Anti-Cargill Resident Challenges Council Incumbents in Upcoming Election

Brett Garrett just spiced up November’s City Council election. Rather than letting the towards re-election, Garrett is running on an anti-Cargill platform.

Garrett had never been in politics before deciding to run for City Council. But he ultimately decided to throw his hat in the ring in order to try to stop the council's continuation of the environmental review process for the Cargill Saltworks development proposal, he said. Several vocal residents and organizations have announced to the developer's application.

“I feel it’s a bad idea,” Garrett said. “If elected, I’ll vote to stop the project from moving forward and won’t finish the environmental review.”

In April, Garrett wrote a letter to the Daily News stating that DMB, the project’s developer, “could not be trusted.”

Garrett has two degrees in applied physics and mathematics from CalTech and Cal State Los Angeles respectively, a teaching credential, and a doctorate from the University of California San Diego, but he admits even years of academia may not prepare him for political campaigning.

“I can’t say I expect to win,” Garrett said. “I’m the dark horse candidate, but I will do my best to represent those who oppose the Saltworks project.”

He admitted that running for City Council is a symbolic gesture. He hopes others will run for office now that he has initiated his bid for a council seat. As an active supporter of Save the Bay and a recently joined member of the Sierra Club, Garrett said he encourages his fellow members to run.

As of today, no other challengers have stepped up to the plate, but residents have until Aug. 12 to declare an intent to run.

Current councilmembers Alicia Aguirre, Ian Bain, Barbara Pierce and Rosanne Foust have declared their candidacies.

Garrett said neighbors and other anti-Cargill residents have supported his decision to run, affirmation expressed while he was out collecting signatures.

Redwood City resident Marianna Raymond said she shared Garrett's views about protecting the bay and quality of life in Redwood City.

“We don’t need an environmental impact report,” Raymond said. “We already know it’s a bad idea.”

She said Garrett is an example of a Redwood City small business owner who opposes the project, while the developer is always highlighting small business owners who support the project.  

But Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira said candidates shouldn’t run for City Council to make decisions on just one issue.

“Many people have run just to oppose this project and lost poorly,” Ira said. “This community doesn’t want someone who’s running on a one-horse pony.”

“I certainly hope he does not get elected,” Ira added, who is not up for re-election this term. “Because I don’t want to work with anyone who’s focused on one thing.”  

But Raymond also paid kudos to Garrett's civic-mindedness: “I’ve seen him at various City Council meetings. He really does care about the community and is very thoughtful and involved.”

She added that a “fresh voice” would be beneficial to the city.  

When pushed to identify what other issues he most cared about, Garrett said he was impressed with the General Plan and would like to keep those areas zoned as open space as they are.

“I feel that the City Council is doing a really good job on most issues, but this particular [Cargill] issue is such a big elephant in the room.”

Garrett has created a website to publicize his candidacy, but acknowledged that he would most likely run a “quiet” campaign.

Stay tuned: Redwood City Patch will be featuring in-depth profiles of each candidate.