The Campbell Reporter

Letters & Opinions

Editorial

Furtado, Kennedy, Francois right choices for council

Campbell residents are lucky. They live in a city where government officials are not caught up in scandals, egos or budgets dripping in red ink. They have city officials who operate under a code of ethics and are committed to making Campbell the best place it can be.

This recipe for success is why we believe incumbents Dan Furtado, Jane Kennedy and planning commissioner Tom Francois are the best candidates to serve on the Campbell City Council.

Dan Furtado, a lifelong Campbell resident, has a wealth of experience and understanding about his hometown community. He has worked to upgrade and improve our roads, sidewalks and parks. He has championed funding for our public library and has helped to revitalize the city's historic downtown. He is well versed on any issue in Campbell, from our budget to emergency preparedness, and he stresses the importance of balance between housing, business and city services.

As a councilman, he worked to establish a reserve fund the city could tap into when the economy headed south. That foresight has helped Campbell weather the tough times without cutting vital services.

Jane Kennedy, a resident of Campbell since 1972, has also been part of the council when fiscally sound budget decisions were made. She was a planning commissioner for 16 years. As the former chairwoman of the Vasona Light Rail Advisory Board, Kennedy is a major reason mass transit runs through Campbell. She is focused on mixed-use projects that add more housing and business, and her passion for Campbell's history and her work with the Campbell Museum Foundation have led to her motto: protecting the past, preparing for the future.

Tom Francois, a planning commissioner for nine years and resident of Campbell for 44 years, has helped steer many projects through the city, giving him a strong education in city planning and government. He has been involved in some difficult decisions as a planning commissioner, including such major projects as Kohl's and the Marriott. But he does his homework and looks for ways to balance progress with preserving our sense of community.

These three individuals have already demonstrated their strong stewardship of Campbell; the other two candidates, Evan Low and Margie Mitchell, are still a question mark.

Evan Low, who ran for city council two years ago, had an opportunity to immerse himself in Campbell government and educate himself prior to a second run at a council seat. Yet he failed to do so. He argues he was never given the chance, having been passed over for appointments to Campbell boards and commissions.

Even without an appointment, Low could have educated himself on the city's inner workings by attending city council or planning commission meetings. He has not done so. If he had, he would have entered this race as a schooled candidate. Low should have attended community meetings on annexation issues so he could speak to the issue when questioned. He has not done so. Low claims his No. 1 concern is reopening the Campbell public library seven days a week, yet he did not attend the community meetings that were scheduled to gather user input on the library's future. Our city has been on the right track for too long to gamble with an individual who is unwilling to take the time to educate himself, and who argues it's OK to learn how to govern on the job.

Margie Mitchell, a board member on the Campbell Union High School District, also needs to acquaint herself with Campbell government. Although she has lived in the community since age 14, sitting on a council seat is not synonymous with governing in a school district. If she is serious about running for office, she should do her homework and learn about our government and city services. We were left scratching our heads when she said there is nothing to do in Campbell for youth or senior citizens. The city spent millions renovating its parks and $8.5 million renovating the Campbell Community Center so youth, adults and seniors have a modernized facility with activities ranging from sports to dance to crafts and music for youth. In addition, the senior adult center has greatly expanded, offering fitness programs, field trips, clubs and assistance programs.

Furtado, Kennedy and Francois have the experience, and for this reason, we believe they are the best candidates for the three open seats on the city council. We recommend voting for them Nov. 7.