EDITORIALS: EDITORIALS: (October 25, 2000)

Collacchi, Kinney in Menlo Park Collacchi, Kinney in Menlo Park (October 25, 2000)

With traffic and demands for housing and office space at an all-time high, Menlo Park is entering a period of intense decision-making that will set the city's course for years to come. That's why this year's race for City Council is so important, and why the two incumbents, Paul Collacchi and Chuck Kinney, need to be re-elected to a second term.

These two council members already have helped lay the groundwork for city action in many areas, including development rights on North El Camino Real downtown, the 65-acre SRI campus and portions of Middlefield Road. Mr. Kinney has served on the task force that worked for months to develop a major parks and recreation plan that, among other things, would increase space for child care and refurbish soccer fields at Burgess Park.

Both candidates have supported the formation of a residential task force that will suggest ways to reform the city's zoning laws. Both agree that it is time to revise portions of the city's general plan, and have worked hard on a major housing and park project on Hamilton Avenue in Belle Haven.

Both have refused to be pressured into adjusting Menlo Park's transportation agenda on Sand Hill Road to accommodate the massive development on the northern edge of Stanford's campus, a move that projections show would simply attract more traffic. Instead, Mr. Collacchi and Mr. Kinney have supported the city's shuttle program and have pledged to widen its reach next year, perhaps to accommodate local students.

The only other candidate in the race with significant support, Christina Angell-Atchison, is highly motivated but has little experience in local government. She has made a number of accusations against Mr. Collacchi, including a charge that he ran former city manager Jan Dolan "out of town." Ms. Dolan later told the Almanac the charge was not true.

Steven Eichler and Greg Spalasso also are on the ballot, and although Mr. Eichler has demonstrated his knowledge of the issues, neither candidate has mounted a serious campaign.

McKeithen, Janz are best for Atherton McKeithen, Janz are best for Atherton (October 25, 2000)

For the first time in many years, Atherton voters will have a choice for City Council when they decide who will replace longtime members Nan Chapman, who has resigned, and Malcolm Dudley, who is not seeking reelection. Four candidates are running for the two council seats.

The new council will have to work quickly to increase town revenue, since voters have twice turned down the town's traditional parcel tax in the last year. The failure of the tax and what some say was lax council oversight of a runaway city manager and police chief, who have both resigned, are central issues in the campaign.

Candidates Kathy McKeithen and Bob Jenkins, who are running a combined campaign and would likely vote with Councilman Bill Conwell, claim part of the credit for uncovering some of the town's mismanagement through their own work and that of a forensic audit they recommended. Mr. Conwell donated $1,000 to the McKeithen-Jenkins slate.

The other two candidates are Jim Janz, who served 10 years on the Planning Commission, and Charles Marsala, who though a relative newcomer to Atherton already serves on three town committees. Although Mr. Janz and Mr. Marsala are mounting separate campaigns, both supported the parcel tax, while Mrs. McKeithen and Mr. Jenkins say they opposed it because they did not trust the former council to spend the proceeds wisely.

All four candidates agree the town is on the right track now, under the stewardship of interim town manager Ralph Freedman, and all except Mr. Jenkins agree that one, or perhaps two, new taxes must be found to cover operating expenses and rebuild portions of the road and drainage system.

Our choices in this race come from each camp. We believe Kathy McKeithen's strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and open government would be a huge asset on the council. And Jim Janz's Planning Commission experience and knowledge of planning, engineering and real estate law make him a good choice as the council moves to rebuild its infrastructure.

The two winners of this race will be busy almost immediately, as the council must soon decide how to conduct another city-manager search and what form of taxation town residents are likely to support the third time around.

Pam Roberts for Woodside school board Pam Roberts for Woodside school board (October 25, 2000)

Woodside School District voters must choose a candidate to fill the term of Abby Wilder, who resigned in June. Our choice in this race is Pam Roberts, a tireless worker for the school who knows the issues and has the support and respect of teachers and parents. The other candidate, Wendy Burger, is a spirited parent who strongly believes children need more exposure to art and other "soft" subjects to fully develop their potential. We hope she continues to stay involved at the school.

Eshoo deserves another term Eshoo deserves another term (October 25, 2000)

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, an Atherton resident who has served in the U.S. House for eight years, deserves another term. She has focused her attention on children's health, education, high technology and the environment, all issues of critical importance in the Silicon Valley.

Ms. Eshoo supports HMO reform, and co-authored a patient bill of rights bill that guarantees direct access to specialists and emergency care and holds a health plan accountable when they deny needed services. Ms. Eshoo also authored a bill to give Medicare beneficiaries an affordable prescription-drug benefit. She has been responsive to the community and should be returned to Washington.

Sher should continue Senate work Sher should continue Senate work (October 25, 2000)

State Senator Byron Sher continues to produce landmark legislation in Sacramento and should be given four more years before term limits finally end his long legislative career. Mr. Sher, who has authored major legislation to save the Headwaters Forest, on recycling, e-commerce, clean air, safe drinking water and campaign finance disclosure reform, chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and sits on a budget subcommittee that permits him to get things done. He worked with Gov. Gray Davis and Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Headwaters bill, but is just as proud of a bill that will provide full funding ($127 million) for the "baby bullet" train that will cut travel time between San Jose and San Francisco from 90 to 45 minutes. He also has arranged funding to restore the old San Mateo County Courthouse Museum and for renovations at the Bell Street park in East Palo Alto.

Mr. Sher's opponent, Republican Gloria Hom, is a former teacher and member of the state Board of Education. She is an attractive candidate with some good ideas, particularly on education. But in this race, Sen. Sher's wisdom and experience easily give him the nod.

Simitian's next stop: the Assembly Simitian's next stop: the Assembly (October 25, 2000)

Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian is knee-deep in Stanford's development plan this week. But when his term as supervisor ends this year, he is our choice to fill the 21st Assembly District seat vacated by Ted Lempert due to term limits. His opponent in the race, Foster City Mayor Deborah Wilder, has mounted a strong campaign, citing her ability to complete a civic center and teen center during her administration.

Mr. Simitian, a lawyer and certified planner who lives in Palo Alto, has a long history of public service, including terms on the school board and Palo Alto City Council. He is finishing his first supervisorial term, and much of the last year has focused on Stanford as the university seeks county approval of its plan to add 4 million square feet of academic and housing development to the campus.

Mr. Simitian, a Democrat, has shown he has the leadership skills to succeed at the county level, and if elected, promises to work on the area's most pressing issues -- housing, transportation and education. We believe he is ready to apply his skills in Sacramento.

The Almanac also recommends ... The Almanac also recommends ... (October 25, 2000)

Earlier this month, the Almanac has recommended:

** Vote no on Measure A, to change compensation of county supervisors.

** Vote yes on Measure B, approving $13 million in bonds for a new county crime lab.

** Vote no on Proposition 38, against school vouchers.