League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
	Colette Cranston Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; Town of Los Altos Hills

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Should Town staff and Town resources be used to assist in establishing a public education facility in Los Altos Hills? Should Town staff and Town resources be used to assist in creating a public school district in Los Altos Hills?

Town resources have already been allocated to pay for a professional survey on public education issues. It also appears that the Town Attorney will be spending time on the issue. Other than that, some staff work may be needed on zoning questions and General Plan designations. Councilmembers' time may be required in negotiation or lobbying to bring a public elementary school back, not staff or dollars.

The results of the professional survey are not in yet. Those results should better inform us of the direction in which residents want to proceed. I expect that we may not be pursuing our own school district, except possibly for K-6 or K-8.

2. Would you increase Town reserves? If no, why not? If yes, how would you do that?

I feel more comfortable with solid reserve balances and would work to maintain them at their current level. In recent history, we were in essence "saving" to finance the new Town Hall construction, so the dips in our reserve balance were anticipated. There is no new revenue resource planned, except for construction/refuse truck user fees. Our operating expenses are fairly lean right now.

I would approach the reserves as we have for years, by being careful in our spending and by accumulating surpluses from the operating budget, not through debt financing.

3. What changes, if any, would you make to the zoning regulations or to the planning review process?

I support the fast track process and will work to ensure that Town staff administer it properly so that neighbors are clearly apprised of plans. I believe we should have more emphasis on native vegetation and the preservation of significant trees like Heritage oaks. The Land Use Element of our General Plan needs to be updated right away.