As I’m sure everyone is aware, we have an election coming up on November 8th. Just one month away. Local council candidates have eagerly begun posting their signs all over town vigorously campaigning for your vote of confidence in their ability to help form policies and lead our city.
The candidates you select will be filling two council seats vacated by outgoing council members, Marland Townsend and Deborah Wilder. We will be saying good-bye to two veterans who have overseen many projects, and tackled many issues that have helped shape Foster City. Both of them have contributed a valuable range of expertise in their respective fields during their years of service.
While serving on council, both Deborah and Marland participated on county and regional committees, which in turn have provided valuable resources to Foster City. I thank them for their unselfish devotion to our community.
In the two years since I’ve joined the council, I have seen what it takes to help “steer this ship.” I commend all the candidates for their personal pursuit of giving back to the community. It takes strong leadership, community involvement, fairness and common sense to frame the policy decisions that help make this a desirable community within San Mateo County.
The councils for the future will need a broader range of thinking as they not only look at Foster City, but Foster City and its relationships with the rest of the county. Issues such as housing and public transportation must be strongly considered in addition to, economic growth and redevelopment.
These issues will play an important role in the changing face of our community. With all of this, the councils of the future must keep in mind our planned community concept and keep a balance in the pursuit of progress and change. Change is inevitable.
I am pleased to see so many residents attempting to share their experience as it pertains to city government. I continuously encourage residents to get involved and know what’s going on in town.
Participating on the various advisory committees has been a valuable way of getting to know the community. It enables you to exercise your expertise or talent in a particular area while getting to know this city’s governmental process.
Besides our local council selections, we have county and statewide issues to be voted on as well. With all the TV ad campaigns, I hope the general public is not being discouraged from voting. It’s difficult to know what or who to believe.
People I’ve spoken with have expressed disdain over the sensationalism and downright confusion they feel over what to vote for. The all around feeling is that their vote will not matter. I certainly hope this type of feeling changes.
It’s time for us to gain back the voting power that once was. We must realize the effects of what not voting has on our future. Without voting, we give carte blanc to lawmakers and special interests to do what they want. It’s time we all do some soul searching and weigh our conscience as to the manner in which we are performing our constitutional right to vote.
Lawmakers heard us loud and clear when we rallied to stop them from their continuous ravaging of local tax money. Take the time to read your material and seek out the pros and cons on the various issues. Likewise, take time to study and learn about the local council candidates to make the right choices for our city.
Bottom line, please take the time to vote, it’s your right!
As always, you may email me at lkoelling@fostercity.org with comments on this and other issues.
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