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Name: Helen Wolter
Age: 55
Occupation: Sustainability Management Analyst
Year residing in the district or city: Raised in Portola Valley
Key endorsements: San Mateo County Firefighters. San Mateo County Democratic Party. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Sen. Josh Becker, State Assemblymembers Marc Berman and Diane Papan, San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, Portola Valley School District Board Clerk Aimee Armsby, Former Portola Valley Mayors John Richards, Maryann Moise, Sue Crane, Craig Hughes, Jon Silver, and Steve Toben.
Campaign website: helenforcouncil.org
Questions:
1. What makes you the best candidate and what relevant experience do you bring?
I’ve spent 20 years leading community outreach and policy advocacy efforts on
local and regional issues. As a long-time resident of Portola Valley who has
worked in our area’s local governments, I bring a wealth of knowledge that would
build a better Town. As a sustainability analyst, I understand how to craft policies
that create fiscally sound, functioning, and resilient communities.
Additionally, I am the only candidate who has successfully worked to increase
our region’s open spaces – 10+ acres in San Mateo County. With my experience,
I would find solutions to preserve our Town’s small-town character, while
modernizing sustainably.
2. What are your top three priorities as a council member?
Restoring Civil Governance to Town Hall
Having dedicated my career to public service, I understand the importance of
governments being a reliable resource for everyone. Our Council needs to work together to problem-solve on the monetary issues facing our community. I have a record of being resourceful on budgetary issues – I am running to bring that experience to Town Hall.
Together, Building a Better Portola Valley
Many in Town don’t realize how the housing crisis adversely affects our public safety as police officers, firefighters, and teachers move further away. I strongly believe that we as a community can find ways to incentivize in-fill housing that protects the Town’s character and preserves the open spaces that we all treasure.
Public Safety
One of the biggest tasks of local government is making sure that people feel safe in our community. Currently, only a few Portola Valley neighborhoods meet statewide standards for fire safety. Applying my government experience, I will bolster our collaboration with the local fire agencies to better protect our entire community with a bulk goat buy so that we can improve our vegetation management on a landscape scale while also working to increase FireWise communities throughout Town.
3. The town has experienced a high turnover of staff over the last year. How can the council support the efforts to efficiently rebuild a strong town administration?
We need to recruit and retain experienced and qualified employees because that’s how we will improve the quality, efficiency, and responsiveness of our public services. We need to support our employees for their commitment to the community while supporting their professional growth. The council also needs to be respectful and acknowledge that the town staff have all residents’ best interests at heart and are doing their best to help residents find solutions to their issues.
4. How can the town develop stronger relationships with its residents and community members?
I believe in making principled, fact-based, and community-centered policy decisions. Far too often, political leaders make sweeping promises they can’t keep, and I don’t want to be that type of leader. I want to ensure that all residents are heard and respected. While we may disagree on the direction to take, it is important to have civil discourse that offers residents and community members the opportunity to find solutions to the problems we are facing.
5. What does the town currently struggle with?
The Town has struggled with passing a certified Housing Element. After over 50
meetings, the Town still doesn’t have a Housing Element that meets state laws. Plus, due to the lack of Town staffing, it is challenging to get units built. As a result, we are already behind in fulfilling our housing needs, making us subject to SB423, which would force Portola Valley to approve developments even if they go against our Town’s character. Many in Town don’t realize how the housing crisis adversely affects our public safety and our local economy. You go to a restaurant and there aren’t enough waitresses. You live in assisted living and there aren’t enough nurses. The SMC Sheriff can’t recruit enough deputies so existing personnel must work overtime to ensure our public safety, which comes at a premium to taxpayers.
6. Financial audits are currently being conducted, but residents have expressed their disapproval for the lack of transparency on the town’s budget. What can be done to get the town’s finances in order for the next fiscal years?
First, I would have staff do online updates on a regular basis to break down the
key expenditures and make sure that the annual operating budget is accessible to the public so that the community can see all expenditures and revenue. I would also ensure that the missing audits are dealt with as quickly as possible. Lastly, I would work to make the budget breakdowns are transparent through a transparency portal so that it is easier to see where our tax dollars are spent. Additionally, our contract with the Sheriff’s office needs to be re-negotiated. Second, we need to recruit, train and retain town staff so that we can reduce our reliance on contracted services which are more expensive than regular staff.
7. The Planning Commission and Architectural & Site Control Commission have records of frequently canceling meetings. How can the town make volunteer-based committees more accountable? Should it?
Staffing numerous committees is time-intensive for our Town employees. Due to
staff shortages and budget constraints, the next Council will need to reconsider
which committees are priorities. By law, we need the Planning Commission.
However, other committees may need to be reconsidered or have their charter
re-examined.
8. How can the town preserve its small town characteristics? Should it?
I fully support preserving the Town’s small town character, but the Town also
needs to evolve. While we have had a period of stability, I am not sure we can continue our present course without making changes that will preserve the character and meet state mandates. I strongly believe that we can incentivize ADUs with streamlined permitting and by incorporating ADUs’ square footage towards a house’s floor area ratio – this is how Atherton meets its housing goals without sacrificing its community character. By allowing people to have greater freedom over how they would like to use their property, I firmly believe we can find solutions to the problems we are facing while preserving our open spaces.
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