Miguel Araujo sparks SB council race

Hours before San Bruno incumbents Jim Ruane and Irene O'Connell were to have a second unchallenged race, community volunteer Miguel Araujo filed for a run at City Council to give voters a choice in November.

Since joining the council in 1995, both Ruane and O'Connell were only challenged in 1999 when voters re-elected the candidates with 31.42 percent and 34.38 percent respectively. The pair went unchallenged in the 2003 election. It seemed as though that would be the case this year as well, but Araujo filed Friday, Aug. 10 - the last day a candidate could file.

"I think people should have a choice," said Araujo explaining he didn't think the incumbents should have a "free roll" into another term on council.

Calling the incumbents yes men who don't care about the issues facing the city, Araujo would like to see a community-driven effort for changes and upgrades using town hall meetings and volunteers walking door-to-door to determine what citizens want to see in San Bruno.

An economic downturn in San Bruno - including the $500,000 deficit spending and needed community and street repairs - also played a part in inspiring Araujo to file.

"If I become a councilman I want to hear other people's vision for San Bruno," he said. "It's not about my vision. It needs to be the vision of everyone."

Araujo's main issue is the allocation of funds and fiscal responsibility. Araujo understands the need for more revenue but is not supporting the proposed half-cent sales tax increase - an initiative facing the San Bruno voters in November with the potential to raise $2.7 million annually. The tax could be used for projects such as sidewalks and a library.

Araujo doesn't feel there's a guarantee those funds will be used for such updates, and as such can't support the measure. He's the only candidate not in favor of the tax. O'Connell and Ruane both support the measure.

The new revenue source would open up possibilities for the city to increase code enforcement, put more police in neighborhoods and watching schools; or maybe restoring the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program into schools, said O'Connell.

Both incumbents agree infrastructure needs including streets and sidewalks will top the list of needs in the coming years. Along with that is continuing to revitalize downtown.

An important part of that is filling vacant spaces and promoting development of areas like the old theater on El Camino Real, said Ruane.

Making those improvements come back to money, which is why the tax is important, he said.

Araujo agreed changes should be made but wants an emphasis on nurturing small businesses.

Jim Ruane

Age: 60

Occupation: Councilman, contractor

Years in the city: 31 years

Family: Married, two children, two grandchildren

Education: Partial college and five years with the U.S. Navy

Political experience: Joined the City Council in 1995

Irene O'Connell

Age: 55

Occupation: School librarian

Years in the city: 55 years

Family: Married with three children

Education: Bachelor's of arts and masters in elementary education with a specialty in math, both from San Francisco State University

Political experience: Joined the City Council in 1995

Miguel Araujo

Age: 26

Occupation: Community volunteer

Years in the city: 26 years

Family: Single

Education: Finishing bachelor's degree in philosophy at the University of California at Riverside

Political experience: No elected positions, worked with movements like the recall of Gov. Gray Davis and drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants