Official Ballot Campaign Statement
As your Council member since 2007, and Mayor in 2010, my goal has been to keep Belmont a solvent, safe, green city and a great place to live for everyone. I’m financially vigilant and passionate about sustainability, supporting local businesses, and Belmont’s natural beauty, from the bayside to the hills.
Fire Protection: After San Carlos dissolved our partnership, I worked tirelessly to save our joint Fire Department; but our offers at mediation were refused. Our Fire Protection District provides us with dedicated funds; still we negotiated salary and benefits concessions, and will launch our new Fire Department with confidence.
Fiscal Responsibility: During labor negotiations I voted to keep costs down, reducing our liabilities for retirement and benefit payoffs over time. I’ll continue to champion tough but fair agreements with Belmont’s labor and changes to the way we do business to keep Belmont solvent.
Health and Recreation: We treasure our playing fields, Water Dog Lake, San Juan Canyon, and parklands. A healthy city is an active city. Belmont can continue to improve parks within our budget AND provide seed money to jumpstart fundraising efforts to modernize our playing fields and provide recreation for all.
Business: We’ve welcomed several companies to Belmont (including Volkswagen Electric Car and Sun Edison) and purchased downtown sites as springboards for economic development. Since I was elected in 2007, the Council and the Chamber of Commerce enjoy a closer partnership.
Sustainability: As Mayor and co-chair of Belmont’s Green Advisory Committee, I was proud to “break ground” for Belmont’s Bike Bridge in 2010. I support permeable driveways, safer bike and walk ways, the Green Building and Plastic Bag ordinances, and use of smart technologies to keep Belmont green.
Transportation: Californians voted for High Speed Rail, but NOT for the boondoggle that costs more than double the original estimate, and will cut through our downtown, destroying local businesses.
Our dwindling state budget should be spent on education, health, and a local transit system that links BOTH east/west AND north/south—not on 19th century technology dressed up with electrical catenaries. We need transparency and accountability in High Speed Rail and all public programs. To that end, I spearheaded formation of Belmont’s Citizens HSR Advisory Committee to inform residents of unfolding events.
Re-elect me in 2011 and I’ll continue working for you to keep Belmont fiscally solvent, safe, green, and healthy.