Former Palo Alto Mayor and stockbroker Le Levy, who made people smile with his songs about Palo Alto civic affairs, has died at age 90.
Levy was on City Council from 1979 to 1991 and was vice mayor in 1984 and mayor in 1985. But he remained involved in local government long after his time on council ended, serving as co-chair of the city’s Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Task Force or IRBC that pushed for major improvements in Palo Alto life, such as better parks.
As a Jan. 19, 2012 Daily Post article noted, Levy introduced the task force’s conclusions to City Council in a song he sang to the tune of the Village People’s “YMCA.”
The song began,
“Young man, when you come to our town,
“I say Young man, and you look all around,
“at our buildings, are they solid and sound,
“That’s our infrastructure, now, our council,
“To nobody’s surprise was decisive, visionary and wise,
“And they acted, as no doubt you’ll surmise,
“To address this vexing problem.
“They appointed the IBRC,
“They anointed the IBRC.”
After Levy’s performance, the applause from the audience was thunderous.
“I thought it was hilarious,” then-Mayor Yiaway Yeh said at the time.
In 1991, Levy released a CD, titled “Songs of Palo Alto,” a compilation of 17 of his hits.
His song “Palo Alto Here I Come” was often played at the beginning of the city council meetings on cable TV.
Levy, who has been singing since he can remember, usually sings in a cappella, that is to say “not capable,” he said.
In addition to his interest in city activities, he was tapped by the Palo Alto Unified School District in 2017 to recommend new names for Terman and Jordan middle schools.
City Council in 1992 passed a resolution recognizing Levy’s work for the city, saying he “demonstrated well thought-out and balanced approaches to financial issues facing the community.”
The resolution also noted that Levy was known as “Leader of the Band” for his “wit and his delightful and humorous songs.”
Levy was a retired stock broker and financial advisor. He was also an active member of the Palo Alto Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife Judy and their family.
A service is set for 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13, at Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills.