By Clyde Noel
Robert Fenwick talks about city controversies and life in the hills
Los Altos Hills Mayor Robert Fenwick didn’t plan for a career in politics - the desire to have underground wires in town catapulted the retired businessman into a city council seat two years ago.
“I had no other issues,” said Fenwick, who has lived in Los Altos for 15 years.
Today, Fenwick said he realizes there is no interest in underground utility wires. The only thing people are interested in are sewers, and there isn’t any money for underground utilities, he said.
Fenwick estimates that 90 percent of the people in town are happy and never complain.
“Complaints always come from the same people, who are negative no matter what you do,” Fenwick said. “The small bunch of negative people you hear from at council meetings doesn’t mean the town is negative. Not by any means.”
As to his presence on the council, he said, “I enjoy the interaction with other council members because it doesn’t have the rancor of previous councils.”
“The staff is extremely competent and they have the right attitude. Working with City Manager Maureen Cassingham is a joy, and she runs a good ship.”
Fenwick said a lot of decisions are made by the staff and there may be disagreements among the council on those decisions, but they are still friendly.
“I don’t like hearing from the negative side all the time. Being an elected official doesn’t solicit compliments, but it would be nice to occasionally hear you are doing a good job,” Fenwick said. “I would like to see more positive leadership. People trying to see improvements in town.”
One such improvement is the controversial new town hall proposed for Fremont Avenue. Fenwick and the council have approved a mission-style building with a courtyard for social functions. Some residents say the building is too lavish and are pushing for a scaled-down design through the grass-roots group LAH Outrage.
Fenwick believes the issue is whether to have a basic building or a nicer place with a social aspect.
The council’s plan is more expensive than what residents have proposed but has town hall acting as a social center, Fenwick said.
“Some members of LAH Outrage have suggested to me the town should conduct its business from a trailer, because anything more is too extravagant,” Fenwick said. “They would be happy if we worked from a tent.”
Fenwick would also like to see more financial help for the new $5 million-plus town hall in the way of donations.
“There are people in this town who are billionaires. There is tremendous wealth in the town, and a small part of their contributions should be directed to the town needs because they live here,” Fenwick said. “We are all millionaires because of our property, but we have numerous people who are worth more than $50 million, and they take their contributions elsewhere.”
When not at town hall, Fenwick spends time tending his 130 rosebushes, where, he said ,he can see the results of his handiwork.
“Fertilizer gives wonderful results, and while I spend 10 hours a week there, it gives me time to reflect on issues and assess the different wants and needs of the town. I also determine what bushes to replace and which ones don’t appeal to me. It’s a learning process working with rosebushes,” he said.
Fenwick has been married to his wife, Jan, for 42 years. They have three children: Darryl, living in Paris and working for the French Petroleum Institute; David, living in Santa Barbara; and Lisa, close by in Los Altos.
With a bachelor’s degree from Purdue in electrical engineering and a PhD from Stanford University, Fenwick is high on community colleges. He spent two years of his formal education in one.
“Many people feel you have to go to a major university and that’s not true,” Fenwick commented.
“You get more attention in a community college and it’s better for your ego because you have less competition.”
Fenwick is very complimentary of the local Foothill-De Anza Community College district.
