Welcome
I know you care about Palo Alto as much as I do, and are concerned about the short and long range challenges facing our community. Our residents and business owners are our community’s most valuable resource, with their remarkable vision, knowledge and ability. I am excited about my campaign for City Council and ask for your support so that together we may renew Palo Alto.
It's About Land Use
Whether it's High Speed Rail, Stanford Medical Center plans, dense housing developments, parking problems, the questionable public benefits of PC zoning changes, Land Use is a top priority. I've served on the Planning Commission for the last eight years, and will dutifully apply my considerable land use expertise to the many issues and projects facing our city.
Making Economic Dollars and Sense
Let's face it, citizens and our City government are going through tough economic times. We can't have a business as usual approach when it comes to the City's budget, bureaucracy, services, and aging infrastructure. I will analyze proposals with a fiscal-impact lens that illuminates need, waste, duplication, alternatives, and creative citizen solutions.
Honoring the Public Trust
As people who love, respect and value Palo Alto, we must recognize there is sagging satisfaction with the City according to the Level of Service survey and community comments. It's time to reconnect with the people who actually pay the freight for this city... who are most impacted by governmental decisions... who are so busy raising families and working that they don't always have the time to weigh in on issues. We must respect the citizens of Palo Alto by restoring the public trust.
Quotes
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Palo Alto faces a range of critical land use choices over the next few years. Karen has shown time and again that she believes that the best decisions flow from an open and transparent public process.
Greg Schmid, Palo Alto City Council Member
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Our neighborhoods, north and south, are the heart and soul of Palo Alto. Karen not only knows this but acts on it with decisions that support walkable neighborhoods, local retail business, and City services to residents.
Annette Glanckopf, Former Chair Palo Alto Neighborhoods and Midtown Residents Association
As a small business owner, I respect Karen’s creative, balanced approach to problem solving, and appreciate her rare sense of dedication to the support of local business.
Faith Bell, Bell's Books
Karen Holman is a trustworthy and dear friend. Palo Altans will find her reliable and committed to speak up and stand up for what is in their best interest.
Sean Maloney, Executive Vice President INTEL Corp.
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The City Council will benefit from Karen’s deep knowledge of land use and planning in decisions impacting the environment. Karen’s commitment, awareness, and experience will protect our treasured Baylands and parks.
Emily Renzel, Former City Council Member
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Karen is smart, thoughtful and collaborative – a proven combination for City Council.
Barbara Mitchell, President, PAUSD Board of Education
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Karen is by far the most experienced, non-incumbent candidate in this election. She is dedicated to maintaining the quality of life that residents value, and she’ll be a tough guardian of the taxpayers’ dollars.
Pat Burt, Palo Alto City Council Member
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During City consideration of a new, much larger recycling facility in the Baylands, I watched Karen refocus the debate from recycling to that of waste reduction, a vastly more effective environmental strategy. Karen's skill transformed the discussion, allowed prompt action, prevented needless Bayland development, and facilitated the eventual adoption of our City's Zero Waste policy.
Michael Closson, Executive Director, Acterra
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I’m supporting Karen Holman because she consistently has demonstrated deep knowledge of Palo Alto’s Comprehensive Plan and city code through her years serving as a Planning & Transportation Commissioner. She understands the legal obligations of city officials to carry out the directives of guiding policy documents, and she has the integrity to follow through on those commitments. Equally importantly, she loves our community and her passion to serve is unparalleled.
Penny Ellson