By Tim Seyfert

When it came time to seek his second term on the city council, Mountain View Mayor Michael Kasperzak didn’t hesitate for a second. Having served as both mayor and vice mayor since being elected four years ago, the restless former lawyer felt compelled “to finish the things I began.”

Since his first term kicked off in 1998, Kasperzak, 49, has devoted much of his energy to city housing and transportation issues, among other concerns.

Back in the mayor’s chair, as of 2002, the self-described “professional mediator” is picking up where he left off, shooting for win-win situations and seeking out new ideas, he said.

On his plate these days is Mountain View’s ongoing budget crisis, which he hopes to keep from affecting city services.

Another high priority for Kasperzak is property development. Though he’s pleased with what the council did during his first term, such as keeping housing initiatives at a low-market rate, “there’s still room for improvement,” he said.

Specifically, he’d like to see the former Emporium property on El Camino Real put to good use. He’s also been laboring to rebuild the town’s community center and senior center.

In addition to his political agenda, Kasperzak is committed to “restoring a sense of trust and civility back into the community,” he said, referring to the corruption scandal involving former Mayor Mario Ambra.

“There’s room for improvement,” Kasperzak said. “Things got difficult there for awhile.”

Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Kasperzak moved to Mountain View in 1977. He earned his law degree from San Francisco’s Hastings College of Law in 1982, and worked as a trial lawyer for 11 years.

Despite his busy schedule, Kasperzak still finds time to give to local causes. He’s on the board for the Mountain View Library Foundation and the Community School of Music and Arts.

It almost seemed inevitable Kasperzak would end up in politics considering his longtime hero is Colin Powell.

The city official also admitted to finding inspiration in two fictional politicos: Presidents Jeb Bartlett (Martin Sheen in “The West Wing”) and Alan Shepard (Michael Douglas in “The American President”).

“Both of those guys just embody everything great in a leader,” Kasperzak said. “They always stayed true to their ideals and had this driven ability to get things done - the way any good leader should.”