About

Below is a brief summary of Karen's background and community involvement. Please feel free to contact Karen for a more in depth biography.

Background

Having lived in Palo Alto for over 30 years, I have come to appreciate how my hometown set some expectations and appreciation of the built and natural environment. It helps me recognize so much that is good about our town.

I was born in Carthage, Missouri, a small town with a dense canopy that often meets in the middle of the street. Much of the town's core is either stately or working class post-bellum architecture built of native materials and more recent, largely compatible, infill construction ordered around a square, which was once the primary shopping district. The visual appeal and organization of Carthage is what prompted me to major in art and graphic design in college. Good design, old or new, really excites me.

I had four older brothers, and with a large yard, beautiful parks, and surrounding countryside, sports and exploring were natural activities. We were born to older parents who had lived through the Depression, so we learned not to waste anything of value. When my former husband and I moved to Palo Alto, I thought we had achieved Nirvana. Remarkable canopy, beautiful neighborhoods, a downtown reminiscent of Bailey Falls at night, Christmas Tree Lane, May Fete Parade, numerous bookstores, and the Bijou Theatre. And Stanford University was a big bonus. Now I can't imagine living anywhere else.

I grew up curious, eager to be out of doors, and with a keen sense of fairness. I'm glad I've maintained these values as an adult.

These interests and qualities led me to become engaged in Palo Alto activities in ways that I never considered when we moved here. More recent concerns over projects that do not serve the community well and need for better transparency in City processes have held my attention.

It has been my privilege to invest time and energy in such activities as eight years on the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission, serving two years as chair, as well as neighborhood associations, the Palo Alto Zero Waste Task Force, and the Palo Alto History Museum.

I would be honored to serve you on the Palo Alto City Council.

Experience

  • Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commission, 8 years, 2-term chair
  • Palo Alto History Museum, Executive Director
  • Conservation and preservation consultant
  • South of Forest Area Plan I Working Group member
  • South of Forest Area Plan II Working Group co-chair
  • University South Neighborhood Assoc. Board, former
  • Palo Alto Stanford Heritage docent and President, former
  • Palo Alto Historical Association board
  • Palo Alto Woman's Club First Vice President, former
  • East Palo Alto reading program tutor
  • Education:
  • University of Arkansas, Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Arts

Ballot Statement

Occupation:

Small business owner, consultant.

Education and qualifications:

  • Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Commissioner;
  • Palo Alto History Museum Project Director;
  • South of Forest Working Group Co-Chair;
  • Woman's Club Board;
  • University South Neighborhood Assoc. Board;
  • Leadership Palo Alto. BA, Graphic Arts, University of Arkansas.

A Palo Alto resident since 1975, I've seen our neighborhoods, retail centers, parks, and public facilities challenged by economic trends, budgetary issues, and outmoded government processes.

My eight years on the Planning & Transportation Commission and my diverse business, civic, and volunteer experiences have prepared me for our City's major issues:

  1. Land Use. We must balance projects such as high speed rail, Stanford Medical Center redevelopment, and housing densification with impacts on neighborhoods, parks, public services, traffic, and schools.
  2. Fiscal Responsibility. We need bold, creative leadership in managing a fiscally-responsible budget that includes elimination of waste, and authentic attraction and retention of retail vitality.
  3. Honoring the Public Trust. We must restore the public trust by re-establishing fairness and requiring transparent, open government that adheres to its governing documents.

I would be honored to serve you. www.karenholman.org