Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Menlo Park

Heyward Robinson will

Lead through effective decision-making

At Menlo Park's SRI International, we teach companies from all over the world about innovation and problem-solving. Using an inclusive process that focuses on their customers' most important needs, we help companies find opportunity where they saw challenges. Like any successful company, our city government must stay focused on its customers (the residents) and their needs. I'll bring these business skills with me to the Council, leading to productive and amicable debates, increased "buy-in" from residents, and better and more sustainable decisions.

Reinvigorate our local economy

Our quality of life depends on the vibrancy of our local economy. But our once-thriving business community is suffering -- along El Camino Real, downtown, on Willow Road, and in our industrial district. Sales tax revenues have plummeted, and our city budget has a $2 million structural deficit. I will work to establish a committee of a business owners, community leaders, and residents to identify tangible steps the city can take to keep and attract new businesses. I will work with this group to make sure that their recommendations are listened to and acted upon. As your Council member, I will stay focused on improving our economy so that we can generate the sales tax revenues we need to maintain our quality services.

Bring inclusiveness and "sunshine" back to Menlo Park

California's open meeting law (the Brown Act) requires city decision-making to take place openly, "in the sunshine." In 2005 I discovered that a Council-appointed task force had violated this law. Because of my discovery, groups such as the Budget Advisory Commission and the Childcare Task Force now meet in the open, with public participation and oversight integral to their deliberations. As your Council member, I'll make sure that our deliberations are fully open and inclusive. We will follow not only the letter of the law, but also its spirit, inviting participation and feedback. By listening to each other and tapping our collective wisdom, we can strengthen our government and our community.

Improve transportation

Traffic congestion and lack of parking are major problems for anyone who lives, works, shops, or drives in Menlo Park. Finding solutions takes creativity, negotiation skills, and a dedication to improvement. I pledge to work with neighboring cities, transportation agencies, and school districts to find regional solutions to improve traffic flow, provide safe bike- and pedestrian-friendly routes, and promote public transit.

Support all recreational opportunities

As a parent, referee, and long-time coach in our youth sports programs, I understand our community's high demand for recreational facilities. As your Parks and Recreation Commissioner, I co-authored the City's recent report that highlighted the region's field shortage. And I have created fields before, successfully negotiating with Stanford to build the fields along Sand Hill Road.

On the Council, I will make it a priority to address our field shortage, considering all possibilities. If Measure J passes, I will listen to the voters and investigate thoroughly the possibility of locating fields at Bayfront Park. Throughout the process I will ensure that any consultants hired to advise the city are independent, and don't serve as both advisors and project bidders.

I will balance all of our recreational needs to create fields without sacrificing long-awaited Measure T projects such as the new gym for our gymnastics and basketball programs.

By working together, we can meet our needs for recreational facilities in a timely, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible manner.