Hello

Carter first visited the Town in 1981 with the love of his life, who grew up in Menlo Park. Coming from rural Oregon, Portola Valley felt like home. It was beautifully rural, open, and was up against the coastal mountains with the influence of the ocean and big trees similar to home. From the first visit Carter was committed to live in Portola Valley. Tami and Carter bought their first home in Portola Valley seven years later in 1988, 36 years ago. Today Carter is a husband, father, Architect, volunteer, open space advocate,  and horseman.

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Carter studied Architecture at the University of Oregon where he met his lifelong mate. The University of Oregon is near the rural McMinnville, Oregon family home where he grew up caring for the family cattle and horses. Between 4-H with his cows and horses, theater, and music he still had time to take on being mentored by a general contractor that happened to be my team-roping partner. Carter’s diverse avocations resulted in so many interests and time commitments that he was stretched too thin as a young adult… Architecture has been a place to combine all those interests in one career.

In 1988 Carter earned his license to practice Architecture in California. In 1989 he opened his private architectural practice in Portola Valley. His love for Portola Valley was the main motivating factor in this decision. He wanted to live and work in the same small rural town like the way his father practiced dentistry in McMinnville, Oregon. Architecture has been the career that best leverages his skills and aptitudes.

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In 1991 after years of encouragement by the then Planning Manager Ellen Schillig and recruitment by Councilman John James Carter was appointed to the Town's Architecture and Site Control Commission (ASCC). Initially he was perplexed by the process. At the beginning it was about critiquing the design. However, with time and the patience of mentors like Tom Vlasic, Bill Vermeer, and Bud Eisberg he grew to understand the keys to successful design review. Design review is first and foremost about understanding the motivations and the reasons for the design and the feelings and the concerns of the neighbors. It was also about understanding the Portola Valley topography and the ethos and the unspoken rural standards for why Portola Valley was special and different. This understanding only comes from being a sincere and active listener. His 22 years of experience on the ASCC has significantly contributed to his ability to understand what is said, but also to understand what has not been said. It is the understanding of the non-verbal that is key to leading more complete communication. It is by asking the "elephant in the room' questions that are oft omitted that you can get to the essence of the problem. He is thankful for his ASCC experience. It gave him great insight into the need to empathize with both the applicant and the opponent. Both need validation of their respective positions. Empathy guides the process to find the common ground and the mitigation of the issues of substantial conflict. Carter has proven experience as an effective ASCC chair based on the skills of listening, leadership, empathy, good humor, communication, and mediation. Just the same skills needed for an effective Councilor.

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To say the least Carter is passionate about Portola Valley. He is inspired by open space and the region’s vast trail network. He often feels blessed to be a horseman in the greatest place on earth for a trial rider. He has learned to appreciate the hard work and sacrifice the leaders of the Town's Incorporation endured. Several were still active during the years Carter first volunteered on the ASCC. The legacy and spirit of the men and women has inspired his continued volunteer efforts on several adhoc committees over the years and the current tenure on the ASCC and the Open Space Committee. Having been blessed to know and befriend the likes of Bill Lane and Bob Brown personally has given insight into the passion it took to protect the western hillsides of Portola Valley from highly intense development. Carter will naturally channel an appreciation of the past and memories of the Town founders into their reasoning and assessment going into every decision on Town issues.

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At this point in life and the history of Portola Valley Carter has decided it is again time to use his skills and common sense to help lead Portola Valley through its current financial, personnel, and planning issues. Portola Valley is a special place majority of citizens agree on most of the issues and the likely solutions. Carter will bring to the Town together to share in the joy of our current majority consensus. He will also provide skeptical inventive creativity to the few real problems the Town is enduring to find simple cost-effective solutions through coaching, negotiations, and engagement of the talented experts amongst our Portola Valley Family to answer the few of problems that remain unresolved.

It is with his humble thanks that he asks for your support in voting to grant Carter the opportunity to volunteer to guide Portola Valley.  With your vote he commits to leading the Town to know the joy and blessing this wonderful place bestows upon us each day with the stalwart and tenacious promise to do the right thing every time.

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Carter J. Warr

For Portola Valley Town Council

carterwarrforpvtc.com