Bringing the average age down

Yet it was some of the old-timers who came to Andy’s support when he ran for the San Carlos City Council. He ran unopposed but received more votes than incumbent Matt Grocott (there were three vacancies and three candidates for that election).

Andy is a San Carlos boy. His parents moved to the city when he was 1 years old. He attended local public schools, Arundel Elementary, Central Middle and Carlmont High schools. His first political job came when he was elected president of his college fraternity at the University of Montana. When he moved back to his hometown he volunteered with the San Carlos History Museum (he was a history major) and remains very involved with the organization. He started paying attention to what was happening in the community and the City Council and kept complaining to his Carlmont High School girlfriend (now his wife). She dropped his name in a box soliciting citizens to apply for the city’s General Plan Advisory Committee. He was selected and elected chair of the 15-member committee. Wow, he thought. Here I am only 25 , I don’t even know what a general plan is and they have made me chair. Thus inspired he applied for several city board and commissions but kept getting turned down. The reason cited was usually lack of experience, you don’t have children, etc. But, he says, "it was code for you’re too young.”

Undeterred, he decided to run for council. He never expected to be able to win without a race. It was nice to save money and time, but Andy was disappointed. He wanted to fight the good fight.

"The city takes a hit when the community doesn’t have a chance to discuss the issues,” he said.

And the main issue facing San Carlos is the $4 million hole in the city’s $24 million budget. How did this happen? San Carlos has been one of the best run cities, it has a thriving downtown and an involved community. However, the past four tax measurers have lost. Klein says despite all of San Carlos’ advantages it gets back less property tax from the state than its neighbors. Belmont and Redwood City receive 25 cents on the dollar; San Carlos receives only 13 cents. In the days when homes were selling, the city was able to make up the difference. But not now.

Andy hopes to get more young people to participate in local government, but it’s difficult. In addition to worrying about family and careers, many young people can’t afford to think long-term these days. They don’t even know where they will be living in the next several years. Andy is an insurance agent and his wife is going to law school at night. They plan to stay in San Carlos.

I mentioned to Andy that his parents must be very proud. His mom, unfortunately, passed away before his election. His dad got to savor the event, which was extra special because his own dad (Andy’s grandfather) was the first mayor of Timberlake, Ohio.

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Dave Canepa is the political upstart who unseated a Daly City incumbent, Judith Christensen, in a heated election battle. He is the city’s appointee on C/CAG, the City/County Association of Governments (one of the most influential bodies in the county). Canepa worked for state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo, but now has his own business. He and a friend are offering technical advice (how to use Twitter, Facebook) to local business owners unfamiliar with new technology.

Canepa comes from a longtime Daly City Italian family. He’s a fourth generation county resident on his dad’s side. His great grandfather, James "Ace” Canepa lost his floral business during the depression and went to work for his sister and brother-in-law at Apex Neon which became one of the largest neon sign makers in the Bay Area. His mom, Dee, is Supervisor Adrienne Tissier’s appointee to the county’s Charter Review Committee.

Canepa grew up in Pacifica. His first taste for politics came in elementary school when he was elected student body president. He went on to Sacred Heart Cathedral high school in San Francisco, Skyline College and the University of San Francisco where he received a degree in political science with emphasis on legal studies and peace and justice. At USF, he was senior class president. By then, he definitely had the political bug and interned at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, went on to work for one of its members, then a member of the state Assembly, and Yee.

When he decided to run for the Daly City Council, he said, "I was told no one beats incumbents, so why are you running?”

In fact, on election eve, he was 5 percent down in the polls. But his team had an extensive get out the vote drive — volunteers walked door to door three times.

Dave and Andy are each newlywed. Both are excited about politics and serving their community. My guess is that both will be a political force in the county. When Tissier is termed out, Canepa could decide to run for her seat. That’s still several years away. In the meantime, his plate is full with council responsibilities, a new business and a young wife.

***

Correction: Several readers have pointed out that Jean Fassler was not the only county supervisor from the coast. From 1977-1980 Fred Lyon of El Granada served on the board and was the chair in 1979. James Fox, our elected district attorney, reminded me that his uncle Alvin Hatch, born in Half Moon Bay in 1876, served on the Board of Supervisors for over 30 years until 1964.

Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. Her column runs every Monday. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com.