Inspirations
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YMCA executive to head Abilities United
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By Sue Dreman
C
harlie Weidanz, longtime head of the Bay Area YMCAs, will take the helm of Palo Alto nonprofit Abilities United, the organization has announced. Weidanz began his new position as executive director on June 30, replacing Lynda Steele, who officially retired the same day after serving as executive director since 1993. The organization helps children and adults with developmental and other disabilities in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties to live independently and to gain community acceptance. Weidanz brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the job, having served as the executive director at organizations across the United States. He spent 24 years as executive director of Bay Area and East Coast YMCAs. He has a personal passion for supporting those with disabilities, and has been an innovator in inclusive programs throughout his life, Abilities United’s board of directors said in a statement.
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adequate for drive-by or pull-in parking. Three, is the concern of parking congestion in that area.” He added that it was written into the project’s conditions that he could pay fees to get out of the requirement. Downtown resident Max Hauser, who pens a newsletter on the local restaurant scene, said over that same year and a half, more than 17 new restaurants, cafes and tea shops had opened downtown. “Half of these 17 are similar or smaller-sized properties to what we have here,” Hauser said. “I have a hard time crediting the argument that there is a lack of tenants of this kind. I also feel that the owner of a property like this, in setting terms of occupancy, has some control of the
“We are thrilled to have someone as experienced as Mr. Weidanz to take over leadership of the agency,” said Karen Moore, president of the board of directors. “His non-profit leadership skills, expertise in programmatic areas for children and adults, including aquatic services, and demonstrated commitment to Charlie inclusion, are a Weidanz great match for Abilities United.” Weidanz’s immediate areas of focus will include continuation of future redevelopment plans and the completion of the organization’s “United for the Future” fundraising campaign, which is currently underway, Moore said. As a senior executive, primarily with the YMCA, Weidanz has worked in a variety of communities including Milpitas, San Francisco, New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He prides himself in creating a collaborative culture at all levels, according to the statement. His
skills include financial management, fund development, program creation and execution, and staff development, the statement reads. “This highly respected agency and the passion and commitment of the staff, volunteers, donors and partners greatly impress me,” Weidanz said in a statement. “I am excited to build on Abilities United’s strong foundation and to bring my experience to benefit the organization and position it for its future. We will continue to adapt to the growing and emerging needs of our community. “My goal is to further develop and enhance our lifetime of services for people with disabilities, their families, and all community members who can benefit from them. I proudly take the reins as we strive to make Abilities United a lead agency that drives the true inclusion of people of all abilities.” The organization plans to post on its website, abilitiesunited. org, a series of opportunities for the public to meet the new executive director. Email Sue Dremann at sdremann@paweekly.com
situation and in holding up his end of the bargain.” Resident Thida Cornes said Burnell’s proposal of groundfloor retail was “the reason why I didn’t object to the project,” which involved tearing down the historic Pearson House. “I’m basically tired of developers going back on their agreements. I think they are just taking the easy way out because they have a major business moving in that wants a break room.” While city staff originally pushed for the retail space to be included in the project, they recommended approval of Burnell’s request to use the groundfloor space as an employee break room. “This small retail space will improve the pedestrian friendliness of the building,” wrote a city staff member in a July 2012 City Council report for Burnell’s project, which provoked contro-
versy for years because it sought to replace a historic home on the site, and led to fears that it would tower above Chez TJ, the neighboring gourmet restaurant. The report adds that the applicant provided this area, designated a “commercial/restaurant space,” at staff’s request. It also allowed Burnell to have an exemption from providing required parking spaces, according to city documents, which add that “parking in-lieu fees” must be paid if the space is not occupied by commercial, retail or restaurant use. Critics say an increasing amount of ground-floor office development in downtown Mountain View is slowly eating away at what’s considered to be a key component of a vibrant downtown: ground-floor retail space. Email Daniel DeBolt at ddebolt@mv-voice.com
Good G ood ffor or B Business. usiness. Good for You. Good for the Community. The online guide to Mountain View businesses 10
■ Mountain View Voice ■ MountainViewOnline.com ■ July 4, 2014
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