The Cupertino Courier

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Wong says he won't be boxed in on growth

By Cody Kraatz

Gilbert Wong, one of three candidates for the Cupertino City Council, said groups and individuals he meets with often want to box him into a pro-growth, slow-growth or smart-growth position on development.

The five-year planning commissioner, who said he has raised about $12,000 for his campaign, said he does not feel comfortable with taking a single stance, saying he follows the city's stated rules and tries to be a good listener with each application.

"Each project is unique in its own," he said, adding that his mixed voting record on the planning commission supports that claim.

Still, the various camps on the future of Cupertino development pose a challenge for every candidate.

Campbell City Council member Evan Low endorses Wong and attended his May 10 campaign kickoff event at the Cupertino Inn. Wong cited a long list of supporters from the ranks of state, county and city governments near Cupertino.

"I haven't seen an individual or candidate for that matter have the kind of background that he has," said Low, the only Asian American on the Campbell City Council.

Nihalani signals his run for city council

Mahesh Nihalani, a 2006 "Cupertino Citizen of the Year," turned in the form May 11 that allows him to begin raising funds to run for a seat on the city council in November.

"I've heard from a lot of friends and well-wishers who were thinking it was time I should run for city council," said Nihalani. He is the only Indo-American running for the city council, but he said he doesn't not distinguish between ethnic or racial groups. About 9 percent of Cupertino's population is Asian Indian.

"Cupertino is like a model city of diversity. To bring people closer in harmony you've got to understand each other's culture," said Nihalani, whose two sons went through Cupertino schools.

Nihalani was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and came to the United States in 1994. He has lived in Cupertino for seven years and served on the Cupertino Housing Commission for two years.

He resigned from the commission to open Jewels in Style, his jewelry store in Sunnyvale. He said his experience on the board of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce gives him an edge as a businessman that he can bring to the council. He also started the Dewali festival in 2003, works with the Organization of Special Needs Families and helped start the California Cricket Academy in 2003.

Nihalani emphasizes the importance of getting residents involved in city council decisions.