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The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Experience,
Concerns,
Balance
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the city council?
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Answer from Joseph W. Carrillo:
Attending city council meetings, chamber of commerce meetings, and environmental affairs meetings. Volunteering for the city of Morgan Hill, and being a chamber of commerce member for three years.
Answer from Gordon Siebert:
I have managed a city, city departments and several businesses in my 35 year career. My experience includes serving as Morgan Hill's Director of Public Works (1989-1995) and Finance Director (1990-1991), City Manager in Palos Verdes Estates (1985-1989), Vice-Chair of the Measure A/B (County Transportation) Citizen's Watchdog Committee, owner of a book publishing company and partner in several successful engineering consulting firms serving numerous California clients.
Answer from Rick G. Moreno:
I want to use my knowledge and expertise as an experienced business owner to get Morgan Hill on the right track of responsible growth and sustainability. I understand the true meaning of being fiscally responsible and living with one's own means. As a business entrepreneur, I successfully revived and gave back to communities 17 businesses.
Answer from Lee Schmidt:
I have over 37 years experience in the private sector, managing and owning businesses. I understand how to motivate, recruit and engage people of different interests and backgrounds in order to accomplish mutual goals. I have also developed a commercial condo project so I understand working with cities from the builder/developer side of the equation.
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2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?
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Answer from Lee Schmidt:
Public Safety - We deserve first class public safety provided by officers proud to serve our City. We must offer the best training, equipment and leadership possible.
Financial Accountability -First we must guard our income streams, 2nd- we must spend money wisely 3. adjust as neccesary.
Responsible Growth - We must grow in a manner that doesn't negatively affect existing areas, especially our downtown. The right mixture of housing, business and recreation is what Morgan Hill needs now.
Answer from Rick G. Moreno:
I look around Morgan Hill and I see a beautiful town and a vibrant community dedicated to family. I also see ways that we can grow and thrive while still preserving the spirit and values of Morgan Hill. At the present moment, there are several controversies happening in Morgan Hill: (1) issues with funding for vital services such as law enforcement and medical emergency services, (2) downtown revitalization and proposed development of South East Quadrant, (3) flooding. As a business owner, I know the importance of prioritizing issues. The issue that needs the most attention at the present moment is vital services. I do not believe in balancing budget at the expense of vital services that keep community functioning and safe. There are number of projects that can be and should be postponed simply because in this tough economic times it is not viable to invest in projects that would require additional funding for maintenance. As a community, we should be wise in how we allocate our funds and strive to be self-sustainable. I believe the City should seek out partnerships with local businesses to ease the burden in maintaining and operating certain facilities. Developing new partnerships will help the city to keep spending at reasonable level and benefit community in the long run.
Answer from Gordon Siebert:
Voters with whom I've spoken are concerned about the City's availability of funds to maintain vital public services, especially police and fire, improving the Downtown and maintaining residential growth control. I would use my experience in developing and managing city budgets and operations to assure that the General Fund is receiving all revenue due it and to propose budget reductions as necessary; to encourage Downtown growth through City policies and targeted RDA investments, and continuous scrutiny of growth control policies set by City Council.
Answer from Joseph W. Carrillo:
Helping with the budget deficit by encouraging volunteering and ideas for community events.
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3. How would you balance the needs of the city as a whole with groups' interests?
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Answer from Gordon Siebert:
Effective problem-solving begins with trying to define the problem by listening to various people with different interests, seeking information from experts and other informed sources, and discussing alternatives with Council colleagues, city staff and with community members, including those affected as well as unaffected by the alternatives. My educational disciplines (civil engineering and public policy) gave me a solid base, my experiences in government and business have taught me how to bring people together to solve problems and implement improvements.
Answer from Lee Schmidt:
I believe that government should be the voice of the people. The greater good should take precedence over the desires of any group, and needs should always preceed wants.
Answer from Joseph W. Carrillo:
By doing what's best for the entire community.
Answer from Rick G. Moreno:
As a business owner, I strongly believe in power of negotiations and compromise while still maintaining your interests. Having a successful business in downtown Morgan Hill, I am working closely with the community and very well aware of issues that are faced by individuals and community as a whole.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
