Santa Clara Weekly Questionaire

By Karen Hardy

Questions and Answers to the Santa Clara Weekly

I currently serve on the Planning Commission and the Architectural Review Committee. I have previously served on the Historical & Landmarks Commission. I am also the vice-president for records and operations for the Santa Clara County Association for Good Government. I have a long history in the city of fighting for good city policy. I was president of Santa Clarans for Political Integrity & Ethics, an organization that began the ethics discussion in the city over council candidate contributions. I first jumped into Santa Clara politics twelve years ago when I began a citizen's group to stop a card club from being built in Santa Clara. I have lived in Santa Clara for 19 years and volunteered for numerous organizations. I earned my college degree in Chemical Engineering with an emphasis in environmental control.

In your opinion, what makes Santa Clara unique or special?

Santa Clara is the oldest city in the South Bay. We have a unique history from the mission era to the technology boom. Through all this the city has remained a great place to live and raise a family.

How did you decide to run for city council?

Over the ten years I have served as a commissioner I have learned a tremendous amount about how the city operates. Now that my three daughters are older, and two are in college, I have the time necessary to devote to the office of city council.

What do you think are the most significant challenges facing Santa Clara today?

The drop in city revenue is a major concern. Many businesses have left or folded. This makes providing the great city services we enjoy at a reasonable cost a challenge. The need also continues to have sufficient housing options in the city.

What solutions do you propose to address these challenges?

Santa Clara was recently rated a great city in which to do business and our low electricity rates were not even considered in this rating. We need to do a better job of marketing the city to potential businesses. I understand an effort has been launched, and I would like to be part of that campaign. That is a long-term solution. In the short term we need to take a hard look at our services. Prioritizing services, streamlining management, limiting some service options may be necessary. The city has also set policy to allow more housing options to be built while protecting the established neighborhoods.

What are some of the opportunities we have as a city?

We need to continue with the great traditions we have as a city, such as the city picnic with fireworks and a great Art & Wine Festival. The city needs to encourage and support the numerous volunteer community groups who provide athletics, the arts and needed services to the residents.

Like every municipality, Santa Clara faces budget pressures. How do you propose to address this? Please see the previous question & answer

What are some of the things you would like to see in Santa Clara's future?

Growth of the retail businesses such as those on El Camino, the Franklin Plaza and Rivermark making Santa Clara a place to shop as well as work and live. As density increases our public open space becomes more precious. I would love to see an expansion of Central Park if the Kaiser site became available.

What steps would you take to get there?

Marketing the city to retail businesses as well as high tech would help. The expansion of Central Park would need to be a citywide decision, which should be voted on by the residents.

What else would you like to say to Santa Clara residents?

I have a twelve-year record of fighting for the well being of the city, on the city council I will continue to do the same.