Over the past four years, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on what makes a small town function well—not just operationally, but humanly. Again and again, I return to the same conclusion: kindness matters.
And not just kindness between neighbors, but kindness within governance itself. For me, the truest expression of kindness in governing is patience—patience with process, patience with one another, and patience with ourselves as we learn, grow, and sometimes stumble forward.
Running a town this small is very different from governing a larger municipality. In Mountain View, voters elect a Mayor who directly administers the Town, alongside a Council of six people representing just twelve square blocks. None of us set out to be politicians or municipal administrators. We live here. We care deeply about this place. And we want to help. That reality calls for humility from all of us.
With that context in mind, I want to be clear about two related—but distinct—things that are happening as we begin a new year.
First, this column reflects my personal perspective as Mayor—how I hope to approach leadership as I begin working with a newly seated Council. That perspective is grounded in a personal commitment to kindness, patience, clear communication, and building trust as we navigate complex issues together.
Second, Council has begun its own important work of identifying potential goals for 2026. During a recent workshop on December 15, Council engaged in a thoughtful and courageous discussion about what it hopes to achieve as a governing body. The conversation was both bold and honest, acknowledging the desire to pursue ambitious projects while also recognizing the need for structure, clarity, and prioritization.
The proposed Council goals—included elsewhere on this page—are intended to capture that big-picture direction. They are not final, and they are not mine alone. They will be discussed publicly, refined collaboratively, and developed further through Council deliberation in the coming weeks.
They are a set of broad priorities we will use as a starting point—a way to help frame the conversation over the year 2026, and give us a shared sense of direction so we can be successful charting specific projects, timelines, and measures of progress together.
A recurring theme in Council’s discussion was not just what we hope to accomplish, but how we work together while doing it. In reflecting on that conversation, and my own personal goals, I recognize that I can do a better job of slowing down, listening more fully, and creating space for dialogue rather than urgency. As a result, my personal resolution for the year ahead is simple: to lead with greater patience.
Patience is not passivity. For me, it is an active choice to slow down, listen more carefully, and resist the urge to move faster than the conversation—or the people in it—are ready for. Leadership in a small town is highly visible, and I know that how I communicate matters as much as the decisions themselves.
As Mayor, I offer this vision as both a personal commitment and an invitation—to continue building a Mountain View that is safe, welcoming, resilient, and kind. Happy New Year!
