League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 2

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Experience, Concerns, Balance Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What experience related to city government would you bring to the city council? Answer from M. NADEEM, PhD: I want to take this opportunity to welcome you. I am so glad you're here. I am honored to share with you the following: I am a Professor of Business at National University and understand the current business challenges. I've held many civic leadership roles including serving currently as a Civil Service Commissioner (Second Term - 7th year), a Faculty Senator (6 years) and have a long history of being actively involved in the community (8 years) as---a Board of Trustee, a Vice-President, and a President---of a non-profit institution. My wife, Sarah, and I with our children have lived in Santa Clara for the past 18 years. I want to celebrate our community's past and want to successfully build abundance for the future economic recovery." I pledge to serve as a Santa Clara (SC) City Council member to the very best of my ability -- with honesty, integrity and compassion -- on these key themes: A fresh, independent & fiscally responsible perspective Ethical leadership -- promise and practice must be the same Trust and accountability in our city's government Shared vision for a growing city and sustainable Environment Involve the public Vision: Preserve healthy neighborhoods and ensure a diverse range of employment, housing, open space, public safety and investment opportunities. Mission: City projects must contribute to the overall environmental, fiscal, and economic well-being to enhance our quality of life. Goal: Manage growth, change and sustainability in a collaborative way. Leadership Programs: I had the honour to successfully complete the following programs: Citizen's Academy Leadership Program, May 2008, Bureau Division, San Francisco, CA. Leadership Santa Clara Program, June 2005, City of Santa Clara, CA. Awards: President's Professoriate Award, May 2009, NU, CA Provost's Five Year Service Excellence Award, September 2008, NU, CA Research Council's Faculty Distinguished Scholarship Award, September 2007, NU, CA Hence, the 'Choice is Clear'... Answer from Patrick "Pat" Kolstad: I've been elected twice (in 2000 and 2004) and served 8 years as a City Council Member. I've served as Chair of the City Audit Committee and was Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, Mission City 21, working closely with business and the Chamber of Commerce in promoting economic growth in the City of Santa Clara. As Santa Clara's representative to Regional and National Energy agencies, I voted for every generation and transmission project proposed which kept our rates the lowest and our service the most reliable in Northern California. We have refinanced JPA Bonds which saved Santa Clarans millions of dollars. This is the experience we need during these difficult financial times. 2. What concerns are of particular importance to the city and how would you address them? Answer from Patrick "Pat" Kolstad: Fiscal and Financial Issues: The current economic recession has created challenges for all local governments. Santa Clara's only difference from our neighboring cities is because excellent financial planning by our city in the past has left us with fewer and smaller budgetary problems than most of our neighbors. The challenge to be fiscally responsible is clearly the biggest problem facing our city. We must grow our economy while at the same time holding the line on the city's expenses. I have some experience in this area, and I believe I will bring value and leadership to the City Council. The voters of Santa Clara recently voted to approve Measure J, an initiative that will allow for the construction of a municipally owned stadium in Santa Clara. According to the City Staff and other experts, this will result in many new jobs and millions of dollars of economic growth to both the City and the entire region. This will help, but there is much more to be done. Santa Clara has to continue to create an environment that is appealing to businesses by offering the lowest utility rates and the finest transportation infrastructure in the Bay Area. Additionally, we have to work with our city employee representative groups to keep our salary and benefits at an acceptable level until we have weathered this economic downturn. Water and Power Issues: The completion of the Hetch Hetchy upgrades will go a long way to providing a high quality and reliable supply of water to our City. I was Vice Chairman of the Bay Area Water Suppliers and Conservation Agency. I have worked with the SCVWD and SFPUC to protect our City's water interests. The completion of the Lodi Energy Center (LEC) and the new MSR wind generating project will insure a reliable and affordable supply of electric to our city. I was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Northern California Power Agency and President of the Modesto-Santa Clara-Redding Power Agency (MSR) during my two terms on the City Council. I understand the needs of our electric utility. Transportation Issues: Although locally we find very well engineered city streets that efficiently move the traffic, County Expressways and State Highways are not able to accommodate their volume of traffic quite as well. We need to look to regional transportation systems for a solution to our traffic congestion. The BART extension to Santa Clara, improving the CalTrain, the ACE Train, the Light Rail and all of the proposed highway improvements are essential to solving our traffic problems. Measure A, which I supported, passed by an overwhelming majority in 2000. It sought to remedy some of our transportation problems. The economic downturn has caused us to pause and reexamine our priorities. I believe when the economy rebounds, we will still be facing transportation problems that will require our continued attention. Measure A funds have not been enough to fund all of the transit problems that were proposed; however, these transit systems still must be completed. Although the economic downturn has slowed the progress on achieving our transit goals, we need to continue toward our long term goals of BART to Santa Clara extension, electrification of CalTrain and the Light Rail extensions. Measure A funds should not be used to subsidize the operation of current transportation systems. CalTrain and the VTA should fund themselves either through fare box recovery or cost cutting measures. Answer from M. NADEEM, PhD: If elected to office the following will be among my top legislative priorities: -City's Budget:(Salaries/Pension): We need to balance the City budget. We have a $5M shortfall this year. We need to implement a spending freeze and carefully plan and evaluate all budget issues to make any cuts across the board, gradual, over time, and less harmful to residents and staff. When we cut a program, we offer less, so we have to offer as much as possible over a broad area. It would be worthwhile to consider SJ Mercury News Editorial dated Saturday, September 25, 2010: -Strengthen the City's ability to control costs and shore up services that residents consider critical -- including public safety; -Set a course for fiscal stability by stemming the tide of budget deficits; -The arbitrators are to consider a broader range of factors, such as the rate of growth of City revenue; -Consider a lower tier of pension benefits for new employees by taking current contribution requirements out of the city charter". http://www.mercurynews.com/editorials/ci_16167712?nclick_check=1 Hence, the "Choice is Clear"... -City's Economic Development: We are in for some tough times and that means some tough decisions will need to be made over the next few years. The borrowing we have done from reserves to balance the City budget have left us without any funds to deal with an emergency. I will stay focussed on replenshing reserves and bringing more retial to our Mission City with my business experience. I will specifically focus on retail along El Camino Real and North Side of Santa Clara. I believe housing/commercial imbalance must be explored and redressed. Furthermore, I will focus on 'Specialty Mixed Use' areas. There are a number of areas where business, residents, arts, and other entertainment could coexist and thrive together. Perhaps adopt a mini-Santana Row model --the site where new stadium is expected to be built! As highlighted by Santa Clara Weekly dated September 22, 2010---Do we continue down the same freeway to financial oblivion or do we reign in the horses and pursue another more equitable road? Santa claran's will get to make that decision this November 2nd---http://scw.tearn.com/2010/09/milestones_22.html Hence, the "Choice is Clear"... -City's Stadium (49ers): I'll ensure that the public interest is protected just as I will ensure that the 49ers come to Santa Clara along with good jobs and industry for all qualified Santa Clarans. I supported the measure J to have the San Francisco 49ers build in Santa Clara. I will also ensure that the term sheet is negotiated with 'consistency and fairness' and I'll be a supportive but independent party to the process. I am independent and not a "volunteer" spokesman for any individual or a group---as is highlighted in the Santa Clara Weekly dated August 31, 2010: http://scw.tearn.com/2010/08/milestones_31.html I am not beholden to anyone. I promise to objectively, rationally, impartially bring my business experience and expertise to ensure a fiscally responsible deal for our Mission City. You can count on me to be fair and represent the best interests of the people of Santa Clara -- not one side or the other, not one interest group over the other. I will do my best to fairly weigh all sides of the Stadium or any issue. Hence, the "Choice is Clear"... 3. How would you balance the needs of the city as a whole with groups' interests? Answer from Patrick "Pat" Kolstad: During the 8 years I served on the City Council it was my experience that groups advocating for specific issues were frequently advocating for something that was good for the City of Santa Clara as well. However, the primary concern of a policy maker should be what is best for the people he represents as a whole. Answer from M. NADEEM, PhD: I propose that all current and proposed projects demonstrate proven fiscal and economic practices to enhance our quality of life. We must face the hard facts and share the responsibility. Sacrifice is the only way we'll weather this economic crisis together, and emerge stronger when we recover. My `Mission for Mission City' (Santa Clara) is to not only maintain its reputation as an `All America City' but also to: create new jobs in a fair economy maintain core services + public safety (police and fire), libraries and community centers revitalize downtown Santa Clara on the Santana Row model improve affordable housing opportunities and protect open space strengthen the role of small businesses and the Chamber of Commerce preserve neighborhoods and improve public transportation support senior and youth programs, including collaboration with city schools and after-school programs I believe the residents of Santa Clara are ready for a 'fresh vision'---a fresh voice, fresh perspective, and a fresh leadership at the SC City Council. Hence, the 'choice is clear'. I would be honored to have your vote for Seat #2 this November 2010. To learn more about me, my supporters and my priorities for the future, please take a moment to explore my website: http://www.NadeemForCityCouncil2010.com and become part of our amazing team of volunteers and the campaign. Thank you. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Answers must not refer directly or indirectly to another candidate. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.