Issues

Terry believes that the strength of democracy depends on well-informed citizens who actively participate in government. She wants you to understand where she stands on the issues facing Burlingame. Click on the links below to read about her thoughts on important matters that will shape the future of our city. Her key priorities for the future are:

• Create jobs and stimulate the economy. Terry will help carry out the vision for our city in its new Downtown Plan and will continue to make Burlingame a business friendly community.
• Cut costs and build reserves to fund future needs. The City Council has dramatically reduced spending since 9/11 and has begun forecasting budgets over six years. It currently budgets for only 2 percent growth in revenues each year and will bank any excess funds for long-term needs.
• Provide better transportation. As a member of the county’s Transportation Authority, Terry is fighting the ill-conceived high speed rail proposal and is helping to shape transportation for the future. She believes we should create a transportation plan that serves our city’s needs – not those of high speed rail. She is strongly opposed to any proposal that would divide our community.
• Leverage resources with schools. Terry will continue to forge city-school partnerships to save money and maximize service to the public.
• Encourage clean green projects that pay for themselves in energy savings. One example is the cogeneration system at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, which saves our city about $150,000 a year.

Financial Health and Economic Development

Our city's finances are in excellent shape. To bring in more revenues, we’ve been aggressively courting businesses and it's working. Between 2009-10 and 2010-11, our sales tax revenues have increased 28 percent and our income from our local hotel tax has risen 29 percent. A number of new businesses have opened in Burlingame, including Nissan.

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High Speed Rail & Transportation

As a member of the county’s Transportation Authority, I believe we must begin planning now for transportation improvements that will serve our needs in the future. Our current county transit system will continue to be insufficient for our needs until we can agree on the improvements we want.

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Support for Education

As a former  PTA president and Honorary Life Member of the Lincoln PTA I have always been a strong supporter of schools and have helped on numerous school parcel tax campaigns, including many nights of phone banking. I am supporting Measure E for the Burlingame Elementary School District on the November ballot.

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Emergency Preparedness & Crime Prevention

The Neighborhood Network program encourages citizens to work cooperatively in neighborhood teams to prepare for disasters. In the process of getting better acquainted, neighbors are inspired to plan other events such as block parties and holiday get-togethers. Their sense of community fosters a “Neighborhood Watch” awareness that helps prevent crime.

To learn more, click on "more" or contact Terry at terry@terrynagel.com or (650) 347-3576.

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The Greening of Burlingame

There is overwhelming evidence that our planet is undergoing significant changes that may compromise the future welfare of our children and grandchildren. We need to begin acting immediately to reduce carbon emissions and implement more sustainable practices.

Burlingame has already taken significant steps to “go green.” You can read more about the city’s progress to date on the city’s website and see why Burlingame was awarded a national environmental award in 2011. There is much more to be done.

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Civic Engagement

Here’s what I learned at a civic engagement seminar called “Focus on Community Engagement." It was presented by FOCUS (a partnership of four regional agencies in the Bay Area) with Common Sense California and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group

You can read what Burlingame is doing to foster civic engagement here.

Carl Guardino of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group pointed out the value of community participation by asking, “Do you feel more ownership if you build it or you buy it?”

Public engagement enhances government’s effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions

• There is a lower chance of “blowback”
• Decisions are more creative, with better ideas incorporated
• Residents are more informed

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