League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
	Roger V. Smith Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Palo Alto

Questions & Answers

1. What specific steps would you support to balance the financial needs of the city with a changing regional business climate and potential effects on the quality of life in the area?

Palo Alto faces a new fiscal reality that impacts our region and beyond. I will apply my decades of professional experience, working with large and small businesses, to meet the budgetary challenges ahead. We must improve both sides of our balance sheet, controlling expenses through streamlining, public-private partnerships, and other creative solutions. More efficient use of our financial and human resources will ensure high levels of service to our citizens. Looking at revenue, we must address the needs of our existing current retail merchants and encourage new commence, while preserving our neighborhoods and the quality of life that we cherish.

2. What are your priorities with regard to the balance of neighborhood issues and the broader needs of all Palo Alto?

My goal is for a balanced community with adequate housing and jobs, and a vibrant retail sector to serve Palo Alto residents and employees who work here. New development must be carefully considered to ensure that it does not unduly burden our City infrastructure, schools and community services - or strain our budget beyond its limits. I will listen carefully to all stakeholders when making decisions that affect our community and its neighborhoods. Sensible land-use planning, sensitive consideration of environmental impacts, and moderate growth will ensure that the interests and concerns of our residents and businesses are met.

3. Where do you stand on the goal of retaining socio-economic diversity in Palo Alto, and if you support that goal, what steps would you take to achieve it?

I will work to support low-cost housing in our community to preserve socio-economic diversity across Palo Alto. Mindful that even Below-Market-Rate housing is often beyond the reach of some, I will seek new opportunities for subsidized housing to address those needs. Housing built long ago, as a low cost base, can at times be more affordable than new units built in today's heated housing market. A balance of existing and new below-market-rate housing stock, affordable to the widest range of our employees, will protect the socio-economic divesity that is critical to our vibrant community.