The Campbell Reporter

News

Unscripted forum gives voters lots to consider

By Moryt Milo

The Campbell City Council candidate forum ran the gamut, from budget constraints to whether commission appointments were entitlements or based on experience.

The five candidates running for three city council seats--Jane Kennedy, Dan Furtado, Tom Francois, Evan Low and Margie Mitchell-- answered mostly unscripted questions from the audience.

Residents who came to learn more about the candidates' platforms and views on specific issues were rewarded with a wealth of opinions.

The candidates were asked which item on their platform was considered the highest priority, and the answers were as diverse as the individuals seeking office.

Francois, a newcomer to the race, said a fiscally sound budget is his No. 1 priority. He emphasized the importance of staying within the constraints of the budget.

Incumbents Kennedy and Furtado said their highest priority is a package of items that includes police, fire and medical services, along with land use and recreation.

"We are obligated to balance city services for our residents," Furtado said. "Safety is of key importance to our residents."

Low's highest priority is education and libraries. He wants the city libraries reopened on Sundays and Mondays and librarians returned to schools. These positions have been cut or eliminated in most school districts.

"We can't have schools and cities separate," Low said. "They need to work together to find educational solutions. We need proactive partners."

Mitchell placed the budget at the top of her platform list, but also emphasized a need for more senior, youth and adult educational programs.

One of the more interesting exchanges of the evening occurred when the candidates were asked how they would select a commissioner.

Kennedy and Furtado said it was important to do "your homework" before applying for an appointment on a commission or board.

Furtado said, "It's not important that they agree with me, but it is important to demonstrate how they are thinking."

Francois, who has been on the Campbell Planning Commission for nine years, said, "It's not an entitlement. It requires preparation. A lot of hard work and time goes into serving on a commission or board."

Low, the youngest candidate running for city council, had a different opinion.

He said, "An individual doesn't have to have experience to be on a commission. That person can bring fresh ideas. No experience results in diversity and new innovations."

Mitchell, a newcomer to the race, said, "Diversity was important. but background and expertise also mattered."

Residents also asked the candidates to explain their vision for connecting the downtown from the Pruneyard Shopping Center to the Heritage Theater, a long-standing city goal.

Mitchell said she thought utilizing the talents of a local artist to create artwork that reflects the history of Campbell under the Highway 17 overpass would add a new dimension to the area. It would help connect the east and west sides of the downtown.

Kennedy said a consulting firm has been hired to study the downtown plans. She told residents the city has $1.2 million in grant funding for upgrades and the widening of sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

Francois also wants to increase the width of sidewalks, add better lighting and develop a "seamless" connection to the downtown. His focus is on creating a pedestrian-friendly corridor.

Furtado complimented Mitchell on the idea for artwork and said the city's master plan is still evolving for the area. But he also wanted increased lighting and better connections to John D. Morgan Park.

Low said, "A mechanism needs to be in place that would increase bike lanes and public safety."

As for the candidates' long-term goals for the city, each was clear on what he or she hopes to accomplish.

Kennedy said it is about "protecting the past and preparing for the future."

She said it is important the city's goals for the future tied synergically to past accomplishments. She wants to see the completion of the Vasona Light Rail and further development of Winchester Boulevard.

Furtado, a Campbell native, wants to preserve the city's small-town character, but at the same time noted, "Change is with us and we have to accept and adapt to it." He stressed the importance of a regional vision that will help local communities.

Mitchell, the Campbell Union High School District's current board president, said her eight years working with the school board budget gives her a strong background for keeping the city budget on track. She also wants to add more activities for youth and seniors, claiming there is too little available.

Low said having the library closed on Sundays and Mondays is not acceptable. He wants to change that. He also wants the city to become more active in combating domestic violence and he wants to "stop the hemorrhaging" from the budget's reserve funds.

Francois wants to encourages people to get out of their cars and discover the businesses and activities in Campbell, which he said would add to the city's revenue stream.

The forum will be replayed on Comcast Channel 26 every Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. until election day on Nov. 7.