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Trusted Leadership for Palo Alto
Palo Alto needs trusted leadership to foster smart, sustainable growth, robust public safety, and the essential services, public spaces, and facilities that sustain our vibrant community.
"Keith is a dedicated leader with an intense work ethic who will be effective immediately on the Council. He brings an exceptional breadth of experience having served for 12+ years on Palo Alto commissions and advisory bodies tackling housing, land use, transportation, parks and recreation, retail recovery, and rail crossings." - Ed Lauing, Vice Mayor, City of Palo Alto
I've been endorsed by the Sierra Club! I’m committed to continuing my work to protect our environment, improve bike safety, and ensure sustainable housing solutions that fit Palo Alto’s unique character.
I've also been endorsed by the Palo Alto Daily Post in their article "Burt, Stone, Summa, and Reckdahl for council" where they wrote:
"Often, candidates talk about what they will do, as if they possessed a magic...we favored those who had a practical mindset with realistic ideas. Candidates who have the ability to roll up their sleeves and get the job done, rather than grandstanding and virtue signaling." --Palo Alto Daily Post
and they said:
"Reckdahl is well qualified to serve on the council. He’s a known quantity." --Palo Alto Daily Post
And, I've been endorsed by the Palo Alto Professional Firefighters Local 1319. They recognized my work leading Measure K to restore critical staffing to our fire departments that was cut during the pandemic along with my unwavering support for Public Safety.
The Palo Alto Weekly recently described my grassroots campaign saying:
"Reckdahl has amassed a coalition of supporters that transcends the usual political paradigm."-- Palo Alto Weekly
My Experience
For over a decade, I’ve been actively involved in tackling Palo Alto’s most pressing issues—housing, retail, planning, transportation, parks, and community services—through our city’s boards and commissions. My work on these commissions and working groups has resulted in meaningful improvements that directly benefit our community.
I understand the challenges ahead and am committed to finding practical, comprehensive solutions that serve all residents. By fostering collaboration and using a holistic approach, we can make Palo Alto an even better place to live.
With a career in aerospace engineering, I’ve sharpened my analytical skills and built consensus among diverse teams to solve complex problems. These abilities are essential in addressing the big-picture issues our city faces. I’m dedicated to using this experience to help Palo Alto thrive and ensure its long-term prosperity.
Thoughtful Housing and Renter Protections
I believe new housing should be built throughout the city: in our two downtown areas, along El Camino Real and San Antonio Road, and in the Stanford Research Park. Unlike some Council candidates, I do not support radical Builder’s Remedy Projects that would allow developers to exploit a loophole to build projects out of scale with our community. I have championed new housing for all incomes to address our jobs/housing imbalance and in 2022 I led the successful Measure K campaign to fund affordable housing.
I support renter protections, including security deposit limits and preventing wrongful termination, while ensuring new rental housing construction is not discouraged.
A Livable Community
Our city's vibrancy stems from policies integrating housing, retail, walking and biking paths, parks, and community centers with our core values. I believe we must support our community-serving local businesses by simplifying zoning and streamlining permitting. We can improve retail vibrancy through collaboration with merchants on streetscape improvements and events. My work has prioritized collaborating with a wide variety of residents, from youth and seniors to residents from diverse backgrounds and abilities, to expand recreational programs, parks, Cubberley and community centers, and citywide safe bike routes. Our livability is enhanced when we focus our energy to ensure we are meeting the needs of all residents.
Public Safety and Services
Strong public safety fosters a sense of security and well-being that forms the essential backbone of our community. Pandemic budget cuts slashed police and fire staffing so I led the 2022 Measure K campaign to restore funding for public safety and services for the unhoused. We must ensure that all of our fire stations have fire engines with full staffing and that our police department is fully staffed to ensure effective and responsive law enforcement to combat property crime.
Climate Protection and Our Natural Environment
As a nine-year member of the Parks & Recreation Commission, I am committed to protecting Palo Alto’s treasured natural environment and our leading climate protection plan through investments in reliable utilities, sustainable infrastructure, and incentives to reduce our carbon footprint. We must also continue to pursue projects that address climate adaptation, such as addressing sea-level rise and fire protection and prevention. Together, we will make progress to address the needs of future generations of Palo Altans.
Join Me in Building a Better Palo AltoTogether, we can move beyond factionalized politics to foster and expand Palo Alto's quality of life, implement thoughtful housing growth, and improve cooperation between citizens and our city government. If you support a Palo Alto that is inclusive, innovative, sustainable, and fiscally sound, please vote for me to serve you on the Palo Alto City Council.
-Keith Reckdahl.
Keith's Facebook PagePaid for by Keith Reckdahl for City Council 2024 FPPC#1470088.