Election 2002: Menlo Park council: Three candidates and counting Election 2002: Menlo Park council: Three candidates and counting (July 17, 2002)

**Two challengers, one incumbent intend to run.

By Pam Smith

Almanac Staff Writer

Bill Halleck is setting himself up as a candidate with a political pedigree as he prepares to run for Menlo Park's City Council November 5.

"I've been associated with public life ever since I [was] little," said the city planning commissioner, adding that his grandfather was a U.S. Congressman, and his father was a federal district court judge. (Charlie Halleck, R-Indiana, served in the House of Representatives from 1935 to 1969, and rose to majority leader.)

Mr. Halleck, Councilman Nicholas Jellins and political newcomer Michael Meyer have said they intend to run for one of three seats on the five-member council.

Lee Duboc, a parks and recreation commissioner, took out nomination papers Monday -- the first formal step to get on the ballot -- but said she's not sure if she'll run. Mr. Jellins also took out papers.

"I'm kind of wishy-washy," said Ms. Duboc, who was extremely active in last year's successful campaign for Menlo Park's $38 million recreation bond. In recent months, she was among parks commissioners who urged the council to reconsider plans to build a new $6.7 million children's center near City Hall.

Incumbents Mary Jo Borak and Steve Schmidt both said they planned to take out nomination papers this week, but also said they haven't decided if they'll turn them in to run for re-election.

Like Mr. Halleck, Mr. Jellins cited his experience in public service. "I have four years of knowledge and dealings" with the council, city staff and community, he said, later adding, "I think I've done a good job." He wasn't prepared to get specific on issues or his reasons for running yet, he added.

Before he was elected to the council in 1998, Mr. Jellins served on the Planning Commission for about two years.

Computer systems engineer Michael Meyer, 31, took a noticeably different approach when he described his qualifications to run for the council a few weeks ago. With "zero" experience in local politics, his fresh perspective could be an asset, he told the Almanac.
First election

Though Mr. Halleck has not run for elected office in Menlo Park before, he is confident that he's ready for such a position.

"I definitely have the experience," he said.

The City Council unanimously re-appointed Mr. Halleck to the Planning Commission in April. He was first named to that seven-member body, which makes land-use decisions and recommendations, in 2000.

In addition to being "familiar with public life for years," he said, "I've been working in the public for years."

An associate landscape architect for the city of San Jose, he specializes in environmental permits, he said. "I'm very familiar with how a city functions."

He served on Menlo Park's Environmental Beautification Commission (now the Environmental Quality Commission), and co-wrote a Streamside Planting Guide for San Francisquito Creek, according to his application for the Planning Commission.

Mr. Halleck has lived in Menlo Park, on and off, for 14 years, he said, first in the Willows, and now in Linfield Oaks.

No particular issue, person or political group drove him to run, said Mr. Halleck. "Time will tell" if he aligns with any political group, such as the Menlo Community Association or Mid Peninsula Action for Tomorrow, he said.

"I think it's a little early to put an affiliation there," said Mr. Halleck.

He also declined to describe his political ideology just yet. "I think I need to think about that some more," he said.

Mayor Schmidt -- who says he is waiting to see if candidates with similar values to his own step forward before he commits to running -- described Mr. Halleck as having "good values" as well as qualifications.

Mr. Schmidt added that he "helped put [Mr. Halleck] on the Planning Commission" in 2000.
Deadline

If no incumbents file for candidacy by August 9 at 5 p.m., the deadline to file nomination papers will be extended to August 14 at 5 p.m., said City Clerk Susan Ramos. (City Hall is closed alternate Fridays, but Ms. Ramos said she will be there to accept the papers on the deadline day, regardless.)

Candidates must be registered voters and residents of the city. For nomination papers or more information, call Ms. Ramos at 858-3381.

E-mail Pam Smith at psmith@AlmanacNews.com.