An interview with David Buckmaster

David Buckmaster is mayor of San Carlos. In the under-thirty category, David is one of the younger mayors around. Seems fitting in Silicon Valley, doesn't it?

by Susan MacTavish Best

Jamie Zawinski was one of the first faces around Netscape. Way back then. Then he was one of the initiators of the Mozilla project. And now he's in the process of buying the DNA Lounge.

1). Who uses the San Carlos airport?

Only small planes. At times I wish I could jump on Southwest from there so I didn’t have to deal with SFO or San Jose but it’s strictly a recreational user airport. My company, InsWeb is moving their corporate headquarters right next to the runway in March so I hope those pilots aren’t too recreational.

2). Do you think kids in Silicon Valley are as interested in computers as their parents are? Is this area just a breeding ground for mini-geeks?

I think it’s becoming a breeding ground for geeks. It seems like we're telling our kids that we only value those who work for a dot-com. With teachers, cops, writers and anyone who doesn’t make zillions not being able to afford to live here we're sending a bad message about diversity and opportunity.

3). Is there an email list/web community for under-thirty mayors?

I wish. But I think it would be a pretty small list. I haven’t met anyone else out there close to my age.

4). What's the most used spice in your kitchen cabinet?

If garlic is a spice, that’s it. If it isn’t, it should be.

5). To many folks in San Francisco, San Carlos is just another town along El Camino Real. Isn't it?

The cool thing about the peninsula is you have a ton of these little towns like San Carlos are all different. I think San Carlos is probably the most community oriented of them all. Very different from SF.

6). Colored, hot-rod tires on cars---should they be allowed? Some people complain that they leave skid marks, encourage gangs, etc. Others think that the marks left on the roads could assist in pegging down a suspect.

It hasn’t been an issue for us but as a kid I had red bike tires. I wouldn’t do anything until it became an issue here. I’m not a fan of passing laws just for the sake of doing it.

7). Would you recommend for a single, under 30 person to come move to San Carlos?

No. There’s too many of them moving here and jacking up the home prices. Actually, I would. It's a fun town, with good restaurants, it's safe, it's basically Mayberry.

8). Where is your favorite escape from the Bay Area?

Tahoe. My wife and were married there and I have been spending summers there my whole life.

9). What's your guilty pleasure on the Internet?

Wasting time and trying to find a house in Silicon Valley that I can afford.

10). Do you have a favorite brand of scotch?

I don’t have one. I’m a beer and rum man myself but I wouldn’t turn it down.

David's email address is dbuckmaster@votenet.com

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