Dear Redwood Shores Neighbors,
In 1995, Judie and I moved to Redwood Shores as young parents. Back then, Sandpiper and Redwood Shores Elementary did not exist, no Redwood Shores Library, and houses ended at Shearwater Parkway. In 1997, as a recent new homeowner, I attended a community meeting about the proposed design of the new fire station. Given the lack of places to meet in the Shores, this meeting was held at the Belmont Sports Complex.
While the design of the fire station was attractive and appropriate for Redwood Shores, I was less sure about the proposal to put a Public Works Corporation yard behind the fire station immediately next to the homes at Sandpiper Lagoon and Sunrise. Fortunately for the neighbors, the proposed Corporation Year disappeared. This meeting was my first experience with community service in Redwood Shores and the City of Redwood City.
As the “Shores” became Redwood City’s newest neighborhood, we added a fire station, branch library, two new schools, and a grocery store. My son graduated in Sandpiper Elementary’ s first class. I am pleased to have been a part of all of these projects; as a member of Redwood City’s Architectural Review Committee, as a past Chair and Commissioner on the Planning Commission, and as a former Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmember on the City Council from 2010 to 2018.
I understand our Redwood Shores neighborhood. I grew up in Belmont, and went to school at Fox Elementary, Ralston Middle School and graduated from Carlmont High School. I have served as the President, Treasurer and Director of the Redwood Shores Community Association (RSCA), and I continue to serve as the President of my homeowner’s association, having first been elected by my neighbors in 1996.
Traffic, pedestrian safety, good schools impact all Redwood City neighborhoods. However, Redwood Shores has unique issues: levees, lagoon, Silicon Valley Cleanwater construction, San Carlos Airport noise, geese, and lack of equitable city services – especially for seniors. We pay the same taxes, but we don’t get equal attention from city hall.
I am especially focused on addressing COVID-19’s ongoing impacts to our most vulnerable neighbors – children, low-income families, and seniors; and mitigating where possible the devastating impacts to our local economy. My top priorities include:
All of these issues are challenging – with no easy answers – just hard decisions. I previously served on the City Council through difficult times where I shaped policy decisions based on data and common sense.
I will bring my prior City Council experience – especially through the 2009 Recession and Redwood City’s eventual economic recovery – and professional experience as an architect, business leader, and transportation official to manage the current crisis through these uncertain times and position Redwood City for economic recovery and to become an even stronger community.
I ask for your support in making sure that Redwood Shores is represented at City Hall as your Councilmember from District 1. Experience matters and bringing my experience back to City Hall will ensure a strong City Council we all need to navigate the challenges ahead.
Thank you for your consideration and support, and don’t hesitate to contact me at (650) 483-7412.
Jeff
In 1995, Judie and I moved to Redwood Shores as young parents. Back then, Sandpiper and Redwood Shores Elementary did not exist, no Redwood Shores Library, and houses ended at Shearwater Parkway. In 1997, as a recent new homeowner, I attended a community meeting about the proposed design of the new fire station. Given the lack of places to meet in the Shores, this meeting was held at the Belmont Sports Complex.
While the design of the fire station was attractive and appropriate for Redwood Shores, I was less sure about the proposal to put a Public Works Corporation yard behind the fire station immediately next to the homes at Sandpiper Lagoon and Sunrise. Fortunately for the neighbors, the proposed Corporation Year disappeared. This meeting was my first experience with community service in Redwood Shores and the City of Redwood City.
As the “Shores” became Redwood City’s newest neighborhood, we added a fire station, branch library, two new schools, and a grocery store. My son graduated in Sandpiper Elementary’ s first class. I am pleased to have been a part of all of these projects; as a member of Redwood City’s Architectural Review Committee, as a past Chair and Commissioner on the Planning Commission, and as a former Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmember on the City Council from 2010 to 2018.
I understand our Redwood Shores neighborhood. I grew up in Belmont, and went to school at Fox Elementary, Ralston Middle School and graduated from Carlmont High School. I have served as the President, Treasurer and Director of the Redwood Shores Community Association (RSCA), and I continue to serve as the President of my homeowner’s association, having first been elected by my neighbors in 1996.
Traffic, pedestrian safety, good schools impact all Redwood City neighborhoods. However, Redwood Shores has unique issues: levees, lagoon, Silicon Valley Cleanwater construction, San Carlos Airport noise, geese, and lack of equitable city services – especially for seniors. We pay the same taxes, but we don’t get equal attention from city hall.
I am especially focused on addressing COVID-19’s ongoing impacts to our most vulnerable neighbors – children, low-income families, and seniors; and mitigating where possible the devastating impacts to our local economy. My top priorities include:
- Support County Public Health efforts to reduce infection rates and ensure Kaiser, Sequoia, Stanford, and Sutter have the capacity and resources to keep us safe;
- Ensure seniors in assisted living situations, low-income families, and homeless individuals and families do not suffer disproportionately with COVID-19;
- Work with employers to prevent layoffs and protect our local economy;
- Assist those who are unemployed to apply for benefits, healthcare, and other support services;
- Assist small business owners and child care providers to survive shutdowns, operate safely, and understand their options; including:
- State and local grants, loans and services they can access
- Regulations associated with the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP)
- Resources they need to apply for SBA Disaster Relief Loans
- Ensure information is available in multiple languages
- Support Belmont-Redwood Shores and Sequoia school districts with school safety and distance learning to keep students, teachers and staff healthy;
- Balance funding essential city and public safety services with fiscal responsibility and pandemic-induced budget cuts.
All of these issues are challenging – with no easy answers – just hard decisions. I previously served on the City Council through difficult times where I shaped policy decisions based on data and common sense.
I will bring my prior City Council experience – especially through the 2009 Recession and Redwood City’s eventual economic recovery – and professional experience as an architect, business leader, and transportation official to manage the current crisis through these uncertain times and position Redwood City for economic recovery and to become an even stronger community.
I ask for your support in making sure that Redwood Shores is represented at City Hall as your Councilmember from District 1. Experience matters and bringing my experience back to City Hall will ensure a strong City Council we all need to navigate the challenges ahead.
Thank you for your consideration and support, and don’t hesitate to contact me at (650) 483-7412.
Jeff