Candidate for
Council Member; City of Emeryville

John Fricke is a long-time community advocate and resident of Emeryville. An Emeryville attorney, his practice specializes in supporting small businesses.

A Transit Leader

John serves as Chair of the Emeryville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee where he reviews and advises the Traffic Committee and City Council on programs, policies and projects related to planning, developing and maintaining a system of bikeways and pedestrian routes throughout the City and the East Bay region. Under his watch, the city is implementing work on the Horton Bicycle Boulevard, and he continues to promote a pedestrian bike bridge that will improve access to Bay Street. John is endorsed by public transit leaders and advocates such as BART Director Bob Franklin and AC Transit Director Greg Harper, because they know John will exercise the local and regional leadership necessary to fight gridlock and promote real traffic solutions for Emeryville residents.

A Neighborhood Advocate

In his work to improve the local community and neighborhoods in Emeryville, John boldly advocated to prevent San Pablo from becoming a "Fast Food Alley;" fought ugly billboards and noisy leaf-blowers; opposed late night fast food outlets; and has continued to demand that developers conform to Emeryville's zoning requirements on such projects such as the Triangle's Oak Walk project.

Prior to joining the Harper & Associates law firm in Emeryville, John did work for the Technical Assistance Legal Center, a nonprofit legal foundation funded by State tobacco tax dollars. He also served as an Alameda County public defender, providing legal representation to indigent clients who couldn't afford a private attorney.

John previously served as a key policy advisor to Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris on community safety issues. During his tenure in the Mayor's office, he directed efforts to have alcohol and tobacco billboards removed from residential areas in Oakland. John gained valuable insight into local government policy and administration that serves him well in his current community advocacy efforts.

John's Background

John grew up in Chicago, Illinois, in a home with his parents and maternal grandparents who emigrated from Lithuania. While in law school, he spent a summer working abroad in Seoul, Korea.

John is an 11-year Triangle resident of Emeryville. He is married to Lindsey Criswell and they have 5-year-old twin daughters, Nina and Lane. John took time off from his law practice to take care of Nina and Lane as a full-time dad during Lindsey's research year in Holland.

He holds a sociology degree from Northwestern University and a Law Degree from the University of Wisconsin.