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Editorial: East Palo Alto's Abrica, Woods deserve reelection
Challenger Doug Fort does good work in community, but doesn't match the experience and leadership of the incumbents

Two veteran East Palo Alto City Council members are being challenged by a street smart community activist known for his work in support of kids and against violence and drug dealing.

Doug Fort is challenging current Mayor David Woods and former Mayor Ruben Abrica for two open seats on the City Council in the Nov. 2 election.

He has been an important positive force, especially by intervening to prevent or stop violence when teens in different neighborhoods have turned against each other, usually related to drugs. He was the founder "For Youth by Youth" and continues to actively work to support youth in East Palo Alto.

Woods has served three times as mayor since he was elected in 2002 and Abrica is in his second time around on the council, having served first in the 1980s and being elected again in 2004.

Both have developed strong leadership skills on the council and worked hard to unite the disparate constituencies in the community at a time of great change and hope for East Palo Alto. They each emphasize the importance and value of continuity to the workings of the council, and their desire to continue with the progress underway to solidify the tax base, strengthen community policing, and plan for future successful commercial development.

If there were a third seat available, we would have no hesitation recommending Doug Fort, as we did two years ago when he ran unsuccessfully. But Ruben Abrica and David Woods have been good and thoughtful leaders and deserve another term.