Candidate for
Council Member; Town of Los Altos Hills

Introduction

I am Gary Waldeck. A native Californian, raised in Woodland, CA. After High School, I joined the Navy and was involved early in the Viet Nam war. Following military service, I attended UC Davis earning a BSEE degree and some years later, an MBA from Santa Clara University.

During my 35+ years as an aerospace professional, I held responsible technical, management and executive roles with Gulton Industries, Sperry Flight Systems, Ford Aerospace, California Microwave, Loral, TRW (Northrop Grumman) and Lockheed. Along the way, I created several businesses; an electronics development and manufacturing firm, a management consulting firm supporting the US Navy and owned and managed a fleet of general aviation airplanes.

I loved my aerospace career where I enjoyed a wide variety of responsible technical and executive roles. I've built ground stations and launched satellites, exercised my creativity, fulfilled my responsibilities and thrived on the challenges I tackled and overcame.

I seek a seat on the Los Altos Hills City Council. The role of Council Member requires much more than simply attending Council meetings. There are many demands for time including Council, Committee, Inter-Regional and other Town related meetings. Retired in January, I now have the needed Time (and qualifications, interest, desire, skills and energy) to do the full job that needs to be done. I'd like to use my skills in further service to our citizens.

Town Service

As a new resident to Los Altos Hills in 2005, I quickly became a volunteer in the Town; in elected office (Water District Director), two Town committees and service on several local non-profit boards.

I volunteered for the Emergency Communications Committee (ECC) in 2006 as an Amateur (HAM) Radio Operator. That led to Emergency Communications Drill planning and execution, Personal Emergency Training and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) groups. I also serve as Secretary for the Water Conservation Committee (WCC) where the alternative AB1881 proposal was crafted and community outreach, training programs and related measures are coordinated.

Elected to the Purissima Hills Water District Board in 2006, I now serve as their President.

The District has heavily promoted water conservation efforts and last year, I led the District as we introduced one of the most innovative customer partnership conservation programs ever fielded.

The most significant event is that there are now not one, but two, emergency inter-ties with adjacent water agencies and, we're working on a third! These resources will assure that an emergency water supply will always be available to the town. And, this year, the Board is seeking additional water allocation to ensure adequate future supplies. If successful, additional allocation will assure our residents of ample supplies, even in a water emergency.

Other Volunteer Service

Amateur radio has been a big part of my life (I am an Extra Class Amateur Radio operator and a member of the ARRL). I have served as a Board member of NARCC, an amateur radio repeater management group and am the Chairman and Trustee of an amateur radio repeater that also provides service as the backup to our Town's own emergency repeater.

A private pilot for 25 years, at one time, I owned a fleet of 12 airplanes that were placed with the West Valley Flying Club in Palo Alto where I was later elected to a seat on their Board. The airplanes have now been sold but I remained on their Board, serving as its Chairman until July of 2010. My love of flying also led to a role in the Hayward Air Rally, a past Chairman. In 2009, I was appointed to the AIAA's General Aviation Technical Committee.

Interests and Objectives

As a young man, I enjoyed all kinds of outdoor activities. I once climbed Mt. Shasta (~35 years ago)! Flying, Skiing, SCUBA diving and an occasional speed boat ride also sit high on my list.

Barbara and I enjoy social events with our friends, the theater, traveling and dining out. We believe that the social activities that support good causes are very important and participate at every opportunity.

One of the simpler pleasures I enjoy is just getting out and talking with people. Early this summer, I began to walk the Town's neighborhoods to talk to our citizens and learn about the important issues in our community. But walking our hills in the midday sun took a lot of the pleasure out of it, so I succumbed to climbing the hills with the assistance of a little energy efficient scooter. On August 24th, I had visited virtually every accessible home in Town (but I didn't go through closed gates). Along the way, I spoke with many citizens and I learned a lot! I have put these on the 'Issues' page on my web site. When I am elected, I will begin to take action on many of these ideas.

And now that I am retired, I would like to be one of your Council Members where I may use my skills to serve you. I have the time needed to be an effective Council member and to do the job that needs to be done. I have the qualifications (Desire, Interest, Skills, Energy, Education, Experience and Time) that it takes to be effective. I am very available and will respond to every contact. I endorse and support our general plan and will preserve the collegial civil approach that our current council has adopted.

And so, I ask for your vote.

Thank you,

Gary Waldeck