Supporting business growth, multi-use development, job creation and financial solvency are goals of the four candidates hoping to serve on the South San Francisco City Council.

Community volunteer Kamala Silva Wolfe is hoping the third time is the charm as she takes on Mayor Karyl Matsumoto and councilmen Pedro Gonzalez and Mark Addiego, who are all running for re-election. Candidates were invited into the Daily Journal office for an endorsement interview. Candidates were given 50 words to answer each of the additional questions below in hopes of allowing a forum for their ideas to come through. Answers were edited for grammar and are listed alphabetically by the candidate’s last name.

Money is a difficult topic for all public agencies at the moment. South San Francisco has been proactive in efforts of trying to plan budgets. What more should the city do to be fiscally sound?

Addiego: South San Francisco must continue to welcome new businesses and assist them with the startup process. A diverse business base is important to both job creation and a sustainable economy. We should embrace traditional business (retail, manufacturing and warehouse/distribution) as enthusiastically as we do biotech/life science companies.

Gonzalez: Attract and retain large and small businesses. Apply for federal stimulus money to keep employees working on the city’s infrastructure. Impose a fee to vendors from other cities that come and make business in South San Francisco. Lobby to return revenue taken by the state sooner then they have promised.

Matsumoto: South San Francisco will continue to proactively secure new revenue and prioritize investment in infrastructure to prevent costly future repairs. I will continue to work to attract and support new development as part of that effort. With prudent expenditure plans, our city will be fiscally sound.

Silva Wolfe: I would demand the time be spent doing the hard work required in a line-by-line budget review. There are some programs that could be reduced allowing fuller funding to programs that serve the greater good. Comprehensive review of administrative salaries and positions including contracted legal services to potential in-house attorney.

Downtown development and an overall vision are currently being developed. Among the hopes of such a plan are driving business into downtown, creating affordable housing and a drive to utilize public transportation. What would you like to see downtown as a result of the downtown vision?

Addiego: The downtown district is the historic heart of the community. It has the potential to be the traditional “Main Street” of our city, drawing clients and customers from all neighborhoods. Creating new urban-style housing would provide a significant boost to existing businesses and encourage the development of new entities.

Gonzalez: Market price living units, quality restaurants, family entertainment, good quality shopping store. People feel safe walking in the downtown area. Perhaps closing a couple of blocks of Grand Avenue for foot traffic only and have outdoor restaurant service. Beautify the entrance to downtown South San Francisco, especially the railroad bridge.

Matsumoto: Our downtown must be a destination. High-density market-rate housing will support new retail and complement existing and incentivize new businesses such as an international marketplace reflective of our diversity. It should be pedestrian friendly with open plazas and include blocking off the 100 to 400 blocks of Grand Avenue in perpetuity.

Silva Wolfe: I see this becoming the mecca of our city inviting visitors from near and far to enjoy venues including performing arts and cultural centers and hands on environment learning center. Situated right up against Highway 101 and the train station, I would like to see this become the Peninsula destination.

South San Francisco officials began slowly buying pieces of property near the BART station and El Camino Real for development of the area, which will result in housing. There are other potential benefits to the city as a result in such a large development. What would you like to see in that area?

Addiego: This area is at the geographic center of the city, a large percentage of residents pass through the intersection of El Camino Real and Westborough Boulevard/Chestnut Avenue daily. If developed carefully, new retail enterprises would prosper at this location. New housing can be marketed to those who prefer mass transit (BART and SamTrans).

Gonzalez: We have the opportunity to enhance and beautify El Camino Real from one end of the city to the other end. I would like to see high density with live-in units and retail, attract good quality stores, clothing, house goods, restaurants, family entertainment and a new library.

Matsumoto: In addition to the housing, I will support building a civic plaza, new city administrative offices, restaurants, retail, a new main library and senior housing around this transit-oriented site. This should be a self-sustaining multi-generational living and business area with ample open space for leisure and recreational uses.

Silva Wolfe: This area sits in the heart of our city and needs to be resident driven with the lowest impact on nearby neighborhoods. Consideration of noise and light pollution are critical to the quality of life. A community center complete with library, grocery and retail stores allowing active day and passive night usage.   

South San Francisco has a measure to increase hotel tax on the ballot this November. What is your stance on the measure and why?

Addiego: Business and tourist spending can provide a much-needed economic boost during difficult times. The hospitality industry also increases the demand on city services (police and fire). I believe a 1 percent increase in the hotel tax is justified and will bring much-needed dollars to our general fund.

Gonzalez: I supported to put Measure O on the ballot, which will charge an additional 1 percent to visiting hotel guest on their hotel room bill. This measure will not affect the residents of South San Francisco and it will help us to fund some of the city services that have been affected by the economy’s downturn.

Matsumoto: I support Measure O as it does not burden our residents and allows our hotels to remain competitive with neighboring cities. The 1 percent increase will generate approximately $600,000 annually to support essential city services. Moreover, it is local revenue that cannot be diverted by the state.

Silva Wolfe: I do support this measure while realizing we must be very careful when seeking to increase taxes. We need to stay competitive with other cities and not put unfair burdens on our tourist industry. This proposed increase will benefit residents by adding monies to our general fund for city services.   

Mark N. Addiego

Age: 54

Occupation: Cemetery operations manager for the Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of San

Francisco

Education: Associate’s degree in aeronautics from the College of San Mateo; public administration courses at the University of San Francisco

Family: Single

Campaign Web site: smartvoter.org/vote/addiego

Pedro Gonzalez

Age: 76

Occupation: South San Francisco, over 40 years

Education: Retired

Family: Married to Eldie with three children and seven grandchildren

Campaign Web site: www.voteforpedrossf.com

Name: Karyl Matsumoto

Age: 66

City of Residence, number of years there: South San Francisco, 29 years

Occupation: Retired

Family: Single

Campaign Web site: smartvoter.org

Name: Kamala Silva Wolfe (raised as Cindy K. Wolfe)

Age: 54

City of residence, number of years lived there: Native

Occupation:  Medical researcher

Education:  Local public schools including Skyline College, College of San Mateo and San Francisco State University

Family: Married 32 years to Dave Silva, raised three children, Angela, Michael and Jeremy

Campaign Web site: www.AskKamala.com

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.