Facing the Future
The future ain’t what it used to be, quipped Yogi Berra, and he might well have been talking about Burlingame in 2009.
Our status quo politics have worked fine for 20 years, but times are changing too fast to simply maintain a “business as usual” approach. The financial tsunami that has hit our nation and our state will not leave Burlingame untouched. The bedrock of our tax base – our hotels and auto dealers – are under unimaginable strains; our city budget is looking at significant cuts, while public pension funding liabilities spiral upwards and Sacramento is ready to put its hand in our pockets; our schools are straining to teach more kids with fewer resources.
But saying that does not mean we are powerless: we can plan for our future and shape it to our advantage, provided we embrace change and do not put our heads in the sand.
I believe there is profound opportunity in Burlingame. I have a strong financial background and am used to working with people to forge creative solutions. I have spent 8 years as a Planning Commissioner and 12 years building companies while managing a successful venture capital fund. Previously I served as an international diplomat in Syria, Hong Kong and Washington DC.
- I was part of the Planning Commission team that worked with Sutter Health to get a $500 million hospital built in our North End;
- I have been a key member of the Safeway Working Group aimed at bridging the divide between city and store so that we can have a great new store that is pedestrian friendly, with public areas and complementary retail;
- I have pressed for affordable housing; and
- I have worked with dedicated citizens to introduce “living green” initiatives in the Green Fair and to our Council that if followed will, over time, reduce our power demands and lessen our carbon footprint.
Our city’s strengths – schools, shops, businesses, trees, neighborliness – are a great foundation but we cannot rest on our laurels.
- We can do more to enhance neighborhood connections and search for ways to unclog our streets;
- We can plan and find creative ways to fund the needed redevelopment of our downtown, including the widening of sidewalks so that strollers can co-exist with patio dining;
- We can lift Burlingame’s voice in the high speed rail debate -- I am good at working to influence large groups -- with a view to ensuring that if high speed rail is built it is done in a way that enhances, not destroys our town;
- We must look for new ways to provide and enhance government services, including working with our neighboring communities; we do not want to be like the auto industry and wake up one day to find our whole model is broken because the CEO or politician did not think about the long term;
- We can do more to promote Burlingame as a great place to live and work and encourage more businesses to relocate here;
- We can find public private partnerships to increase the public arts and sports amenities in our town;
- We must follow our urban reforestation plans & continue to uphold Burlingame as the City of Trees; and
- We must recognize and support strong parochial and public schools as they promote property values and bring young families to our city, which is the lifeblood of any community.
As a member of the Burlingame City Council I will work tirelessly and creatively on these priorities.
Let’s get it done!
Thank you.
We Did It!
Yes, Thanks to the three thousand four hundred and twelve people that voted for him, Michael Brownrigg topped the polls and will be taking a seat on Burlingame City Council.
Thank you Burlingame!