City Council Candidate Q & A: Chuck Bernstein

Tell me about the time when you realized you wanted to run for office.

I have always wanted to run, but I had young children. I was very unhappy with what council members who I had helped get elected were doing. I decided I'd spend less time doing it myself than relying on others.

Do you live in Menlo Park?

Yes. I really like Menlo Park. I came out here for graduate school in 1968. I started as a student and this year I became a senior. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended Princeton as undergrad. Then I came to Stanford to get my grad degree—a Ph.D. in language and linguistics, and then an MBA.

Talk to me about your perception of the Menlo Gateway Project.

I really oppose the Bohannon Gateway Project. 200,000 square feet of a hotel is good. The other 1.3 million square feet is office and parking that creates traffic, has an impact on the schools, and creates a demand for housing. Where are we going to put another 1,800 new homes?. It's not a smart development. What about developing on El Camino, on the empty car dealership lots? We need to find a plan to take care of that, a plan that will provide services and income for Menlo Park.

Share your thoughts about the Pension Reform ballot measure.

I was the leader of the signature gathering effort Public Places, so I'm a supporter. I think that pensions are simply too large. As a city, you can't guarantee a certain pension. But this is only step one, and step one reduces the amount of the pensions. 70-80 percent of our budget is people. I'm not going to live someplace where I'm going to pay for people to retire at 50.

You are the President and founder of the Early Learning Institute in Palo Alto. How does this set you apart from the other candidates?

I have the professional experience. I have 140 employees who have to get paychecks twice a month. We have 500 families that we're serving at the Institute, and they're watching our every move. I know what it means to try to please people. I understand the problems that Menlo Park managers have—I come from that world.

In a sense, I have the most miles on my odometer. I've raised a family, been involved in scouting and youth sports. I've been involved in politics for 25 years, speaking out and appearing.

You've requested a limit on campaign spending. Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign?

I would like to spend between $20 and $25,000, but I'm going to have to raise that.

Who are your biggest campaign contributors?

I haven't received a check over $500. In Menlo Park, there are traditionally two factions that exist: residentialists and pro-development. I have supporters from both camps, and I am the only candidate supported by both those groups.

Are you pro or anti labor unions?

I think that unions have a place and that historically, unions were heroic in overcoming abuses that existed in American business. But, in some cases, unions have come to be the abusers. I think labor unions are going to have to get a lot smarter about dealing with economic realities. I think unions need to listen and realize that somebody who gets a $2,000 a month pension is not going to be willing to pay for someone who gets a $20,000 a month pension just because that person works for the city. From a public perspective, there isn't anything redeeming about union activity today.

What's your favorite thing about Menlo Park?
There are so many interesting people here, who have had incredible lives. It's an intellectual, committed, active community that is open to new ideas but committed to basic values. We want maximum freedom but also respect our neighbors. I like that Menlo Park gets that balance of freedom and responsibility.

What are some other issues you are focusing on in your campaign?

There are a couple things I'm pushing really hard for. I really want us to have a balanced budget and financial restraints. We need to live within our means. I want us to clean up what we have—what I call responsible development.

This idea of truth and transparency are important. I don't like secret meetings. As a councilperson, unless it's required by law, I won't attend any secret meetings. You have to be out in the open, or you have to exclude me. I don't want to do meetings with unions in secret.

You can find more information about Bernstein on his website: chuck4council.org

You can also send him an email: chuck4council@ymail.com