By Paulo Hernandez

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Craig Britton is chief negotiator for Peninsula’s open space district

Los Altos resident Craig Britton, a major force behind the success of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, celebrated 25 years of service at the district last week.

As general manager, Britton is the primary negotiator in the acquisition of open space that has risen from less than 4,000 acres to the current 48,000-acre figure. Staff members say it is largely because of his negotiating skills that the district - and ultimately the public - has received the greatest possible amount of land for their investment.

The open space district was established in 1972 by a vote of the people to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt and provide limited recreational use.

Britton, 61, was born in Kansas but moved to California at age 6.

Britton is responsible for the day-to-day business of the organization. He assists the board of directors in developing policy and in addressing public issues. Britton is also in charge of assuring funding for the organization, which generally comes from property tax within the district and from various types of grants.

“I attribute my success to a supportive board, a great and dedicated staff, a supportive constituency, active volunteers, sustained political support, marvelous sister agencies, great public and private partners and a regular source of income,” Britton said.

Aggressive in his pursuit to strike the best deal for the cause of open space, staff members also note Britton isn’t exactly shy about sharing his opinions or his politics, no matter who’s in the room.

Next up for the district are completion of coastal annexation plans to preserve coastline lands and future land acquisitions that will push the district past 50,000 acres. Britton said as long as he continues to enjoy his job, he’ll stay.

He said he wants to continue to hire great people and to keep the seven board members happy.

It seems as if Britton’s 25 years with the organization are only the beginning.