Nick Galiotto: law enforcement to law practice Nick Galiotto: law enforcement to law practice (October 18, 2002)

By Candice Shih

Nick Galiotto has been involved in nearly every aspect of the legal system, from serving on the Mountain View police force to practicing as a lawyer to serving on the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. Galiotto is currently serving on the city's Environmental Planning Commission.

"I enjoy civic activities, and specifically the workings of government," he said. "The next step for me is council."

As a former police captain, Galiotto is sensitive to issues of public safety. He knows cuts will have to be made somewhere in the city's budget in the near future, but believes the community will make public safety a high priority.

Sewer, garbage and water service won't be cut either, he said, but he's not sure what will.

Meanwhile, Galiotto said he would like to address the high turnover rate of officers in the police department. More than half of the city's police officers have less than two years experience, he said, and training people who will leave the department drains the city's resources.

In addition, public safety officers and other employees such as nurses and school teachers have too much difficulty in finding affordable housing that is appropriate for them, Galiotto said.

He suggests that building condominiums and creating an equity sharing plan would encourage public sector employees to live where they work.

Neighborhood preservation and the distribution of open space are also important to Galiotto. He said that on the planning commission he has aimed to create buffers between high density housing and surrounding areas to keep neighborhoods.

"I think it's important to maintain the identity of the city," he said.

This mantra goes for historic home preservation, too, although he hesitates to infringe on the rights of property owners. He said he would consider moving a historic home elsewhere in the city to compromise with the homeowner.

Galiotto said he wants to see increased communication between the city and downtown merchants, especially regarding the idea of closing Castro Street to cars. And he said he would explore the option of subsidizing developers who bring a drug store or other "routine thing" downtown.

Regarding the recent events of former Mayor Mario Ambra's trial for corrupt misconduct, Galiotto said they were divisive and hopes people will recognize "we're all on the same team."

He considers the current balance between city staff and city council members to be appropriate, and said that changing the existing city manager form of government is "absurd" to him.

Galiotto, 66, is originally from San Jose. After receiving a degree in philosophy from Santa Clara University, he served in the Mountain View Police Department for 26 years. He then got a law degree from Peninsula University and went into practice, focusing on estate planning. He retired in 2000.

Throughout more than 40 years in Mountain View, Galiotto has served on the boards of the Community Services Agency, KMVT Community Television, Social Advocates for Youth, and the Mountain View Kiwanis Club and Foundation.
Favorite book: "Right and Reason" by Austin Fagothey. "It's by my [Santa Clara University] professor. It's about philosophy of life.
E-mail Candice Shih at cshih@mv-voice.com