Should the City Hire an Economic Development Specialist?

Last Tuesday evening, at San Mateo city council-elect Maureen Freschet's victory party, Mary Morrissey Parden and I had the opportunity to spend about 20 minutes with Supervisor Carole Groom.  We discussed many issues, including the reasons for the departure of the recent San Mateo County Manager. 

That discussion lead us to the number one challenge facing Belmont and the entire County for the next few years....how to increase revenues without increasing taxes.  If I understood what she said, Supervisor Groom indicated that we are in a new era.  Our thinking, strategy, and actions must change as related to open space, green issues, zoning changes, and the debate between reactive vs. proactive economic development.  She also noted that of all the cities that have Economic Development Directors, none are proactive, (they admitted this fact during the Progress Seminar earlier this year) and that must change or the cities will be left behind. 

During the past ten years, I have been advocating the employment of an Economic Development Director to proactively bring appropriate businesses into Belmont.  The "Villages" create an even greater need to bring in the best businesses to our City.

Belmont department heads Greg Scoles, Thomas Fil, Don Mattei and Carlos de Melo are doing a good job but is it fair to place that burden on key executives who have their hands full with current responsibilities?

Is it time for Belmont to have a full-time Economic Development Specialist?

If so, send an E-Mail to the City Council and tell them you want one.