Candidate for
Member of City Council; City of Santa Cruz

I was born and raised in the steel and coal country of southwestern Pennsylvania. Many members of my family worked in the mines and in the mills. When U.S.Steel closed down, leaving our town without tax base jobs, my mother stepped in and became an acitvist on behalf of the entire community. She's the one who taught me that the way to make change politically is at the local level.

I arrived in Santa Cruz more than two decades ago as a single mom studying Fine Art at UCSC. During those years, I began taking extra cookies I made for my kids up to school. I would put a basket of cookies in the lounge with a note that said: 25 cents. Please don't rip off the cookies or the money or I won't be able to afford to make any more.I did it all year and learned that trusting people pays off!

That was the start of the bakery. I've been in the building where I am now since 1982. I'm proud to earn - and help others earn - an honorable living while providing service.

The bakery has become a community center of sorts, a place where people congregate, talk, laugh, and discuss aspects of their lives and their community. I've learned a lot about Santa Cruz just listening to my customers.

Two years ago, I was appointed to the City of Santa Cruz Transportation Commission. As a traffic commissioner, I've supported calming strategies to reduce speed and discourage cut-through traffic. I've also supported a more pedestrian and bicycle accessible community. I've also served as a member of the Drought Appeals Board of the Santa Cruz Water Commission and the Santa Cruz civil service commission. I'm a member of the Mission Pedestrian task force, co-founder of the Mission Street Business Association, co-founder of the Transportation Think Tank, a member of the Mission Street Widening Task Force, a member of the Mission Street design guidelines committee, a member of the steering committee for the Master Transportation Study, and an ex-officio member of the Depot Site Task Force.

I've been inspired by this service and I'm convinced that I can make a difference in the way the City conducts its business.

As a mother, business owner and transportation commissioner, the most important thing I've learned over the last two decades is to listen. People want to be included in the projects and decisions that affect their lives.

At the same time, I've learned that there comes a time when I must make a decision, stick to my guns and accept the consequences. And I've learned that it's irresponsible to try be generous without the financial ability to support that generosity.