Saratoga News


Measure G proponent Jim Shaw	Incumbent Ann Marie Burger	Measure G supporter Stan Bogosian	Preservationist Beth Wyman

Growth is an issue in city race

Four running for two seats on City Council

By Sarah Lombardo

The applications for the Saratoga City Council race are in, and it looks as if the battle may be as hot as the recent weather.

At last Wednesday's deadline, incumbent Ann Marie Burger, Beth Wyman, Jim Shaw and Stan Bogosian had thrown their hats in the ring to vie for the two available seats on the council in the November election.

Councilmember Karen Tucker is not running for reelection.

One key issue already emerging in the race is development versus growth control. With the first Measure G case coming before the Saratoga voters in the form of resident Bob Binkley's lot line adjustment, candidates are sure to be asked about their opinions.

"I don't see how development could not be an issue," said Bogosian, a Measure G supporter. "I don't think you could possibly have a race at this time in this area without it being a major issue."

Measure G, the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, won by a 54.6 percent vote on the March ballot this year. The initiative was the subject of heated debate in Saratoga, pitting neighborhood associations against the City Council.

Measure G calls for voter approval on any general plan changes for developments that would increase housing density or land-use intensity. Supporters of the initiative said it was important because the City Council consistently ignored the wishes of residents on such issues. Opponents of the initiative argued the initiative ignored the principles of representative government by taking decision making on such issues away from the City Council.

Bogosian said that, as a councilmember, the implementation of Measure G would be important to him.

"I believe one of the main priorities is to implement Measure G in a meaningful way and put an end to all the lies and innuendo that were there before it passed and that have continued since then of what Measure G means."

Bogosian said his experience as a former planning commissioner for Saratoga means he understands what is needed. He said he thought it was time for City Hall to undergo some "housecleaning," and that he wants to implement courtesy.

"This is what government is all about," he said. "As of late, the city government and staff, I think, have not treated citizens fairly."

Bogosian said the fact that voters approved Measure G even though City Council members opposed it sent a message. "The voters have spoken on this issue," he said.

Shaw, a leader in the battle to get Measure G passed, said he thought the implications of Measure G, not the actual initiative itself, would be at the front of the race. He said he decided to run for a City Council seat "because of the impetus from Measure G and the campaigning and getting behind Measure G and getting it passed, then to find the current City Council opposes it, and it isn't working with it the way it was intended."

"[Councilmembers] have tried to throw road blocks in the way of Measure G being implemented as it was intended," Shaw said. "I strongly support preserving the integrity and character of our neighborhoods."

Shaw said other issues he expects to see in the race include traffic congestion and noise abatement. He said he thinks the city should put more pressure on finding ways to reduce noise and traffic. He said he would consider it his job to actually do something about those problems, especially for Saratoga residents who live in the shadow of Highway 85.

Shaw said his background as a contracts manager for Westinghouse for 25 years means he knows how to negotiate and how to really listen to both sides of an issue.

"I try to put my own feelings in the background and try to hear what the average citizen is saying and keep with the consensus," he said.

Beth Wyman, a Saratoga Heritage Preservation commissioner, said that although she was fairly neutral on the Measure G issue, the implementation of Measure G would be important to her because of her experience with Measure E, a similar initiative, as mayor of Morgan Hill.

"I would like to deal with Measure G and a really good implementation plan for Measure G," she said.

Wyman said in the case of Measure E, what the voters intended and what happened in the implementation of the initiative were two very different things. "And there just doesn't seem to be a clear idea of how [Measure G] is going to be used," she said.

Wyman said she was encouraged by friends and other residents to run for City Council because she has experience. "And I always think you should contribute to your community and this is a way I can contribute," she said.

Wyman said that, as a City Council member, she would like to concentrate on the problems
that Highway 85 poses to residents.

"I want to follow through with the Highway 85 issue," she said. "I want to work on noise reduction and make sure the median barrier goes up and isn't delayed for 10 years."

Wyman said what she could bring to City Council was simple: "I'm a good listener, and I have a reputation for being responsive to the constituents."

Incumbent Councilmember Burger said that, as a city official, she has always tried to be responsive to the needs of residents.

"I have been immediately and personally available to residents of Saratoga," she said. "People know that if they need help on something, they can call me and I will personally get involved."

Burger said she has always seen city government as community service and that her dedication to the community is what made her run for a second term.

"I am basically very interested in community service," she said. "I have always taken pride in the fact that not only do I join organizations, when I join them I work very hard in those organizations."

Burger said Measure G would not play a major role in her campaign. "I do not intend to stress Measure G one way or the other," she said.

Instead, Burger said she intends to stress public safety, community involvement and fiscal responsibility. Burger said fiscal responsibility is especially important in light of the reductions the city has made and is facing in the future.

"I see myself as a budget hawk," Burger said. "[City officials] have to be very prudent in how our money is spent."

Burger said that whatever issues are brought up during the race, she thinks the major functions of local government are simple. "Take care of public safety and maintenance of the city's infrastructure," she said.

Beyond that, she said, "local government ought to stay out of your face."