My Biography - Serving Local Communities since 1976

By Kathrina M. "Katrina" Ognyanovich

Why am I running? I am running because I am qualified. I am running because I have a solid training, knowledge, experience and a lengthy work as an elected official - since 1980.. I have a solid voting record and good achievemnts that benefited many students, employees, parents and members at large As an elected officlal I have fullfilled almost all my platform standings and goals.

I have been resident of Monterey County since 1974 and an active participant/volunteer in our local communities. Presently I serve as a Chair of Monterey County Democratic Central Committee of which I have been an elected member since 1980. I served as a Vice Chair of AD27 then AD28. I am an active member of NAACP Monterey Peninsula Branch and a former member of LULAC Monterrey Branch. As a long active and a loyal democrat I have worked on many campaigns: Rep. Sam Farr, Rusty Areias, Jesse Jackson, former Gov.Jerry Brown, Bill Clinton, Assemblyman Fred Keeley, Bill Monning and many local campaigns and issues. As an appointee of former Gov. Jerry Brown I served as a Co-Chair for four years on the Democratic Party's Legislative Committee. I am a co-founder of California Democratic Party Rainbow Caucus and served as a Vice Chair for many years. Presently I am a regional Vice Chair.

In 1980 I was elected Board Member and also served as a Board President on Governing Board of Education of Monterey Peninsula Unified School District until 1993. Running for the seat in 1980 my platform was Class size reduction and reduction in administrative management. I was successful in reaching these goals. The MPUSD has enforced class size reduction (K-6) and for the students enrolled in the AP programs long before this became a regulation. In 1991 I was a Finalist in the election for the President of California School Board Association held in Sacramento. I have a solid and lengthy record behind me and have been many times endorsed by the Teachers' union and CSEA. Presently I serve as an elected Trustee of the Monterey Peninsula College Board.

As a social worker, college instructor, university professor, Board Member or a volunteer I worked closely with various ethnic groups and community organizations. Under the leadership of then Assemblyman John Vasconcellos I was appointed as a County Chair to lead the Monterey County Task Force on Self-Esteem. The recommendations of our Committee were included in the official State recommendations on the self-esteem issues. In 1990 - 1993 I organized a series of the Self Esteem Fair Workshops in Pebble Beach that benefited many educators, school administrators, students, parents and residents at large. I am familiar with the work, structure and administrative system in the Capitol. As an elected Trustee I have visited the Capitol many times to lobby for the improvement in educational programs, social services, senior needs and adequate funds.

With your support and partnership, I will continue to maintain and secure better chances for our children, our seniors, our working people and our environment and better uses for our tax dollars.

I invite you to join our shared grassroots campaign based on issues and involvement of all. I believe in teamwork efforts. When elected I will organize special citizens' committees in each region that will research the specific and vital issues and address the needs of that particular region. My work will be based on their recommendations as well as on the input and needs of every individual residing in the State Senate 15th District. I am a strong supporter of the open policy and I will be available for you all the time. Only united are we to be successful. Only united can we make the changes for betterment of all.

MY LENGTHY EXPERIENCE IN AN ELECTIVE OFFICE DOES COUNT!!

If you are in agreement with the issues our shared campaign is based on, please join us as a volunteer and a supporter. Send your contributions, let us meet your friends and help our grassroots efforts in any way you can. Let us work together to regain a seat that is long overdue.

My committee members, supporters and I thank you sincerely for your kind attention, consideration and support.

Cordially,

Kathrina M. Ognyanovich Candidate, State Senate 15th District