City Council Candidate: Robert Gottschalk

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of six profiles of Millbrae candidates.

Robert Gottschalk thinks the current economic climate demands a council member with experience.

So the public should not mistake a new candidate’s enthusiasm for competence, he said.

“It’s going to take someone at least a year to get grounded in the process,” he said. “It’s more challenging now [fiscally] than it’s been in the last 10 years.”

Gottschalk served two terms on the council, joining in 2001, and he’s proud that during his tenure, Millbrae acquired Kohl’s, Trader Joe’s, Peet’s Coffee, and a few other businesses as well as housing developments.

Although he doesn’t foresee, nor want to promise, a quick solution to the city’s financial woes, he thinks a first step is to simplify the business application process and expedite building permits.

“Applicants are brought to the planning commission time and time again, study session after study session,” he said. “This costs them architect fees, legal fees and interest on bank loans.”

This is especially crucial now, as many , he said.

Although Gottschalk is opposed to raising taxes, he thinks than an assessment fee, like the one that funds the Fire Department, may be necessary to fund some city services, such as the Police Department.

“I think everyone wants to us to have our own police department, however when its no longer financially feasible, we have to look at the alternatives,” he said.

But, if the city outsources to the Sheriff’s Office, then Gottschalk wants to protect Millbrae officers’ jobs and salaries.

In addition to preserving cops’ jobs, he’s worried about hotel owners too. He opposes a hotel near the BART station – – and prefers a mixed-use development.

“Our hotels are not at full capacity,” he said, indicating the BART hotel may take much needed business away from Millbrae’s current hotels.

In the long term, the city needs to take advantage of being a hub between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, even for international travelers, he said.

Gottschalk helped start a . As the relationship flourishes, he hopes this may attract foreign business investment and a student exchange program.

He will likely visit Kaiping next year, but for now is focusing on the election.

He asks that voters support candidates with city council or planning commission experience because the city cannot afford unqualified people during a financial crisis.

To learn more about Robert Gottschalk, check out his website at robertgottschalk.com