The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce has endorsed three community members, Hung Wei, Orrin Mahoney, and Savita Vaidhyanathan, for City Council. Notably, Mayor Darcy Paul, who was once President of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was not endorsed.
According to the Sept. 13 press release, Andrew Walters, Chamber of Commerce Board President, said, “Cupertino faces challenges involving traffic, housing and redevelopment.” He believes that these candidates “have the experience and abilities to move our community forward.”
There are seven candidates vying for three open Cupertino City Council seats in the upcoming Nov. 6 election.
Savita Vaidhyanathan (incumbent): Former Mayor/Board Member Valley Transportation Authority
Website: www.savita4cupertino.com
Campaign statement: I’m honored to serve Cupertino on the City Council since 2014. I ask for your vote again to continue solving the challenges we face in Transportation, Housing, Environment and Senior living. You can count on me to work on these priorities. On transportation, I represent five West Valley Cities on Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board. As your elected representative I drove initiatives to cut traffic congestion, reduce pollution and support our Youth and Seniors. During my year as Mayor, I spearheaded POGO carpool app for students and RYDE curb-to-curb transportation for Seniors. The city received state-wide awards for reducing carbon emissions. I led approval for more senior affordable housing. Earlier, I helped negotiate $350M from Measure B for transportation solutions in Cupertino and Highway 85. I regularly encourage youth civic programs like “Girls in Government”. The challenges we face require regional solutions in collaboration with our neighboring cities and county agencies. As Councilmember and Mayor, I’ve proven my ability to build consensus, and dialogue with Apple and San Jose to meaningfully mitigate traffic. That’s why I’m endorsed by elected leaders in Cupertino and neighboring cities supporting my approach to real achievable solutions.
Hung Wei: Governing Board Member, Fremont Union High School District
Website: hungwei.org
Campaign statement: Hung Wei has lived in Cupertino since 1990. She is an advocate for public education. In 2007, Hung served on the Governing Board of Fremont Union High School District, serving 10,000+ students from Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead, Lynbrook, and Monta Vista High Schools. Her model is “Servant Leadership” – serve with compassion, communication and collaboration; lead with transparency, fiscal health, and heart for teens. During her tenure, Fremont Union High School District has strived to educate the “whole” child – fostering high standards in academic successes, while cultivating pathways in performing arts, sports, STEM, business and entrepreneurial skills. Hung’s volunteer work doesn’t stop at the school level. She volunteers at nonprofits including the High Schools Foundation, the Northwest YMCA, Asian American Parent Association, the Rotary Club of Cupertino, and EMQ Auxiliary supporting Uplift Family Services. With 11 years of school board service and 20+ years of community volunteering, Hung has developed deep dedication and love for Cupertino, a hometown to her! Vote Hung Wei for Heart for Cupertino – Hung will dedicate her time, energy, and passion in bringing collaborative spirits to Cupertino City governance, to build teamwork, unity, and solutions, in moving Cupertino forward with innovative and positive future vision.
Orrin Mahoney: Former Mayor
Website: www.mahoney4council.com
Campaign statement: I am running for Cupertino City Council again to help create a Council that will collaboratively work together to achieve progress on Cupertino’s key issues: 1)Skyrocketing housing prices driving teachers, public safety workers, and other key residents to leave Cupertino; 2)Traffic, including short-term relief and future technologies and driving patterns providing long-term solutions; 3)Economic sustainability, so that our major employers and small businesses continue to provide the revenue that supports our City. While on the City Council before, working with my fellow Councilmembers, we added significant improvements to the City including key trail and recreational facilities, such as the Mary Avenue Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge and the Blackberry Farm and Stevens Creek Trail renovation. Many shopping centers were modernized and a thriving community gathering place was established with the Main Street project. Finally, when I was Mayor, Apple Park was approved, providing for Cupertino’s long term economic security with direct and indirect fiscal benefits. Apple recently announced that they will work with the City to develop meaningful traffic solutions. I will work together with my fellow Councilmembers and our residents to move Cupertino forward and create a better place for all of us to live, work, and play. Please re-elect Orrin Mahoney to the Cupertino City Council. www.mahoney4council.com.