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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.
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1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?
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Answer from Kathleen M. King:
I have four years experience in Saratoga, working to improve and balance our budget through tough economic times. I worked on AB 117 with the mayor and this bill will increase Saratoga's general fund by 6-9% each year without increasing our taxes. I worked for a year to negotiate the use of two play fields at West Valley College. I have an excellent attendance record, missing only one meeting in four years. This is critical when there are only five people on the council.
Answer from Marilyn Marchetti:
1.) I have been, and am currently, involved in several volunteer projects in the city that have given me a great understanding of how city government works and how to get things done in Saratoga.
2.) I have interacted with various neighborhoods throughout the city, have an accurate understanding of their concerns, and have great ideas on how to address and resolve their issues.
3.) As a successful small business owner, and previously with a large corporation, I have extensive experience in fiscal management, strategic planning, administrative oversight, budgets and board leadership.
I would add a valuable perspective to the City Council.
Answer from Jim Sorden:
Saratoga needs and deserves the strongest fiscal leadership possible. I bring decades of management experience to the City. As a corporate executive vice president, I managed a budget more than 10 times greater than Saratoga's. In doing so, I did not spend frivolously or throw money at proposals and problems without careful study and the assurance that the time was right for action.
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2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?
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Answer from Marilyn Marchetti:
My largest concern is that the people of Saratoga feel they are not fairly represented; that they are not heard and that no one cares. We need to bring back the commissions and involve the citizens more in our decision-making. We need to earn back the citizens trust, so they will have confidence that we will make the right decisions for all of Saratoga.
After making sure that North Campus and Kevin Moran Parks plans are up and running, a few of the first things I would want to do is 1.) work on updating the General Plan, as it will help resolve many other issues the city has, 2.) restore our commissions to improve on citizen input and save consultant costs, 3.) explore options to reduce noise from Highway 85, 4.) review and improve on the plan for street maintance. 5.) work on plans to revitalize Saratoga Village, the Gateway and Cox Avenue Business Districts, with input from the citizens.
I am also concerned about the use of our city's limited funds and I would be fiscally responsible to ensure wise use of our tax-payers dollars.
Answer from Kathleen M. King:
Our roads need greater funding spent on them. We have only been able to spend $700k each year until this year, we were able to dedicate one time money and increased our expenditures to $1.3 million. We need to spending $1.6 million on our roads. All of our ordinances need updating. We are out of compliance at the state level. We need to decide how we plan to utilize the North Campus and settle on a plan for Kevin Moran Park.
Answer from Jim Sorden:
I have many concerns for the betterment of Saratoga. To name a few: the need to improve our roads, walkways and trails, stronger compliance with the state's Emergency Response Plan, and stronger pollution controls. I am especially concerned with protecting our beautiful neighborhoods. One way of doing so is by listening to and valuing all neighbor's concerns and maintaining careful oversight of architectural compatibility.
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3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?
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Answer from Marilyn Marchetti:
I believe that each specific interest needs to be assesed individually. In most cases we need to do what is best for the greater good of the whole city. However, in situations that involve neighborhoods, the neighbors conciderations are extremely important. It is important to hear each side of an issue, do your own research, and adopt a plan that meets the needs of the community.
Answer from Kathleen M. King:
This is a tough question. It is very difficult to balance needs in Saratoga. It takes time, patience, and creativity to come up with workable solutions that satisfy everyone. I have gained a lot of experience in this area in the last four years. I would continue to look for creative, efficient solutions that all parties can buy into.
Answer from Jim Sorden:
All cities have basic critical needs: structural, environmental, and being in compliance with state laws. These needs must not be compromised by the wishes of any one group. However, there are often circumstances where a specific group evidences a need that does not conflict with the city as a whole and which, in fact, may enhance Saratoga. This is another reason why I am strongly committed to listening to the needs of all residents and giving each citizen a stronger voice. I feel it is therefore imperative that the City Council restore the commissions and advisory committees which the current City Council terminated.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
