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Portola Valley Mayor Jeff Aalfs seeks third term

Original post made on Aug 16, 2020

Election Day on Nov. 3 will mark the first time Portola Valley Mayor Jeff Aalfs runs for a contested council seat, as well as the first contested council election in town since 2015.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 14, 2020, 12:00 AM

Comments (19)

Posted by Vidya Setlur
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 16, 2020 at 10:25 am

Vidya Setlur is a registered user.

I am delighted that our mayor Jeff Aalfs is seeking a third term. His priorities are focused on important, relevant issues in these times. While the pandemic has made this year challenging, Jeff has been a calming voice with frequent communication that is data-driven as we adopt safety measures while enjoying what our town can offer. I endorse Jeff Aalfs and fully support him.


Posted by Danna Breen
a resident of Portola Valley: other
on Aug 16, 2020 at 10:45 am

Danna Breen is a registered user.

That lightning storm last night I’m sure imprinted on every resident the need for fire safety. That was amazing. I support Jeff for his reasoned approach to issues, his leadership during the covid crisis and years of important volunteerism.


Posted by Lorrie Duval
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 16, 2020 at 1:10 pm

Lorrie Duval is a registered user.

I've seen Jeff Aalfs in action at many council meetings and have had the pleasure of working with him on our Town's wildfire preparedness committee. He has our Town's best interests at heart. He has my vote.


Posted by Jeff Klugman
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 16, 2020 at 2:55 pm

Jeff Klugman is a registered user.

I'm delighted that Jeff Aalfs is seeking another term. As a trustee on the Portola Valley School Board, I've had the opportunity to work closely with Jeff over the last few years. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our town.


Posted by Jon Myers
a resident of Portola Valley: Brookside Park
on Aug 16, 2020 at 4:50 pm

Jon Myers is a registered user.

In his 9 years on the Town Council, Jeff committed innumerable hours of public service to the Town including being Mayor in the most challenging year in decades. He listens to all views and takes a reasoned and balanced position on the key issues. He has more than earned an opportunity to serve a third term and complete the work he set out to do for the Town.


Posted by Aaron Katz
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 16, 2020 at 9:19 pm

Aaron Katz is a registered user.

I strongly endorse Jeff Aalfs having observed his level-headed and pragmatic approach to problem-solving as a committed council member. -Aaron Katz


Posted by Sangini Majmudar Bedner
a resident of Portola Valley: other
on Aug 17, 2020 at 10:29 am

Sangini Majmudar Bedner is a registered user.

Jeff Aalfs has my gratitude for his tireless dedication to Portola Valley and his impressive leadership. He also has my vote! Sangini Majmudar Bedner


Posted by Livia Sohn
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 17, 2020 at 1:03 pm

Livia Sohn is a registered user.

We feel so fortunate to have had Jeff Aalfs as our town mayor these past years, and are grateful that he is seeking another term. He works tirelessly for not only the people of Portola Valley, but for the population as a whole, and tackles all the big and small issues that come with that awareness. During these past few months he has been a voice of reason and strength for our community.


Posted by Geoff Nuttall
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 17, 2020 at 1:57 pm

Geoff Nuttall is a registered user.

Jeff Aalfs is one of the smartest, most honest, reliable, thoughtful, level-headed people I know. His totally selfless dedication to our community is something that I am extremely thankful for. He gets my vote!


Posted by Aimee Armsby
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 17, 2020 at 2:52 pm

Aimee Armsby is a registered user.

Jeff Aalfs has proven himself to be a smart, dedicated, insightful and hardworking Town Council member and Mayor for Portola Valley. His steady and measured leadership during the current pandemic come as no surprise to those who know him. Jeff is committed to the fundamentals of good governance: commitment to the rule of law, equity, transparency, responsiveness, consensus building, and accountability. I'm voting for Jeff!


Posted by Ulrich Aldag
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 17, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Ulrich Aldag is a registered user.

• The well-meant support for Jeff Aalfs’ fourth round must not occlude the fact that hundreds of residents of Portola Valley have recently expressed serious concerns regarding projects supported or even initiated by the Town Council under Mr. Aalfs. These concerns regard front and center fire safety and the planning of housing development in Portola Valley. They have not been addressed properly as yet - neither by the mayor nor by the Planning Commission that has not convened since the beginning of the year. The mayor’s emphasis on COVID-19, as laudable as it was, should not be used as an excuse. I support some democratic change in a Town Council of long-term incumbents, and I hope the new candidates will be given serious attention and an opportunity to serve.


Posted by Ulrich Aldag
a resident of Portola Valley: Westridge
on Aug 17, 2020 at 4:35 pm

Ulrich Aldag is a registered user.

• The well-meant support for Jeff Aalfs’ fourth round must not occlude the fact that hundreds of residents of Portola Valley have recently expressed serious concerns regarding projects supported or even initiated by the Town Council under Mr. Aalfs. These concerns regard front and center fire safety and the planning of housing development in Portola Valley. They have not been addressed properly as yet - neither by the mayor nor by the Planning Commission that has not convened since the beginning of the year. The mayor’s emphasis on COVID-19, as laudable as it was, should not be used as an excuse. I support some democratic change in a Town Council of long-term incumbents, and I hope the new candidates will be given serious attention and an opportunity to serve.
I would consider it helpful if all candidates, new and old, would publish 1-page summaries on the Town website of what their main goals will be for the next term.


Posted by David B
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 18, 2020 at 12:50 pm

David B is a registered user.

@ulrich... why are you and PVNU being so secretive about what you really think? Don't hide it.... come right out and say "We don't want any building on the Stanford Wedge, and we're going to find every way we can to block it"


Posted by Hector Ribera
a resident of Portola Valley: Los Trancos Woods/Vista Verde
on Aug 18, 2020 at 3:26 pm

Hector Ribera is a registered user.

Glad to see Jeff running for another term. It is impressive to see how some people are so committed to public service and keep giving back to the community. Jeff is a thoughtful person and has shown great dedication and leadership throughout the many years he has served the town. I hope we are lucky to have his leadership for another term.


Posted by Alex Von Feldt
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 18, 2020 at 3:32 pm

Alex Von Feldt is a registered user.

I think Jeff Aalfs has proven himself as a dedicated public servant. I appreciate his thoughtful, open minded approach to dealing with tough issues. I have also found him to be a great defender of the environment, both in his work and in his votes to support sustainable projects that protect and improve out local ecosystems. Thank you for all that you do Jeff, and I'm happy that you are running again.


Posted by Anne Fazioli-Khiari
a resident of Woodside: other
on Aug 19, 2020 at 11:03 am

Anne Fazioli-Khiari is a registered user.

As a Portola Valley School Board Member, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Jeff Aalfs. Jeff has shown strong leadership during the current COVID pandemic and beyond. He is responsive, measured, hardworking and committed. I'm grateful to collaborate with him and support his candidacy. Portola Valley is lucky to have his leadership and dedication to another term.


Posted by Neighbor
a resident of Portola Valley: Westridge
on Aug 19, 2020 at 12:23 pm

Neighbor is a registered user.

While I agree that Jeff seems to have been doing a good job in communicating well (really like those weekly updates) and seems to be a good leader as well, I also support Mr. Aldag's comment. Why is it a problem for there to be summaries of each candidate's goals? I, too, am in favor of term limits on the Town Council.


Posted by RhondaLMan
a resident of Oak Knoll School
on Aug 21, 2020 at 7:38 am

RhondaLMan is a registered user.

My classmate’s mother makes $86/hour on the computer. She has been out of work for 6 months but last month her paycheck was $17290 just working on the computer for a few hours.why not check here…….  www.pays19.com ??????


Posted by Concerned
a resident of Portola Valley: Central Portola Valley
on Aug 21, 2020 at 11:16 am

Concerned is a registered user.

There are only 3 ways out of town. Imagine a fire burning fast, quickly down the hill. You can see the flames from your house. Now imagine bumper to bumper congestion on all roads leading out with no escape.

Sadly, the fires close by have reminded us that this is a possibility. Building additional housing at the wedge will create a huge choke point and hinder evacuation efforts. Any additional housing needs to be built East of 280 where there is no fire risk. Building in a high fire risk zone is just stupid.


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