I received the following from Jim Blickenstaff. Jim was on the city council, and currently is a leader in the Sierra Club. Jim has taken an active role in working to improve San Ramon. He got the ball rolling to stop the Norris Ramps project, by organizing a group to contest CCTA when they presented their draft EIR, back in 2011. This was one of the most crucial aspects in our fight against the ramps.
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For City Council.
#1) Sabina Zafar. She ran 2 years ago and received 8,000 votes. She has learned a lot since then, especially about the City's tendency to prioritize growth over the best interests of residents. She has become a strong advocate for residents’ concerns, first and foremost. She is the only candidate endorsed by the Sierra Club. On the Church of the Valley Project, she backs the citizens over the City and developer, on the too-big and bad-fit commercial plan -- right next to residential neighborhoods. She supports a strong Urban Limit Line, and is against the current plans for development in Tassajara Valley -- on the protected side of the growth boundary. She will bring much needed diversity and balance to the City Council; along with new and innovative solutions to the many challenges facing the City.
#2) Aparna Madireddi. It was a very close call between Aparna and Dave Hudson for 2nd seat choice. Aparna is a relative newcomer to San Ramon politics but, she has shown herself to be a very smart and quick learner. Early on, she has demonstrated a surprising independence from the City Council insiders. She, like Sabina, is opposed to the development currently planned in Tassajara Valley. She seems ready to challenge the under mitigated overdevelopment being pushed by forces outside (and inside) the City; demonstrating the determination to break away from the “same ‘ol, same ‘ol” approach to the problems of excessive growth.
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#3) Dave Hudson. He has a long history of leaning toward development, growth, business and landowner interests. However, on the pending issue of opening up the Tassajara Valley to development, he is opposed -- primarily out of respect for Danville’s position strongly against the pending 125u Tassajara Valley project. He also, is opposed to developing our golf courses. On Royal Vista, he notes that the golf course was actually a mitigation for development of the adjacent housing; and therefore off limits to further development. He is an open, friendly, and likeable guy. Recently he has turned to a more populist stance; refocusing on resident’s concerns. Still, a pro-growth history makes one cautious.
#4) Sridhar Verose: Has not distinguished himself on key issues bearing directly on the future well-being of San Ramon, or maintaining the quality of life for our residents. He is supported by Council Members Bill Clarkson, Scott Perkins, and Phil O’Loane. Having the “establishment,” or insider’s support can be a mixed blessing; since all three of them voted for the overbuilt Faria Project, and are likely be part of a majority vote that would usher in the gradual development of Tassajara Valley. I still need to see evidence Sridhar is seriously willing to standing up against pressure inside the City, let alone excessive development pressure from outside the City, when deciding on growth issues bearing directly on the future wellbeing of San Ramon. He did not respond to outreach by the local preservation group, T.V.P.A.*, for his position on development planned in Tassajara Valley.
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For Mayor
#1) Sanat Sethy. Also a newcomer to San Ramon politics. But, he has demonstrated an energy and commitment to represent the residents, their many concerns, and help take this City in a new direction. He has a successful background in business, where he has become a respected leader; demonstrating a fiscal acumen, and ability to work with various groups and people to solve problems--skills that would serve him well on the City Council. In that regard, a key priority for him will be to examine the Dougherty Valley “M-29 Funds” where hundreds of thousands of dollars owed the City, are being held by the County, and not returned for required Lighting and Landscaping. Finally; Sanat is not a City insider, he is not part of the “establishment,” he is not a career politician, he is not a real estate agent; but he is a resident, very concerned about the direction and future of our City – in other words; he is exactly what we need right now!
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#2) Bill Clarkson: Politically he leans toward growth and more development. He was a YES on Measure W (which, among other things, would open Tassajara Valley to City development). The citizens voted NO!, 72% to 28%. He voted YES on the 740 unit Faria Project, leaning on a weak legal opinion by the City Attorney at that time. 100’s of San Ramon residents fought and protested against the project, but to no avail. It is likely he will continue this slant toward development, which could mean City approval soon of an MOU to go forward with a 125 unit, 50 acre project in Tassajara Valley, ON THE PROTECTED SIDE of the Urban Limit Line. That will undermine the U.L.L. throughout the County; and open the door to incremental development into Tassajara Valley. Danville, East Bay MUD, Sierra Club, Greenbelt Alliance, *Tassajara Valley Preservation Association, and a petition signed by nearly 4,000 local residents, are opposed. Bill is a personable and respectful guy. Opposition to his final 2-year term is strictly on political grounds.