I met Steve Burdo when my family moved to San Anselmo in 2022. He was friendly and immediately welcoming, and one could tell he was a guy who loved his town. It’s no surprise he’s the town’s current mayor, but still down to earth. The following is an interview with Burdo.
How long have you lived in Marin?
16 years — moved to California/Marin in 2006.
Where can we find you when not at work?
Grabbing a coffee at Peet’s and taking a walk at Memorial Park; enjoying a margarita with friends at Taco Jane’s; or running a game on fools at the local Ross Valley basketball courts!
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin was, where would you take them?
San Anselmo’s annual Beatles Night in the Park. Such an amazing evening, a great reflection of our town’s character and charm. Mountain Play or a concert at Cushing Ampitheatre at Mt. Tam. Dinner at Marin Joe’s in Corte Madera on a Saturday night.
What’s one thing Marin is missing?
Late night entertainment and food.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites?
Explore every part of Marin County for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities and culinary delights. Don’t get complacent in your attempts to find that new awesome hike or favorite restaurant. There’s always another hidden gem in that place you didn’t look.
If you could invite anyone to a special dinner, whom would they be?
Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Barack Obama and my deceased grandfather.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago?
All things, no matter how good or bad, will pass. Relish the good moments, weather the bad ones, but always stay true to yourself.
What’s something that in 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy?
I’d say climate change deniers, but that’s already cringeworthy. So, I guess I’ll go with the fact that there’s currently a movie in theaters about a bear who gets addicted to cocaine. Surprisingly titled, Cocaine Bear.
Big question. What is one thing you’d do to change the world?
Anytime someone opposes someone or something, they would be forced to put themselves in the other person’s position as a means of ensuring empathy, understanding and collaboration. I’d also get rid of cable TV op-ed news programming that is mostly political theater instead of news reporting.
Steve Burdo can be found working in and around the town of San Anselmo, doing all sorts of mayoral things. (townofsananselmo.org and on Instagram at @steveburdo77)
Steve Burdo condones anti-Asian hate crimes.