The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Experience, Concerns, Balancing Needs

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.

Answer from Heidi Pham:

I'm not a politician. I'm a mother, a County employee, a homeowner, an emigrant, and a community volunteer. After living for ten years across the street from Milpitas, I moved to Milpitas because of the quality of life here.

I am working hard to learn to be an effective Council member. I am supported by my education, by other Council members, City staff, and my "kitchen cabinet". As good managers know, a new employee can learn the technical aspects to do a good job if she has the right character, personality and integrity to do a job well. I have cultivated the necessary character my entire life. My escape from Vietnam, my volunteer work with the blind, my work in the justice system and raising two successful children have shaped who I am and what I can be. More than someone with all the answers, what Milpitas needs is someone they can trust.

Answer from Althea Polanski:

I have served my first term on the Milpitas City Council and served the citizens of Milpitas for 19 years on the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Trustees.

I was successful in bringing Measure T, hillside protection, to a vote of the people. I also promoted ethics and an open government ordinance. I opposed Measure I, Charter City, an expensive ballot initiative we defeated in June.

The experience I gained working with regional leaders on transportation, education, hillside preservation and open space make me uniquely qualified to continue to serve on the Milpitas City Council.

Answer from Gary Cerezo:

As a former career Naval Officer and Navy pilot, I offer 26 years of leadership and management experience. I have worked with people and large organizations from the "deck plates" of a ship and aviation squadron to shore installations. Additionally, I offer extensive international experience having worked with NATO, foreign embassies and militaries.

From 1999 to 2001 I served as the Officer in Charge of San Clemente Island (http://www.scisland.org). I was responsible for the operation and administration of this remote island and conducted port and airfield operations that directly supported training requirements for our military personnel. I lead the efforts of 185 personnel while working closely with 17 different organizations that included Military Police, Federal Fire Department, Naval Public Works, and Natural Resources. Throughout my tenure I fostered a climate of cooperation among the various commands, military, civilian and contract personnel that represented a wide range of interests.

From 2001-2005 I was stationed in Naples, Italy. I was in the Plans and Policy Division, Maritime Component Command of NATO. The position required considerable tact, diplomacy and sensitivity to other nations' concerns. I worked closely with the eleven different nations represented on issues from NATO personnel and structure reorganization to post 9-11 security issues in Europe. I was also involved with the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and traveled to Romania and Ukraine.

Answer from Althea Polanski:

Ensuring our citizens continue to receive a high level of police and fire services, maintaining our streets and parks during tough economic times is a major concern. There needs to be a balance between the needs of our employees for higher wages and benefits and the needs of our citizens. I do not support continuing to raise fees on our residents to maintain higher compensation packages for employee groups and will continue to vote no until we can control costs.

Transportation is always a concern in Milpitas and by approving the Midtown Specific and Transit Area Plans, the city will provide housing, retail and businesses along a transit corridor. I believe this will assist with the traffic impacts our residents face on a daily basis.

Answer from Heidi Pham:

Council must balance the budget. Although the City received unexpected one-time revenues this year, there remains an ongoing structural deficit in the City's budget which means that the city will need another $5M next year to balance the budget. And another $5M in 2008. And another $5M the year after that. Milpitas residents need someone that admits that the City is spending more than they have. I promise to work with residents to make the tough choices required to balance the budget - without using accounting tricks.

Education. Although the City can't cure the financial problems of the schools, we can help in many different ways. We can return to the time when the City of Milpitas worked with the School District. When I'm elected, I will seek and support cooperation between the city and School District.

Environment. We can protect the environment in many ways. First, we must protect the hills that are so important to all of us who live in Milpitas. We can take pride in our beautiful hillsides. We can prevent unnecessary development in the hills - not only to preserve the beauty and diversity, but to avoid the high costs of providing City services to wealthy landowners and developers. Beyond protecting the hills, we can look for ways to slow global warming by saving, or even generating, clean and local energy.

Answer from Gary Cerezo:

Two issues immediately come to mind. They are the budget deficit and lack of collaboration within the current council to resolve our most pressing problems. The General Fund Five Year Forecast that takes Milpitas to 2011 projects budget deficits totaling 15.65 million dollars. It is imperative that Milpitas adopts measures to control all spending and prioritize funded and unfunded requirements.

The City Council must communicate honestly and concisely the budget challenges facing the city. Bickering and hope are not methods for resolving our cities problems. Open dialogue, respect for the facts and placing the community's long-term interests above self and special interest will benefit all citizens of Milpitas.

Answer from Althea Polanski:

The City Council has 13 commissions consisting of members of our very diverse community. These commissioners provide valuable advice and guidance when I am making decisions for our city. I will continue to be open to listening to all sides of an issue before making a decision. I believe I have made decisions on employee compensation that are not popular with these groups' interests but for financial stability for the city as a whole over the next 20 years, it is critical.

Answer from Gary Cerezo:

Each issue must be judged on its merits and how it affects the community as a whole. There must be balance in weighing the community needs and group needs. Decisions must be made for what is best for the long-term financial health, safety and well being of the community.

To further balance the city's needs we must listen attentively to our citizens. We must be open to varying viewpoints and review the facts rigorously no matter how painful or contentious the issue. We must also respectful the views of those Council members involved in the decision making process.

Council members must avail themselves to the public. Issues must be communicated to the public with candor and honesty. Clearly, this was not the case regarding the failed Charter City initiative. Only when the public has faith in its municipal leaders will we be able to provide the best possible solutions and services for our community.

Answer from Heidi Pham:

One way is to use multiple criteria when judging projects and programs. A set of criteria could include financial, public health, and environmental considerations. Clearly, the most recent budget passed by the Council majority failed the financial test because it used accounting tricks rather than honestly balancing the budget. Although the KB Homes developement near Elmwood Jail passes the financial test, it fails the environmental test because no additional requirements for energy efficiency or sustainable building practices were demanded of the developers (if they did less, the buildings would be illegal). The City's failure to address the health issues of diesel exhaust and the long delay in saving money to repair/replace aging sewer lines fails the public health criteria. By balancing three criteria rather than one or two, wise choices can be made that serve both the City's residents and the various special interest groups that comprise our community as a whole.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.