My Statement on Being Elected Mayor of Corte Madera

Last night, my colleagues on the Town Council chose me to serve as the Mayor of Corte Madera for the next year. The opportunity to serve as mayor of my hometown is by far the greatest honor of my life, and I thank the Council for their trust and support, as well as the community that put me in office.

This is a daunting time to take the helm, with many challenges arrayed against our Town. Our community is currently in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic, and what is shaping up to be the worst economic disaster in Corte Madera’s history looms immediately behind the pandemic.

Despite the circumstances, I am confident that we will weather this storm. Hard lessons learned after the 2008 recession and careful fiscal stewardship have left our Town in a better position than we were going into the 2008 recession, and we are prepared. Difficult decisions lie ahead, but ultimately, our Town and our community will emerge from these trials stronger and more united.

As we chart a course through these immediate crises, we will not lose sight of the long-term issues our Town faces as well, including sea level rise, wildfire, and maintaining our critical infrastructure. I look forward to working with the Council and Town staff to meet each of these challenges as best we can.

I also want to extend my warmest welcome to our two newest Councilmembers, Fred Casissa and Charles Lee, and congratulate David Kunhardt on his election as Vice Mayor.