League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 6, 2007 Election
	Timothy W. "Tim" Gray Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Palo Alto

The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. In light of the city of Palo Alto's budget deficit, how do you propose to increase city revenues and promote efficiency in city operations?

Prioritize. Find the points of agreement and strengthen them. Offer respect for the differences of opinion, and from a common vision, make forward progress. Benchmarking is an emperical and fair way to shine light on efficiencies. There may be room for public-private partnerships that provide a substitute resouce. It will challenge conventional lines of authority, but we must focus on service and think outside the box. We will need to objectively quantify those commercial activities that bring the highest revenue with the lowest environmental impact.

2. How would you propose to meet Palo Alto's requirements for housing, existing and potential retail, future infrastructure, and city services?

One good decision at a time. There is a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom in the people of Palo Alto, and I want to draw on this incredible resource to find a fair and reasonable approach to some very difficult dilemas. Whatever is done, we will need to assure that fair and consisent standards are set so that no party receives special advantages under the policies. Fairness is the overriding theme. We need to look into ways to address the needs within the current policies before we explore any changes. Balance is the pathway.

3. Does Palo Alto have an obligation to consider regional needs with respect to a growing population, increasing diversity, and the importance of economic opportunity? If so, what proposals and plans would you support?

We must cooperate with our neighbors. We can encourage completion of housing within our current protocols without changing the character of our neighborhoods. For example, we can mitigate the impact of limited growth by enabling home-based business (i.e. fiber optics as one possibility.) I love this place, and I want my children's children to wake up and say, "I love this place." We can be responsive to the needs without turning our back on the treasured environment we have created.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates in this race must limit their answers to 300 words total so that a paper Voters Guide may be published by LWV Palo Alto. After 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 word limits will no longer apply. Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 15, 2007 11:26
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