Mountain View races Mountain View races (October 22, 2004)

If the presidential race isn't enough to get you to the polls on Nov. 2, consider the impact you could make on local government.

In Mountain View, voters will select four out of six candidates for seats on the city council. The terms are four years.

Among the issues the incoming council is expected to tackle are financial sustainability and balancing the budget, housing, and new health care and senior facilities.

Those living within the boundary of the Mountain View-Whisman School District also have the opportunity to choose three out of five candidates for its board. The terms are also four years long.

The education trustees will face significant challenges in the coming year, including hiring a permanent superintendent and possibly closing a school. Ongoing issues are balancing the budget and addressing the achievement gap between district students.

Look inside for profiles on each of the 11 candidates and the Voice's endorsements. Next week, look for coverage of the races for U.S. Congress, State Senate, State Assembly, County Board of Education, and County Superior Court Judge.

For more information on voting and local elections, contact the County Registrar of Voters at (408) 299-VOTE or visit its Web site at www.sccvote.org.

City council candidates

Margaret Abe-Koga

Nick Galiotto

Laura Macias

Tom Means

Matt Pear

Stephanie Schaaf

School board candidates

Juan Aranda

Gloria Higgins

Michael Kelly

RoseMary Sias Roquero

Fiona Walter

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