Publication Date: Wednesday Oct 28, 1998

Open Space District: Two challengers face Crowder

Two challengers are trying to knock off longtime director Betsy Crowder for a seat on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board.

The main issue in the fight for Ward 6--which represents Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, part of East Palo Alto and adjacent unincorporated areas--has been access to the more than 250 miles of trails in the district's 42,000 acres.

Hikers believe they should have primary access; bikers, equestrians, dog walkers and rock climbers feel they should be given equal consideration.

The debate over access has centered on a proposed policy under consideration by the board, which controls an annual budget of about $15 million. If approved, it would divide uses into two categories: basic and special. Basic use would allow hikers to use all trails with some access for handicapped; special uses would include bikers, horse riders and others who typically cause greater environmental or management problems. They would be subject to additional controls. Hikers favor the plan; bikers and others oppose it.

Crowder, a director of the board since 1989, supports the proposal. Her opponents, Berry T. Stevens and John J. "Jack" Hickey, are against it.

Another issue facing the district is whether golf courses should be built on district land. Proponents see the plan as a way to ensure a steady stream of revenue to support a larger ranger staff and better trail maintenance. Hickey strongly supports the golf course plan. Crowder and Stevens oppose it, saying it conflicts with the district's mission of preservation.

Also appearing on the open space ballot is Measure F, an advisory vote over whether the district should annex coastal lands belonging to the Peninsula Open Space Trust and other agencies. If approved, the plan would be put before the board. The plan would expand the district by about 40 percent, extending its jurisdiction along the coast from north of Half Moon Bay to the Santa Cruz County line. It would allow the district to manage the land, but it could not collect money from the new area without passing a tax by a two-thirds vote.

All three candidates favor the measure.

Marion Softky writes for the Almanac, the Weekly's sister publication in Menlo Park.

@head:Betsy Crowder Occupation: Incumbent Experience: Retired environmental planner for the city of Palo Alto; Portola Valley Planning Commission, two terms; member San Mateo County Bikeways Advisory Committee and county Trails Advisory Committee; former board member of the Committee for Green Foothills; appointed to Open Space District board in 1989 Education: B.A., Radcliffe College; M.S., Stanford University Age: Declined to state Family: Portola Valley resident. Widowed with two children and two grandchildren @head:Berry T. Stevens Occupation: Production manager with Color Magic of Mountain View Experience: Mountain bicyclist and member of Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers; volunteer with open space district for seven years, graduate of its first crew leader training class and member of two district task forces; active in trail restoration Education: Attended University of Illinois Age: 48 Family: Lives in Redwood City with wife @head:John J. "Jack" Hickey Occupation: Retired senior research scientist Experience: Navy veteran; inventor with 28 patents in optics technology, including lasers and fiber optics; taxpayers advocate who has opposed tax measures and eminent domain; candidate for Congress in 1984 and state Assembly in 1993, 1994 and 1998. Education: Honorary B.S. in electrical engineering from Dalmo-Victor. Age: 64 Family: Resident of Emerald Hills. Wife, five grown children and one grandchild.