November 8, 2022
Peter Stevenson
Peter Stevenson has been a resident of Burlingame for 30 years, raising his kids in the city and sending them to Burlingame.
His passion for the city is no secret, illustrated through his constant involvement in the community. For example, he served as president of Burlingame Community Education Foundation (BCE), supported the new community center that opened in June by raising funds, helped pass the parcel taxes which is a part of the property tax bill, sat on the Citizens Advisory Board and is a Washington Dads Club alum.
Stevenson had nothing but good things to say about the area when asked about his ongoing devotion.
“What I love about Burlingame is just community,” Stevenson said. “The opportunity to really get to know and be familiar with so many people across the community, and also being a part of the community and its diversity is so important to me.”
If elected, Stevenson plans to devote more time to the concerns of safety and transportation. He’s a big believer in a sustainable mobile world where people are able to be less dependent on their vehicles while still enjoying parts of the community such as Burlingame avenue or Broadway. He also placed emphasis on affordable housing.
“I think it’s important that we maintain the diversity of our community and have affordable places for everybody,” Stevenson said. “When you think of teachers, service workers and first responders, not everyone can afford a home, with the average price set in Burlingame, so, being able to have a balanced view is one solution to better housing.”
Stevenson is determined to make Burlingame the best version of itself and match his expectations for a great city. Above all, he is grateful for the opportunity to serve his community.
“I wanted an opportunity to give back. I’m a roll up my sleeves person you know, not necessarily seeking the limelight,” Stevenson said. “I’m more excited about the outcome of something than I am with a title. And that’s my philosophy. I’ll definitely bring that to the council if I’m elected”.
Michael Brownrigg
This is Michael Brownrigg’s fourth time running for Burlingame City Council, having run in the years 2009, 2013 and 2017. So far, Brownrigg describes his experience with the elections as nothing short of hard work.
“The past elections were very competitive,” Brownrigg said. “I worked really hard and made sure I knocked on lots of doors and saw lots of people. We had robust debates between the candidates.”
However, since this election is by district instead of at large, things have changed.
“This election has been entirely different,” Brownrigg said. “Up until this year, every election has been at large. But, the state enacted a law set a number of years ago that made it easy for a law firm to sue smaller cities if they have at-large elections because of the supposed lack of diversity… I don’t like that law, when you’re talking about tiny cities like ours then I think at-large elections are much better.”
Brownrigg wholeheartedly believes that Burlingame is a great city and aims to make it even better. He wishes to keep what makes it great while fixing the challenges the community faces. He loves the eye-catching parks, great schools and pretty streets.
“I think what makes Burlingame the most special is that we have been a community that has lots of different people,” Brownrigg said, “people who are, you know, making a lot of money and people who are not making so much. We have professional firefighters living next to biotech executives.”
In terms of new change, Brownrigg says to look out for a new times square hitting the downtown around 2024 complete with foosball, ping-pong and a stage.
Ricardo Ortiz
Ricardo Ortiz is no stranger to the Burlingame scene. Ortiz was elected to City Council in 2013 and served as mayor in 2017. As a Burlingame resident for over 20 years, he first moved to the town in 1993 and currently resides with his wife Lauren Barranti.
Ortiz has a long-standing commitment to giving back to his community, which he fulfills through volunteering and taking part in local organizations. He previously served as the president of the Burlingame High School Drama Boosters, president of the Men’s Club, treasurer of the Burlingame Rotary Club, among others.
He is adamant that Burlingame continues to practice fiscal restraint, so that present and future inhabitants can continue to enjoy the town as it is. Ortiz is a great proponent of embracing an environmentally conscious future and doing our share to address local issues without sacrificing the small-town charm.
Finally, in terms of education, Ortiz thinks the city should sustain its tight relationship with the elementary school district. He asserts that Burlingame’s schools continue to be the biggest factor of attraction for families.
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Sophia Doss is a senior and a third-year journalism student at Burlingame High School. She is so excited to continue her passion for reporting and writing...
