Fisher, Conwell, Carlson for Atherton City Council

Four candidates are seeking three seats on the Atherton City Council in a race that looked unnecessary until challenger Toni Watts jumped in at the last minute.

Incumbents Bill Conwell, who has served since 1986, and Didi Fisher, who has been on the council for eight years, have both served the community well, albeit from different perspectives. Conwell loves applying his business background to city issues--sometimes to a fault--but especially in recent years, he has contributed effectively and more constructively to the five-person council. Fisher has continued her steady service to the community, particularly on traffic and town communication issues.

Alan Carlson, a labor attorney who successfully negotiated a touchy police labor contract for the city in 1994, is our choice for the remaining seat. With most of Atherton's budget going toward police, Carlson brings an unusual and immediately useful background. Teri Watts became interested in town politics over the issue of tightening the regulations on accessory structures, which she opposed. She criticizes the council for not reaching out and listening enough to what the community wants.

Atherton's biggest challenge is maintaining financial stability without the benefit of any commercial district generating sales tax revenues. We recommend Didi Fisher, Bill Conwell and Alan Carlson as the ones bringing the greatest expertise in accomplishing that challenging goal.