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Published on 10/06/1997 All articles from this issue

Four Los Altos candidates vie for two seats

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King Lear

Age 59

Motivation for

running:

Provide positive leadership and improved decision-making.

Most important issues:

1. Control development, traffic to maintain peaceful, safe neighborhoods.

2. Improve city parks and recreation facilities.

3. Improve city management.

4. Promote high quality and successful business districts.

Goals if elected:

Minimize development where the resulting traffic will reduce neighborhood peace and safety. Enforce speed laws aggressively.

Complete the fields at 401 Rosita Ave. and consider a park in north Los Altos.

Improve communications between council, staff and commissions. Improve the use of citizen advisory committees and add a committee to review performance on contract with County Fire. Strengthen conflict of interest policy.

Complete the planning process for north entry (Sherwood Triangle) and create a long-term downtown parking plan.

How I can make a difference:

I have a record of providing positive leadership both at work and in community activities.

Background information:

Married to Ginny Lear;

Stanford University BSEE, 1960;

Los Altos resident for 26 years.

Employed by TRW (ESL) for 26 years as an intelligence analyst/engineer. Previous public and community experience:

Helped found Los Altos Education Foundation (LAEF);

Suggested the purchase of the 401 Rosita Ave. property and served on its design task force;

Volunteered for elementary school funding campaigns;

Vice chairman, MV-LA High School bond campaigns.

John Moss

Age 55

Motivation for

running:

I was encouraged to consider running by neighbors and friends who were concerned about the dysfunctional behavior of our current council. As I am a strong believer in public service and doing what I can, I agreed to run.

Most important issues:

1. Establish and publicize city government priorities and goals.

2. Slow/stop the erosion of our small town neighborhood character.

3. Improve city/schools relations and cooperation.

Goals if elected:

See above.

How I can made a difference:

Over the past 20 years, I have been on the boards of the Los Altos School District and several other nonprofit or charitable organizations. In every case, these organizations have measurably improved while I was a part of them. I have contributed leadership, focus, common sense and integrity to these organizations. I believe that I can help our city government improve as well.

Background information:

Married to Jackie for 25 years;

BSE, Princeton University; Sloan fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

23-year Los Altos resident.

Marketing program manager at HP.

Previous public experience:

Two terms as a trustee of the Los Altos School Board, president 1993;

Five years as a director of Mountain View-Los Altos High School Foundation, president 1994-95;

Three years as a director of Los Altos Education Foundation;

Seven years as a director of Santa Clara County School Boards Association.

Steven R. Smiley

Age 36

Motivation for

running:

No one special issue compels me to run. My overall desire is to make our city council work better. I believe good government requires good leadership. If elected I will deliver the leadership expected from a city council member and, together, we will address and resolve the city's concerns and challenges.

Most important issues:

1. Manage the steady growth of city business while maintaining the preservation of the village character of Los Altos.

2. Update policies to reflect proper representation of diverse community interests.

3. Competent leadership to ensure a government that responds comprehensively and quickly to the community.

Goals if elected:

Ensure that the council follows the general plan of policies and guidelines and, with consensus, exceed that plan whenever beneficial to the city.

Ensure economic growth does not adversely affect the character of our community.

Use today's information technologies to keep the community better informed on issues of particular interest.

How I can make a difference:

I believe that Los Altos must have good government, which requires competent leadership and teamwork; teamwork of the mayor, city council, city staff and the people of Los Altos. With the expertise I've developed in my career and education I can provide the leadership necessary to ensure that teamwork is implemented.

Background information:

Single,

BS, Eastern Illinois University,

MBA, St. Mary's College,

JD, Peninsula Law School.

7-year homeowner and resident.

Engineer, project manager with Space Systems/Loral.

Patricia Williams

King Lear, John Moss, Steve Smiley, Patricia Williams

Age 54

Motivation for running:

I am interested in completing some issues that were begun in my first term, specifically funding for youth recreational needs and maintaining our economic vitality in all our business districts.

Most important issues:

1. Financing programs and facilities for youth.

2. Traffic issues in our neighborhoods.

3. Maintaining economic vitality of business districts.

Goals if elected:

Develop and finance buildings and programs for youth.

Traffic calming measures to ensure safe neighborhoods.

Maintaining our unique small-town atmosphere while providing a vital economic tax base.

How I can make a difference:

I have the experience and proven ability to continue to represent the citizens of Los Altos on the city council. I have listened to the residents and know the history and background of the issues facing our community. I will continue to maintain and preserve the high standards that we value. I am dedicated to a vision that encourages personal responsibility and reaffirms the traditions that make our community unique.

Background information:

Five years on the city council, mayor 1995-96;

Five years on the planning commission;

EdD Organizational management

MA Education/child development

Financial advisor, the Delta Group, since 1983.