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So far, four people have expressed interest in challenging the three City Council incumbents for their seats. Friday is the deadline for entering the election.
The newest to express interest is planning commission chair and slow-growther John McAlister. McAlister, who owns Mountain View’s Baskin Robbins, was a serious contender in the 2008 City Council race, losing to John Inks by 3 percentage points and about 2,000 votes. But while he had gone to the trouble of “pulling papers” recently, McAlister said Monday that he was still weighing his options and may or may not enter the race, which would put him up against his political ally and friend, council member Jac Siegel.
Meanwhile, pot club operator Matt Lucero had yet to pull papers, despite the big splash he made about running several weeks ago. He did not return the phone calls from the the Voice by the press time.
Mountain View resident Greg David has submitted his paperwork to become a candidate, but little is known about his intentions as he has not returned phone calls from the Voice either. He is said to be on vacation this week.
David is the brother of Brian David, who wants to open the Shoreline Wellness Collective in Mountain View, a medical marijuana dispensary. Their family ran Eddy’s Sport Shop on Castro Street for many years.
As reported last week, Google software engineer Dan Waylonis has also announced his intention to run, as have incumbents Margaret Abe-Koga, Jac Siegel and Ronit Bryant.
Many of the prospective candidates have potential conflicts of interest in decisions the City Council will make over the next year. Waylonis may be prohibited from voting on actions directly related to Google, such as office development, but may be allowed to vote on things indirectly involving Google, such as the city’s general plan update, said City Council member and lawyer Mike Kasperzak.
City attorney Jannie Quinn said the issue required extensive analysis before she could weigh in on each candidate’s situation.
Similarly, it may appear to the public that David and Lucero have a conflict of interest in voting on medical marijuana-related actions. The council is expected to vote on a medical marijuana ordinance in the coming months. Lucero has said he would abstain from votes having to do with his Sunnyvale marijuana dispensary, Buddy’s Cannabis Patient Collective, moving to Mountain View. But he and David may be allowed to vote on Mountain View’s medical marijuana ordinance, Kasperzak said.
Abe-Koga said in an email that she has already kicked off her re-election campaign and has quickly raised $13,000, which is more than many candidates raised during the entire 2008 election.
From an unselfish point of view….I think I should run for city council. – Wo O’ Ideafarm (currently at El Monte and El Camino Real…come visit me).
Too funny. Two potheads, an ice cream store owner. and a Google guy whose favorite pastime is doing nothing, or rather “Daning”. And then there’s what we already got on the City Council. This town is really for the birds.
Re: Big Al-
And then we have simpletons like Big Al who just sit back and criticize people from the comforts of his own home, rather than get out there and be productive (at least the prospective candidates are doing something about their displeasure). I feel sorry for Big Al, he must be one bitter person! Sure must be tough being you!
Bet the farm. McAlister will not file papers to run.
Actually Peter, I work for the city, and I’m a she so I’m clocking hours while I build up my fat pension.
To: Big Al
please step up and tell us your real name.
I have never once used marijuana in any way, shape, or form and have no intentions to do so. My council candidacy has absolutely nothing to do with any activities my brother is engaged in. Period.
You are committing libel and I hope the voice takes appropriate actions and removes your libelous statement.
Greg David
city council candidate
PS: I am out of town this week.
Cool your jets Greg, and then blame the paper for libel. Did you read the article??? Here’s the quote that misleads the reader. Maybe the paper needs an editor. And the term pothead doesn’t necessarily imply you smoke MJ.
“Similarly, it may appear to the public that David and Lucero have a conflict of interest in voting on medical marijuana-related actions.”
Wow. Hothead instead of pothead? That should make council meetings interesting. Welcome to the world of PUBLIC politics. When you apply to run for office, you get attention.
One of the definitions from http://www.urbandictionary.com:
pothead
Someone who believes (1) any problem can be fixed by smoking marijuana, and (2) any activity is more enjoyable whilst stoned.
The article, although it could clarify the situation better, is not incorrect that there could be a potential conflict of interest IF I were elected to city council and IF I would be called on to vote on a medical cannibis ordanance and then, only IF my brother was actively intending to open a collective.
I know there will be plenty of people that may think my candidacy and my brother’s social welfare activities are intertwined, but that is a false assumption.
Spouting off and committing libel is apparently much easier than seeking the truth and making statements based in fact.
Greg David
city council candidate
Ironically, if you read the definition supplied above, we can all agree that no libel was committed claiming anyone actually smokes marijuana. It can be merely someone who believes smoking MJ can fix problems. A poorly written perfunctory article seems more to blame.
Perhaps when one puts papers in to run for city council, they should make an effort to get their agenda out ahead of the press. Maybe a campaign manager can help. Spouting off and claiming libel is apparently much easier, I agree.
Unlike career politicians, I have no hard fast agenda attached to my candidacy. I simply want to make coomon sense decisions for the benefit of Mountain View.
Why do you call yourself, Wo O’, Wo O’? I’m assuming it’s not the name you were born with.
@ Greg David-
I hadn’t heard your name before reading this, but I am thinking I will probably end up voting for you. That being said, there is no profit in responding to people like “Big Al.” I suggest you just look for an overweight, loudmouth woman working for the city and fire her rearend. Some of us out here are not so impressed that the city employees are laughing at the citizenry while they stuff their fat pensions. Apparently, only the privately employed actually take pride in themselves and the services they perform for the community. I sincerely hope you will make an attempt to take out the trash at city hall.
@ Reader-
Did you somehow fall under the impression that the Mt. View city council race is a Presidential election? A campaign manager? Did you read the part about Margaret Abe-Koga and how much money she raised? If $13,000 is more than most canidates can raise, what kind of campaign manager do you think these guys could hire? Besides which, the last thing any of us need is a professional council person.
Apparently, “Big Al” has a slight problem with her math skills:
http://www.mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?id=3190
This is very concerning, and may explain the budget woes the City is currently having.
So, we’ve got a one-issue guy and someone with zero exposure in the city. And Greg David who, if that is really him posting here, leaves BIG questions about his demeanor and ability to handle a role in the public spotlight. Wonderful.
I hope McAlister runs– he’s got my vote.
People should run for city council if they know and understand the city. From what I can see only McAlister has taken the time to do this by being on the Environmental Planning Committee. There are a number of aspects that the Council has to address and I wouldn’t vote for someone unless they’ve done their homework on how the city operates.
I agree. Why vote for someone who has no experience but claims to just wants to bring in “common sense decisions for the benefit of Mountain View”. That is just so open ended and vague. We need people with a track record of interest in getting involved and have demonstrated some level of commitment and experience in other lower-level positions.
Don Letcher for City Council! Only he can save Mountain View from abusive code inspections. Mr. letcher knows that affordable housing *IS* an issue!!
very funny remy. Letcher lies all of the time in front of council and when he gets called to the mat, he plays stupid.
Regrading the comment made regarding her pension by Big Al. That was really very rude. You get paid because I am one of many that pay for you to do whatever you do. You should be ashamed if you indeed work for my city. I don’t think you do.
Big Al: The term “pothead” is a derogatory term to apply to anyone, especially those who heroically defy the intolerant and ignorant to try to bring cannabis, a valuable and very safe medicine, to sick and suffering patients. If you do indeed work for the city, you’re a very good argument for bringing in people with common sense and compassion to help counterbalance those without either.
http://www.redding.com/news/2010/jul/18/science-is-clear-why-arent-we-paying-attention/
Don’t you think it’s about time this form is used to discuss city politics rather than bantering back and forth like little children? This is why our city is going down the toilet………….I wonder what kind of compensation a Mountain View city council person is rewarded? A while ago it was reported that Palo Alto city council persons receives free medical benefits for life after six years? Think about it……………………
thank you Eric, i can not agree more.
So, we’ve got a one-issue guy and someone with zero exposure in the city. And Greg David who, if that is really him posting here, leaves BIG questions about his demeanor and ability to handle a role in the public spotlight. Wonderful.
– living in Mr Davids neighborhood, we have always been very upset about his private junkyard around his house. in my opinion he should
focus on cleaning up his own neighborhood before getting involved in
Mountain View’s problems