League of Women Voters of California
Santa Clara County, CA November 5, 2002 Election
	Laura Brown Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Mountain View; 4 Year Term

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Altos/Mtn. View Area and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Do you see any links between local traffic congestion and cuts in public transit services, "help wanted" signs and insufficient low cost housing? If so, what might the Council do to improve the situation?

Our transit systems are not an attractive option for most people because they are slow, expensive, inconvenient, and for the most part, do not take people where they need to go. The entire system needs to be reorganized to make it a realistic alternative to driving.

We must look at rezoning and converting underutilized commercial space to provide more housing, particularly ownership opportunities for first-time home buyers. At least a partial solution to the lack of affordable housing, and one that social equity demands, is that all workers should be paid a living wage in line with the cost of living here.

2. What specific concerns, if any, do you have about the recommendations in the NASA Ames Development Plan which was released in late July?

The NASA Ames Development Plan needs to include much more housing, as well as mitigations for the increased traffic it will create, both on our freeways and city streets. However, overall the proposal offers a number of benefits to Mountain View, and is our best hope of preventing commercial aviation at Moffett Field. Council members and city officials must work closely with NASA to expeditiously resolve the housing and traffic issue and ensure that the plan is completed in a manner that makes it a positive addition to our city.

3. As a Councilmember, how would you bring together members of the community to address local issues?

Uniting the diverse neighborhoods and people of Mountain View is a cornerstone of my campaign. While we rightly celebrate our diversity, we must also focus on our commonalities and support each other in achieving the things we all value, such as secure homes, safe neighborhoods and opportunities for our children.I will make a point of going into the community, as I have on past issues, to get residents' views on pending issues that affect them and to build consensus among differing opinions.