The Cupertino Courier Endorsements Election '98: As we see it Laurie Smith for Sheriff Since Cupertino contracts with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department for its police services, the sheriff is in essence this city's police chief. That makes next Tuesday's election for sheriff an important one for Cupertinians. Residents deserve a chief who will be sensitive to their needs, but who will do a strong job as leader of deputies throughout the county. We believe that Assistant Sheriff Laurie Smith will be that kind of a chief. In a forum before the Cupertino Rotary Club last week, Smith displayed a confident knowledge of Cupertino that was lacking in opponent Ruben Diaz, also an assistant sheriff. Diaz talked tough about cracking down on gangs, and at one point even said of his ideas that they were the kind of ideas he'd "bring to Cupertino." Cupertino has a very low incidence level of gang activity, and we doubt that there would be a big need for tattoo removal for former gang members, just one of the ideas Diaz listed. Smith, on the other hand, talked of the department's school resource officers who successfully operate in Cupertino schools, and how that program can continue to aid in crime suppression and identifying kids who need help before it's too late. Smith has been endorsed by all five Cupertino councilmembers. She has also been endorsed by every major law-enforcement organization in the county. We believe Smith, who was one of the first women to receive equal status with deputies in the 1970s and who has risen through the ranks despite a negative attitude toward women in law enforcement, has the required toughness to be the top cop, and the necessary collaborative skills to continue working with Cupertino in keeping crime rates low and residents safe. FUHSD Board With four candidates vying for three open seats on the Fremont Union High School District Board of Trustees, a tough decision must be made as to who to exclude. All four are good people and very qualified candidates. We think that the most deserving, however, include the knowledgeable incumbent Randy Okamura, the experienced outsider Mike Boyd and the caring educator Avie Katz. These three candidates should play well off each other, and might provide a fresh dose of originality and vitality to the board. Okamura is the seasoned veteran who will surely continue the strong legacy of the exiting board members. He is in touch with his constituency, is cool under pressure and isn't afraid to make tough decisions. Although Mike Boyd says he's not a professional politician, he does have some valuable elected and appointed governmental experience that will benefit the board. Although his viewpoints on instituting tougher math and science standards may not appeal to each student, we like that the Sunnyvale engineer isn't afraid to try something different. As an educator, Avie Katz has demonstrated a commitment to students and staff, and has expressed a desire to create original methods of including those parties in decisions that will affect them. We think Katz will take an honest, egalitarian approach with the decisions he makes. Katz also says he is skilled in getting diverse people to work together--a strength that we believe will serve a FUHSD board with so many new faces well. Foothill/De Anza Board In the Foothill/De Anza Community College District, the decision is even tougher. Four candidates can't all have the one open seat. In a district that turns out the leaders of tomorrow in one of the most educated areas in the country, it makes sense that the board reflect that. That's why we feel Pat Millar will make the best trustee. Put simply, she's smart. She's experienced in shaping educational policy, as well as knowing what to do with the big budgetary pie that not everyone can have a piece of. With years of experience at Stanford University, Millar has used her Ph.D. in educational administration to advise state legislators and other education officials to use money wisely. She has dedicated her life to academia and helping students get the most for their money. The only word of advice we have for Millar is to maintain contact with the student bodies of these schools. Students at our community colleges benefit by being involved with their boards, and it's up to the boardmembers to help foster such relationships. [ Back to Contents Page | Cupertino Courier Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Cupertino Courier, October 28, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.