EDITORIAL: Election 2004: Almanac endorsements EDITORIAL: Election 2004: Almanac endorsements (October 13, 2004)

Menlo Park City Council

Menlo Park voters should have no trouble choosing two candidates to fill the vacancies left by the departing City Council members Paul Collacchi and Chuck Kinney. Of the four candidates running, planning commissioners Kelly Fergusson and Lorie Sinnott stand out, and deserve to move up to the council.

Ms. Fergusson, who spearheaded the effort to rescind Ordinance 926 that would have revised the city's home-building rules, is a civil engineer who lives in the Willows neighborhood and has been active there and in other community matters. She says a better, more neighborhood-friendly, residential zoning ordinance can be written, and her participation would be invaluable in helping the present council defuse this volatile issue.

Ms. Fergusson says she would work to improve revenue by attracting new businesses to increase sales tax income. One way to start, she says, is to mount an architectural design "charrette" -- a collaborative community planning process -- on the future of Haven Avenue, on the northeast border, to explore uses such as an auto mall, hotel or some type of waterfront development.

She supports designing a workable public art ordinance that would be easier on local businesses. She is endorsed by Mr. Collacchi and Mr. Kinney.

Ms. Sinnott, who is the chief financial officer of the architectural business run by her husband, has served 10 years on the Planning Commission and was a strong supporter of the rescinded, rules-based, building design ordinance. She is supported by council members Lee Duboc and Mickie Winkler, but casts herself as an independent thinker who does not always agree with the council majority.

Ms. Sinnott is a trained, but non-practicing psychology therapist, and says she could help the council do a better job of actively listening to and acknowledging differing points of view. When the council voted to impose budget cuts on the Belle Haven community, Ms. Sinnott said the public didn't understand. She says she could help the council neutralize the polarization that many feel is dividing the community.

Ms. Sinnott says an arts commission is important, but that the city needs a broad-based funding plan to pay for public art. She says a well-designed parking structure could be an asset downtown.

The two other council candidates -- architect and lifelong resident Mike Lambert, and retired workers' compensation judge Andy Cohen -- have impressive credentials, but in our view need to put in some -- or more -- time on city commissions before they step up to the council. Ms. Fergusson and Ms. Sinnott have paid their dues and know the issues. They will hit the ground running in December, and deserve your vote.

District 11 Senate seat

Democrat Joe Simitian is running to replace Byron Sher, who is termed out of the 11th District Senate seat. Mr. Simitian, who served four years in the Assembly, won a tough primary battle against Ted Lempert for the nomination, and is expected to easily defeat Jon Zellhoefer, the Republican.

Mr. Simitian is well known to voters in the 21st Assembly district, who have grown accustomed to his "There oughta be a law," campaigns and his frequent publicized sidewalk meetings. Mr. Simitian knows his district, which is highly interested in education and the environment, as well as business matters affecting Silicon Valley.

We urge a vote for Joe Simitian to serve in the state Senate.

District 21 Assembly seat

The cakewalk contest Democrats envisioned to win the District 21 Assembly seat held by Joe Simitian has vanished, blown away by the fortune of high-tech mogul and moderate Republican Steve Poizner, who has spent more than $4 million so far in his effort to defeat business consultant and Redwood City council member Ira Ruskin.

Mr. Poizner's extraordinary spending has motivated Democrats around the state to donate funds to help Mr. Ruskin defend the seat against takeover by the Republican party. But despite the late donations, Mr. Ruskin continues to trail Mr. Poizner nearly 4-1 in money raised so far, and the margin is expected to widen in the campaign's final weeks.

On the issues, both candidates favor a hold-the-line budget and no increase in taxes, and both oppose three strikes sentencing reform and the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. The two have similar positions on environmental issues, education and improving the climate for business in the state.

One major difference is Mr. Poizner's support of George W. Bush, and his acceptance of campaign donations from major Republican donors. Mr. Ruskin is taking every opportunity to point out this distinction that won't sit well with the district's many Democrats. Mr. Ruskin's record on the environment has also earned him the endorsement of the Sierra Club and Committee for Green Foothills, a key factor in this environmentally sensitive district.

A main thrust by Mr. Poizner is to reform the redistricting process and the way campaign donations are handled, which has led him to berate Mr. Ruskin for taking money from his political party and labor unions. Given his own free spending, we find it disingenuous for Mr. Poizner to berate Mr. Ruskin for accepting contributions from teachers, nurses and municipal workers, as candidates from both parties have done for years. Mr. Ruskin has contributed $95,000 to his own campaign, compared to nearly $4 million given by Mr. Poizner to his own effort.

Although we respect Mr. Poizner's moderate views, District 21 voters should take a hard look at his effort to virtually buy this Assembly seat, and compare the backgrounds of the two men and how effective they might be in Sacramento.

Mr. Ruskin is an experienced city council leader who has worked with state legislators and who is now leading a group of cities that are overseeing the multi-billion dollar repair and upgrade of the critical Hetch Hetchy water system.

Mr. Poizner has never served on a city council, and although he was recently a White House Fellow in the Bush administration and volunteered as a teacher for one year, he has no experience working in a legislative body.

In addition, no matter how much money Mr. Poizner has, as a Republican it isn't likely that his reform measures will even get to a vote in the Democratic-controlled Assembly. Mr. Ruskin, on the other hand, would be eligible for strong committee or subcommittee assignments and be much more able to gain support for his legislation or amendments.

Like it or not, that is the way deliberative bodies work, and after his years of experience on the Redwood City Council, Mr. Ruskin is a skilled negotiator, with a proven track record of getting new and innovative ordinances approved by his colleagues.

Mr. Ruskin will get much more done for this district in Sacramento because of his experience and legislative skills. Mr. Poizner is attempting to buy his way into this race having never served in elective office. The wise vote in District 21 is for Ira Ruskin.

Measure A: county transportation

We urge a yes vote on this measure, which would continue a half-cent sales tax to fund numerous transportation measures for 25 more years, starting in 2009. The funds would be used primarily for highways, local streets, public transit, and separating rail grades from roadways. Small amounts are earmarked for pedestrian and bicycle improvements, the existing BART line and ferry facilities.

The current Measure A does not expire until 2008, but transportation leaders are hoping to get a two-thirds vote on this measure this year so sound planning for the expected $1.5 billion that will be raised over the 25-year life of the measure can begin.

Measure A, which needs a two-thirds vote, is the backbone of the county's transportation-improvement program. Its funds are critical to keep up with the needs of county residents who use the freeways, public transit and local streets. Grade separations for Menlo Park and Atherton could be paid for by Measure A funds, if the cities apply in time. We urge a yes vote on Measure A.

Measure H: high school bonds

This bond issue would provide $70 million to continue building improvements at Sequoia Union High School District schools, including Menlo-Atherton and Woodside.

According to district officials, taxpayers would not see a property tax rate increase, although a scheduled decrease in the current $24 per $100,000 of assessed valuation would be delayed for 10 years.

Money from the bonds would pay for a new performing arts center and more classrooms at Menlo-Atherton, and would help Woodside High complete its performing arts center, add science and regular classrooms and install solar voltaic cells at all district high schools.

Sequoia Superintendent Pat Gemma estimates that the solar cells would save the district $500,000 a year in utility costs, and pay for themselves in about 10 years.

After years of neglect, the Sequoia district is close to completely renovating its main campuses and is ready to meet its state-mandated obligations to provide classroom space to several charter schools. These bond funds will not be a burden on taxpayers, who already are paying the rate of $24 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. We urge a yes vote on this bond issue.

Measure O: Atherton parcel tax

Atherton is one of the few cities on the Peninsula that has no commercial district, and collects virtually no sales tax. As a result, a majority of the city's income comes from property taxes and a parcel tax, currently set at $750 per year for the typical lot. Measure O would extend, but not raise, the tax for another four years.

This tax is essential if Atherton is to continue to meet its obligations. We urge residents to vote yes on Measure O.

Sequoia Healthcare District

Malcolm MacNaughton and Kathleen Kane, the two incumbents on this board, deserve re-election in this race for two seats. Both believe strongly in continuing the district, which supports Sequoia Hospital and other health efforts in the south county. The two also support the hospital's plan to seismically retrofit its buildings on its Alameda de las Pulgas site.

The challengers -- Warren Gibson and Sonya Sigler -- are allied with board member Jack Hickey, a Libertarian who would have the three votes necessary to disband the board if the two challengers are elected. That would be a mistake.

We urge residents to vote for Malcolm MacNaughton and Kathleen Kane for the Sequoia Healthcare District board; they will insure that the hospital continues to provide top-quality care to residents of the district.

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