 |
|
|
|
|
Candidates prepare for last push in election
Three spots on both the city council and CUSD board open
By George Moore
With just one week left to sway voters before the Nov. 6 election, candidates for the Cupertino City Council and the Cupertino Union School district board of trustees have been meeting and greeting voters at forums and meetings around town. Six candidates are running for three seats on the council, and five are vying for three open seats in the school district.
Mayor Sandra James is seeking re-election to the council and will turn over her mayoral duties to current vice mayor Richard Lowenthal. Longtime Cupertino resident Robert Levy, a retired computer programmer, and Dolly Sandoval, a high school math teacher and trustee for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, are in the running with current planning commissioners Geoff Patnoe, Patrick Kwok and former planning commissioner Orrin Mahoney.
James lists several issues on her platform for re-election, including the issues of land use and development, more affordable and for-sale housing and continued expansion of opportunities for the youth of Cupertino. She said she believs her proven success and experience in these areas qualifies her for re-election. James wants to find a fiscally safe way to build the new library, and stresses the need to keep reserves in the budget for opportunities that may arise.
Levy, who has often publicly admonished the actions of council members, wants to improve communication between the council and its citizens, and believes an increase in the number of council members--if elected by district--would improve responsiveness. Levy is an advocate for the return of busing to help ease the traffic congestion and parking problems surrounding Cupertino schools.
At a recent candidate forum, Sandoval said building a stronghold between city government and the educational system was her main concern. She said she is committed to applying smart growth principles by working to halt sprawl, ease traffic congestion and ensure Cupertino protects its open space.
Patnoe has worked to protect the interests of neighborhoods and reduce the jobs-to-housing imbalance as a member of the planning commission. He wants to revise the General Plan so it eliminates incentives favoring developers at the expense of neighborhoods in the community.
Kwok has expressed fiscal concerns about the city's depleted budget, and said he hopes to bring his experience in public finance to find creative ways of revitalizing it while making smart decisions for future spending. He said his goal is to improve the overall efficiency of city operations.
Mahoney stands on a platform that's all ears. He said his eight years spent as a planning commissioner proved that he is someone who listens to all sides and recommends what is best for Cupertino as a whole. Mahoney wants to increase the city's revenue through creative financing and controlling expenses.
As of Oct. 25, the fundraising totals and expenditures for each candidate were as follows: Sandoval raised more than $21,000, and her expenditure total was almost $6,000. Patnoe raised more than $11,000, and his expenditure total was more than $8,000. Mahoney raised more than $12,000, and his expenditure total was close to $9,000. Levy raised more than $1,500 and his expenditure total was more than $1,400. Kwok raised more than $21,000 and his expenditure total was slightly more than $7,000. James raised close $16,000, and her expenditure total was more than $10,000.
In the school board election the candidates are George Tyson, Gary McCue, Pearl Cheng, Ben Liao and John Claras.
Liao has said retaining quality teachers and increased parent involvement were his main concerns. He added that he has devoted a lot of time trying to come up with ways to raise teachers' salaries.
Tyson teacher support and retention was his number one concern, and he would work with the city to help provide them with affordable housing.
Cheng said her main concerns were building quality programs so children could maximize their potential, ensuring professional development, funding, partnerships at both local and state levels and building a collective vital force. She said a strong partnership between the city and the school board is necessary.
Claras said the most important issue is funding--that without it everything else is meaningless. He said candidates have to prove to voters that the $80 million bond measure will be spent wisely.
McCue also said funding is the most important issue, but said working with the community, attracting and retaining teachers and finding them affordable housing is a main priority.
|
|
|
|
Cupertino, California Since 1947
