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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,
Balance
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 Jarrett Fishpaw:
Having worked in Downtown Los Altos for the last 7 years, I know the issues facing our local business owners. I have have worked in close coordination with our City's Municipal Service Staff, Police Department, and Economic Development Coordinator. The experience I have gained through the planning, operation, and clean up from events like our Arts and Wine Festival, which draws over 100,000 consumers to our downtown triangle each year, has provided me with an understanding of how Los Altos can successfully promote it's commercial districts while maintaining the character of our community.
Answer from Curtis Cole:
I served one term on council in 2003 after five years on the planning commission. I spend an additional four years reviewing the city budget annually on the finance committee.
I know how the city works. I have a good reputation and relationship with city staff. I have experience working with community groups and members across the political spectrum.
Answer from Nancy M. Carlson:
Budget management, project and staff management from Fortune 100 and startup companies, negotiation expertise from local commercial and residential real estate sales.
Answer from Val Carpenter:
10 years of leadership in Los Altos city government working effectively with my colleagues, City staff and residents on a broad range of issues. Los Altos Mayor in 2008; Los Altos City Councilwoman 2005-present; Los Altos Planning Commissioner and Board of Adjustments member 2005; Los Altos Historical Commissioner, Vice Chair and Chair 2001-2005. Best practices from industry from my decades of experience as a senior executive in Silicon Valley. Stanford MBA.
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2. What components of the City's General Plan would you support or modify; e.g., availability of rental housing and revitalization of dowtown area, including the Civic Center area?
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Answer from Nancy M. Carlson:
I would encourage re-evaluation of the "Circulation Element" of the General Plan which deals with transportation through the the city by way of motor vehicles, transit, bicycle and foot traffic. Many residents indicate that traffic is their top concern.
Answer from Curtis Cole:
My support of the General Plan would emphasize the downtown and Civic Center revitalization as well as the bike and pedestrian components of the transportation plan. I support development of a more precise plan for the downtown and Civic Center. I support the current review of the bicycle transportation plan.
Answer from Val Carpenter:
The City of Los Altos General Plan was comprehensivly updated 8 years ago and the Housing Element was specifically updated in the past year. I voted to approve the Civic Center Master Plan and worked to ensure that it continues to include an apricot orchard to honor our agricultural heritage. For 2 years I led the City Council-appointed Downtown Development Committee through a public process that resulted in significant zoning changes carefully designed to encourage new development while preserving Main Street's cherished appeal. The renaissance of downtown has already begun with the approval of several major projects, with more expected.
Answer from Jarrett Fishpaw:
I support the development of Class A commercial office space in the downtown area. This is an important element related to the lack of foot traffic in Los Altos.
I support the City's General Plan Housing Element and would bring a larger emphasis on the second and sixth strategic goals defined by our city.
1) preservation of the City's rural-suburban atmosphere
2) attracting families with children
3) maintaining the existing variety of housing
4) maintaining and enhancing existing moderate density multifamily zoning districts
5) ensuring equal housing opportunity
6) increasing housing opportunities for seniors
7) maximizing residential energy-efficiency.
These two goals, attracting families with children, and increasing housing opportunities for seniors, capture two very important demographics in Los Altos.
The development of the Civic Center can help achieve both of these goals by providing a center for our community, hosting programs for youth and older adults.
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3. What would be your general policy be with respect to maintaining current levels of service during these difficult economic times?
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Answer from Curtis Cole:
The City's budget is prudently managed and so we have maintained service levels these last years, albeit with a couple of deferred hires. We can do that with continued, respectful and cooperative negotiations of our labor contracts.
Answer from Nancy M. Carlson:
The question should not be one of arbitrarily maintaining existing services, but of identifying what we can't do without and what we have to do creatively to fund these services.
Answer from Jarrett Fishpaw:
Maintaining current levels of service would be a high priority. If levels of service were to decrease due to budget constraints, I would consider the direct and indirect effects of level of service reductions. In industry, the process of Failure Modes Effects Analysis (FMEA) provides insight into how organizations prioritize various aspects of a system's operation and dedicate resources accordingly.
During difficult economic times, it is critical that our city resources are allocated effectively, minimizing the net impact of a decrease in level of service. This requires creative solutions and a fresh perspective. With a strong background in economics and financial analysis, I will provide a distinctive voice on our Council.
Answer from Val Carpenter:
The City of Los Altos is fortunate to be located in the heart of Silicon Valley and to have some of the best schools in the State of California. These advantages, plus its strong sense of community, make Los Altos a highly-desirable place to live. This in turn has resulted in annual increases in the City's property tax revenues, which allow the City, through careful management, to maintain current levels of service within a balanced budget while increasing reserves and continuing to invest in infrastructure. My previous experience managing departmental budgets the size of the City's annual operating budget enable me to set priorities and make tough trade-offs to keep the City financially sound.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate.
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
