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Val listening to local merchants
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Val answering questions at a
Los Altos senior community |
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Rinconada Court (1895) |
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Issues
- Traffic: Los Altos has serious traffic problems in many of our residential neighborhoods. Improving public safety is my top priority, from more visible crosswalks to permanent traffic calming devices.
- Residential Neighborhoods: Maintaining the character of our existing residential neighborhoods as properties are redeveloped is very important to me.
- Downtown Revitalization: As a community, we need to create a common vision for downtown Los Altos, then identify and attract stores, restaurants and other businesses that fit.
- Downtown Hotel: Like the Garden Court in Palo Alto, a small, high-end hotel downtown, owned and operated commercially, will increase evening activity and contribute new tax revenue.
- Public Swim Facility: The ideal public swim facility to meet Los Altos residents' needs for the next 50 years consists of a warm, shallow pool for recreation and swimming lessons; a cold, deep pool for laps and swim teams; and a wading pool.
The impact of such a facility on the neighborhood can be limited by reducing the total size of the pools, setting reasonable hours of operation, carefully selecting the programs offered, and coordinating with the baseball and soccer fields.
A staff study of operating costs and programs for public swim facilities in nearby cities is pending.
- City Finances: Closely managing city finances is critical. Rigorously prioritizing spending and actively pursuing new sources of revenue will fund top-priority programs within a balanced budget.
Civic Accomplishments
- Los Altos Historic Walking Tour Brochure: In 2005, at the request of the Los Altos Historical Commission, I managed the creation of this brochure, which showcases the historic commercial buildings of downtown Los Altos, and worked with Randall Hull and The Br@nd Ranch graphics design agency to redesign and print it.
- Rinconada Court Heritage Trees Designation: In 2003, as Chair of the Historical Commission, I led the commission through a series of public hearings on an emergency basis to protect the remaining row of Canary Island date palm trees on Rinconada Court in Los Altos. These trees were originally planted over 100 years ago to line the drive to the historic home at 439 Rinconada Court. Named one of the prettiest streets in Los Altos by the Los Altos Town Crier, Rinconada Court residents were united in their support for this designation.
- Los Altos: Celebrating 50 Years of Community Museum Exhibit: In 2002, I chaired the planning committee which created this exhibit for the Los Altos History Museum to celebrate the City of Los Altos 50th anniversary of incorporation. The exhibit was on display from August 2002 through January 2003.
- Advisor to Seven High School Girl Scouts Who Earned The Gold Award: For 5 years, I volunteered with Los Altos Girl Scout Troop 321 to advise high school girls interested in earning the Gold Award. A total of seven young women I counseled completed their Gold Award, which, like Eagle rank for Boy Scouts, is the highest honor in Girl Scouting.
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