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Incumbent Menlo Park Mayor Betsy Nash is leading by a wide margin in the race for Menlo Park City Council District 4 against Peter Ohtaki. The district includes downtown, Allied Arts and a southern segment of El Camino Real.
Nash has received 915 votes, or 59.5%, to Ohtaki’s 623 votes, or 40.5%, as of the most recent tally on Nov. 10. Nash’s apparent margin of victory mirrors that of Measure V, the controversial ballot initiative that would strip the City Council of its authority to rezone single-family zoned land. Ohtaki supports it, Nash is opposed. Measure V was headed to defeat by a similar margin, 40% in favor to 60% against, in early vote returns.
Ohtaki was the incumbent when he competed against Nash for the District 4 seat in 2018, which Nash won.
In seeking a second term, Nash said that her priorities for Menlo Park are housing, street safety and climate change. Ohtaki said he is focused on traffic congestion, reopening Menlo Park following COVID-19 and concerns about the impact of the state duplex law, SB 9.
The next update of the vote county is expected to be posted by San Mateo County by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
Given that Downtown Menlo Park is in Betsy’s District, she – and other council members – should include making our Santa Cruz and train station districts more vibrant and successful community assets a high priority. They (1) frequently have said this is important, (2) hired an economic development manager and (3) recently, spent about $300,000 on studying economic development opportunities. It’s time residents see visible, meaningful commitments, plans and actions. What has actually been done? When will we see material results?