Friday, October 13, 2017

San Mateo City Council Candidate Summaries, 2017

Some thoughts on the seven candidates whose names will be on the ballot for the San Mateo City Council election on November 7, 2107:

These reflections are informed by six years of active engagement in San Mateo’s affairs, my current role as Public Works Chair, the statements of the candidates (available here - http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/2352/Meet-the-2017-City-Council-Candidates), and the candidates’ presentations at 2 out the 3 organized candidate forums.

These are my personal opinions.

Kara Cox



Evaluation Parameters*

I have based my evaluation primarily on two key parameters – Civic Experience and Follow the Money.

Civic Experience
In my opinion, experience in government is essential for a City Council Member. The notion of sending someone into a government position without intimate knowledge of the role they are confronting has proven detrimental in Washington. Let’s not experiment by sending someone unexperienced to San Mateo City Hall, which is complex and unyielding in its own way.

Follow the Money*                                                                      
My bias leans heavily towards grassroots candidates (defined here as receiving less than one third of their funding from businesses or unions). I like to see the majority of campaign financing donated from local residents or the candidate him or herself.  I don’t mind business, union or real estate interests per se, but major funding from outside the city should be looked at with a critical eye.  

* Data set pulled Oct 9 - totals have changed. For up to date reports on current contributions and loans please link here - https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/3739/24-Hour-Campaign-Contribution-Reports 



Candidate Summaries


Neighborhood: Hayward Park


Civic Experience: Strong

Bonilla has been closely involved with shaping the affairs of our city for over twenty years. His first major appointment was with Bay Meadows/Transportation Corridor Citizens Advisory Committee so he has been involved with the new development at that location since the beginning. This kind of deep knowledge of the history of San Mateo is invaluable for a City Council Member. I admire his gradual ascent to the Council as it allowed him to really learn and understand what is and is not possible in the context of City Hall.

Another quality that I like is that Bonilla is active and outspoken support of all San Mateo citizens, not just homeowners. He is an active supporter of unions and the equity value of all workers receiving a living wage. His leadership with regard to establishing Peninsula Clean Energy was critical for its success.

Follow the Money:

So far Bonilla has raised around 27K. Approximately half of Bonilla’s campaign funds come from unions. Individuals make up around a quarter of his donations. Real estate interest represent around 15%.

Summary: I support this candidate without reservation based on his experience and commitment to helping all San Mateo citizens.




Neighborhood: Beresford/Hillsdale

Civic Experience: Good

While I have not met Chelsea, I have heard only good things about her time on the San Mateo Foster City School Board as well as her standing and reputation within the Democratic Party. As with municipal government, leaders at the school board must engage with stakeholders with diverse opinions and high expectations. From my understanding, she has approached this challenge with bravery and determination. Link here for her detailed list of her accomplishments -

However, while there are definite parallels between the school board and city government, there is nearly no overlap in terms of personnel and process. It is for this reason I cannot truly unpack the extent of Bonini’s accomplishments on the school board, nor how she would adapt to the new challenge of Council Member.

Follow the Money: Grassroots Certified

So far Bonini has raised approximately 18.5K in order to run. Slightly over half of this is loans. Slightly under half comes from individual donors. She has taken no money from real estate interests and only a very small percent from the business community. 

Summary: While I do not doubt Bonini’s ability to be an ethical leader, as a Council Member she will face the additional challenge of no prior city hall experience



Neighborhood: Not included in campaign materials

Civic Experience: Not Clear

At the one candidate forum he did attend, Mr. DePaula stated he is running on a staunchly anti-growth platform and wants a moratorium on all new constructions. He apparently has no previous experience in City government. He did not attend the second forum despite confirming that afternoon. At present there is no candidate statement or statement of qualifications available.

Follow the Money:

As this candidate plans to raise less than 2K detailed filings are not required.

Summary: Nonviable




Neighborhood: North Shoreview

Civic Experience: Strong

Drechsler has deep roots in the community and has regularly served in leadership roles in pursuit of the good of his community. He held multiple terms as President of the North Shoreview Neighborhood Association as well as Block Captain for the Citywide Neighborhood Watch Board. In his capacity as a city worker, Drechsler has been elected by his peers as union president. He supports increasing the minimum wage. His vote against accepting a settlement from SPI was crucial for preserving the Bridgepointe ice skating rink.

In terms of direct experience working with the City of San Mateo, Drechsler has a lot. Over the past 16 years he has been on several commissions: Community Improvement (6 years), Public Works (5 years) and Planning (entering 5th year).  He has served as the Chair of all three.

Follow the Money: Grassroots Certified

So far Drechsler has raised approximately 8K. Slightly under half is loans. Half is from individuals. He has taken no money from real estate interests and only a very small percent from the business community.

Summary: A grassroots candidate with a long and diverse track record for leadership and community service




Neighborhood: Not included in campaign materials

Civic Experience: Strong

Goethals has been a Council Member since 2013 and has previously served as Chair of the Public Works Commission, as well as the Director of the Peninsula Health Care District. He is balanced, sympathetic and has the chops to do the job. He has a tremendous wellspring of faith in the good of people and is not the sort who rushes to judgement. Instead of quick, reactive solutions, Goethals diligently probes multiple perspectives before suggesting a course of action.

A key player in the nearly impossible task of finding a compromise which would allow the San Mateo ice skating rink to stay open, Goethals delivered on his promise to help and the ice rink has been reopened. These actions displays an incredible commitment to using the clout of his office in support of the agenda set by the citizens he was chosen to represent.

Follow the Money:

So far Goethals has raised a little over 41K. A little under half comes from individuals. Union support accounts for just under 20% and real estate interests make up just over 20%.

Summary:  An established and talented politician willing to put in the work



Robert G. Newsom, Jr. - https://www.robertnewsomjr.com/

Neighborhood: Sunnybrae

Civic Experience: Weak

Newsom has some limited experience with city government given time spent on projects for San Francisco, but has held no position or appointment related to San Mateo. He is open about wanting to pursue a measured growth agenda due to the impacts he and his neighbors are experiencing around the Sunnybrae. He also voiced support for a higher minimum wage. He attended both forums and seemed comfortable speaking in public and passionate about serving San Mateo.

Follow the Money:

As this candidate plans to raise less than 2K detailed filings are not required.

Summary: I think he would make an amazing city commissioner and hope he pursues other opportunities to get involved with helping his neighborhood




Neighborhood: Aragon/Baywood

Civic Experience: Weak

I have met Rodriguez. He is clever and witty and I bet he is an outstanding Little League coach. I like that at the first candidate forum he highlighted the need for addressing the pension imbalance, which is a massive expense slowly inundating our city budget.

His experience with city management is limited to 2 years on the planning commission and he was passed over for the position of Chair by a vote of 4-1 by his peers. Rodriguez voted to accept money in exchange for rezoning the ice skating rink. He is running a glossy campaign, but, for me, substance is lacking.

Follow the Money:

So far Rodriguez has raised almost 70K. This is nearly double Goethals, who is the second highest fund raiser. Over half of his money comes from real estate interests. The National Association of Realtors (based in Illinois) and the California Apartments Association (Sacramento) have spent over 21K in support of  the Rodriguez’ campaign. No other candidate has recieved more than iK from these entities. Overall, over 50% of the total funding for Rodriguez has come from real estate interests. He has raised nearly 10K (approximately 15%) from out of the state while no other candidate recieved any funds from outside California. Less than a third of his donations come from individuals. He has negligible support from unions. 

Summary: With more years of civic engagement, Eric may prove himself worthy of a public office in San Mateo, but to vote for him now you must prioritize potential over actual track record and consider whether his major financial backers are in tune with your interests.


*Outline of My Most Prominent Biases

Bridgepointe Ice Skating Rink (Now reopened as Nazareth Ice Oasis)
The impetus for Joe Goethal’s dedicated negotiations to reopen the ice skating rink was Charlie Drechsler’s vote against a buyout (in addition to the votes of Commissioners Ebneter and Whitaker). Voting against a big pile of money in favor of an ideal takes guts. Committing yourself to finding the impossible solution takes dedication. Together Goethals and Drechsler delivered an amazing win for the community. While he was a Planning Commissioner Bonilla was so voracious in his denouncement of the rezoning he was forced to recuse himself from further meetings on the matter.

Issues over Party
My ideals lie in a time when party affiliation was a marker of how you lean as opposed to how you necessarily vote. I am not a member of the Democratic Party out of protest of their exclusive hold on Californian politics. If we are all Democrats what does it mean? If I figure it out, perhaps I will reconsider.

If you are into voting party line, your go-to-candidates Bonilla, Bonini and Goethals. All the candidates running are doing so as Democrats. The candidates endorsed by the Democratic Party were found to hold ideals most closely aligned with the overall principles of the party. Link here for their full recommendation -
http://www.smcdems.org/smcdems_endorsements_2017

Rick Bonilla
A mentor and friend for many years, Rick is a demonstration of the highest ideals of a public servant. His record is clear and consistent and his ideals unwavering. While no one is infallible, Rick is pretty close. So yes, I am a biased about him.