Full Biography for Alan Carlson

Candidate for
Council Member; Town of Atherton

Who I Am, And What I Can Contribute . . .

I may not know you personally, but we are neighbors. We are neighbors in a small, very unique town in the middle of a major metropolitan area. Atherton is truly unique and treasured for its traditional neighborhoods and streets rural in character. In common, I know we want to preserve the character of our town. Atherton is not a town without concerns for the future as it approaches its 75th anniversary. I hope to help solve the issues and problems that will surely arise, always with the ideal and objective of preserving Atherton's existing character for the future. It is a privilege to live in Atherton, and I hope to give something back to the Town by sharing my experience and perspective as a member of the City Council. This is why I am seeking election to the City Council of Atherton.

Who I am . . .

With my wife and twelve year old daughter, I have been a resident of Atherton for 10 years, and of the San Francisco mid-peninsula for over 20 years.

I was born in Oakland, and grew up in Ukiah, California. In 1968, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and in 1972 from the School of Law, University of California, Davis. Based upon my academic achievements I was selected as the Editor-in-Chief of the school's law review and elected to the Order of the Coif, an academic honor society.

I have been an attorney with the same law firm for 25 years, concentrating in management employment law. In addition to litigating court cases, my law practice involves me in negotiations and advising employers on labor relations and related matters. I have been significantly active in the business management of my firm and have served on its management committee for 20 years. I currently manage the firm's Menlo Park and San Jose offices, and I am thereby directly responsible for numerous professional and staff employees as well as a multimillion dollar budget.

What I can contribute to the Town and its City Council . . .

While I have never served in public office, I have unique qualifications stemming from my involvement with and knowledge of the Town. First, I have an intimate knowledge of Atherton's Police Department, the largest part of the Town's budget and considered by many to be the Town's most important service. Second, I have a legal and management background which will complement the knowledge, skills, and experiences of other council members. Third, I have had a productive working relationship with the Town's City Manager and Police Chief, as well as others on the Town's staff. Finally, I have had experience working with current members of the City Council, three of whom have endorsed my candidacy.

In 1995, when I began representing the Town in negotiations with the Atherton Police Officers' Association, the strained relationship between the Association and Town was unfortunate and one of the most important issues facing the City Council. I worked diligently to improve the Town's relationship with the Association, its leadership, and the officers of the Department. On behalf of the Town, I was able to negotiate what was perceived by all parties to be a fair agreement covering the compensation and working conditions of Atherton's police officers. Out of those negotiations a new atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation arose. I am pleased to have been a part of this joint achievement between the Town and its police officers. Since then, the Police Department has continued to provide a high level of police services and professionalism. The Department continues to be important to residents not only for law enforcement, but also as a source of services not ordinarily found in a town Atherton's size.

My experience with the Police Department, as well as my 25 years of management and employment law experience, will enable me to bring unique perspectives and contributions to the City Council with respect to the many other issues with which it must deal on an ongoing basis. With thoughtful consideration, I understood the Police Department within the dynamics of Atherton. With management experience, analysis, careful negotiation, and consensus building, I was able to facilitate agreement between the Town and its officers. I will put these skills to work on other issues and problems if permitted by Atherton residents to serve on their City Council.

Please, let me hear from you . . .

I am proud to have the endorsement of scores of Town residents as well as of Atherton city council members Bob Huber, Nan Chapman and Malcolm Dudley. I would also be honored to have your support. If you would also like to endorse my candidacy, please take a few moments to send me an email (acatherton@aol.com). Additionally, please write me a couple of lines as to what is important to you about our town. I really would appreciate hearing your views.

Thank you for taking time to consider my candidacy. If given the opportunity to serve the residents of Atherton on their City Council, I will endeavor to preserve in changing times the quality of life residents have come to treasure. This is why I am seeking election to the City Council, to preserve what Atherton residents have enjoyed during the first 75 years of the Town's history. It is for this purpose and challenge, that I would like your support and vote in the November election.

Alan Carlson