Candidate for
Council Member; City of Sunnyvale; Seat 1

I would like to discuss four important issues that concern the citizens of Sunnyvale:

First, I believe that some growth is good for our community. However, the growth we are seeing in Sunnyvale today is way out of control. I appreciate the desire to improve the downtown area but I do not believe our city needs three huge five and six story commercial office buildings in the heart of downtown. The construction on what used to be the Olson Cherry Orchard is another example of a reasonable idea carried too far. I do not want to see nice neighborhoods turned into a hodgepodge of monolithic skyscrapers with all the extra traffic and potential crime problems this will cause.

Second, last December, the city council voted 6-1 in favor of allowing a crematory to be installed on residentially zoned property in the middle of a peaceful neighborhood near downtown. This approval is outrageous. Not only does it violate the city code for nonconforming use, the city failed to notify almost half of the immediate neighbors prior to making this decision. The crematory will spew odor, ash, and carcinogens into the neighborhood, downtown, and all of Sunnyvale. I am fighting the crematory because it is a health hazard, especially to children, as well as to all citizens. We must not allow this to happen in our residential neighborhoods. There are other locations much more appropriate for crematories.

Third, a former San Jose mayor has suggested that Moffett Field should become a commercial airport. Sunnyvale's current city council has already taken the position for corporate jets to land at Moffett. This could open the door to air cargo flights at Moffett in the future, adding even more noise and disruption to our lives. I will fight to keep this from happening.

Finally, some candidates have accepted thousands of dollars of contributions from businesses and developers outside of Sunnyvale. Why should these outsiders be able to buy your representatives by contributing to their campaigns? It is clear that these outsiders do not spend this money without expecting a return on their investment. To eliminate this outside influence, I will only accept contributions from Sunnyvale residents and businesses. I may not be able to afford the same slick campaigns presented by some of the other candidates but you can be sure that I will represent the interests of the people of Sunnyvale, not those of some outside developer.

My position is for balanced growth and neighborhood preservation. I want to live in a community where people know their neighbors, not just who their neighbors are. If this is consistent with your views for the future of Sunnyvale, I am running for City Council seat #1 and I urge you to vote for me on November 6th.

Thank you.