Editor's note: A slightly different version of this story ran in print.
With the passage of the downtown/El Camino Real specific plan and the arrival of Facebook, the next city council faces an era of change in Menlo Park -- an era marked by opportunity, as well as tough choices due to the loss of millions of dollars in state funding.
Five residents think they're the right people to help guide the city through those choices and opportunities. They are competing for two seats on the five-member council. The winners will be elected to four-year terms.
Dave Bragg
"Honest, hard-working, driven," said Dave Bragg when asked to describe himself in three words.
He's a Marine combat veteran turned firefighter whose campaign slogan also boils down to three words -- "Born to serve."
His top issues: implementing the specific plan, restoring vibrancy and attracting business to Menlo Park. As the owner of a construction company, Mr. Bragg spoke from personal experience when observing that property owners remain confused about what's allowed under the new rules installed by the specific plan.
And the permit process in Menlo Park -- that's another area crying out for renovation, he said. Speaking from a builder's perspective, Mr. Bragg shared stories of clients afraid to apply for permits because of the expenses racked up by the city's drawn-out, ambiguous process. He's advocating for a streamlined process with a clear-cut checklist, and if the city wants to mandate green building features, great. "When you try to convince clients to spend more to go green, they say, 'money's green too.' If it's law, that's easier to do."
Affordable housing is on the minds of many voters as the city works to wrench its housing plan into compliance with state law. "It's not a matter of opinion; it's something we have to do," Mr. Bragg said. "A lot of folks in west Menlo Park don't want affordable housing with them. ... I got asked, do you want it next to the duck pond in Sharon Heights or in Belle Haven?" He noted that Belle Haven seems less resistant to the idea.
As a firefighter, Mr. Bragg might be expected to feel strongly about pension reform. And he does. "It needs to happen. But it needs to be negotiated. We could have done better for the city than Measure L if it had been negotiated," for example, with a greater employee contribution, he said.
Mr. Bragg is a newcomer to city politics, and his campaign has been dogged by reports of a bankruptcy in 2010. "I'm not a drawn-out talker," he said with a grin when asked what quality he hopes to bring to the council.
Catherine Carlton
Catherine Carlton's personal snapshot: "Good listener, tenacious, smart. Caring, resilient."
Rounding out Ms. Carlton's list of top issues for the city: the blight of El Camino Real, fiscal responsibility, and creating a better reputation as a city that "wants business to come; Menlo Park has a reputation as 'difficult.'" Concern for the infrastructure of emergency response ties into that. Without redundant systems in place, "we're not as well-prepared as we could be," she said.
The current race to update the city's housing plan came about because of a lack of proactive steps by the council, according to Ms. Carlton. She said an argument might be made for adding housing affordable by newly divorced parents, seniors and teachers. The Parks and Recreation commissioner doesn't favor converting parks to housing or adding sites near gas pipelines or potential areas of liquefaction, but thought "infill seems like an intelligent way to go for some of it" along with counting secondary, also known as granny, units.
She's eager to see what happens with pension reform on the state level. "The elephant in the room is police and fire. I am so in love with the safety of Menlo Park, and would never do anything to jeopardize police response." Adding more non-sworn personnel rather than sworn officers might be one way to enlarge the police force while controlling costs, Ms. Carlton suggested. She said she hopes the next council has the wherewithal to address issues without leaving that to ballot measures like Measure L.
Unions figure large in the political landscape of pension reform, of course, and as the daughter of a teacher, Ms. Carlton emphasized her empathy and respect for what they do. But one comment during a recent meeting with a union lingered in her memory. "They did say one thing that really stuck with me. That if you said you were going to vote 'X', and didn't, they would give you a call. They let you know without any doubt that they expected you to haul the line. Fair enough, but I lost sleep thinking over it. ... Integrity is important, and I'd hate to sign a statement saying I would always vote 'X'. I can't promise that."
Carolyn Clarke
"Kind, passionate, smart, in tune with the community," was Carolyn Clarke's self-portrait.
Her top three issues: Traffic, affordable housing and finding new revenue streams. "I know people think of affordable housing as the projects, but that's not what it is. This is housing for working people, for local families," she said.
Ms. Clarke, a housing commissioner, has also been serving on the steering committee charged with identifying sites to rezone to increase Menlo Park's housing capacity in compliance with state law. That includes setting aside sites and incentives for developers to build affordable housing. "Getting the buy-in is going to be a challenge, but I'm optimistic." She analyzed sites based on what type of population would be served, such as seniors, and which are close to transit.
It has been about 25 years since a Belle Haven resident last served on the council. As a resident of that neighborhood, Ms. Clarke would like to see that change. "I'd like to see east and west (Menlo Park) get to know each other more," she said. "I also want to see Belle Haven become self-sufficient" by supporting services such as a credit union, retail, small business owner seminars, and the long-awaited (and still on the city's drawing board) police substation. Raising the quality of education for the neighborhood's students to match that of those in the Menlo Park City School District is another area of focus.
Ms. Clarke voted against Measure L, the Menlo Park pension-reform initiative that passed by 72 percent. She supports pension reform, she said, but thought putting it in the hands of the voters was a mistake because voters don't have as much information as the council does, and in the meantime no one knows how state reform efforts will play out on the local level. "Pension reform needed to happen, but I had a problem with the process."
Kelly Fergusson
Asked to describe herself in three words, incumbent Kelly Fergusson said, "Disciplined, hard-working, accessible, friendly, analytic, both sides of the brain."
She ticked off land-use planning, service levels and the quality of schools and neighborhoods as the city's top issues. Ms. Fergusson touted her advanced degrees from Stanford as relevant to figuring out the city's future. "There's unfinished business, we still have land-use issues to sort out."
Affordable housing is one of those issues. "I think workforce housing is important," she said. "Working families want to live near their jobs. We all do." That housing could reduce traffic congestion, but must be balanced with increased demand on local schools, according to Ms. Fergusson.
The current housing element update is driven by state mandate, a situation that doesn't appear to sit well with the councilwoman. She listed public safety -- police and fire services -- as a higher priority. "I'm here to serve the residents, not the state."
Determination to win a third term, despite a lack of endorsement from any current council member, underlined Ms. Fergusson's responses. She declared herself willing to do whatever it takes.
When asked about the Brown Act violation that led to her resignation as mayor in 2010, Ms. Fergusson marched out a boilerplate response. "I'm glad it's over and the issue is behind us. I'm pleased the district attorney found there was no wrongdoing and the city properly handled the cure."
That's not quite accurate. City Attorney Bill McClure had confirmed the violation, a serial solicitation of votes from two council colleagues conducted outside the public's knowledge. Rescinding the original vote, which named Ms. Fergusson mayor, provided a sufficient civil remedy, according to a statement from the district attorney.
Ray Mueller
"Family, dedicated, energetic, investigative," was Ray Mueller's brief self-portrait. "Creative."
An attorney, Mr. Mueller demonstrated a willingness to research issues during his time on the Transportation Commission, and that remained in evidence during the Almanac interview -- he was the only candidate to bring his homework, in the form of documents and binders for reference, to the meeting.
His top-three issues: Increasing revenue and the long-term financial health of the city; housing; and the environment.
"We do need affordable housing. I like to call it 'economic diversity'," he said. "It makes a community healthy." Ideally that would be located in pockets all over the city, near transit centers.
Now about that revenue: Mr. Mueller said his research shows that start-up businesses leave Menlo Park on the cusp of producing money for the city because the planning process leaves them unsure as to whether they'll get a use permit upon expansion. The city's seen a 41 percent drop in revenue over five years, according to that analysis.
The solution? Streamline the permit process, and revitalize the M2 business districts on the city's east side. "I'm not Pollyannaish. This is going to be a political discussion and it's going to be energetic, and that's fine," Mr. Mueller said. "I've been banging this drum for two years." Bring in the contract planners, if there's insufficient staff. Spend the political capital. Mine the city's proximity to Stanford University and venture capitalists to create a diversified economic engine that doesn't put all its eggs in the Facebook basket, he said.
Like Ms. Carlton, he'd like to see where the state ends up with pension reform "so we know where we are." Mr. Mueller said he's "not anti-union, not at all, but the system is unsustainable. It's not all the union's fault "given that jurisdictions also took unwise steps with employee compensation.
Candidate biographies
Dave Bragg
Age: 34
Occupation: Firefighter and business owner
Experience: U.S. Marine Corps; safety officer on Little League board; youth sports coach; co-chair, Menlo Fire Toy and Food Drive; Rebuilding Together Peninsula volunteer
Education: Emergency medical technician; firefighter certification through College of San Mateo and Santa Barbara City College
Website: www.davebragg.com
Catherine Carlton
Age: 45
Occupation: Businesswoman
Experience: Parks and Recreation Commission; Sharon Heights Homeowners Association; board member, Vista Center for the Blind and Junior League; South Bay Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Menlo Park AYSO; Girl Scouts troop leader; master composter
Education: B.A. in communications, Tulane University; MBA, Cass Business School, London
Website: carltonformenlopark.com
Carolyn Clarke
Age: 57
Occupation: Accountant and small business owner
Experience: Housing Commission; Housing Element Steering Committee; founder, Belle Haven Community Foundation; Menlo Park Las Pulgas Committee; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; co-founder, School of Wisdom and Knowledge (Palo Alto charter school)
Education: B.S. in business administration, San Francisco State University; CPA in progress
Website: clarke4unity.com
Kelly Fergusson
Age: 50
Occupation: Clean energy executive for local government market at Siemens
Experience: Menlo Park City Council since 2004; board member, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency; high speed rail subcommittee; business development subcommittee; public safety, transportation, environmental quality and public works commissions for League of California Cities; Peninsula Volunteers advisory council
Education: B.S. in applied earth science, M.S. and Ph.D. in civil engineering, all from Stanford University
Website: www.kellyforcouncil.org
Ray Mueller
Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney
Experience: Transportation Commission; San Mateo County Domestic Violence Collaborative; Santa Cruz Avenue Downtown Block Party committee; board member, Las Lomitas Education Foundation; Santa Cruz Avenue Neighborhood Group organizer
Education: B.S. in bio-resource sciences, UC Berkeley; J.D. , UC Hastings
Website: muellerformenlopark.com
Comments
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Oct 17, 2012 at 12:05 pm
on Oct 17, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Great Story, thank you Sandy/Almanac. I just wanted to give a brief expansion in regards to the permit process comments. My Construction biz either through me or one of my staff has always been met with very professional, knowledgeable and extremely helpful staff members at the counter and in the field. I am sure there are areas in which the process itself could be improved, but I think that a lot of the best input will come from the folks working there.
Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Oct 17, 2012 at 12:48 pm
on Oct 17, 2012 at 12:48 pm
I was pretty impressed by Dave Bragg's positions until I got to the quote about how Belle Haven seems to him less resistant than the rest of Menlo Park having more housing crammed into our small over-crowded neighborhood. For the record, we have a higher population density than the rest of Menlo Park, and we have been energetically resisting over-development in our neighborhood for decades. Most recently we succeeded in reversing the city's attempt to put 22 housing units into a cul-de-sac off a dead-end street. If Mr. Bragg has ever been over here, he must not have noticed the parking problem that we already have, or the lack of lots in which new housing could be built. If the housing element is a requirement for Menlo Park as a whole, Menlo Park as a whole has the obligation of fulfilling it.
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Oct 17, 2012 at 2:48 pm
on Oct 17, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Hello Belle Haven Resident,
I am glad that you have raised an issue about this. Your comment is the first I have heard as an argument against additional housing in Belle Haven. My point that I was attempting to make is. If we allow the building of something that brings 10,000 jobs to the area we should build the infrastructure to support it there. Housing, schools, parks, public safety, etc.
My quote I sent the the paper on the Question, "Do you think the city can/should accommodate 1,975 new housing units, and if so, where should the new homes be located? :
"This will be difficult to do. 650+ of them are already part of the downtown plan. It also seems that there is a huge resistance to adding housing in Menlo. So it may seem that if I will be representing the people it sounds like we may be escalating the fight against more housing. If we proceed with planning/zoning for the homes it would make sense to add them near Facebook and the Gateway project in Belle Haven.
With the influx of homes we will have the added revenue for infrastructure and hopefully also get the funding for new schools. Don't worry, I plan to represent all members of our community fairly.
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Oct 17, 2012 at 3:34 pm
on Oct 17, 2012 at 3:34 pm
To clarify some confusion. During this campaign we have all done countless interviews. The paper that asked the question referenced above was the Daily News, not the Almanac. All the same, it was a quote from me. My apologies for the confusion.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 17, 2012 at 4:57 pm
on Oct 17, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I believe it is illegal to base eligibility for affordable housing on marital status such as being "newly divorced." I suspect what was meant was low income people with children.
Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Oct 18, 2012 at 8:33 am
on Oct 18, 2012 at 8:33 am
NO ADDITIONAL HOUSING IN THE BELLE HAVEN NEIGHBORHOOD!
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Oct 18, 2012 at 4:49 pm
on Oct 18, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Bragg is a double dipper drawing a full time fire salary, including benefits, while running a construction company. This is dramatic illustration of the problems cities and districts have with unionized staff. Unethical exploitation of the rules.
Bragg is not qualified to be on the council and cannot be objective when dealing with unions.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 18, 2012 at 5:06 pm
on Oct 18, 2012 at 5:06 pm
"Unethical exploitation of the rules" Please highlight the specific rules that you claim are being exploited.
It appears Mr. Bragg works full time, at least 40 hours a week, in a job that has him running into the same buildings that @Observer would be hauling @** to get out of. Mr. Bragg also has a side job.
Where I come from, that's called a hard working entrepreneurship. From a Vet.
Seems like the kind of guy we need MORE of around here.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 18, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Registered user
on Oct 18, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Who knows what Observer does or who he is - he clearly prefers slandering others from the shadows. And we won't find him protecting us at home or abroad as Bragg does.
another community
on Oct 18, 2012 at 5:28 pm
on Oct 18, 2012 at 5:28 pm
That is what a lot of people do in San Mateo County to earn a living. Work two jobs.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 18, 2012 at 8:10 pm
on Oct 18, 2012 at 8:10 pm
"That is what a lot of people do in San Mateo County to earn a living. Work two jobs."
That's exactly right. It's what I do. I guess I'm one of those awfull "double dippers." Spare me. @@
Observer you are clearly clueless as to what a great many of the residents of San Mateo County do to live here.
I have no objection to fire fighters having side businesses or working second jobs. What I object to is those same firefighters claiming they can't make enough money to live when most of them are running side businesses and most of them don't even live here. It's pretty easy to run a side business when you only work 10 days a month.
Menlo Park: The Willows
on Oct 19, 2012 at 12:25 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 12:25 pm
I love that Dave Bragg is getting all of this attention - including the ignorant comments by "Observer" - because this candidate deserves our focus. He is the real deal. He has risked (and continues to risk) his life in service to our nation and community, is an honest and hard working family man, and truly cares about the future of Menlo Park. While most of the other candidates run around trying to pile up endorsements from politicians, Mr. Bragg is knocking on doors and doing his best to meet all of our neighbors. It's their endorsements that matter. He certainly has mine.
Atherton: other
on Oct 19, 2012 at 1:38 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 1:38 pm
We could use a guy like Bragg over here, if he ever crosses over the town line!
Okay, not true.
We can use FIVE like him!!
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm
To: Neighbor and others.
Surely you must be kidding about voting for Bragg. Multiple bankruptcies and your wanting to put this guy on Council, when he obviously can't manage his own personal affairs. REALLY!!
The Daily Post just issued their endorsements and the Post eliminated both Bragg and Fergusson right off the bat. Mr. Price, the Editor, is certainly right in that assessment.
Actually just a very poor list of candidates, which along with the present pretty much dysfunctional council members staying on, is going to lead to more of the same.
Menlo Park: The Willows
on Oct 19, 2012 at 2:57 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 2:57 pm
"You must be kidding," you should change your name to "must be misinformed." Your suggestion that Mr. Bragg had multiple bankruptcies is false. You get the benefit of the doubt as to whether this was intentionally disingenuous, but you should get your facts straight. I asked Mr. Bragg about this when he came to my door. The truth is that he has only one recorded bankruptcy, in 2010, thanks to an investment in low income housing that was crushed by the worst market in our lifetime. I am convinced that this has only made him stronger, more financially prudent, and a better candidate. He picked himself up, dusted himself off, and got back to work, serving and employing people in our community. Unlike most (if not all) of the other candidates, Mr. Bragg actually has a track record creating jobs. He is exactly what Menlo Park needs.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 19, 2012 at 3:10 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Did Henry Ford declare bankruptcy? Yep.
Abe Lincoln? Yup.
How about Walt Disney? uh-huh
Even that idiot Trump.
Lying about "multiple bankruptcies" on this blog? Nope. That takes the dishonesty of @you must be kidding
To quote her post: "REALLY!!"
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Oct 19, 2012 at 4:27 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 4:27 pm
My husband and I hope that the next MP City Council will not be content to sit on their "Facebook" laurels (and who was driving that bus - Face book or the Council?). Some of the wealthiest people in our nation drive up and down Santa Cruz Ave. every day and what do they see? At last count 17 empty storefronts. Embarrassing and worrying for those of us who want to continue to call Menlo Park our home. The parking situation on Santa Cruz must be addressed and changed from the current one hour. Oh and yes, I do know that there is a new Downtown Plan but in the mean time work together and address this situation. Please!
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 19, 2012 at 4:37 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 4:37 pm
To: Neighbor:
I suggest you get a copy of today's Daily Post (10/19/2012), wherein they state "Bragg having gone through multiple bankruptcies."
In any case Bragg has no chance, he is wasting his time and he certainly doesn't belong on the MP council.
Menlo Park: The Willows
on Oct 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm
If you believe everything you read, you're even dumber than your posts. I am confident that the vast majority of Menlo Park residents can think independently and check their own facts. They know that Dave Bragg is rock solid and deserves to be on the council.
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Oct 19, 2012 at 6:53 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 6:53 pm
When the JUDGE asks, "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.....
Well, about once a month during this campaign someone is "telling the truth" about my bankruptcy then I have to share "the whole truth". Once again it was the Daily Post.
"The Truth": Dave Bragg filed for BK 3 times.
"The Whole Truth: I invested in Low Income Military Housing in Texas and the investment failed miserably. I "filed" Chapter 13 BK twice unsuccessfully in an attempt to work out payments to keep my investments. The debt was too great and the time was too short. So then I was forced to file Chapter 7. The Chapter 7 BK is the only one that was completed. The Chapter 13s were not continued. In the public record it shows how many times you have filed, but you have to be more versed in BK law to understand which ones actually have been recorded.
I can guaranty you that with everything in my life and most likely yours we gain our wisdom when we have to learn the tough lessons.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 19, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Registered user
on Oct 19, 2012 at 7:37 pm
I doubt that there has ever been a candidate for the Menlo Park Council that has the hard won experience in the trenches, both real and financial, that Bragg has - and who would bring more common sense to the dias.
another community
on Oct 19, 2012 at 9:40 pm
on Oct 19, 2012 at 9:40 pm
I did some research, and thought I would share. I think it's important to know the candidate's Party Affiliation.
Dave Bragg: Republican
Applied for Republican Party endorsement: Yes
Endorsement not granted.
Catherine Carlton: Republican
Former Republican central comity member.
Republican Party endorsement received.
Carolyn Clarke: Democrat
Applied for Democratic Party endorsement: Yes
Democratic Party endorsement not granted.
Ray Mueller: Democrat
Democratic Party endorsement received.
Kelly Ferguson: Democrat
Former Democratic Central Committee Member
Democratic Party endorsement received.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 20, 2012 at 8:37 am
on Oct 20, 2012 at 8:37 am
Thank you Patrick. If we want to elect candidates that are beholden to labor unions then we should elect the democrats. I don't want my representative beholden to the labor unions. I won't be voting for any democrats.
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Oct 20, 2012 at 9:28 am
on Oct 20, 2012 at 9:28 am
All Democrats are beholden to Labor Unions? What a bunch of crap. Menlo Voter, you ignore the obvious, that public employee pension reform passed in Menlo Park, where a majority of voters are Democrats.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 20, 2012 at 11:58 am
on Oct 20, 2012 at 11:58 am
Proud:
perhaps I should have been more specific. Democrats elected to office are beholden to labor unions. If you don't believe it, you need look no further than our representatives vote on the HSR boondoggle. Or if that one's not good enough for you, their votes for the outrageous public employee pensions that are helping bankrupt our state. Yes, democrats elected to office in this state are beholden to labor unions.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 20, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Registered user
on Oct 20, 2012 at 2:20 pm
In my opinion neither political parties or unions should have any place in local elections since both foster partisanship and create obligations. Let's elect individuals based on who they are, not on who endorses them, funds them or controls the.
another community
on Oct 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm
on Oct 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Menlo Park City Council could use a CPA in its budget planning. Menlo Park City Council could use someone with experience on a City Board or Commission--experience with the ins & outs of working with staff and citizens. East Menlo Park/Belle Haven has never been represented on the Menlo Park City Council, other than a Raychem employee many years ago.
Fortunately, there is a candidate who has all of these qualifications. Please join me in supporting Carolyn Clarke for Menlo Park City Council.
Margaret Fruth
former member
Menlo Park Arts Commission
Dumbarton Citizens Advisory Panel
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Oct 20, 2012 at 7:14 pm
on Oct 20, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Bankruptcy is serious business!
Bankruptcy more than once is even more serious!
It does not matter if the subject was investing in Mother Teresa hospitals or Florida timeshares... highly leveraging yourself is dangerous and greedy.
Heroes and non-heroes alike can be bad stewards of public money and interest.
Being a hero (which is undisputed) does not mean certain things can be ignored or overlooked.
Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Oct 20, 2012 at 8:58 pm
on Oct 20, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Joanna, It must have been great for you and your family have not felt the effects of this economy. Mr. Bragg is one of millions of Californians that got burned by poor banking practices.
Joanna,
Let me ask you this, If your home was on fire would you want a firefighter that has never been to a fire before??
Depending on your age I would guess you voted for George McGovern, Here is what he said about his bankruptcy....
After a long political career as a member of the United States House of Representatives and Senate (as well as an unsuccessful bid for the presidency), George McGovern decided to enter the business world. He started a hotel called the Stratford Inn. Yet, in 1991, McGovern’s hotel was forced to file Chapter 11. After the bankruptcy, McGovern noted in a Congressional record that knowing what American business owners face when in debt would have made him a better politician.
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Oct 21, 2012 at 6:00 pm
on Oct 21, 2012 at 6:00 pm
To Menlo is Awsome:
I'm laughing so hard with your "if your home was on fire would you want a firefighter that has never been to a fire before??"....
Before filing for candidacy, Dave had NEVER BEEN TO A CITY COUNCIL MEETING before!
Do we want a city council member who has never seen what city council members do? Never read a staff report? NO!
Menlo Park: Felton Gables
on Oct 21, 2012 at 6:38 pm
on Oct 21, 2012 at 6:38 pm
I'm laughing at you "ha ha ha..." First, I doubt that's true. But even if it is, understanding the day-to-day tasks involved with being on the council does not require attendance at previous meetings. Indeed, given the current state of the council, it would be more like an example of how not to do things. A fresh, unspoiled member - unencumbered by promises in exchange for endorsements - is much needed. That's one of the reasons Dave Bragg has my vote and a great chance to win.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 21, 2012 at 7:53 pm
on Oct 21, 2012 at 7:53 pm
ha ha:
who cares if Bragg has never been to a council meeting? Kelly Ferguson has been to to tons and I would never vote for her because she is either stupid or a liar. She violated the Brown Act and then claimed ignorance. So, she's either stupid or a liar. Frankly, I expect more from my representatives. I suspect Bragg wouldn't have that problem. I also suspect he's not beholden to a bunch of special interests as Ferguson and Kieth have demonstrated themselves to be. We need more Braggs and less Fergusons and Kieths on the council. He's got my vote.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 22, 2012 at 4:28 am
on Oct 22, 2012 at 4:28 am
Menlo Voter, which special interests have Ferguson and Kieth demonstrated themselves beholden to? Bragg has the support of the firefighters union, as has Ferguson in the past.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 22, 2012 at 6:53 am
on Oct 22, 2012 at 6:53 am
Ferguson is beholden to the labor unions. She was against Measure L until it became obvious it was going to pass so it became politically expedient to change her position.
While Bragg may have the support of the Menlo Firefighters, one they don't work for the city and, two Bragg didn't support Measure L becasue HE DIDN'T THINK IT WENT FAR ENOUGH. A distinct difference from Ferguson.
Kieth is in Bohannon's pocket.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 23, 2012 at 2:50 am
on Oct 23, 2012 at 2:50 am
Menlo Voter, you need to pay attention. There is no such thing as, "obvious it was going to pass" regarding 2010's Measure L, or anything on the ballot... unless someone paid for polling. We would see this on 460s, and we don't, so the Measure L victory was not realized until election night. Ferguson never changed her position on L, she wrote the argument against it.
If Bragg had an opinion on 2010's Measure L. "HE DIDN'T THINK IT WENT FAR ENOUGH", he should have made some public statement two years ago.
You wrote, "...beholden to a bunch of special interests as Ferguson and Kieth have demonstrated themselves to be", and then clarified that "Kieth is in Bohannon's pocket". How has Keith "demonstrated" she is in Bohannon's pocket?
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 23, 2012 at 7:03 am
on Oct 23, 2012 at 7:03 am
Interests:
actually it was obvious it was going to passs. one only had to pay attention. Yes, Kelly wrote against the measure, then at the last minute changed her position. After it was obvious it was going to pass.
There was no need nor point in Bragg making a statement two years ago regarding Measure L. He wasn't even running for office then.
Menlo Park: Downtown
on Oct 23, 2012 at 3:39 pm
on Oct 23, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Dave Bragg is the least prepared candidate I have ever seen for public office. He's careless with his own money, his businesses money, and makes excuses/rationalizes his bankruptcies. I agree with Joanna, it's serious business. We need a careful steward of our money in Menlo Park, not someone interested in get rich quick schemes, even if they sound as though they were honorable in some rationalized way.
It's laughable that so many people on here think that because he isn't beholden to any group because he hasn't been endorsed by organizations -- what that means is that he's been unable to demonstrate he's a good candidate to them! I would bet he'd have been more than happy to accept their endorsement if they would have given it to him. (He did apply for several, after all)
Spin it anyway you like, but it speaks volumes.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 23, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Registered user
on Oct 23, 2012 at 4:01 pm
ha ha ha? - Do you homework and see what Bragg has done to serve your community. He is a superbly qualified candidate who will bring common sense to the MP Council.
I know him and have worked with him - he is real, he is unfettered by funding from others and he CARES.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 23, 2012 at 4:36 pm
on Oct 23, 2012 at 4:36 pm
hahaha:
what are you a schill for the local politicos? Bragg has shown himself to be quite qualified. AND he is unfettered by the other candidates "loyalties" to special interests. Labor unions and developers. Personally, I am sick and tired of the folks with the gold making the special rules for themselves. You want to keep paying throught he nose for our city staff and their absurd benefits? Vote for someone other than Bragg. You want Bohannon and all other developers in this town to be able to build whatever, where ever they want with no regard for our quality of life? don't vote for Bragg. If on the other hand, you don't want our city services reduced again and again to pay for bloated salaries and benefits and if you don't want developers to ruin our quality of life, you should vote for Bragg.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 23, 2012 at 10:07 pm
on Oct 23, 2012 at 10:07 pm
(Portion removed; stick to the issue and don't attack other posters.)
Bragg is wholly not qualified to be on MP council. He has gotten none of the important endorsements. His being unable to manage his own personal finances disqualifies him immediately.
What will be interesting will be seeing if Bragg gets the least votes, which I suspect will be case. Fergusson probably next to last.
Menlo Park: other
on Oct 24, 2012 at 7:15 am
on Oct 24, 2012 at 7:15 am
Looking on:
Bragg's not recieving any of "the important" endorsements is a perfect reason to vote FOR him. Unless of course you want the SEIU and developers to continue to run this town into the ground.
Registered user
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 24, 2012 at 8:02 am
Registered user
on Oct 24, 2012 at 8:02 am
(Portion removed because it addresses comment already removed for violating terms of use.)
I support Bragg because I know him personally, respect his long and at time personally dangerous service to our country and community and because hew would bring much needed common sense to the council.
Menlo Park: Menlo Oaks
on Oct 24, 2012 at 11:20 am
on Oct 24, 2012 at 11:20 am
This is an interesting thread. It's all about one candidate - Dave Bragg - and the vast majority of commentators support him. As an undecided voter, this is causing me to take a good, hard look at Mr. Bragg. Notwithstanding the comments of just a couple of folks above who are not supporting him, I really like what I see. The naysayers probably are pawns for the other candidates, and their bitter rants lack substance. By contrast, the supporters above make valid, substantive points. I think I will vote for Dave Bragg and suggest to my neighbors that they do the same.
Registered user
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Oct 24, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Registered user
on Oct 24, 2012 at 6:55 pm
How soon even local papers can forget. While the Almanac and Post have been strong supporters of real pension reform, most notably Menlo Park's Measure L, they have somehow endorsed one of the opposition to L. In fact, Carolyn Clark signed her name to the ballot argument AGAINST it. It was only two years ago. You can still view the document at Web Link
To quote Ned Moritz "These were the very arguments that Kelly Fergusson and Heyward Robinson maintained in 2010 in the face of all evidence: Carolyn has repeated in recent days that any reform should be done only by Council - apparently still unaware that (1) Council had just created the problem and (2) only by voter initiative can the people set limits that a future Council cannot simply over-ride."
Carolyn is smart, educated, generous and a great rep for her neighborhood - but this budget stuff matters. A lot.
Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Oct 24, 2012 at 9:19 pm
on Oct 24, 2012 at 9:19 pm
None of the candidates running for Menlo Park City Council are particularly appealing. We should do write in votes for Heyward Robinson and Gail Slocum. What a terrific addition to the City Council they would be. You have a combination of smarts and compassion. They are the dream ticket.
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Jun 6, 2017 at 9:16 am
on Jun 6, 2017 at 9:16 am
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?