Four vie for two Foster City seats

Unlike nearby communities where hot button issues prompt residents to seek political office, these Foster City candidates agree there's very little to change in the little city by the Bay.

"I'm not angry or out to change anything. We're not in crisis, we're just little old Foster City," said candidate Pam Frisella, a 28-year resident.

Foster City, established in 1971, is San Mateo County's youngest city and has a population pushing 30,000. Frisella, 59, said Foster City's community offered her much support from the time she moved into the city as a widowed mother to now. Now is the time to give back to the community that's given so much to her, Frisella said.

She is the mother of two adult sons and is retiring as a volunteer coordinator at the Samaritan House later this year.

Redevelopment opportunities

Like the other candidates, she is concerned with the redevelopment of commercial spaces and wants to make sure the city's last piece of sizable land - a 15-acre site at Hillsdale and Shell boulevards - is used wisely.

Current Planning Commissioner Art Kiesel wants to make sure the land is developed with significant value for residents. He liked last year's proposal by a parochial school that would have provided playing fields and a pool for residents to use on the weekend, he said.

Kiesel, 62, was appointed to the Planning Commission in 2004 after serving for four years on the city's Information Technology Advisory Committee. Kiesel is a computer consultant and has lived in Foster City for 14 years. Both he and his wife are active members of the Lions Club.

Kiesel wants to see mostly empty buildings like the former Inktomi headquarters at Hillsdale and Shell boulevards filled or redeveloped into a mixed-use property so the city can collect sales tax. He also wants to see the city take on the difficult task of bringing retail shops to stores left vacant after the dot-com bust.

Kiesel also points out that Foster City is ranked number seven in Bay Area cities with the highest density. Creating affordable housing for new generations and senior citizens is a must, he said.

Kiesel is not the only one worried about affordable housing and empty retail buildings.

Affordable housing at issue

"There's empty space, see-through buildings. People have not been attracted here, but the location is ideal," said candidate Charles Freeman.

He wants the City Council to work closely with landlords to attract new tenants and also said he'd like to see additional affordable housing.

Freeman, a 16-year resident, is a human resources consultant and the chair of the Park and Recreation Commission. He spent many years as an active member of local soccer and little league. Freeman is married with a son and a daughter close to college graduation. He thought about running for council before, but the timing and termed out council members created an opportunity he couldn't pass up, he said.

Focus on the basics

One candidate freely admits his campaign platform isn't exciting, but essential for keeping Foster City a great place to live. John Kiramis is focusing on the basics - upkeep of streets, sewers, public safety and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

"Foster City is an aging community. With that comes the responsibility of closely monitoring our aging infrastructure," Kiramis said. "When everything works well, people don't realize our sewer system is made up of 50 lift stations and at high tide, the city is slightly below sea level."

Kiramis, 53, is a retired Foster City police lieutenant. He spent 29 years in the Foster City Police Department and moved into real estate when he retired in 2004. He is a single parent of a 17-year-old daughter and, like Freeman, now has more time to devote to the city.

"I'm doing this because Foster City, over my 29 years of service in municipal government, has given me a lot. It's given me the ability to buy a house and raise a family in a safe environment. Now it's time to pony up and pay off my debt," Kiramis said.

Kiramis is passing out fliers and purchasing lawn signs, but said he's not planning any grand fund-raising events. Frisella is the only candidate actively fund-raising and has close to $3,000 in her campaign account, according to campaign finance disclosure forms.

Both Kiesel and Frisella already have the support of council members. Kiesel's nomination papers were signed by Townsend, Wilder, Councilman Ron Cox and Vice Mayor Linda Koelling. Frisella said she also has the council member's support, including Mayor Rick Wykoff.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com