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Published on 10/16/1995 All articles from this issue

Council candidates fail to address specifics at election forum

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By Julianna Fleming

Special to the Town Crier

It was standing room only at the Los Altos City Council chambers Oct. 12, as the six candidates for three Los Altos City Council seats gathered for an election forum to address and avoid the issues shaping the Nov. 7 election.

The audience was left with vague answers from many of the candidates on issues, such as the potential regionalization of the Los Altos Fire Department with surrounding communities. However, all took strong stands at other times throughout the evening to define their positions and distinguish themselves from the rest of the field.

The candidates were unanimous in their opposition to a downtown parking garage. Lou Becker voiced the repeated opposition to this type of construction. Gloria Bauer emphasized her participation on the Parking 2000 committee, and though opposing a parking structure, wants to continue exploring both long and short term options for parking solutions.

Several of the candidates voiced strong support for the city's use of the utility user tax in the general fund. Francis La Poll and Kris Casto defended the current use of the tax as necessary. "We need some of the money to take care of the parks we purchase with the tax," La Poll said.

Bob Norton, however, criticized the use of the tax, characterizing the city's use of money as "living beyond our means." Janet Dobson and Becker questioned the use of the tax, both agreeing that the city needs to disclose how this money is spent. La Poll responded by displaying a copy of the city financial reports that detail the expenditures.

The candidates split on a proposal that the city spend money to co-fund a hiring hall, or job center, with Mountain View for the day laborers on San Antonio Road. Becker and La Poll supported studying a joint venture; Norton also expressed support for a service, "as long as it's not in Los Altos," he said. The comment generated a moan of dissent in the audience.

In order to stabilize the city's finances and revenue base, most of the candidates called for plans that would promote local businesses and trim the city budget. Bauer, to the disagreement of Norton and Becker, favored a strong lobby of the state legislature as the key to resolving the problem.

The candidates voiced support on such non-issues as improved playing fields at local schools, the need to emphasize local shopping. The candidates also agreed that the problems of traffic congestion and safety must be addressed.

In his concluding statement, La Poll announced himself to be the only candidate who would be willing to serve on the council without compensation, a salary and additional benefits package that could save the city about $30,000 per year.

Bauer then concluded the forum by declaring herself an independent candidate and describing Becker, Dobson and Norton as a slate of the Homeowner's League. While Becker, Dobson and Norton conceded that they share many of the same views, the three said they are not co- campaigners, even though their signs appear together in many locations.

Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women, the candidates forum was videotaped and will be broadcast on government access channel 16. Check the local listings in the Town Crier for dates and times.