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Published on 11/30/1998 All articles from this issue

Other Voices

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By Lou Becker

City has accomplished a lot, but much more to do

Lou Becker was sworn in as Los Altos mayor at the Nov. 10 Los Altos City Council meeting. As he prepares to preside over his second council meeting this coming Tuesday, we felt it appropriate to share with you his and the council's goals given at his swearing-in speech.

I am very proud to be elected the mayor of Los Altos and serve the city that has been my home for 35 years.

This is something I really never planned on - I never expected to be here until three years ago when Los Altos elected three new council members who became the nucleus of a new council.

Along with the other two new members elected a year ago, we have accomplished many things. For example, we have:

Improved public safety by adding paramedics to the staffs responding on our fire engines; increased the number of personnel responding to emergencies and put additional police on the streets to better control traffic.

Bought the property at 401 Rosita, which will become open space for recreation within the next few months.

Approved the construction of a new park at Edith and San Antonio. (Work has already started.)

Repaved San Antonio along with numerous other streets.

Hired a great new city manager who is bringing new life and improved technologies to our city administration.

There is much more to do. This council has the vision and has set goals that will make Los Altos a better place to live for years to come. It will be my privilege to lead this council for the next year in reaching these achievements. Major interests of mine are:

Expand the use of our newly implemented computerized office facilities and to extend them to the integration of planning, work scheduling, project tracking, and on-line services to the public.

Start work on 401 Rosita and create usable open space for recreation.

Complete a thorough service review of one department by a competent independent source.

Continue to work with the schools for better use of public recreation facilities.

Begin a process of updating our general plan to include our Community Vision.

Improve the appearance of the city entrance points and major traffic arteries, such as San Antonio and the expressway.

Find a pro-active solution to the El Camino day labor problem (in conjunction with our neighboring city).

Find additional sources of revenue.

I have an ambitious schedule. However, I know it is possible because of the progress we have made in the last three years.

In my opinion, I serve with four of the best council members Los Altos has ever had.

I am very optimistic about making these achievements.

I want to thank my fellow council members for giving me this honor. I look forward to a

very productive and beneficial year for the residents of Los Altos.

Thank you for this opportunity.