|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Name: Hassan Aburish
Age: 38
Occupation: Employment Attorney
Years residing in the district or city: Almost four years
Key endorsements: Vice Mayor Ned Fluet, Town Council member Dick Brown, Town Council member Brian Dombkowski, Town Council member Chris Shaw, former Mayor Dave Burow, former Town Council member Peter Mason, and former Portola Valley Mayor Maryann Moise
Campaign website: HassanForWoodside.com
Questions:
1.What makes you the best candidate and what relevant experience do you bring?
In my career as an attorney, I have significant experience interpreting and negotiating complex legal issues and aggressively advocating on behalf of the people I represent. Living off of (Highway) 84 (on Grandview), I have personal experiences dealing with the unique issues that affect those of us who live in the western hills, including power outages, road closures, and the threat of fire. Further, as the parent of one child at Ormondale (School), and a second who will start TK (transitional kindergarten) next year, I share the same concerns as the other parents in our town. Lastly, I will always be honest about my educational background and experience.
2. What would be your top three priorities as a council member?
- Conducting a safety assessment to identify any risks of fire, flooding, road failure, or other potential dangers from the increasingly severe weather events.
- Working closely with law enforcement to ensure Woodside is getting the most out of its relationship with the sheriff’s department, and seeking more visibility from deputies, particularly in problem areas.
- Working to find the best replacement for our town manager (Kevin) who just announced his retirement, and ensuring the contract with his replacement serves the town’s interests.
3. Where do you stand on the divided views of keeping Woodside rural versus adapting to change?
I moved to Woodside because I love its rural character, so I will do everything in my power to keep it this way.
4. The housing element has been a point of contention among those in town. Do you believe the proposed housing element projects are the best options?
I believe the current town council did the best job they could with the very limited options they had. While I do not like the current proposed projects, I’m unaware of any better options at this time. That said, I would like to work with the community to explore creative options that may have a more limited impact on our residents, while preserving the town’s rural character.
5. How will you ensure that the town is prepared for wildfires, landslides and other natural disasters?
As noted above, my top priority will be to retain a third party to conduct a safety audit of our roadways and land to identify areas we can improve to prevent fires, flooding, and road failures.
6. In May, the town considered paying council members. Do you think paying council members will increase accountability and responsibility?
I don’t believe it will have a direct impact on the conscious decisions of the council members, but I imagine it could have a subconscious effect on their feelings of responsibility, knowing it is not a “volunteer” position.
7. What are the biggest challenges the town is facing that you’d like to address?
The number one issue facing our community is safety from fire, flooding, and road failures. The second is the risks from the many reckless drivers speeding on our roads. One of our close family friends lost their young child in an accident caused by such a driver, so I would like to make sure our contracted sheriff’s deputies are more visible and active in certain areas, including Portola Road, OLH (Old La Honda), 84 and 35.
8. How will you make sure that the thoughts and concerns of town residents are heard and considered?
I have created a website and a Facebook pages with my contact information (hassanforwoodside@gmail.com), and I am always happy to speak directly with residents in our district about their issues and concerns.
9. What actions can the town take to control speeding on windy roads?
As noted above, I would like to work to strengthen the town’s relationship with law enforcement and to ensure the deputies are more visible and active in certain key areas. Radar speed signs are also helpful for keeping people aware of their speed.
