Saratoga News

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San Jose City Council selects Kline to serve on elections commission

By Shannon Burkey

Former Saratoga Mayor Norman Kline was sworn in as a member of the San Jose Elections Commission on Jan. 11, a position he was appointed to by the San Jose City Council in late December.

Kline ended his mayoral term in Saratoga on Dec. 6 after serving four years on the Saratoga City Council. He and his family have since moved to San Jose, where he said they are quickly settling into their new surroundings.

With his past experience as Saratoga's mayor and as a member of the Santa Clara Planning Commission, Kline said he thinks he has a lot to bring to his new position.

"I've been involved in public policy forever, and I have a good grasp on some of the issues public policy makers run into when they run for office," he said, "so I think I can help enforce San Jose's rules as fair as possible."

The elections commission was put in place to enforce election and ethics ordinances in the San Jose Municipal Code and to investigate violations of any of those codes. Members of the commission also report to the city council their recommendations on campaign and ethics regulations and policies.

Five volunteer members make up the commission. Each member is appointed by at least a two-thirds vote of the city council to serve a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms.

Kline said he has always been interested in election law, so this seemed like a logical step and a way to get him involved in his new city.

"I think this is a good opportunity for me to help out San Jose, and I am looking forward to the appointment," he said.