Honorable Mayor Wolosin and fellow Councilmembers,
Thank you for your time this evening and for all of your great work on behalf of the City of Menlo Park. As you know, I am a commissioner on the Environmental Quality Commission but I am commenting tonight as an individual.
I would like to express my strong support for the appointment of Maria Doerr as the District 5 councilmember to serve the balance of Ray Mueller’s term. While you have many strong candidates, I was most impressed by Ms. Doerr. Her application is exceptional and she demonstrated during her interview that she is confident, well-spoken, knowledgeable, and does her homework, all traits that would serve her well in her role as a councilmember. Although Menlo Park is served by district-specific councilmembers, our councilmembers must also represent the common good of the City. I feel Ms. Doerr has the perspective, education, and life and work experiences to make decisions that are not only good for District 5, but the entire city. Moreover, she is bilingual which is an incredibly valuable skill that will allow her to effectively communicate with the broader Menlo Park population. I also feel that she will bring the voice of a younger generation that is not always represented on City Council. And when it comes to climate and housing, two of the most important issues facing Menlo Park, her generation’s voice is one that deserves representation. Lastly, Ms. Doerr’s experience as a community organizer will help her bring people together and find common ground and consensus.
With respect, I ask that you appoint Maria Doerr to serve as the Councilmember for District 5.
Sincerely,
John McKenna
Menlo Park, CA
(650) 776-8548
