The Marin IJ has endorsed Steve's campaign for re-election. In a strongly-worded endorsement of his campaign, the IJ writes:
“Retaining Burdo provides continuity, community experience and a representative who does his homework…”
“He is the longest-serving member of the council. He has made public outreach – getting out and talking to people – a top priority.”
This is a HUGE endorsement for the campaign and a great indication of the momentum of this campaign.
Read the full endorsement article below.
Endorsement: In tight race, IJ picks Burdo, Dittmar for San Anselmo council
As San Anselmo voters decide who will be on the Town Council, their town isn’t facing a lot of unsurmountable problems.
Protecting it from future flooding may continue to be problematic, even though some say it is unsolvable.
But there are no huge local crises and the current council appears to be running the town without the political tumult and dustups seen in recent years. San Anselmo is fortunate to have strong and stable Town Hall management.
Voters have two council seats to fill. Incumbent Councilmember Steve Burdo is seeking his third term. Tarrell Kallaway is retiring, leaving an open seat. Two solid candidates, nonprofit executive Will Dittmar and downtown business owner Philip Chigos join Burdo in a three-candidate race for two council seats.
Retaining Burdo provides continuity, community experience and a representative who does his homework. In this race, Dittmar stands out as someone who provides the perspective of organizational leadership, an awareness of issues facing local businesses and a knowledge of the financial struggles facing many households. Dittmar would strengthen the council’s balance.
Chigos is also a strong candidate. He is a downtown property owner and is a board member of the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce. He says he would be an advocate for local businesses.
Burdo points to his work on the renovation of Memorial Park and his focus on creating a new downtown park as his recent accomplishments. He is the longest-serving member of the council. He has made public outreach – getting out and talking to people – a top priority. His job as a public information officer for Contra Costa County provides him with experience in municipal governance and communication.
In addition to downtown, he wants to see promotion of businesses at Red Hill Plaza and along Greenfield Avenue. He says the “Live on the Avenue” concerts held downtown are a prime example of a way to “bring people to our town.”
The installation of traffic signals guided by artificial-intelligence technology at San Anselmo’s Hub has improved circulation through that busy intersection, he says.
Dittmar wants to see the downtown park become “a world-class park.” He also says the town needs to take a leadership role in keeping San Anselmo Creek clean and maintained in order to help reduce flooding – a longstanding problem that, he says, promises to worsen with climate change.
As CEO of the ExtraFood nonprofit organization, Dittmar works with businesses, governmental agencies and other nonprofits. His agency collects edible food from stores, restaurants and other sources, “rescuing” it from being tossed away and providing it to Bay Area households that need it. In his job, he also manages staff, a payroll and operating budget – skills that should come in handy in steering the town’s finances and services.
Chigos runs several remote business services from his San Anselmo Avenue property. He says the progress the town has made in developing plans for a downtown park still needs more public involvement. Preservation of parking in downtown, especially along San Anselmo Avenue, has to be a priority, he says.
In addition, he would like to see the town increase its traffic and parking enforcement.
On flooding, Chigos calls the failures of the 20-year Ross Valley watershed flood plan “a missed opportunity” and says the town should do more to help residents prepare for flooding.
On housing, San Anselmo faces the same state-mandated quotas as other Bay Area municipalities. It needed to show the ability to approve more than 800 new units by 2031 – a tall order for a small town without much wide-open available acreage.
Burdo says there is a local need for housing and says the 1960s-era bank building at the eastern end of San Anselmo Avenue is “ready made” to be converted into housing.
Dittmar says the town should look for opportunities for “appropriately sized” infill development.
Chigos sees allowing the building of more accessory dwelling units as an answer for addressing the need. He also says the town should consider measures to “incentivize” property owners to actually rent those units for housing.
San Anselmo voters are fortunate to have the caliber of candidates they have on the Nov. 3 ballot.
The IJ editorial board recommends Steve Burdo and Will Dittmar for the two San Anselmo seats up for election.