San Mateo residents have many choices for three open seats on the City Council in November with seven candidates of varying experience and perspective.
The city has had its challenges of late, but by no means are they not unique to it — a higher cost of living, traffic congestion and the impact of new development on residents. In coping with these challenges, the current council has sought to be responsive to the needs of the community while also planning for growth in a responsible way.
That growth has spurred some challengers to latch onto the idea of change — either by talking about the need to take a new tack when it comes to development or to be more responsive to those they say don’t have a voice in City Hall.
However, if one looks objectively at the arc of change within the realm of the city’s governance and not by outside forces such as the explosion of new jobs, it has been responsive and responsible — though some tweaks are always in order.
Most of the candidates are highly qualified. Chelsea Bonini brings a unique perspective from her time on the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District Board of Trustees and provides an overall good grasp of the city and its issues. Mark De Paula is latching onto a no-growth policy and is most known as someone who runs for a variety of political offices without success. Planning Commissioner Charlie Drechsler has years of experience in government through his work in Redwood City and also through San Mateo commissions and neighborhood homeowners associations. He is no-nonsense and practical. Robert Newsom is a newcomer to the political scene and offers an everyman perspective. His political future is bright if he chooses to stay involved.
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However, the three candidates who rise above the rest are incumbents Rick Bonilla and Joe Goethals, along with Planning Commissioner Eric Rodriguez.
Bonilla can seem strident at times and may adhere to his union past by default, but he is honest in his ideals and you know what you are getting. It is also important to have that working-class perspective on a five-member council and it should be noted Bonilla has put in the work over many years of community service through a variety of boards and commissions. He knows the work the city has put in when it comes to addressing the housing shortage and balancing neighborhood needs and traffic since the Bay Meadows specific plan was launched more than 15 years ago. His constant presence through the years is a testament to the work he has put into the betterment of the city and he recognizes the eternal balance needed between growth and quality of life. He has recently taken to tenant issues and believes there are ways to protect them outside of rent control including stricter code enforcement and relocation assistance similar to how businesses have to pay such costs for equipment when revamping a factory. Put simply, Bonilla has his heart in his service to the city and is willing to think creatively to contend with issues as they arise.
Goethals is also committed to service to the city and adheres to the idea that all politics is local in that he is responsive to neighborhood concerns both large and small. He believes firmly in working toward the betterment of the community — whether it be fighting for the ice rink or trying to ensure traffic flows smoothly and safely in neighborhoods. He is also cognizant of change, and its impact on current residents and its potential for a better San Mateo for future residents. Goethals worked hard during the tenant protection debate to come up with a city-led process that would provide safeguards for all sides but was unsuccessful because of the political climate that spawned from the process. Still, Goethals is right to point out the measures the city has taken to provide affordable housing opportunities now and into the future.
Rodriguez has a balanced approach to city issues and is willing to listen to concerns to come up with policy that adheres to the idea that neighborhoods must be protected and that growth has to meet all of the community’s needs. Community input is central to his philosophy that is centered on the idea that current policy can always be made better through conversation. He also has nuts-and-bolts ideas like long-term leases for renters and even policy that would restrict apartment building renovations for two to three years after sale to protect current residents. And as a local businessman, he brings a much-needed perspective. His idea of emphasizing the importance of shopping locally would help local businesses and is indicative of a certain amount of wide thinking when it comes to providing benefits to all segments of the San Mateo community.
While there are certainly those who believe that the rate of change in this area is to blame for many of their woes, there are also those who believe a council that listens to its community and responds accordingly while making strides for the betterment of all is the proper construction of the five elected officials who manage the city. Balance and deep understanding is key to a productive council and the city overall. While San Mateo is fortunate to have a wide breadth of candidates on this ballot, we believe the best choices are Bonilla, Goethals and Rodriguez.
(18) comments
Joe Goethals is the only specific candidate that I can assure you will do everything and almost anything to assure the City of San Mateo residents will continue to get their quality of life continued.
Regarding sanctuary cities, how can some laws be ignored.
As an elected official, you can not ignore the law.
Elected officals have to uphold the law.
The elected official can not break the law, due to his or her personal beliefs.
The answer to a sanctuary city in San Mateo, the answer is no, why?
It’s a Federal law, section 8 U.S.C. 1373.
I am stating this as a candidate for San Mateo City Council---
Mark De Paula
Thank you for stating your stance on this issue, MJD. There are folks here, besides myself, who believe that government officials must adhere to the rule of law, just as everyone else should. They are not a law unto themselves.
Thank you, Mark De Paula, for your outstanding integrity. We need that on the City Council.
There is no reportage regarding the position held by candidates with respect to illegal immigration. Do they support "sanctuary city" status for San Mateo?
I would like to know that as well, candidates can answer right here if they would like their positions known.
Let’s get serious here. It boggles the mind how the Daily Journal can justify its endorsement of Mr. Rodriguez. While at least most of the other candidates have shown some degree of engagement with the most important issues facing our community, Mr. Rodriguez has mostly remained absent, aloof, or antagonistic when it comes to pursuing solutions. In his capacity on the planning commission, he makes wishy-washy statements to the public, but then provides the least pushback in the direction of developments having greater public benefits. He remains mostly unengaged from the process and when the time comes merely acts as a reliable rubber stamp for his principle backers, the biggest money in San Mateo politics, the real estate industry. Indeed, he has a reputation for not putting in the work on the planning commission, which may be one reason he was passed over, despite being next in line, for chair of that body.
Therefore, we must ask, What really has Mr. Rodriguez ever done for the regular citizens of San Mateo? Whatever one might say about the other candidates, with the exception of one or two, each has a record of being a proactive agent around the most important issues facing San Mateo. The most that we can reasonably expect from Mr. Rodriguez, should the voters of San Mateo not choose one of the several better candidates available to them, is that he will continue to function as a rubber stamp for his handlers in the real estate industry. And as we all know, we already have a few too many council members who are owned by the real estate industry.
Given that in essence Mr. Rodriguez would replace Mayor Lim, the most outspoken defender on the council of the common interests of all San Mateans, this outcome would be truly tragic for the hopes of having a “responsive and responsible” city government. If ever the Journal cared about balance, it would have endorsed a candidate who looks out for the interests of those who are very definitely disenfranchised by our current distribution of political power. Instead, for some reason or another, the Journal aims to add to the number of puppets of the real estate industry on the council, further tipping the balance of the council away from fair and necessary solutions to the problems facing our community, further exacerbating the dysfunctionality of the council to ever take action, further endangering the values that our council and our city would have readily stood up for some 15 years ago.
Mr. Rodriguez owns a business in downtown San Mateo according to his Statement of Economic Interests...does that mean that he would have to recuse himself on City items, such as the upcoming Downtown Plan?
I am not sure where this information was obtained. Mr. Rodriguez has been actively engaged attending many neighborhood and San Mateo United Homeowners Association meetings. Eric has lived in several neighborhoods in San Mateo and has the perspective and knows the challenges of each. Mr. Rodriguez's financial analysis was a key reason the $8 million offer to convert the Bridgepointe Ice Rink (many have worked to collaboratively to preserve the rink) which is slated to reopen October 2nd. From the Planning Commission meetings I have watched and attended Eric comes prepared and usually leads off on questioning applicants during meetings. These are a few reason's I am happy to support Eric Rodriguez in the upcoming election and I think he will make an excellent council member.
*$8 million dollar offer was rejected.
So what's the point? Are you canvassing the area as others are who only want to disrespect property owners because your abilities aren't keeping up with economic realities? San Mateo is a welcoming city for all that can and do continue to earn the right to live here. No one is entitled to covet other's property. It's in the constitution and the commandments.
Bonilla honestly believes we can build our way out of this "job-housing" issue (without changing course to spend some equal time addressing supporting infrastructure) - but we have yet to see that proven in any other place. What we have seen is the failure of this ideology, which the taxpayers pay to support, and pay for again with a major hit to our quality of life here. My "no" vote for him is compounded by the fact that I personally think anyone with construction union ties should not be making building decisions for any city, either at the Planning Commission or City Council levels. Rodriguez is far and away our best choice. Beyond that, we're aching for fresh perspectives. Don't discount the passions of folks like Newsom or de Paula. Just because you're the "new kid" doesn't mean you don't bring something good to the table.
But...but.... his campaign literature touts all of the work that he has done for our neighborhoods... which honestly, I have yet to see after all of these years.
Change and growth are inevitable…anyone repaint their house, change to new appliances, change clothing, change cars and that list goes on and on…unless truly stuck in The Nixon Era…
How about pay raises or changing jobs ? Anyone refuse to move up and make more money? Or do they think the economy stays exactly the same since the 20th Century?
We live in a wonderful area, The Bay Area, that consists of many counties and even more cities that makes up our wonderful area. That has economic motors that are also the centers of their market place.
With that, most of the new and old jobs are on the Peninsula. From San Francisco to S San Jose and everything in-between. Plus the Peninsula is built out and lucky to have the presence of mind back then to keep our wilderness and watershed firewalled from development
So maybe San Mateo citizens wish to only complain about traffic congestion and forbid any growth…but we are not the controlling city on the Peninsula. There are many, many other cities who wish to participate in the Bay Area economy.
San Mateo will then become a backwater city to their surrounding neighbor cities. We will be taxed by the other cities via county taxation for infrastructure of growth….but San Mateo will have their heads in the sand…cursing the darkness therein…
There needs to be a balance and intelligence in/of how we will allow growth to happen in San Mateo. Designated High Density and TOD areas are already identified in our master plan. Ditto other cities and the county. The El Camino Grand Boulevard is the best example and also an example of dysfunction or parochialism between all cities along that corridor. Ditto public transit agencies
"San Mateo will then become a backwater city to their surrounding neighbor cities.….but San Mateo will have their heads in the sand…cursing the darkness therein…"
...........SERIOUSLY?
Mark De Paula is the Only Concerned Citizen Candidate. He has Never said he is for no growth, He is for a Moratorium to see the impact on Gridlock and the Quality of Life for the residents who do live in San Mateo. He has offered his services to the public in previous elections and for that effort the SMDJ calls him a loser.
Mark DePaula is a loon.
Mark De Paula is latching onto a no-growth policy and is most known as someone who runs for a variety of political offices without success.
This statement is not surprising due to SMDFJ being a SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP.
I was asked for an endorsement interview, not an interview.
I told SMDJ, I do not accept SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP endorsements.
Sincerely,
Mark DePaula
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