Stage set for San Carlos council race

Returning the town's council to a panel of communicative leaders and diminishing any perception of rampant conflict of interests are key issues for the candidates though each has a different idea of how to reach the goal.

With the Friday filing deadline still days away, the final election roster could still be shaken up. So far, however, it appears the three incumbents - Mike King, Don Eaton and Matt Grocott - are eager to retain their seats. In the challenger's corner stand Phillips, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Brad Lewis, former Councilman John Hoffman and political newcomer Tony LaBell.

The newcomer

LaBell, 35, is the ballot's wild card, in more ways than one. As a San Carlos resident for only six years, the Las Vegas native is a newbie to both politics and the community compared to the others.

LaBell planned to run for the council in 2003 but the U.S. Navy had other plans for the reservist and he was deployed to Bosnia for nine months. Now, LaBell faces another hurdle to seeing his name on the November ballot.

On Friday morning, LaBell learned not all of the necessary signatures on his candidacy forms were verified as registered voters, leaving his candidacy declared invalid. LaBell said those people insist on their registrations but recent residential moves might be keeping the elections office from processing them yet. If the signatures are eventually deemed valid, LaBell will appear on the ballot. If not, he plans to sell himself as a write-in candidate.

In addition to his 16 years as a reservist for the Navy, LaBell is a facilities manager for a San Bruno condominium complex. He believes operating the 4,000-person site is akin to running a small city and hopes to translate those skills to his key platform ideas: traffic flow, especially in the downtown area, and strengthening business while maintaining the small-town feel.

His occupation also gives him personal experience with contracting, he said, so he understand why quite a few citizens are not happy with what has become coined "the Mokhtari Affair."

LaBell thinks the current council is "for the most part fairly good" and knows that if he joins he, too, risks criticism.

"Nobody is every going to do anything perfect but you feel what is best at the time and hope it works out right," he said.

The reluctant candidate

Phillips, 53, also isn't certain if voters will find him on the ballot, albeit for a different reason. While encouraged to run by many in the community, Philips readily admits he had no prior interest in become a councilman and would not run if he felt a better candidate arose.

"If in fact someone better than me chooses to run it would all be a lot easier. I don't need all the extra work, the negative comments and the way politics in San Carlos has become a blood sport," Phillips said.

The underlying sea change that must happen, he believes, is bringing integrity back to government, restoring faith to the community and getting the council to talk openly.

"There is a lack of communication and a lack of trust and with that comes accusations and countercharges. The only way to nip that in the bud is with the change of faces," Phillips said.

Phillips may be waiting for a better candidate to spare him the race but he is not resting on his laurels when it comes to ideas. The Planning Commission chair believes it imperative to recoup precious sales tax dollars and is looking at economic development between Highway 101 and Industrial Road. Phillips finds eminent domain "painful and expensive" and would rather see private retailers move into the spots up to Brittan Avenue than having the city snatch the land.

Like the others, Phillips appreciates the village-like atmosphere of downtown but said it is realistic to want a Costco, department stores and even a Safeway in city borders.

Phillips, a 12-year resident, defines his platform in three points: economic development, preservation of natural resources and good government. He calls the break up of South County Fire " a tragedy" because of missed communication and the efficiency joint powers authorities can provide to small towns.

Similarly, Phillips felt SCOOT tried to provide one solution to too many problems. School buses, commuting and senior travel each might be better served with three lightweight solutions than one that tries to solve everything, he said. He'd like to see the idea revamped with a lower parcel tax.

The community server

If elected to council, the accolade will be just the latest position in a long list of those held by 14-year resident Lewis. The Pixar Animation producer includes on his resume five years serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission, co-chairing the Athletic Fields Committee and sitting on the Alternate Funding, Trails and Athletic Sites Advisory committees.

Lewis' service is reflected in what he ticks off as key issues facing the city in the next four years: SamTrans land use decision on El Camino Real, traffic congestion, open space preservation, transportation for youth and seniors and developing new parks and community facilities.

The comeback

Once obviously wasn't enough for Hoffman. The former councilman took a break from the council, if not politics, and is now throwing his hat in the ring for another shot.

Hoffman served one term on the council a dozen years ago but continued being a community voice in the time since. He criticized the council often in the last year for what he characterized as a series of bad decision. Hoffman was a very outspoken opponent of the SCOOT system and worked on the campaign for the defeat of a $59 parcel tax.

In contrast, Hoffman pushed the idea of a library drop box so strongly that he even passed around a petition outside the building. Ironically, that move was banned by the council who felt if Hoffman was allowed to set up a clipboard and table, all other groups would be allowed similar access in the small lobby.

In June, Hoffman threatened to put the issue on the November ballot. He dropped the idea when the city counter-threatened with a lawsuit but then decided to put himself on the ballot instead.

The outsider

Grocott, finishing his freshman term on the council, thought hard before deciding whether to seek a second shot. He said the soul-searching is probably common for anyone who has wet their feet in politics already, but Grocott has possibly had a more contentious first term than many.

Grocott often found himself at odds with the other members of the council and was quick to question city practices and finances. In particular, he repeatedly questioned why Public Works Director Parviz Mokhtari's private engineering company was given city contracts and pointed out what he said were murky finances for the SCOOT program.

To some officials, staff and political watchers, Grocott was a breath of fresh air. To others, including staff and officials frustrated by his habit of mass-mailing his opinions to supporters and press, he was little more than a naysayer. Grocott particularly rankled others with comments implying he pushed for the resignation of outgoing City Manager Mike Garvey. Grocott later apologized.

"Sometimes I come down on the other sides of issues from the council but mostly I'm just willing to ask questions and challenge the status quo," Grocott said. "People seem to like that in a councilmember but also they can get the wrong idea about where I stand sometimes because I ask questions. I wasn't against SCOOT for instance but I did question things about it like safety."

During his term, Grocott also branched out beyond the city to participate in Citizens for Better Transportation, a grass-roots group that questioned Measure A expenditures.

When the council passed him over for a vice mayor position under then-Mayor Mike King, some in the community called the action favoritism and the council later adopted a new policy on position holding. Grocott believed the move was payback for opposing Measure I, an $88 fire protection parcel tax that later failed.

While Grocott is seeking re-election, he's hoping to serve with new people. Not only will a shake up alter the council, he said, but it may also breathe new life into the South County Fire Authority. The fire board is comprised of council members and city managers from San Carlos and Belmont. Both cities recently installed new city managers and Grocott hopes that, coupled with the possibility of new council representation, may keep the beleaguered JPA afloat.

Earlier this year, Grocott found himself on the opposite side of accusations when, following a divorce, he appeared to reside outside of city borders. Councilmembers are required to live in the city they represent.

Grocott, who again lists a San Carlos address, is prepared for any comments about the situation that might arise but said they will have no effect on his candidacy.

"If they have to fling mud they will, but it won't stick to the wall," he said.

The veterans

King and Eaton, both former mayors, are the experienced incumbents. Both pulled candidacy papers but only Eaton has publicly announced his intention to run for re-election.

When Eaton, a real estate investor, stepped down as mayor in 2002 he cited among his achievements the downtown renovation, refurbishing of city streets and refinishing the parks.

King, a CEO for Bank of Santa Clara, just stepped down as mayor last year. He ended his 2004 term in the midst of brewing scandal, first the brouhaha over Mohktari's contracts followed by what one activist group deemed "Fire-gate." King was implicated, though never charged, in a plan to create fraudulent invoices for consultant Peg Collier after the Measure I campaign failed. King testified in preliminary hearings for Collier's ongoing fraud case and some residents continue to call for either his resignation or his criminal charge.

Neither King nor Eaton could be reached for specific comments about the current campaign.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.