Ballot Statement

By Charles D. "Chuck" Bernstein

One vote in a narrow 3-2 board majority separates the District from potential layoffs and station closings. I will represent our residents' interests.

Name: Chuck Bernstein Age: 68 Occupation: Business Executive, Educator

Education and Qualifications: Stanford MBA, PhD; Princeton AB.

We residents want to retain our outstanding services and firefighters. This is a challenge for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District--retirement costs will increase $3.5 million within 7 years, outstripping increasing revenues; the union continues to push for compensation increases beyond what the District can afford.

One vote in a narrow 3-2 board majority separates the District from potential layoffs and station closings. I will represent our residents' interests.

Budget Leadership: As CEO of a similar-sized educational organization, I have experience solving financial problems. Previously, I installed budgeting procedures in many organizations, including Menlo Park, Warner Brothers, and Coca Cola, and authored a book on school finance.

Public Safety Leadership:

The Fire Chief appointed me to the District's CERT Advisory Board. I am treasurer of Ring the Bell Fund, a nonprofit installing monitored alarm and sprinkler systems in schools. To combat gunfire and drug dealing in the 1990s, I founded "Citizens Patrol" in The Willows and was a member of East Palo Alto-based "Just Us."

Community Leadership:

A resident of Menlo Park since 1968, I was chairman of the California Special Education Commission, founding business manager of TheatreWorks, and a Scoutmaster.

I would be grateful for your vote.

http://www.ChuckBernstein.org