Beecham to stump for businesses? Beecham to stump for businesses? (March 05, 2004)

Chance for mayor to leave his mark Monday

by Bill D'Agostino

The last few years have been rocky times for Palo Alto's local government, as a divided and often acrimonious City Council struggled to keep public disputes among officials from interfering with business.

These days, the rancor has mostly died down, in part due to an election that showed the voters' intolerance for such behavior. In 2004, the council is focusing more intensely on other challenges, especially the health of the city's budget.

Such issues provide the context for Mayor Bern Beecham's state of the city address, scheduled for Monday night. So far this year, Beecham has emphasized the need for city officials to help local businesses, since their profits are vital for Palo Alto's own revenues and services.

For instance, Beecham formed a committee -- which will be meeting over the next few months -- to come up with recommendations for the city to support local businesses, still feeling the sting of the dot-com bust.

"Some people (business owners) say it's very scary," said Israel Zehavi, the owner of Diamonds of Palo Alto, who said the city could do more.

"The city has to do a campaign about the parking available in downtown, in the two new parking garages," Zehavi said, as an example. "I don't think the citizens of Palo Alto are aware enough."

With the city still recovering from the turbulence of the last few years, residents are "looking for a strong direction from the city leadership," said former mayor Liz Kniss, now a county supervisor.

Her suggestion for Beecham, on the eve of his speech?

"Float some ideas," Kniss advised. "Be bold. Be Brave. Toss things out. Get people talking."

When Kniss was mayor in 1994, she used the annual speech to advocate for the city starting a center for families to get information on local resources. That proposal was ultimately approved and funded.

"Here's an opportunity to really do something," Kniss said. The state of the city address will be given on Monday, March 8, beginning at 7 p.m. inside the City Council Chambers (250 Hamilton Ave.).

Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com

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