Statement

As a 25 year Palo Alto resident, I feel exceptionally fortunate to live in a caring, engaged, inclusive and vibrant community! Of course, the benefits of the climate and weather contribute to the overall reality that we are extremely blessed. With that sentiment, one might ask, what do we have to complain about living in Palo Alto, and about what do we really have to be concerned?

This city council campaign, and the upcoming election gives us all an opportunity to reflect about Palo Alto’s past, present and most importantly its future. Do we know where we are going to, and are we content with our current level of city elected representation?

During the past few years, a number of actions, events, and issues have surfaced leaving this community feeling as if the leadership are either not in tune with reality, or are asleep at the wheel. How could the Children’s Theatre investigation get so out of hand resulting in the brief cessation of its services, and more importantly, the personal disruption of the lives of the three long term employees? How could a police chief who gave over 30 years of her life to protect this city feel pressured to retire earlier than planned because of “how” a statement was made, even though she apologized repeatedly? How can we continuously enforce fees and taxes on our businesses to cover the expense gaps created by government’s overspending? Why do we approach building and development in such an over analytically way that we drive away great ideas that have potential future and long term revenue and service benefits? Yet, how do some projects get built that don’t fit in with the overall landscape of the city, and are simply too big for the space? And, let’s not talk about the trees on California Avenue. How is that both the City Manager, and the City Council were out of the loop with this decision?

While we have a great city, and overall fair leadership, we need better. Too many things have occurred over the past two years that clearly demonstrate we need a council that is fully awake; in tune with the needs of the ENTIRE community and providing a vision for Palo Alto’s future while not tossing out its past.

We need a council that is Fired Up, and Ready to Serve All of Palo Alto.

Cheers – Chris Gaither