Candidate for
Council Member; City of Los Altos

As a Council Member, I will work with other Council Members to set a direction for staff and then hold staff accountable for its implementation. To achieve success, I will work with Council Members to make hard, but necessary, trade-offs in order to ensure timely completion of projects which have the highest priority.

I will work to have continuous improvement as part of the culture for the delivery of services to residents and businesses. I will implement policies that benefit the community today, but also enable a successful future for tomorrow.

Residents and business owners play a critical role to the success of Los Altos. I will listen carefully to their input. I will also seek ways to maximize the use of the experience, expertise and knowledge that is part of our community.

My priorities are:

• Fiscal responsibility:
  -Maintain a balanced budget. Los Altos must live within its budget which means that resource use - money and staff time - must be prioritized. Trade-offs must be made.
  -Proper maintenance of community facilities. Maintenance can extend useful life; deferred maintenance must be a conscious choice in order to avoid unexpected surprises. In some instances, the best choice may be to redevelop facilities as an investment in the future.

• Promote and preserve our commercial districts: Maintain commercial zoning where it exists today. Create the next generation downtown which keeps the small town character but allows for buildings which meet the current needs of successful retailers. Encourage development that will attract and retain thriving businesses that citizens desire and need with a blend of unique retailers, small anchor stores and restaurants. Promote evening activity downtown to attract more residents to frequent downtown on their evenings out.

• Address street safety to promote walking and biking throughout town - as a means to get to and from school and as a source of exercise for residents.

• Preserve Los Altos's natural beauty: Preserve the tree canopy and encourage the next generation of trees.

• Preserve residential character: Downtown buildings should reflect a village atmosphere and be pedestrian oriented. City buildings should also reflect the character of our residential neighborhoods. Design guidelines should be maintained.