RE-ELECT PHIL GIOIA TO THE CORTE MADERA TOWN COUNCIL

By Phil Gioia

I believe we've made GREAT progress in the last four years, and I seek one more term on the Town Council to help continue our positive momentum.

Four years ago, I listed a number of principal objectives I promised to address for our Town. I'm pleased to report that major progress has been made in each of them. I'm also proud to have had the opportunity to have served as Mayor and Vice-Mayor, Chairman of the Twin Cities Police Council, Chairman of the Disaster Council and Y2K Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Library Board, and Fourth of July Liaison.

Let me also strongly say that the progress we've made has been due to the efforts of many Town Councils, the efforts of several hundred, highly motivated citizens of all ages who have given unsparingly of years of their time, and the support of the voters for all critical issues. The spirit of volunteerism and community engagement that has always been shown by Corte Maderans is truly gratifying. It's one of the things that makes our Town such a unique and rewarding place to live.

These were my principal objectives in 1995. I will continue to focus on them during the next four years:
- Provide the best possible public safety and security for all residents and businesses.
- Continue to improve flood control, fire safety and emergency response programs.
- Ensure the Town's financial stability.
- Protect and maintain all property values.
- Continue to beautify our Town, and improve the quality of life for our citizens of all ages.

Now let's review the progress we've made in these areas, and a few of the things I'd like to pursue in the next four years.

Public Safety and Emergency Services:
- We've completely re-built Fire Station 13 on Paradise Drive, giving a new home to the fire engine and crew based there.
- And, we've created and staffed our own Town Paramedic Service, with a brand-new Emergency Services Ambulance. With this service as a "first-responder", the risk to our residents of death due to delay in emergency response has been significantly reduced.
- There's also a brand-new, all-wheel-steering fire engine based at Fire Station 14 on Tamalpais Drive; ideal for fast fire-fighting response in the Hill Neighborhoods.
- The High Canal Pump Station is now in service! This project was many years in the making, and provides flood protection for the once-badly-threatened areas of the West Side of Town.
- We've installed new and upgraded old pumping equipment on the East Side of Town, and continue the San Clemente Creek Flood Control and Tidal Barrier projects. We also continue our brush abatement and weed clearing efforts as part of our general fire prevention plan.
- We receive many complaints about traffic speed on our residential and main streets, and the need for more signs and lights. A new traffic signal is now in service on Paradise Drive at Echo, and a Town Traffic Safety Committee has been proposed to study all vehicular, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety, and make recommendations to the Council.
- Earthquakes are a major threat! As a Sixth Army Staff Officer at the Presidio of San Francisco in the 1970's, I co-authored the first integrated, government agency Bay Area Earthquake Response Plan. I'd like to see earthquake retrofit financial subsidies made available to our homeowners, to help improve their homes' ability to better withstand earthquakes. These programs are available elsewhere in the Bay Area; they should be reviewed for suitability here.
- I'd also like to see a Town-wide drive to increase enrollment in our NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Training) program. As Mayor, I also headed our Town's Y2K Subcommittee, studying ways to safeguard and protect our Town during the unpredictable period after the New Year.
- I've always been a strong supporter of our police and fire departments, and am pleased that both the Twin Cities Police Officers' Association and the Corte Madera Firefighters' Association have once again placed their confidence in me by giving me their endorsements for this election.

Long-Term Financial Stability: In 1995, Corte Madera had no Long-Term Financial Plan. I said I would work for adoption of this valuable tracking and forecasting tool, and spent many hours with Town Staff and then-Mayor Sandra Marker in creating it. I believe my MBA from Stanford and my business background will be a continued help in this area.

Beautification and Quality of Life: I lived in Corte Madera in the 1970's. Many will agree that our Town has come a long way in appearance! Years of hard work by the Council and residents serving on committees and task forces to improve the look of our Town have paid off handsomely.
- We have one of Marin's finest park and recreation systems, and I am a strong supporter of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Beautification Committee.
- I fully supported the rejuvenation and re-naming of Old Corte Madera Square. I've worked with the Sign Committee, which designed the lovely Town Entryway Sign on the East Side, and is planning one for the West Side.
- I worked to see the demolition of the Paradise Shopping Center, and the construction of a brand new shopping center, and an assisted living facility for the elderly.
- I strongly support the projected Recreation Center Renovation, which you will be asked to vote on in this election. A product of years of study by a Special Task Force, it should provide us with a beautiful facility, benefiting all ages.
- As Mayor, I formed a Task Force to implement the New Bandstand in Old Corte Madera Square, which should provide a focal point for many of our future Town festivities.
- I worked to see Joe Garbarino's Historic Vehicle Collection return to our Fourth of July celebrations.
- I'd like to see the swimming pool at Redwood High fully renovated, and made available to our residents in the warm weather months.
- I also support the agreement reached with the Larkspur School District to build a gym at Hall Middle School.
- I'd like to see a skateboard park developed, as well as other unique programs for our youth.
- I'd like to explore creating some sort of voluntary youth community service group for our young people. We must also complete the High Canal Bridge to provide better access for our schoolchildren, and for hiking and biking

Maintaining Our Property Values: Our real estate values continue to benefit from our ideal location in Marin County, and a prolonged, robust economy. But much of our housing is nearing or over fifty years in age.
- Homeowners should be able to remodel and expand their homes as appropriate with zoning and planning regulations, and in harmony with neighborhood input.
- I also recommend the entire permitting and inspection process be re-evaluated from top to bottom, and changed as necessary!
- As Mayor, I suggested the Planning Commission review Floor Area Ratio (FAR) guidelines, with design review, to give remodeling homeowners realistic guidelines of what they may be able to accomplish.
- I also encouraged the creation of more neighborhood-specific plans, by and for our residents; Madera Gardens has began to study this opportunity, following the fine example of Christmas Tree Hill.

Property values and neighborhood appearance relate directly to Town beautification. People vote about property values with their savings and their dreams. My wife and I did just that. Our little daughter Victoria, one of our Town's newest citizens, is just turning six months old. We intend to stay here, and feel we must continue to make Corte Madera a place where people want to buy homes and put down roots.

The Parking Ordinance: The Council spent three years, and countless hours of citizen input and debate on this issue, and recently, listening to impressive citizen petition participation, rescinded the ordinance that regulates parking on driveways and front lawns. Even so, the process has had impressive results. Most owners of boats, RVs and trailers have complied with the spirit of the ordinance, and our Town's appearance has been significantly improved. I also believe the parking ordinance went too far, by attempting to regulate automobiles. If the Council takes up the issue of a Parking Ordinance for driveways and front lawns in future, it should be very concise, be focused only on boats, RVs and trailers, and be put on the ballot for the voters to decide.

WorkForce Housing: WorkForce housing in our Town doesn't just make common sense, it makes good sense. And, most of the service providers in our fire and police departments, public works, and other staff, can't afford the housing costs in Corte Madera, and live as far north as Sebastopol and Santa Rosa. The Council has already given priority to these types of occupations, and to schoolteachers, for eligibility for WorkForce housing. We're looking at all viable options, and are going through a detailed process to satisfy our requirements in this area. I'm certain we will find a way to satisfy this requirement, and do so with the concerns and desires of Corte Madera's citizens uppermost in mind.

Let me close with the same message I sent in 1995: I come originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, where there is a strong tradition of service to both community and country. I have served my country in both peace and war, having been twice wounded and twice decorated for leadership in combat. I believe I have both the leadership experience and the academic and business qualifications to continue to ably serve Corte Madera for four more years as a member of the Town Council, and to assist in guiding our Town as we cross into the new Century.

I will continue to vote on each issue as I see it myself, and I thank you for your support on November 2nd.

A PARTIAL LIST OF MY ENDORSERS AND SUPPORTERS FOR TOWN COUNCIL

The Twin Cities Police Officers' Association, Inc. The Corte Madera Firefighters' Association, inc. The Marin Board of Realtors PAC Ex-Mayors Bob Dunn, Jana Haehl, Carolyn Larson, Melissa Paulson, Pat Williams, and Vice-Mayor John Dupar Ralph Marchese, Chairman, Planning Commission; Peter Groves, ex- Chairman, Planning Commission Guy Benstead, Chairman, Park and Recreation Commission Julie Allecta Jack Gundersheim Dave & Janet Moore Sue Sommer Keith Angerman Bob Gutowsky Pat & Jan Morgan Carl & Scottie Spurzem Jean Bean Joan Isaksen Mary O'Malley Robin & Loretta Taylor Barbara & Leo Becker Helen Lambert Kitty Prosser Rosa Thomas Beth Benz Michael & Jessica Lappert Liz Krakow Joanie Vaughan Karen Berg Ben Larson Bob Reed Apple Walker Nina Brandt Jane Levinsohn Michael & Lisa Sappupo Margot Whitney Bob & Linda Bundy Gwn Lister Harry & Annette Schriebman Bob and Marie Whitney Hamid Emami Bruce Lyalls Bob & Barbara Sieker Rich Willis Roger & Gwen Graham Dave & Merna McIntosh Mary Louise Simon Diana Young