August 17, 2005

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Publication Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Election 2005: Joe Putnam won't run again for Woodside council

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

Woodside Councilman Joe Putnam, of local auto dealership fame, has decided not to seek a third term on the Town Council.

At the end of a special Town Council meeting August 9, Mr. Putnam announced that two four-year terms on the council were enough. He cited personal reasons, namely a desire to spend more time with his 10 grandchildren, and graciously praised his colleagues and town staff.

"I want to thank my colleagues for all of the camaraderie. I've enjoyed working with all of you. You're first rate," Mr. Putnam said.

Mr. Putnam's seat representing District 4 is up for election in November, as are those of Deborah Gordon in District 2 and Carroll Ann Hodges in District 6. Ms. Gordon and Ms. Hodges both filed for re-election and are running uncontested.

Councilwoman Sue Boynton said the town had benefited from Mr. Putnam's experience in finance and as a horseman, and Mayor Paul Goeld said he had been a great addition to the council.

"Joe always talks about customer service," Mr. Goeld said. "I know he's always tried to bring that to the council."
Dave Tanner

If Woodside Town Council members were seated in the order of the seven districts they represent, you might say that Dave Tanner is playing musical chairs. As the council member representing District 1, Mr. Tanner had to resign earlier this month because he is moving out of the Glens neighborhood to a new home in a different district -- District 4 -- where he will be living next to Mr. Putnam's property.

Woodside is divided into seven council districts. Although they are elected in a town-wide vote, council members must reside in the district they represent.

Last week, Mr. Tanner took out candidate papers to run for Mr. Putnam's District 4 seat, said Town Clerk Janet Koelsch. Unless another candidate for the seat materializes by Wednesday's extended filing deadline, it appears that Mr. Tanner's hiatus from the council will be brief. As of the Almanac's press deadline Monday afternoon, no other prospective candidate had taken out papers for District 4, according to Ms. Koelsch.

Mr. Tanner had said that he was interested in continuing to serve on the council, but that he would not run against Mr. Putnam if he sought re-election.
District 1

The council convened for a special meeting August 9, in the midst of its traditional August recess, to figure out how to fill Mr. Tanner's now-vacant District 1 seat.

Mr. Tanner's resignation letter, dated August 8, came too late for his council seat to be included in the upcoming November election.

Before the council had even reached a decision on whether to appoint someone to fill the District 1 seat, a prospective applicant declared himself.

Ron Romines, a resident of the Woodside Glens neighborhood since 1972, urged the council at the meeting to make an appointment rather than leave District 1 unrepresented.

Mr. Romines, a former member of the Woodside Recreation and Glens Specific Plan committees, perhaps demonstrating a commitment to full disclosure, told the council to take his advice for what it was worth, since he was interested in the position.

Mr. Tanner, who has represented District 1 since September 1999, was himself appointed to fill a vacancy, and subsequently elected.

The four council members at the meeting contemplated their alternatives -- whether to make an interim appointment or leave the seat unfilled, and whether to spend about $20,000 for a special election on April 11 or save money and wait until the town's next general election in November 2007. They directed town staff to advertise for applicants interested in being appointed. Ms. Gordon and Ms. Hodges were absent.

The council left unresolved the question of when to hold the election, but will have to decide by September 7, according to the Woodside municipal code. A special meeting is set for Tuesday, September 6, for the council to interview candidates and set the election date.

"District 1 needs to be represented, but two years is too long," said Mayor Paul Goeld. "I also think $20,000 is a lot for a little town to swallow."

He suggested that if the council gets applications from several qualified candidates, the town should schedule the special election in April in order to capitalize on the momentum.

District 1 residents will be notified by postcard that the council is seeking applicants, said Town Manager Susan George. The district includes the Woodside Glens neighborhood, Albion Road, Olive Hill Lane and parts of Canada and Woodside roads.

The application deadline is Wednesday, August 31.
INFORMATION

** Anyone interested in applying to represent District 1 on the Woodside Town Council should contact Town Clerk Janet Koelsch at 851-6790 or via e-mail at jkoelsch@woodsidetown.org. Check with her to see if your residence falls within the district. Applicants must be residents of District 1, and the application deadline is Wednesday, August 31. ** The Town Council's special meeting on Tuesday, September 6, begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road.

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