Newspaper Endorsements

“Greg Scharff, a 20-year resident and sole-practitioner attorney making his first run for council, is the 'surprise' candidate in the race. We were impressed with his knowledge of the issues, his directness and his ideas for improving the effectiveness of city government. Of all the candidates, he was the most clear and thoughtful on why Palo Alto’s 'planned community' development process, the method used by most developers in proposing major projects that exceed the allowable size in exchange for often nebulous 'public benefits', needs to be reformed and why developers have gained unfair advantage from it. He is also adamant about government transparency and accountability, proposing that no item be allowed on a council agenda unless all materials relating to that item have been available for at least 10 days. He believes past labor negotiations have resulted in excessive and unsustainable retirement benefits for city employees which must now be rolled back. He supports the expansion of the Stanford hospitals assuming agreement on strong traffic-mitigation measures.”

“Another Candidate who will push for strong fiscal discipline is Greg Scharff, who also pledges to limit city wage increases to inflation. We also like his idea that the city should actively recruit high sales tax generating businesses. To accomplish that he said Palo Alto needs to be perceived as business friendly. But he is also against high density housing and he favors finding places for new parks. Scharff has the ability to tell the unions 'no' and has rejected their support. He’s an independent thinker, is serious about the issues and knows this community well - the characteristics one wants in a council member.”

Endorsing Organizations
California Apartment Association, Tri-County
iPalo Alto
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS

Current and Former Elected, Plus Appointed, Officials
Ed Arnold, Former Mayor, City of Palo Alto
Melissa Baten Caswell, Board Member, Palo Alto Unified School District
Bern Beecham, Former Mayor, City of Palo Alto
Pat Burt, Council Member, City of Palo Alto
Mike Cobb, Former Mayor, City of Palo Alto
Mary Davey, Board Member, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Sid Espinosa, Council Member, City of Palo Alto
Jon Foster, Member, Utilities Advisory Commission
Yoriko Kishimoto, Council Member, City of Palo Alto
Judy Kleinberg, Former Mayor, City of Palo Alto
Barbara Mitchell, Board Member, Palo Alto Unified School District
Greg Schmid, Council Member, City of Palo Alto
Dana Tom, Board Member, Palo Alto Unified School District
Samir Tuma, Member, Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission
Asher Waldfogel, Member, Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission
Yiaway Yeh, Council Member, City of Palo Alto