Hi - I'm Michael Goldman!

 

Why I am running for Mayor

1. Preserve and expand parks, open space, recreation areas,

2. Greater resident involvement in decision making – e.g., citizen commissions on airplane noise and public safety;

3. Prudent use of tax dollars – re-consider the proposed $280,000,000 civic center with an estimated $93 million in interest for an estimated total of $373 million.

4. Allow only new construction that respects the character and traffic limits of local neighborhoods - i.e., don't put multi-family housing in ,

5. Real solutions to climate change - e.g., requiring new office construction to be “net-zero” in Greenhouse Gas Emissions,

6. Bi-weekly "Town halls” for residents to engage with city staff & council members,

7. To represent Sunnyvale to Sacramento politicians to ensure new legislation respects and enhances the good parts of Sunnyvale life.

 

Who Am I?

A 30-year resident of Sunnyvale, a Vietnam Vet (US Navy - USS Carronade), family man with 2 sons both of whom recently graduated from public colleges in CA.  I coached youth soccer and basketball so my kids and others could play with their friends. 

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I like hiking the hills and writing on local issues.  I was a software engineer (drivers and data communications) for many years with several publications.  I have a B.Sc. Physics, MA Math from UW-Madison.  I also spent years tutoring math to inner-city and native-American kids.  I worked in the EPA on auto emissions testing.  I taught in public high schools.

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I try to see both sides of an issue and look for a way to turn conflicts into win-win situations.  I am a centrist Democrat for fiscal responsibility.  Unlike the US government, a city can't print money.  A city really does need those old fashioned values of saving and prudent spending.  We also need to enable the least fortunate to live a fulfilling life.

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Our population increases but our land does not.  We need to take care of what we have, not destroy it.  Sunnyvale has to preserve and expand the parks, libraries, and playing fields that make a city a good place for families to live and work.  I have worked with others on the council to get more funding for school crossing guards.  I lead the fight against selling most of the civic center.

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I share the frustration of many who feel that too often City Councils ignore the needs of its residents and bend to the will of special interests.

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I will strive to serve the needs of all Sunnyvale by providing a responsive city government that listens to its residents, and provides more and better parks, library facilities, and public safety without going into debt or selling off public lands to do it.