Letter to the Community

Dear Palo Altan:

Palo Alto has some very big decisions to make...decisions that will impact the quality and character of our community long into the future. We face very tough choices compounded by the changing economic circumstances...choices that will require a real understanding of our community.

To make these decisions, Palo Alto needs proven, experienced leaders. Leaders with vision and fresh ideas defined by a clear sense of community priorities and purpose. Leaders with the courage and strength to change how the city interacts...with each of us...with community groups...with the school district...and with businesses, large and small, that provide us services and produce the sales taxes that largely pay for City programs.

The need for strong, positive leadership is underscored by some of the recent struggles of the Council. Palo Alto needs a Council that works together for everyone...a Council that will take input from all segments of the community and come to decisions for the greater good...a Council that gives the City Manager and staff the clear policy direction required to implement Council decisions and get the business of the City done efficiently and effectively...a Council made up of strong individuals who can and will work together as a cohesive team for all of Palo Alto.

Jack Morton will give us that kind of leadership.

Jack's history of effective community involvement and commitment to the cherished services that are so important to defining Palo Alto provides clear evidence of what he can and will accomplish when elected to the Council. This history also demonstrates that he has the strength, character, and courage to take on the tough issues.

Jack is a 30-year resident of Palo Alto with a long and varied record of community service. Jack's community activities began at his son's elementary school where, as Treasurer of the Walter Hayes PTA, he helped raise money for classroom aides and for curriculum enrichment.

In the era of school closures, Jack became an active member of the community group that successfully worked to prevent the closure of Gunn High School and to reverse the prevailing view that continued closure of elementary schools was inevitable. Jack served on the School District's Finance Advisory committee and actively supported the Committee's recommendation for a bond measure to fund long overdue facility upgrades. Jack actively worked for passage of the Utility Users' Tax, a City initiative that has provided a solid foundation for our schools.

When he learned that the Winter Lodge was days away from being demolished, Jack quickly and single-handedly organized a group of concerned residents and founded the Trust for Community Skating. Within weeks, the Trust had persuaded the land owner to delay demolition, convinced the City Council to authorize a $25,000 matching grant, and raised the necessary matching funding. The Trust qualified measures A & B which voters overwhelmingly passed in 1985. Jack has helped Community Skating, Inc. maintain its pledge to the voters to be operationally self-sufficient. Jack's efforts to fully implement the voters' intent has continued unabated through the 16 years it has taken to get final approval from the City for operation of a youth tennis program to complement the Winter Lodge's nationally acclaimed ice skating program, one of Palo Alto's most prized recreational activities.

Jack is a founding and continuing board member of the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, and is its current president. The Foundation has worked for 12 years to raise funds through the Black and White Ball to help support a wide variety of community programs ranging from youth sports to culture (examples include: after-school athletics

For our middle schools and exhibits at the Junior Museum and the Baylands Nature Center).

Jack is a CPA who works with small businesses and non-profit organizations. After serving for a number of years asthe auditor of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, Jack was invited to become a Chamber Director where he was an advocate for small business and a founding member of the Palo Alto Jazz Festival. At a time when the City is asking the community to tax itself to meet long overlooked infrastructure needs, Jack's financial and management expertise will be particularly valuable to the Council.

Jack has served as auditor and/or accountant financial advisor for many local non-profit organizations including Adolescent Counseling Services, the Alzheimer's Association of the Greater Bay Area, the Friends of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre, the Community Working Group, the Museum of American Heritage, Palo Alto Community Child Care, the Palo Alto Housing Corporation, and Urban Ministries. This professional work has given him great insight to the social needs of the community.

On November 6, you have the power to make a real difference in the quality of the City Government in Palo Alto. Join us and help elect Jack Morton to the Palo Alto City Council.

Sincerely,

Linda Stebbins Jensen

Marsha H. Alper

Duf Sundeim

Julie Jerome

Larry Hassett

Bern Beecham

P.S. Jack Morton is a uniquely qualified and very exceptional candidate who gives us the opportunity to elect the very best to lead our community. Please join us, and a rapidly growing list of people from every part of Palo Alto, and give him your endorsement and the financial support he will need to put his energy, talent, and ideas to work for all of us.