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Candidate profiles below.
Three candidates — two incumbents and a challenger — are running for two, four-year terms on the Menlo Park City Council.
Since the council has a four-member majority, the current majority will maintain control of the five-seat council regardless of the results of the Nov. 4 election.
Although the campaign is low on candidates, the city’s political camps will still face off on Nov. 4.
Mayor Andy Cohen and Councilwoman Kelly Fergusson are seeking re-election. Although the two incumbents don’t vote in lockstep, they’ve endorsed one another’s re-election campaigns, and are widely considered part of the council’s four-person majority that also includes councilmen Richard Cline and Heyward Robinson — both of whom have endorsed their colleagues’ re-election bids. The four council members represent the camp that is more resistant to development projects, and the traffic and construction impacts associated with increased development.
Representing the other side of the political spectrum is Rick Ciardella, a two-time president of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, and a local landscape architect. Councilman John Boyle, who represents the political camp more receptive to development, has endorsed Mr. Ciardella.
All three candidates agree on several issues, including preserving Bayfront Park as open space, continuing to explore public/private partnership opportunities, and addressing growing employee costs. But when it comes to two issues that could have big impacts on the town — El Camino Real and high-speed rail — the candidates don’t see eye-to-eye.
El Camino Real
The main message from Mr. Ciardella’s campaign is a simple one: The council needs to move faster in efforts to revamp properties along El Camino Real and the city’s downtown area.
The city is starting phase two of what’s expected to be a years-long “visioning process” for revamping abandoned auto lots along El Camino Real. The effort has cost the city $226,000 in consultant fees and other costs thus far, and will likely cost hundreds of thousands more in consultant expenses and land-use studies.
Mr. Ciardella admits he’s “taken a backseat” on the project, and hasn’t attended any of the community workshops devoted to revamping El Camino Real properties, but he says the council has spent too much time and money on studies, and needs to start making decisions.
“They haven’t accomplished anything,” said Mr. Ciardella, who has helped design several city projects, including the Menlo Square condo-commercial project at the intersection of Oak Grove and Merrill Street. “Every time I turn around, there’s another consultant.”
But sitting council members — including Mr. Ciardella supporter John Boyle — have stressed that the high costs and long timeline of the El Camino project are justified in order to get the community to weigh in on the future of thoroughfare. Incumbents Cohen and Fergusson said the council has to take its time to get a vision for the corridor with widespread support.
“There are six prior studies sitting on the shelf because they lacked the community’s support,” said Ms. Fergusson, referring to past city-led efforts to come up with a plan for overhauling the El Camino Real corridor. “Menlo Park has been plagued by these piecemeal development proposals that have divided our community. We need to get beyond that, and this is our only way.”
Mr. Cohen acknowledged that the city could “tighten up” the time and money spent on studies and consultants, but he stressed that there are some residents who want to see higher densities and more intense development along El Camino, and others that want little to no development.
“These dramatically opposing viewpoints must be brought to consensus — not compromise,” Mr. Cohen said.
Asked if community-wide consensus is possible, Mr. Cohen pointed to the smaller, less-dense version of the proposed Derry condo-commercial development. The 108-condo compromise project, not yet approved by the council, is a result of negotiations between the developer and a core group residents that opposed the original 135-condo project.
Mr. Ciardella has a different take on the Derry project.
He said the referendum against the original project, supported by the current council majority, was “misguided.” He questioned whether the compromise project will ever get built.
High-speed rail
The candidates also differ in their views of plans to shoot high-speed trains up and down the Caltrain corridor.
Ms. Fergusson, along with councilmen Cline and Robinson, have become staunch critics of Proposition 1A, the $9.95 billion bond measure that would provide the initial funding for an estimated $45 billion high-speed train line that would connect San Francisco to Los Angeles. Mr. Cohen has opposed high-speed rail, but hasn’t taken an official stance on the project as a council member, citing a potential conflict of interest: he lives near the Caltrain tracks.
Council members Fergusson, Cline and Robinson voted in favor of passing a resolution opposed to Proposition 1A, arguing the state hasn’t addressed potential noise, construction and property impacts of the train on Menlo Park homeowners and businesses.
“This was the only way to bring them to the table,” said Ms. Fergusson, referring to separate votes to oppose the bond measure and join a lawsuit against the state on the basis the route would negatively impact Menlo Park. “I’m not going to let [the California High Speed Rail Authority] bulldoze our residents. … The City Council is trying to manage the impacts of this project on our town.”
Candidate Ciardella said he’s “undecided” on Proposition 1A, but questioned council members’ decision to join a lawsuit against the proposed route.
He said he sympathizes with concerns about the lack of information regarding what impacts the train would have locally, but noted that he’s confident the rail authority will give Menlo Park and other cities a chance to give more input on the project.
“People are frustrated with this process, and not all the issues have been thought out,” Mr. Ciardella said. “We need to be in the driver’s seat on this, and I think this process will still be community driven.”
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Kelly Fergusson
Age: 46
Experience: Present: Menlo Park City Council member since 2004, served as mayor in 2007; San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee member; City/Council Association of Governments board member; Association of Bay Area Governments representative; Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency policy advisory committee member. Former planning commissioner, 2002-2004.
Profession: Incumbent, business manager of clean energy projects for Siemens Building Technologies.
Education: Ph.D. and M.S., Stanford University Department of Civil Engineering. B.S., Stanford University.
Key endorsements: Menlo Park City Council members Richard Cline, Andy Cohen and Heyward Robinson; Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter; San Mateo County Democratic Party; San Mateo County Labor Council; Menlo Park Police Officers’ Association.
Richard “Rick” Ciardella
Age: 57
Experience: Present: Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce executive board member, served as board chairman in 2004 and 2005; chair of Connoisseur’s Marketplace event. Former: Environmental Beautification Commission member, 1978-1979, and 1991-1998; Menlo-Atherton High School Performing Arts Center Committee member; Trees for Menlo volunteer.
Profession: Landscape architect, Ciardella Associates.
Education: M.A., Harvard Graduate School of Design. B.A., California State Polytechnic University — Pomona.
Key endorsements: Menlo Park City Council member John Boyle, Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
Andrew “Andy” Cohen
Age: 68
Experience: Present: Menlo Park City Council member since 2004, current mayor; San Mateo County Council of Cities representative; Airport Community Roundtable board member; Association of Bay Area Governments representative. Former: Judge, California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, 1989-1994.
Profession: Incumbent, retired judge
Education: Law degree, Stanford University. B.A., Dartmouth College.
Key endorsements: Menlo Park City Council members Richard Cline, Kelly Fergusson, and Heyward Robinson; Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter; San Mateo County Democratic Party; San Mateo County Labor Council; Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.
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Almanac – I am disappointed that you state there is a 4-person majority on the council at this time. This points to a divide that I don’t think is valid these days. From my perspective, the council is back to a composition that many of us expect and respect: a group of 5 people who have different ideas and approaches. Sometimes 3, 4, or 5 of them vote the same way but “the majority” is not always the same individuals, as in the past.
In fact, I am pleased that I have to ask “who voted which way” now when I hear that a council majority made a particular decision. Better decisions come when there are numerous perspectives and discussion.
Why didn’t Richard Ciardella put his education in his ballot statement?
I don’t know what council meeting “Don’t add to divisiveness” has been attending, but there most certainly is a divide within this council. I believe the typical voting results are 4 to 1.
John Boyle is definitely the odd man out, not that I believe it is correct, but he does disagree with many of the current council’s position. He is, and has been, a fiscal conservative that wants results.
For “MP Voter”, I’m not sure why Rick neglected to add his education in the ballot statement, it should have been added, it certainly is impressive. He has used this education to create a small company that does wonderful work.
If John Boyle wants to be portrayed as a “fiscal conservative that wants results” then how on earth can he justify his support for Prop 1A, a fantasy project with no hard numbers backing it up? In his previous life, I suspect he would have read the HSR marketing materials and tossed the packet in the nearest recycling bin. Clearly, he has evaluated the tradeoff between fiscal prudence and political positioning and decided that the latter serves his career interests better.
P.S. Cal Poly Pomona is a fine third tier school. It’s not exactly Stanford or Dartmouth!
I believe Andy Cohen also is a fiscal conservative; he has generally voted conservatively about financial issues. As I said, I generally have to ask who comprised a “majority vote”. But you’re right – if it’s 4 to 1, the 1 is usually John Boyle. I attribute differences more to the fact that he’s a Republican.
Again, the Almanac takes a simplistic view about positions on growth described as pro- or anti- . It would be much more accurate to describe differences as being whether development is planned or laissez faire.
Agree with you, don’t add. Besides, what does “growth” mean? Does it mean lining El Camino with high-rise buildings? I would hope that any serious candidate would be opposed to that! Does it mean supporting local businesses and increasing sales tax revenues? All candidates should be in favor of that!
Taking a big picture perspective on what is best for Menlo Park can’t really be divided into a growth/no-growth issue. Most people want our city to be better tomorrow than it is today, but we have different views on how to get there.
Of the current council members, I believe that both Rich and Andy in particular are trying to stay middle-of-the-road. Talking about “camps” makes for juicy journalism, but I think most of us who actually live here prefer that our city not be politically bifurcated. The two vs one issue in this race should refer to the fact that we have two very qualified and experienced candidates running against someone who doesn’t seem very aware of what’s going on in the city.
I think “Council Watcher” missed the Harvard part of Rich Ciardella’s resume. He also still is on the job, and was not asked to leave…….:)
Not all Harvard degrees are hard to come by or prestigious. The degree that Ciardella obtained is available to anyone with minimal credentials and a checkbook, similar to the Continuing Studies degrees that Stanford offers. Nothing wrong with it, of course, but in the scheme of things it doesn’t compare very well to a PhD or JD from Stanford.
Ciardella still works, has applied his knowledge to his practice, and developed a very fine business. Cohen no longer practices, and Ferguson does not work either. I wonder why? I don’t think we want information like this going public, it wouldn’t fair well with these two.
I think you mean “fare.” Andy is retired after an illustrious career and Kelly is an executive in a local company.
Rick seems like a nice enough fellow, but so’s my mow/blow/go guy.
He’s a landscape architect Mr. Nth Degree, good try on attempting to downgrade his position. He has developed open space projects all over the world, including MP. He currently is working on one in Big Sur. Andy was ASKED to leave, and Kelly is NOT an executive in a local company. If either one of these statements are false, prove it.
That you, Karl Rove?
Mr. Myers, making up things to smear respectable people who want to serve our community has no place in Menlo Park.
Andy Cohen did retire after a well-respected career as an attorney and judge.
Kelly Fergusson IS an executive locally, but it’s for a major international company – Siemens. Her job is Business Development Manager, Siemens Building Technologies, Energy and Environment.
For the “proof”, see a recent flyer, that I easily found through google search, for a recent event where she participated professionally: http://www.californiaindianeducation.org/events/flyers08/BEAR_Training.pdf
BTW – I do respect Rick Ciardella’s experience and credentials and find no reason to diminish them even though I support the re-election of the incumbents Cohen and Fergusson.
I thought in this age of “Palin Power”, you need “diminished credentials” to get you elected 🙂
Yea, just think he could have been a “Community Organizer”! God help us all!
Ah yes. The ubiquitious slap of lack of credentials from people who look in the clear rear view mirror and arm chair quarterback purposefully without regard to what the issues at hand are. It is always safe to attack the character not the substance. Typical. Who the hell cares about the pedigrees of individuals. This snob factor or elitism will always rear its ugly head and be perpetuated by individuals who think they know better. Especially in this bastion of what I call my city. If that were the case and you know more, throw your name in the hat, run for office, and let others be the judges of your platform and see how well you perform. Easier said than done isn’t it. I have met people from Stanford and Dartmouth or other so called Ivy League schools during my limited lifetime and while applaudable that they were fortunate enough to attend a “first” tiered school, I walk away thinking to myself, please tell me that they are not that dumb? I have met people from state schools that do laps around some Ivy Leaguers. People who are not only book smart but also real world in your face I am hungry street smart. You can have your Ivy League education. I will take street smart with the ability to ask the right questions any day. Stanford, Dartmouth, MIT, please…book smart maybe but try to solve real world issues and they would rather stay in their vacuum of life and pretend to be important…because they went to Stanford. Get off your high horse and make a difference instead of knocking people who are at the very least trying.
Rick put his name out there and knows what it takes to make it in this economy and environment. Save your education credentials for your obituary.
You midget-minds who suggest that the “better” the degree, the better the degree-holder will perform in the public service realm and the workplace would do well to consider questions regarding WHY some very intelligent and motivated people don’t go to a first- or second-tier school, and WHY some utter simpletons and mediocrities end up in first-tier schools. (Look no further than the White House.)
The suggestion that someone without a prestigious degree isn’t capable of honorable service to his/her community, and couldn’t possibly possess good critical thinking skills, is odious in the extreme. If those of you who posted such sentiments above have prestigious degrees, you’ve just given damning evidence against your case. Maybe you should enroll in your local community college for an evening class on democratic principles. But first you’d better sign up for a critical thinking course. You’ll need it.