Menlo Park election: Carcione won't run for council Menlo Park election: Carcione won't run for council (July 14, 2004)

** Menlo Park Planning Commissioner Kelly Fergusson takes out candidacy papers.

By Rebecca Wallace
Almanac Staff Writer

As the campaign season merry-go-round begins to spin in earnest, it's time to decide whether to leap on.

In hopes of being elected to the Menlo Park City Council, Planning Commissioner Kelly Fergusson has climbed aboard the first horse by taking out candidacy papers. On the other hand, former state Assembly candidate John Carcione has opted out.

Two four-year council seats are up for grabs; Paul Collacchi and Chuck Kinney have said they won't run again.

Mr. Carcione cited new work responsibilities as the main reason for his decision. An attorney, he recently joined San Mateo County's Juvenile Private Defender Panel. The county doesn't have a public defender's office, so these local attorneys represent indigent defendants.

He also serves on the board of directors for the West Bay Sanitary District.

If elected to the council, Mr. Carcione might have wound up a minority voice. He says his views seem less aligned with those of so-called council majority members Lee Duboc, Mickie Winkler and Nicholas Jellins, who often vote together. For example, he signed the recent referendum petition against a proposed set of home-building rules that the three supported.

Still, Mr. Carcione said he wouldn't have minded being in the opposition.

"I've taken on difficult battles in the past on West Bay and running for state Assembly," he said. "I would relish that role."

Mr. Carcione, who narrowly lost to Ira Ruskin in the March Democratic primary for the 21st Assembly district seat, said he would not rule out a later run for elected office. His West Bay term is up next year.

As the period for taking out and filing candidacy papers began on July 12, Ms. Fergusson was first in line, obtaining papers at 8 a.m., City Clerk Silvia Vonderlinden said. Fellow Planning Commissioner Lorie Sinnott has also said she'll run, but other residents are still pondering the issue.

Former councilman Steve Schmidt, who has been very critical of the council majority, said he supports Ms. Fergusson but might take out papers as well if there's not another candidate he favors. Over the weekend, he talked to two potential candidates with "good values," he said, but declined to name them as they're still undecided.

Meanwhile, Ms. Sinnott has won the support of Councilwoman Mickie Winkler, who said she planned to endorse her.

Ordinarily, the filing period for candidacy papers would end August 6 at 5 p.m., but if an incumbent doesn't run the deadline is extended by five calendar days.

INFORMATION

To take out papers to run for the Menlo Park City Council, call City Clerk Silvia Vonderlinden at 330-6620. Candidates will need to gather 20 signatures of registered Menlo Park voters.

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