League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Michael Kane Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Town of Los Gatos

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the City Council?

Four years ago I was unanimously chosen by the Town Council to serve as a Planning Commissioner and currently hold the position of Chair. Four years ago I thought I had achieved a great honor and only thought about all I needed to learn to be a competent Commissioner. I had the greatest respect for our Town Council members and never thought about making a move towards Council, as there was no need. With the passage of time and with Council overturning too many Commission decisions, I decided I could better serve the Town as a member of Council.

I have also run my own business (Kane Financial Services) for 26 years, serve as a governing board member of the Los Gatos Community Hospital, a member of Los Gatos Morning Rotary, former Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, and have volunteered for numerous Town activities.

2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them?

As your Council member, my primary goals would be: #1, Protection of our hillsides (and better adherence to the existing hillside standards), #2, Preservation of our neighborhoods (and better adherence to our exisiting residential design guidelines), #3, Economic vitality (and better adherence to our exisiting commercial design guidelines).

3. How would you balance the needs of the City as a whole with groups' interests?

I believe that listening to the members of the community is paramount in making decisions as a Council member. Los Gatos residents have diverse views and opinions -- one of the reasons why this Town is so special.

During my 4 years on Planning Commission, and especially this past year as chair, I have a strong record of attempting to reach compromise between parties. I fully intend to continue to strive for consensus on difficult decisions.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  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: October 8, 2008 10:26
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