A Menlo Park finance and audit commissioner is running against Councilman Drew Combs.
Vamsi Velagapudi, 47, announced he is running against Combs to represent District 2, which includes the Willows, Suburban Park and Flood Triangle neighborhoods.
The city is navigating a period of significant change from major housing plans to a budget deficit, but Velagapudi wants to bring another perspective on issues, he said in a statement.
Velagapudi was not available for an interview yesterday.
Velagapudi said he has been speaking to residents on topics such as having more family-friendly policies, responsible housing and a balanced budget. Velagapudi plans to introduce new ideas to make school routes safer and more thoughtful approaches to public safety.
Velagapudi said he will be a voice to ensure housing is distributed equally throughout the city and not concentrated northeast of El Camino Real.
Velagapudi has developed an understanding of the city’s financial challenges and wants to protect the city’s core services and community properties.
He said he would help explore revenue sources that wouldn’t place a burden on residents and small businesses.
Velagapudi also serves on the Menlo Park City School District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and the East Palo Alto Sanitary District.
Combs stands by record
Combs, 49, who is running for his third term on council, said he will run on his record of serving two terms.
“I’ve literally taken 100 votes and I stand by those votes,” Combs said.
He said he feels confident in his ability to show voters how he has engaged with the community.
“I have made myself more available than I think anyone who has been on council,” Combs said.