10 Questions for: April Vargas, Board of Supervisors Candidate

A San Mateo County resident for nearly 40 years, April Vargas has lived in the coastal town of Montara since 1983. She is a local business owner and an active member of the Half Moon Bay/Coastside Chamber of Commerce. April has had a passion for community issues since college and has always worked to protect the quality of our lives here in San Mateo County. She and her partner of 22 years, Jeff Olson, purchased their Montara home in 1993. Shortly after, she became locally active and was appointed to a committee created by the County Department of Public Works to update local road standards and address flooding and safety concerns.

In 1995 when the Devil’s Slide section of Hwy 1 was closed for over 5 months due to landslides, April was one of a small group of locals who fought to replace the unsafe portion of the road with a tunnel. Facing strong opposition from Caltrans, the group collected over 30,000 signatures and placed a measure favoring the tunnel on the ballot countywide. In November of 1996 voters passed this initiative by an astonishing 74%. After this major victory for San Mateo County, the same group won County approval to expand the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District to the coast, protecting coastal resources and preserving farmland.

April was later elected to the Midcoast Community Council and has also served as a legislative advocate for Committee for Green Foothills from 2003-2005. She later worked as a community organizer for SEIU/United Health Care Workers.

A lifelong pro-choice Democrat, April Vargas was a Congressional District Coordinator for the Barack Obama campaign and was elected as an Obama delegate to the 2008 National Convention.

If you are interested in finding out more about April you can visit her web site by clicking here.

April is a very busy woman, but right now she has agreed to sit still and answer 10 Montara Life questions.

April, what’s on your mind right now?

The importance of electing Handler, Ruddock and Freer to the Half Moon Bay City Council on November 3 and passing national health care reform with a robust public option as soon as possible.

What do you see the coastside looking like in 50 years time?

Still beautiful though somewhat changed with a well used, well maintained system of trails extending from HMB over the mountain into Pacifica. Local agriculture is thriving and the fishing industry is back but in a more limited capacity than in years past. The area continues to be a tourist destination and with reduced speeds, median landscaping and a parallel trail along highway one, there are fewer cars and more pedestrians and bicycles. Princeton is home to several start up businesses, some of which are developing alternative forms of energy and technology to restore our oceans. There is a system of recreational facilities, including permanent sports fields, that are used by all Coastside residents. There is a youth activities center that serves the area. here are school gardens at all CUSD locations and student lunches feature produce grown on site. The schools function as community centers on weekends and during non-school hours and there is a student health clinic at each location. Schools are powered by solar panels and the electricity made available at overnight electric vehicle charging stations located nearby. I could go on but it’s late. Thomas Friedman’s Hot, Flat and Crowded contains many innovative scenarios to inspire our local imaginations.

Why did you get involved in Coastside politics?

I wanted to see our street paved in a way that provided adequate drainage without requiring unnecessary  urban features like parking bays. It took about 2 years, several surveys, many hearings and changing a county ordinance but we got it done. Our neighborhood has retained its rural ambiance while the garages of houses on the down hill side of the street no longer flood during heavy rains. We were able to address a common need in a way that respected the uniqueness of the local area and the wishes of the community. It is very unfortunate that every Midcoast neighborhood was not able to organize and finance similar street and drainage improvements. It was a daunting, often frustrating challenge that initiated me into the system of county governance. With the help of the wonderful legislative aide to our supervisor at the time, we were successful. Next came the battle at Devil’s Slide.

You were instrumental in the Devil’s Slide tunnel project getting approved, how do you think the tunnel will change the coast?

This project will remain as a testament to the power of a small community to create positive change. It will attract tourists to the spectacular hiking and biking trail along the abandoned portion of the road and finally provide a safe and reliable route for those of us who live here. Local businesses can benefit from increased tourism but it will become even more important to effectively balance the needs of visitors and residents. Some speculate that property values will rise as the area becomes more easily accessible.  I am hopeful that the new route will eliminate most if not all of the horrific accidents that occur far too often.

Global warming, fact or fiction?

A fact that we ignore or minimize at our own peril.

Outside of the political area, who is your biggest hero and why?

My wonderful life partner, Jeff. He is the most supportive and caring person I know. He has shown incredible patience in accepting the challenges of my very politically active life.

In your opinion, what does it take to be a good Supervisor?

The ability to: see the big picture without losing sight of the individual details;  maintain an awareness of our collective responsibility to listen, respond, learn, teach, challenge, encourage, aspire, inspire and protect ourselves, each other and the magnificent world we live in; remember that it’s not about me, it’s about all of us together.

What item do you never leave the house without?

A positive attitude.

Where is your favorite spot in Montara, and why?

can’t name just one — standing on Montara Beach looking up at Devil’s Slide, standing on Devil’s Slide looking down on Montara Beach, standing next to Point Montara Lighthouse an hour before sunset, sitting on our deck looking out at the Farallones at any hour, walking down Farallone Ave to the beach in late December after sunset, seeing all of the holiday lights, walking down George St. in costume on Halloween night, standing with over 700 people on the playground at Farallone View Elementary, participating in a health care town hall meeting with our representative, Jackie Speier.  Why? A feeling of peace, a sense of wonder and a connection to our very special community.

Are you dressing up for Halloween, if so, what as?

If I told you it wouldn’t be as much fun!!