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Getting a head start on the competition, Transportation Commissioner Ray Mueller announced on Tuesday (May 29) that he’s running for a seat on the Menlo Park City Council.
Two seats will be open come fall as Kelly Fergusson’s and Andy Cohen’s terms expire in December.
Mr. Mueller’s announcement ends months of speculation as to whether he’d run. His campaign had gathered endorsements from five planning commissioners before becoming official.
“It was a decision I was encouraged to make after discussing it with many people, whose passion for serving the residents of the City, I respect and admire. I am proud to have so many planning commissioners’ endorsements so early in the election cycle,” he said in an email.
Mr. Mueller has become a familiar figure at the city’s public hearings, speaking on issues that include Facebook development, traffic management, the Stanford Hospital expansion, and other topics.
Describing himself as a balanced voice that seeks equilibrium between quality of life and fiscal stability, Mr. Mueller said he wants to run a campaign based on listening to residents and finding solutions.
One specific focus is whether rezoning in the M2 district would encourage more biotechnology and health-care manufacturers to relocate to Menlo Park.
“Can we do more to tap and enhance the economic engine of the Silicon Valley, to the benefit of our residents?” he asked. “I believe diversification of the City’s tax revenue base is an essential component to its long-term fiscal stability. There are only so many hotels you can build, and so many times you can raise taxes on travelers in an attempt to raise revenues.”
He has served on the Transportation Commission since 2010. An attorney by trade, Mr. Mueller said he volunteers for the county’s Domestic Violence Collaborative and also with two education nonprofits that serve schools in Menlo Park, Atherton and East Palo Alto. Closer to home, he said, he started a neighborhood watch group along Santa Cruz Avenue and will help organize the city’s block party this year.
While no campaign manager has been announced yet, he said that fellow transportation commissioner Nate Hodges has volunteered to serve as treasurer.
“I am very hopeful that people who have not traditionally been associated with City politics will be attracted to the campaign,” Mr. Mueller said.
I am very happy to see that Mr. Mueller is running for city council. He seems to be a very smart and caring person and has not only worked hard to help with traffic issues but to also help the community better understand the Facebook deal and its effect on the city. Mr. Mueller has also taken the time to listen to the residents and their needs, which means a lot to me personally. Good luck Mr. Mueller!
Go Ray Go!!!
great news for Menlo Park! I wish I had the opportunity to vote for him.
Mueller is a good guy, hope he wins.
I have known Ray a long time. I know nobody more dedicated and passionate as Ray when it comes to getting the job done. Ray is extremely open minded and is great at consolidating ideas and bringing a team together to form one like-minded idea for the whole group.
I have known Ray for a couple of years now and thrilled to see him run for this. Truly believe this would be good thing for Menlo Park!
I am extremely excited to see Ray Mueller throw his hat into serving this community. As a lifelong resident of the Bay Area, I can’t think of anyone better qualified for this job. Ray is brilliant and a natural problem-solver who uses his logic and experience to resolve issues almost effortlessly. You have to see this man in action for yourself to begin to fathom that statement. He will only add to the beauty and splendor of Menlo Park if elected. God speed, Ray!
Those above expounding so enthusiastically about Mr. Meuller, really ought to do better homework.
He is hardly balanced on his views. He is another of the Sierra Club minions who think building higher and more dense is the way for Menlo Park to proceed. He is no “residentialist” who wants to improve the qualify of life here in Menlo Park. I for one won’t vote for him.
Let the Bohannon, DuBoc bloc of voters promote him, because that is where he sits on development issues.
6 out of 7 Menlo Park Planning Commissioners, Katie Ferrick, Vince Bressler, Peipei Yu Pollman, Henry Riggs, John O’Malley and according to the Patch, Ben Eiref, all have endorsed Mueller for City Council.
I think Raymond would be good for the city. When everything was going on with the traffic issues, he came to the Willows to talk to us and really listened to our concerns. I think he really cares.
Also, I disagree with the comment above, the Sierra Club is an excellent organization and I wish more people were part of it.
I’ve known Mr. Mueller for several years now and I don’t care what club he may or may not belong to. What I do know is that he surrounds himself with brilliant company and can only do good for the community he serves. Good luck, Ray. For the sake of Menlo Park, I hope you win.
As a bay area native, I’m beyond thrilled to see Ray run for this position. He is a man of great moral and character; a person I am proud to say has crossed my path. He is bright and has wisdom beyond his years. Ray has my vote!i
Though I know Ray recently, I can tell you that Ray is a high quality person of character and experience. The towns folk of Menlo Park is lucky to have a person who will represent you all well. Hmm, maybe he should to move to Redwood City.
Much luck to Ray and to his wonderful family in a positive election.
If you knock on 100 doors in Menlo Park at random, I don’t expect a single person will be able to explain what a residentialist is. This group was manufactured as part of Kelly Fergusson’s 2004 campaign. She wanted to put “quality of life” back into the mission statement of our city. I’ve never been able to find any mission statement for our city. Plotting the developers against residentialists is a fools game. I am reminded of this every time I drive past the rotting lot that should have been the Derry Project.
Mr. Mueller represents the ambitious young people that make great sacrifices to raise a family here in Menlo Park. We would be well served if more quality individuals such as Raymond would come forward to serve the city.