working together to make San Carlos better

Making Your Mark

Train Station Closeup Tweaked
Dartmouth
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Crestview
Council Rededication 10
Estates Court
Mayor Emma
Vista Park
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St Charles
Tivoli Building
Porto Rosa
City Hall Park Holiday 2018
Portofino
Central Middle School
Porto Marino Canyon
Burton Park Trees
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Friends of the Library
Highlands
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Burton Park Play Structure Lighter
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Youth Center
Burton Park Scoreboard
San Carlos Ave El Camino Real 2
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Burton Park Baseball Diamond
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Welcome!

My name is Mark Olbert, and I’m a former member of the San Carlos, California City Council. This was my site for staying in touch with my constituents. My last day on the Council was December 14, 2020. 

It’s now a platform I use to address local and regional issues that my neighbors may find interesting. 

Here you’ll find my blog, links to articles about municipal issues, and material that will help you understand my Council work and my current views. All these can be accessed through the menu links at the top of every page.

If you’d like to be automatically notified when new content is added to this site just click the Subscribe button at the top of any page. If you’re already a subscriber you can use the Subscribe button to edit your subscription options.

Enjoy! And if you have a moment, drop me a line to let me know what’s on your mind.

The Art of Compromise

Politics is known as the art  of compromise. Tonight the City Council, divided over when and how to hold an election to fill the vacancy created by Andy Klein’s departure, came together on a compromise approach originally proposed by Matt Grocott.
  • 05/29/2012·
  • 0 comments·

Shooting the Moon

The Council met last Friday to discuss when to schedule the election to fill Andy Klein’s seat, and the process we’ll use to make an interim appointment. Despite two compromise proposals put forward by Matt & I we are still deadlocked.
  • 05/21/2012·
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On the Importance of Public Comment

I have a short — some might say too short — bucket list. One of the few items on it is “experience a total solar eclipse”. I’ve been through a fair number of partial ones, but the difference between “almost hidden” and “completely hidden” is tremendous when you’re dealing with…
  • 05/21/2012·
  • 1 comments·

A Rock and a Hard Place

Last night the Council deadlocked over whether to call a special election to fill the seat left by Andy Klein’s resignation. The discussion will resume Friday afternoon at 1 PM, by which time City Counsel will have done more research on the applicable law. There’s a hard stop Friday because…
  • 05/15/2012·
  • 0 comments·

Budget-o-Rama

Last night we had our second budget discussion, part of the process which will ultimately lead to an adopted budget for the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 fiscal years (the City’s fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th). If you’re ever interested in getting a quick overview of what every…
  • 04/24/2012·
  • 1 comments·

Andy Klein Resigns

This afternoon Andy Klein, citing personal issues, resigned from the San Carlos City Council. A copy of his letter of resignation can be downloaded from the City’s website. What does this mean, for the Council and the City?
  • 04/18/2012·
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Disclaimer

The opinions and perspectives expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent those of the City of San Carlos or its City Council.

"Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle." - Jefferson

This is a moderated site, although I prefer to use a light hand. Despite being run by an elected official, it’s a private site, not a public forum. Please see the Etiquette page for more information. 

Note to Colleagues

The Brown Act prohibits a quorum of us from discussing City policies outside a public meeting. Since I have no way of knowing how many of you may or may not come here, it’s best if you do not surf this site.

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