BY NORAH SHEPPARD-HUTCHINS
Daily Post Staff Writer
Some Menlo Park City Council candidates said they wished they were asked more questions about the city’s positives, rather than solely focusing on the hard-hitting issues.
Candidates answered the question — “What is a question you wish we asked? Why?” at a debate on Tuesday, Oct. 20, hosted by the League of Women Voters.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Wonman Lee and community volunteer James Rohr are running to replace Cecilia Taylor to represent District 1 which includes Belle Haven.
Lee said he wishes the moderators asked what the election is really about.
Lee said the election revolves around housing, such as Willow Village, Measure Pand the Builder’s Remedy lawsuit over 80 Willow Road. Builder’s Remedy refers to the right developers get to exceed city height limits if the city failed to submit the city’s housing plan to the state on time.
“My goal is to help every resident understand these issues, because they affect everyone, no matter what district you live in,” Lee said.
Rohr said he wished the moderators asked about the candidates hopes for the future.
“I know that we can always dig on specific things that the city council has done in the past, but we’re here now because we want to be part of city council. We want to push for change. We want to make sure that things get better for everyone,” Rohr said.
Another candidate wishing for different questions was Finance and Audit Commissioner Vamsi Velagapudi, who is running against incumbent Drew Combs, to represent District 2, the Willows, Suburban Park and Flood Triangle neighborhoods.
Velagapudi said he wishes they asked what the candidates are optimistic about. Velagapudi said he is hopeful there will be a future Menlo Park that has a balanced budget, gets developments right and resists skyscrapers.
“I’m optimistic we can build a Menlo Park that looks ahead, instead of running into brick walls,” Velagapudi said.
Combs did not answer the question, but used the time to make an observation about how this election cycle differs from previous ones.
“This election is the first time in eight years that all of the city council seats that are up are actually contested. What an amazing statement,” Combs said.
Grammy-nominated singer Charlotte Reed and Finance and Audit Commissioner Laura Melahn are competing to replace Betsy Nash to represent District 4, the Allied Arts and downtown Menlo Park.
Reed said she wished the moderators asked for the candidates’ stances on Measure P, which she will be voting “No” on. The measure would require the city to go to the voters with any plans to redevelop parking lots to build more housing and fix parking.
Reed’s opponent, Melahn, has not openly stated her stance on Measure P.
Melahn said she wishes they asked about her hopes and dreams for Menlo Park, rather than solely talking about what may be considered as broken.
Melahn said she can see a downtown with a lively downtown, safer streets, affordable homes, a balanced budget and a council that makes transparent decisions.
Be the first to comment