In what is now an anomaly for most councils on the Peninsula, Foster City voters will decide amongst five candidates for three positions on the City Council. Two current councilmembers, Jon Froomin and Sam Hindi, are not running, which leaves the sole incumbent in the race as Patrick Sullivan.
Unfortunately, Sullivan is not among the top three candidates for the position. Always well-versed and well-meaning is Richa Awasthi, who served one term on the council before being voted out two years ago. Awasthi is deserving of the seat because of the depth and breadth of the issues facing Foster City and her ability to understand the needs of longtime residents and the newcomers. The city needs balanced and insightful leadership, and she provides it.
Suzy Niederhofer brings a good perspective from her years working for a city finance department and will do a good job once she is brought more up to speed on the variety of issues. She is practical, no-nonsense and eager to learn. The city will benefit from someone with a municipal finance background on the council.
Phoebe Venkat would also be a positive addition to the council. She is a fresh thinker with good ideas on building community connections and is well-versed in city issues past and present. The council at times can get stuck in a rut, and Venkat could provide a spark to get everyone going in the right direction. She is also a renter, and that is a demographic that could use representation on the council.
The city has been in transition for a while now, and new and balanced leadership is in order. Awasthi, Niederhofer and Venkat provide the best mix of experience, insight and creativity for the city and its council.
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