City overall, while addressing individual groups' concerns.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 21, 2008 11:30
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