Elections | Great Streets Mountain View

2024 City Council Candidates Respond

by JH | Oct 22, 2024 | Elections

We sent each candidate the following questions. We received responses from Chris Clark, Nicholas Hargis and IdaRose Sylvester and have published their answers on our website. We hope that hearing about these topics in the candidates' own words will help you make a more informed choice in November.

1. Do you walk or bike in Mt. View? If so, where? And what has the experience been like for you?

2. Which areas of Mt. View do you consider to be safe and comfortable for biking and walking, and which areas do you think need improvement?

3. How specifically would you improve those areas that you think need improvement?

4. How should Mt. View implement its Vision Zero Action Plan, adopted by the City Council on September 10, to eliminate fatal traffic collisions in the city?

5. What should be done to make it safe for children to bike and walk to school in all Mt. View neighborhoods?

See the candidates' responses

City Council Candidates Respond to our Questionnaire

by Tracy | Oct 11, 2022 | Elections

There are five candidates vying for three seats on the Mountain View City Council this November. Mountain View Streets for All was interested in hearing each candidate's ideas for how to improve street safety and encourage active transportation in our community as well as understand what kind of advocate they would be for these causes.

We sent each candidate the following questions. We received responses from Alison Hicks, Ellen Kamei, and Lucas Ramirez and have published their answers on our website. We hope that hearing about these topics in the candidates' own words will help you make a more informed choice in November.

View their responses

2020 City Council Races

by JH | Oct 21, 2020 | Elections

This election season, we were excited to hear what the nine city council candidates had to say about Great Streets in Mountain View and active transit in our city. We asked questions about where they walk and bike, which Great Streets they love and how they want to improve Mountain View and we have their responses to share with you.

Each candidate has a unique perspective on Great Streets in Mountain View. All candidates want to support safe routes to school so children can walk and bike safely. They also have various ideas such as building more protected bike lanes, shifting funding from car infrastructure to active transit infrastructure, and making sure every person who would use a bike has access to both a bike and a helmet.

Please check out their full responses here.

Housing & Transportation City Council Candidates Forum

by Tracy | Sep 3, 2014 | City Council, Elections, Events

Mountain View will select three new City Councilmembers this November to join the four existing Councilmembers. This new City Council will define the character of Mountain View for years to come. During their term, they will decide the intensity and type of development in the San Antonio, North Bayshore, El Camino Real Corridor, and East Whisman areas. They will decide how we will allocate space to motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders throughout the city including California Street and Shoreline Boulevard. They will tackle thorny issues like how much and where to grow the housing supply and office space, the minimum wage, and Bus Rapid Transit. How do the candidates stand on these issues? How do you stand on these issues? More than 120 people turned out at the Housing & Transportation Forum yesterday to join the conversation by submitting their questions and hearing all nine City Council Candidates articulate their vision for Mountain View. As Keith wrote in the comments of our Candidate Forum Page, “The conversation is headed in the right direction. What a special time to be in The MV!”. We agree!

See below to watch the video of the Candidates Forum and to catch the live tweets from @ladyfleur and @jakatmu

The Forum was co-sponsored Great Streets Mountain View, Bicycle Exchange, Community Action Team, Friends of Caltrain, Greenbelt Alliance, Safe Mountain View.

Special thanks to Debbie Mytels for moderating the forum and Wendee Crofoot to for organizing the event!

Candidates for Mountain View City Council

Vote for 3 candidates on November 4th | Register to Vote

Margaret Capriles http://margaretcapriles.com
Ellen Kamei http://democracy.com/ellenkamei
Lisa Matichak http://www.lisaforcouncil.com
Jim Neal https://www.electneal.org
Ken Rosenberg http://www.mountainviewken.com
Mercedes Salem http://votemercedes.nationbuilder.com
Pat Showalter http://votepatshowalter.com
Lenny Siegel http://lennysiegelforcouncil.net
Greg Unangst http://unangst2014.com

Watch the Video

Live Tweets

A7: Neal. I'm against BRT. Trees will need to be cut. Time the signals, add ped overcrossings so traffic can move more freely.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: Kamai: we need wider sidewalks. We can take away parking on ECR to do that and add bike lane too.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: Caprilies: We need partial bike lanes on ECR so people can get to places. All the way down is a death wish.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: Unangst: Issue with transit frequency is density. We should look at new tech: people movers, self driving cars.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: Showalter. Improve traffic flow. Not fan of BRT. We need frequency of buses first.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: Seigel: Don't think we should remove a traffic lane for a bus, specifically mentions impact on ppl in single family homes.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: Salem: not in favor of BUs Rapid Transit on ECR. Maybe a hybrid lane.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A7: transit improvements on ECR?

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Kamai: my parents cut roses here in MV. We need to ensure outreach including translation services.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Caprilies. I think MV has supported undocumented workers, like Jose Vargas. We should look for ways to involve them locally.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Unangst Undocumented people are part of our community. If legally allowed, they should be able to vote in local elections.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Showalter. Our diversity is a wonderful part of MV. We need to support undocumented workers with wage issues.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Seigel; we need immigration. They are part of our future. We need people engaged.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Salem: I'm a big proponent of the Dream Act. I'm a first generation citizen. I want everyone to have that.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Rosenberg: this is why I created the Civility Roundtable to engage everyone.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A6: Neal. I encourage them to speak out. The day worker center can help them.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Q6: (from audience) How can we get noncitizens involved in govt, including undocumented people?

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Salem: no. Sea level will rise, landfill bad in earthquakes.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Rosenberg: I want housing there. Our residents want, our corporations do.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Neal. Only housing for non families. No schools there.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Kamai: no housing at N Bayshore.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Caprilies: I disagree. Can we sustain the growth area long term? Silicon Graphics was once big there, now a few hundred in Fremont.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Unangst: yes, it can decrease commutes. We may need to add school, store.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Showalter: yes. Emissions alone is a reason to do it.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A5: Seigel: It's a no brainer that we put housing at N Bayshore

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Audience Q: do you support housing in N Bayshore (Google)?

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A4: Unangst: we need to preserve single family homes but look to develop new neighborhoods in underutilized light industrial areas.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A4: Showalter. Getting around is critical. We have great activities: swimming, community center, art & wine. Must maintain it.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A4: Seigel: think boldly. Add new schools and other services near new housing like San Antinio Center.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Q4: the other half of the livability question was "while adding 20,000 more jobs." Btw

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A4: Salem: More services for seniors and families to take economic burden.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A4: Neal: we're adding jobs far faster than we're planning for. We need to slow down adding office projects.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A4: Caprilies: need to think about where we want housing. We need open space.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Q4: What can we do for livability?

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A3: Seigel: We built for cars and you have to change land use to fix that.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Lenny Siegel: infrastructure needs to keep pace with growth; housing part of the vision

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: Salem: Safe crossing of roads is personal to me. Know man who was hit by driver and died crossing ECR in Atherton.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Mercedes Salem: less traffic fatalities; personal experience with fatalities on El Camino. Run shuttle.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: Rosenberg: 8 yrs from now, MV will be newer, more urban. We need to embrace the change.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Ken Rosenberg: will be housing in North Bayshore in 8 yrs; MV is an urban-suburban hybrid.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Matichack departs early; Jim Neal: pedestrian overcrossings and roundabouts to "get pedestrians out of the way"

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: Neal: We don't need Bart. Caltrain is more efficient, has bike cars. Traffic rotaries, pedestrian crossing over ECR at San Antonio.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A3: Malachaik: I want Bart here. Better bike ability esp to work areas.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Lisa Matichack: BART down the peninsula. TMA should be wildly successful with shuttle; light rail should be more effective

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: Kamai: More efficient transit. Caltrain electrification with extra bike car. "Feet first city"

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Ellen Kamei: coordinated regional/local transit; Caltrain electrification important.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Margaret Capriles; open space should be protected/cherished. High density housing concentrated next to housing— frequent shuttles important

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: Caprilies: "How much can we build and still have the open space and still have walkable and bikeable community?"

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Greg Unangst: building housing near jobs and services key. Every commute we can make shorter is reducing greenhouse emissions

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: Unangst: "every person that rides a bike is not driving a car"

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A3: Showalter: New community shuttle is a start. Mentions double tracking rail.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

On what MV will look like in 8 years– Pat Showalter— connectivity important and regional relationships key; Caltrain electrification

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A3: What transportation improvements would you support?

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Margaret Capriles: aggressively pursue new ideas on affordable housing for nurses, firefighters, and police officers

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A2: Caprilies. Private/public partnerships. (At least three others mentioned that too)

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Greg Unangst— MV needs to lead the way; accessory dwelling units and public Private Partnerships highlights

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A2: Unangst: We're killing the middle class here. MV needs to lead the way.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A2: Showalter. Mortgage assistance for teachers & public safety workers. Granny units.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Pat Showalter— rapidly use city's affordable housing $ for rent subsides and loan assistance; loosen restrictions on grammy flats

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A2: Need to dramatically increase housing in N Bayshore and San Antonio. Only way to balance is to put brakes on office and build housing.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Lenny Siegel: supply and demand real problem— need to increase the number of units in N Bayshore and San Antonio; start with N Bayshore

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Mercedes Salem: BMR a drop in the bucket but construction of new units key— pathway to a home for families— build housing in change areas

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A2: Saleem on housing. Affordable isn't enough. Need to build housing five change areas.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A2: Rosenberg on affordable housing: reduce parking requirements, allow in-law units.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Ken Rosenberg: housing regional issue but city should increase supply for all incomes, rethink expense of parking, in law units

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Jim Neal: I do not want to live where I work. Removing extra amenities (gym, pool, etc) from housing will drive down costs.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Lisa Matichak: housing is a regional issue; improving transportation a higher priority; but add housing in Whisman areas.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Q2: What can we do about affordable housing in Mountain View?

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

On housing: Ellen Kamei < 2k affordable units in MV. BMR ownership housing and mixed income projects; realistic goals in housing element

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Jim Neal: Address things like uplifted sidewalks; all modes of transportation should be safe and effective.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Lisa Matichack: things we can do in commercial areas like building sidewalks; focus on trails a priority.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

A1: OK, improving biking and walking is Mom & Apple Pie issue. When it impacts cars then we'll see what they say.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

A1: All candidates so far in favor. Ideas: road diet on Cal. St, bike blvd on Latham, wide sidewalk. Better crossings at Central & ECR.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Ellen Kamei: building on precise plans key to implementing bike/ped improvements. Connectivity important.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Margaret Capriles: need to create infrastructure and environment so we can be safe— important to plan for all types of alternatives to car

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Q1: What would you do to promote biking and walking? …

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Greg Unangst: coordinated plan for biking key. Funding and staff time key.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Pat Showalter: we need places that are safe on the street. Sidewalks key.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Get ready. I'm live tweeting from the #mountainview city council candidates forum.

— Janet Lafleur (@ladyfleur) September 3, 2014

Lenny Siegel: safe attractive places with places to go are important for walkability.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

Mercedes Salem: likes the concept of California Street road diet; pleased with council decision to study corridor

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

MV council candidate Ken Roesenburg: I'm in favor of almost anything that will increase biking and walking.

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014

At the Mountain View housing and transportation candidates forum. 9 candidates for 3 seats! pic.twitter.com/pL8GNSBihw

— Jarrett M (@jarkatmu) September 3, 2014