Where Val Carpenter Stands on Key Issues for Los Altos

By Val Carpenter

Residential Neighborhoods: Maintaining the character of our existing residential neighborhoods as properties are redeveloped is very important to me.

Downtown revitalization: As a community, we need to create a common vision for downtown Los Altos, then identify and attract stores, restaurants and other businesses that fit.

Downtown Hotel: Like the Garden Court in Palo Alto, a small, high-end hotel downtown, owned and operated commercially, will increase evening activity and contribute new tax revenue.

Public Swim Facility: The ideal public swim facility to meet Los Altos residents' needs for the next 50 years consists of a warm, shallow pool for recreation and swimming lessons; a cold, deep pool for laps and swim teams; and a wading pool.

The impact of such a facility on the neighborhood can be limited by reducing the total size of the pools, setting reasonable hours of operation, carefully selecting the programs offered, and coordinating with the baseball and soccer fields.

A staff study of operating costs and programs for public swim facilities in nearby cities is pending.

City Finances: Closely managing city finances is critical. Rigorously prioritizing spending and actively pursuing new sources of revenue will fund top-priority programs within a balanced budget.