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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,
Important Concerns,
Balancing Interests
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 Jose "Joe" Esteves:
With 12 years of experience, 8 as Mayor, on the Milpitas City Council, I have worked through many of the challenges of economic plenty and economic difficulties. I have made the difficult decisions necessary to balance requirements and resources and I have consistently fought for responsible fiscal policies in the Council and in the City. I have always emphasized public safety and quality of life for all residents. There are few simple solutions and it takes study, analysis, and understanding to make the best decisions.
Answer from Robert "Rob" Means:
Worked actively in local politics and City Hall since 1992 supporting several local ballot measures and in opposition to several land use proposals.
- Ballot measures to control hillside development include the Save Our Milpitas Hills effort in 1992 and Measure Z in 1998. Several school bond and parcel tax measures in 1996, the mid 2000's and the latest one in 2010.
- On land use, I opposed the Fairfield Housing Development on the western side of 880 and the Walmart expansion in 2009.
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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 Robert "Rob" Means:
The most important challenge Milpitas residents face is the risk to their quality of life - due to the expected long term gap between diminished income and the expenses necessary to provide essential and expected community services.
Balance of revenue increases and cost savings versus cost saving approaches only
Propose fees and/or taxes that raise the price of pollutants that raise revenue and improve public health. They also send a price signal to the market that may lessen the production of goods that have negative environmental consequences. Start in Milpitas and then push for adoption by other jurisdictions in SC County and then in the Bay Area.
Leveraged investments in advanced transportation technologies and smart energy programs
Work on a PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) system to improve circulation in the Transit Area around the new BART station and other areas in the City where it makes sense. Create a
PACE program to supply more solar-electric and energy efficiency for local residents and businesses.
Answer from Jose "Joe" Esteves:
We must ensure the financial strength and stability of the City and we must make the choices that balance requirements with resources. We must maintain responsive and quality Police and Fire Departments while staying within budgetary constraints and using innovative solutions. We must ensure ethical and open government that instills the residents' confidence in their City's elected officials and staff.
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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 Jose "Joe" Esteves:
This is always the challenge in Council decision making as rarely do simple decisions come to the Council. As Mayor, I am very active in meeting with residents at every opportunity, not just during election years. I listen, I discuss, I present. I find that when residents understand the issue, the challenge, the context, they are smarter and can support decisions both for the City as a whole and for specific interests. I make every effort to represent the people of Milpitas in balancing the needs of the community with specific interests. It helps greatly that I am not tied to any special interest groups; I do however encourage business and development in our City.
Answer from Robert "Rob" Means:
The bottom-line for my governing choices results from my 3-value filter of economics, environment, and public health. When we as a community come up with solutions that support all three values - financially sound, environmentally wise, and good for public health - then we have a solution that I can support.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as
submitted. Please answer each question in no more than 400 words.
Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
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
