With Los Altos Hills city council elections right around the corner, the League of Women Voters hosted a forum on Sept. 30 to showcase each candidate’s platform.
The candidates, Indu Kadambi, Jim Waschura and Jasmeen Pombra, gathered to address the Los Altos Hills community while voicing their stances, ideas and relevant experience.
They are running for two open seats, out of the five total seats on Los Altos Hills City Council. Elections will be held on Nov. 3. The forum’s questions came from both the League of Women Voters and audience participants, presented by event moderator Fiona Walter.
As a semi-rural area in California, Los Altos Hills faces some risk of wildfires. Additionally, the city’s contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department is coming to an end. This contract has drawn some concern due to its high cost.
A new housing mandate requires the construction of 489 new units, about 200 of which must be considered affordable housing. This has raised concerns surrounding overcrowding as many residents wish to maintain the city’s semi-rural character.
Much of the forum’s discussion focused on public safety, ongoing housing development and fiscal security. All candidates included these key issues in their campaign goals.
Kadambi emphasized the importance of elections to civic life. She said that this need for community engagement was a driving force behind her decision to run for city council, because an election would give residents a voice.
“A quiet coronation does not put residents at the table. An election does,” Kadambi said. “I am beholden to no one except the residents, and that’s why I am asking for your vote because I believe Los Altos Hills deserves leadership that protects the community.”
Kadambi’s campaign focuses on the acronym SAFE, standing for safety, advocacy, fiscal leadership and execute with deliberation. Kadambi is currently fire commissioner to the Los Altos Hills County Fire District and co-founded the non-profit Friends of the Hills.
“(I’ve) lived here for 26 years,” Kadambi said. “I’ve been here for these 26 years, boots on the ground.”
Kadambi pointed to her experience as fire commissioner in giving her key understanding of public safety, as well as financial management due to responsibilities managing the district’s budget.
Additionally, she tied this careful financial management to the diligence necessary to manage the ongoing situation with housing and contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department. Kadambi pointed to a need for careful consideration in both areas.
In a similar vein, Waschura’s campaign focuses on three main priorities: ensuring resident safety, administrative efficiency and capability, and managing housing.
Waschura said that his main aim in running is to support the city council using the skills he gained while serving as planning commissioner. Additionally, Waschura pointed to his experience as an engineer and business person as providing relevant skills.
“As an engineer and business person, I’ve run two tech businesses,” Waschura said. “I’ve had to prioritize objectives, create strategies, implement solutions and be accountable for results.”
Waschura added that it is essential to maintain Los Altos Hills’ character as it was the main thing which drew him and his family to the area 28 years ago.
“We were drawn here by the very same things that drew you all here: big lots, scenic views, open spaces and its semi-rural character,” Waschura said. “It would be an honor to continue to serve the town as one of your city council members.”
He noted a need to avoid overcrowding by working with nonprofit developers to avoid enacting density bonus, which would allow commercial developers to utilize construction of affordable homes in exchange for a greater number of market-rate units.
Pombra emphasized a similar drive to serve the community she has been a part of for 22 years, noting the importance of community involvement. Pombra also noted that she is the only candidate endorsed by all sitting city council members.
“My priorities are thoughtfully addressing our housing requirements while maintaining our semi-rural character,” Pombra said. “I want to strengthen our safety preparedness and also our emergency preparedness, and I want to promote community voices and connections.”
Pombra suggested the introduction of more informal meetings to help foster a stronger relationship between the city government and the community it serves. By doing so, Pombra aims to encourage civic engagement in informal meetings.
Pombra has served Los Altos Hills through her work with the parks and recreation department. Additionally, Pombra holds leadership positions at Kaiser Permanente, specifically as chief of the neuromedicine department.
Pombra said that her experience as a physician has prepared her to listen intently to people’s concerns, and take appropriate meaningful action.
“I’ve been a physician for 28 years. People come to me with complaints. I listen. I look at the facts, and then I work towards the best solution that I can,” Pombra said. “I’ve learned to work hard, so I would want to bring that commitment and hard work (for) my town that has given so much to my family.”
