League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2012 Election
	Robert "Rob" Means Answers Questions Candidate for Mayor; City of Milpitas

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?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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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.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 25, 2012 19:38
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