Atherton Town Council: Budget issues, park use top concerns in Atherton

by Jennifer Desai

With budget issues and the use of the town park topping the list of concerns, four candidates are vying for three seats on Atherton's Town Council.

Incumbents Bill Conwell and Dianne "Didi" Fisher and newcomers Alan Carlson and Teresa "Teri" Watts are seeking four-year terms on the five-member council.

In the next year, the council will face important money decisions, including how to fund capital improvements, such as road repair, drainage projects and upgrading and expanding other town facilities. Should it pay for them with a bond issue, by dipping into reserves, or through parcel tax revenues?

Voters have given the council the authority to increase the town's special tax, now at $650, to $750 if necessary. That authority expires next year, and the council must decide whether to ask voters for a higher ceiling.

The council also faces decisions on whether to allow Little League to build a playing field in Holbrook-Palmer Park and whether to permit a town arts committee to build an arts center there.

Jennifer Desai writes for the Almanac, the Weekly's sister publication in Menlo Park.

Alan Carlson

Civic Service: Legal representative for town of Atherton in Police Department labor negotiations, 1995 and 1997 Profession: Attorney Education: Bachelor's degree, University of California, Santa Barbara; law degree, University of California, Davis. Age: 51 Years in Atherton: 10 Family: Married; one daughter

Issues

Finances: The town's financial strategy is adequate for the present, and the town should balance its budget without touching its financial reserves. The parcel tax might have to be increased but not immediately. "I don't want to go to $750 for the special tax now, and then ask residents to increase that in November 1999."

Holbrook-Palmer Park: Carlson, who says he is interested in preserving the rural qualities of Atherton, is concerned about land use at Holbrook-Palmer Park. While he is not opposed in theory to constructing an arts center for the town, he cautions that such a building would commit the town to long-term upkeep costs he's not sure it can afford. Where Little League is concerned, Carlson says he's undecided. "I think the public really has to make a case on this one."

Traffic: He says the town's traffic enforcement is sufficient and that a 25 mph limit is as low as residents can expect.

William Conwell

Civic Service: Atherton council member, 12 years; member, Atherton Civic Interest League Profession: Venture capitalist Education: Business and economics degree, Rockhurst College, Kansas City, Mo. Age: 74 Years in Atherton: 29 Family: 4 children

Issues

Finances: Conwell says he will do everything in his power to keep the town's special parcel tax at its present level or reduce it. He says the town needs to look hard at its financial situation. "We need to figure out what we really need. When the council meets to review its budget in January, I think the picture will be clearer, but I think we're doing a better job at controlling our spending."

Holbrook-Palmer Park: Conwell says he is not "against Little League" but is pessimistic about building a diamond in Holbrook-Palmer Park. Noise and traffic created by Little League play, he says, would curb rentals of facilities at the park for weddings and other functions. He prefers to work out a deal with Menlo-Atherton High School or another school for a playing field. He opposes using town funds to build an arts center in the park.

Traffic: Conwell says the town is doing its best but can only do so much. "I can tell you it's only going to get worse. You can't prevent people from driving through town."

Didi Fisher

Civic Service: Atherton council member, 8 years; Member, Atherton Planning Commission, 3 years Profession: Incumbent Education: .................... Age: 50 Years in Atherton: 26 Family: Married; two children

Issues

Finances: Fisher has called for a series of community forums to discuss finances. She says she would consider a bond issue or an increase in the parcel tax, but only after consultation with town residents.

Holbrook-Palmer Park: Fisher says she could not give her view of a proposed Little League field in the park until a review process has been completed to mitigate environmental impacts. She says she hopes the field can be accommodated as long as traffic and noise at the park are controlled.

Traffic: Fisher said: "We've made some strides in town to reduce speed, but we have not been able to reduce cut-through traffic."

Teri Watts

Publication Date: Wednesday Oct 28, 1998

Atherton Town Council: Teri Watts
Civic Service: Member, Junior League; President, Foothill Auxiliary Profession: Homemaker; community volunteer Education: Bachelor's degree, Pomona College; M.B.A., Stanford University Age: 49
Years in Atherton: 13 Family: Married; two children
Issues
Finances: Watts says the Town Council should survey residents to find out what they think the town should do with respect to budget allocation and zoning ordinances. While she says that, to her knowledge the town's budget is appropriate for its needs, she thinks residents should have more input.
Holbrook-Palmer Park: Watts supports a Little League field, but says the town does not have the tax base to support building an arts center.
Traffic: She says the town's traffic enforcement and police budget are sufficient.