Voter Guide 2001: Voters face big decisions November 6 Voter Guide 2001: Voters face big decisions November 6 (October 24, 2001)

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

As the national wake-up call September 11 caused the United States to strike back at perpetrators, it may also help Americans focus on strengthening democratic processes at home.

Not least of these is the "off-year" election coming up November 6.

Despite the lack of high-profile state and national votes to stir excitement, local voters still have an opportunity to make major decisions that will affect the quality of life in their communities for years to come.

Foremost may be four school bonds, totaling $313 million, that would pay for updating aging campuses and building new facilities for students in four districts. In Measure C, the San Mateo County Community College District is seeking $207 million; the Sequoia Union High School District is asking for $88 million in Measure G; the Las Lomitas School District wants$12 million, and the Portola Valley School District, $6 million.

These school-bond measures all require 55 percent of the votes to pass.

More challenging is Menlo Park's Measure T, which would authorize $38 million in bonds to renovate and expand park and recreation facilities. That measure requires a two-thirds vote of approval for passage.

The Las Lomitas School District also has a parcel tax measure on the ballot that require two-thirds approval.

Candidate contests

Woodside and Portola Valley have contested races for their town councils.

In Woodside, which elects its council from seven districts, Mayor Carroll Ann Hodges is facing a vigorous challenge from former mayor and councilman Gary McKae in District 6, while Deborah Gordon and Joe Kirley are vying for the seat vacated by John Blake, who recently moved from District 2.

Together with Councilman Joe Putnam, who is running unopposed in District 4, Mr. Kirley and Mr. McKae caused some excitement when they stood up a League of Women Voters candidates forum for a candidate event held at a Canada Road residencee.

Among the Woodside council issues are the proposed Phillips Brooks School campus, expanding activities at the Mounted Patrol grounds, and finding playing field space for the growing youth population.

In Portola Valley, four candidates are campaigning vigorously for three seats, including two open seats vacated by veteran council members Craig Brown and Nancy Vian.

Seeking a third term, Councilman Ted Driscoll is the only incumbent. Also running are former Mayor and Councilman Richard Merk, who resigned for personal reasons in 1999; George Comstock, a veteran of the Architectural and Site Control Commission; and newcomer, attorney Doug Aikins, who has been on the Geologic Safety Committee for the past two years.

Portola Valley voters are also being asked to pass two tax measures. Measure R would extend the existing utility users tax of 5.5 percent on power telephone and water bills for another four years. Measure S would extend the additional 2 percent utility users tax, which is dedicated solely to preserving open space, for four years after June 30 2002. Both taxes, approved by greater than 80 percent of voters in 1997, this time require a simple majority to pass.

An unusual number of single-purpose districts that provide specific services also have contested elections. Seven candidates are contesting three seats on the board of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District; and incumbent Peter Berger faces a challenge by real estate developer Jim Irizarry on the Woodside fire board.

Challenger William Henderson of Portola Valley would like to unseat one of the incumbents on the board of the West Bay Sanitary District: either 20-year veteran David Knight, or one-term newcomer John Carcione.

Even the little Los Trancos County Water District has a contested election, with two incumbents and two challengers seeking three seats. Incumbents Curtis W. Parkin and George A. Lee hope to gain reelection; Alexander M. Kostrikin, a production planner, and Alan Alexander Burns, a retired researcher, hope to win a seat on the board.

Countywide, voters will be deciding two measures affecting administrative organization, and county coffers. Measure A would make the county coroner's office part of the Sheriff's department. Instead of voting for an independent county coroner, voters would select a Sheriff-Coroner, who would administer both functions.

Measure B would continue the Transient Occupancy Tax at 10 percent. Without a majority vote, the tax paid by visitors to hotels and motels in the unincorporated parts of the county will revert to 8 percent, as it was before 1990.