Who's running for council? Who's running for council? (June 01, 2005)
Former Mayor Larry Klein, who recently helped lead a successful ballot measure to increase the monthly storm-drain fee, announced last week he'll be running for the Palo Alto City Council in November. He served on the council from 1981 to 1989.

"In general, I think we need to do better on a variety of issues," Klein said last week, citing the city's declining revenues and expanding expenditures as an example.

A majority of the council -- five of nine seats -- are up for grabs in the race. The contest won't officially start until June 18, when candidates can begin pulling papers to run. However, candidates typically start jockeying for position a few months before the official start date.

Incumbent Councilwoman Yoriko Kishimoto said last week she is running for re-election, while council members Jack Morton and Hillary Freeman recently said they're still deciding.

Mayor Jim Burch has long stated that he is not seeking re-election; Councilman Vic Ojakian is leaving due to term limits.

Attorney Harold "Skip" Justman, who came in fifth when four seats were up for grabs in 2003, is again running. He claimed last week he's already raised $13,000 to promote his candidacy.

Perennial candidate and homeless advocate Victor Frost is also running.

Others who acknowledged last week that they are seriously considering a campaign are Planning and Transportation Commissioner Pat Burt, school board president John Barton and Barron Park Association President Doug Moran.

-- Bill D'Agostino

E-mail a friend a link to this story.