The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale and asked of all candidates for this office.

See below for questions on Initiatives, Finances

Click on a name for other candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Dolly Sandoval:

I believe in slow, managed growth. I have worked hard on the City Council to protect existing neighborhoods from development. While I respect the residents who signed the initiative petitions, I believe that the measures, if passed, would have serious negative consequences for the City of Cupertino. Therefore, I oppose measures A, B, and C.

Answer from Orrin Mahoney:

While I understand the concerns of Cupertino citizens that led to the initiatives, I am opposed to them. These initiatives are too restrictive and remove the ability to have good design minimize the impact of reasonable density and height on the adjoining neighborhoods. Most development in Cupertino will now be upgrades to existing facilities. Overly restrictive limits will discourage effective renewals of declining shopping cemters and housing units.

Answer from Raj Vasant Abhyanker:

I strongly support the Initiatives (e.g., Ballot Measures A, B, C).

I did not come to this judgment lightly. I analyzed, weighed, and examined views of differing groups, companies, and interests.

I believe that the initiatives WILL achieve their objective of limiting unsightly growth in our city. After careful study, I do not believe that the Initiatives will be harmful to local employers, businesses, residents, affordable housing, and/or to schools.

I would be happy to share with you my thoughts in detail.

Answer from Jeanne Bradford:

While I respect the concerns and frustrations that have led to the initiatives, I do not believe that the measures, as written, will be effective in ensuring the slow, managed growth that our community requires. We need to protect our neighborhoods & hillsides, and ensure that when growth does occur, it is done thoughtfully, with a clear understanding of the direct impact it will have on traffic, schools and surrounding neighborhoods. We all need to be participants in a professional planning process, and have a collaborative voice in the issues before our community. Therefore, I am voting No on Measures A, B & C.

Answer from Marty Miller:

While the writers of the initiatives have good intentions, and I respect their opinions, the initiatives as written have undesirable and unintended consequences for Cupertino. They are inconsistent in their application. For example, they allow construction to a height of 45 feet on the HP campus, but only allow construction to a height of 36 feet on the Apple campus. In the Wolf road commercial corridor, the initiatives would allow some construction of unlimited height if the structure is built within 500 feet of the Wolf road centerline.

In my discussions with residents while walking voting precincts, many expressed concern with the pace and amount of development happening in the City. The initiatives would not limit either. Two separate developers are proposing housing projects in the Vallco area of approximately 17 units to the acre. The initiatives would actually allow an increase in the density of those projects to 30 units to the acre.

The initiatives would not address the concerns that Monte Vista residents have about a proposed single family housing project on the old Measurex site. Nor would they address the concerns of residents on Rainbow and Poppy Way for a single family housing project currently under construction in their neighborhood.

The initiatives will not control growth effectively. Good decision makers on the City Council and good planning will. The Planning Commission, of which I am the current Vice Chairman, recently recommended changes to the General Plan that will address growth and development in the City much more effectively than the initiatives. I would further advocate for a planned approach for major parcels in the City, such as the Vallco area, and involve the community in that planning.

Regardless of whether the initiatives are passed or not, I encourage both the supporters and the opponents of these initiatives to work together with the new City Council to address Cupertino's challenges in a collaborative way. Despite differences of opinion, we all want to preserve Cupertino's suburban character. I am optimistic about achieving consensus and workable solutions. Please join me in this effort by voting for me on November 8th.

Answer from Dolly Sandoval:

Major general fund revenue sources for Cupertino include sales tax, property tax, intergovernmental funds, utility tax and permit/fee charges. These funds are likely to continue as in the past.

In light of the tech recession and resulting drop in City revenue, I have had to help the City adjust priorities. I have supported budget moves including a hiring freeze, refinancing of debt, maintenance deferral, and spending part of our economic uncertainty reserves. I have been instrumental in cutting capital projects costs, ensuring projects run on budget, and promoted economic development.

In the future, I will work with my colleagues and the City staff to promote economic development, increase business-to-business sales tax and address the imbalance of property tax dollars that Cupertino receives.

Answer from Jeanne Bradford:

Cupertino is currently running at ~$2M operating deficit. With the combination of the state taking money away from the city, and the fact that the city receives only 4 cents on every dollar from our property tax, we must find realistic solutions to our city's financial situation, in order to afford the lifestyle that we all enjoy here in Cupertino. These are not easily issues, but they are solvable issues. Here are the steps I believe we need to take to get us back on track:

First, we must continue to control our costs. Attrition and reduction of programs and non-critical services should remain the target areas for continued cost control.

Additionally, we must focus on economic development as a way to increase our sales tax revenue. We must ensure that our local businesses are thriving and healthy. Everyone in Cupertino can play a role in supporting our local businesses: I urge you to join me and "Shop Cupertino". Collectively, we can make a significant impact on our local economy by choosing to do business in our city

Finally, we must attract new businesses (retail and B2B) to Cupertino. By attracting new businesses, we not only expand our tax base, but also mitigate against the impact of potential downturns.

Answer from Orrin Mahoney:

Cupertino only receives 4 cents of every dollar on your property tax bill. Therefore, a vital business base is essential to supply the revenue we need to maintain our parks, recreational centers, and other city services. It is also important that we revitalize our shopping areas to provide places to meet as well as to shop. Bakeries like Panera Bread and Le Boulangerie, and coffee shops such as Peet's, Starbucks, and Coffee Society add to the overall quality on life in Cupertino. The upcoming redesign of Vallco Fashion Park provides another opportunity to create great places to meet and enjoy life.

Answer from Marty Miller:

The City currently has a structural operating budget deficit of approximately $1.8 million a year. There are only two ways to make Cupertino financially sound: reduce expenditures and increase revenues.

Reducing expenditures requires a careful review of the City's current operations and spending patterns in search of more efficient ways to operate while minimizing the impact on services and service delivery.

Increasing revenues requires an evaluation of the City's current sources of income in search of ways to enhance those sources. It also requires identifying and implementing new sources of revenue that are compatible with the City's long term plans and objectives. For example, revitalizing our retail business districts and adding new establishments where residents would shop will increase the City's sales tax revenues. Furthermore, Cupertino must allocate resources to economic development (such as hiring a business development manager) in order to make that happen.

Addressing Cupertino's budget deficit requires attention to marketing and finance. I have more than 30 years of business experience in marketing and finance at technology companies; and, for the past 7 years, I have run my own business. As a City Council member I will apply my skills and experience to addressing the City's budgetary challenges. Please vote for me on November 8th.

Answer from Raj Vasant Abhyanker:

For Cupertino, a source of revenue with growth potential is Sales Tax revenue. We need to have a focus on retail establishments that can drive additional revenue to the city (e.g., Borders/B&N Bookstores, high end retail shops, etc.).

We should be careful that these retail establishments suit the character, interests, and desires of our residents, and operate in harmony with our city (e.g., do not create nuisances).

Building high-density housing will not bring significantly more money to the city, because the city only receives approximately 4% of proceeds from Property Taxes.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily.