Candidate for
Council Member; City of Watsonville; Council District 2

I have decided to run for city council to continue building a strong and vibrant community. Born and raised in Watsonville, I recognize the many challenges confronting our City. As your representative on the city council, I will work to improve our local schools, bring good paying jobs to Watsonville, promote local businesses, support the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing units, improve traffic conditions, and reduce crime. I have a long history of serving Watsonville residents as a public interest attorney, advocate, and active community member.

My qualifications to serve as your city councilmember derives from a number of sources:

STRONG EDUCATION BACKGROUND:
- Law degree (juris doctorate) from UC Davis School of Law.
- Master's of education degree from Harvard University.
- Dual bachelor's of arts degrees from UC Berkeley. Honors graduate.
- 1992 Watsonville High School graduate.
- Attended local schools, including McQuiddy Elementary, Salsipuedes School and E.A. Hall Middle School.

EXPERIENCE.
- Public interest attorney providing legal assistance to thousands of low-income residents who cannot afford private attorneys.
- Former legislative aide in Sacramento for Assemblymember Manny Diaz (San Jose), first hand experience in passing statewide laws and working with different interest groups.
- Former alternative education high school teacher in Watsonville
- Former research assistant for the Harvard Civil Rights Project in Cambridge, Massachusetts focused on education policy.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:
- Current vice-chair of the Watsonville Planning Commission representing District 2.
- Registered hundreds of voters as the director of the Pajaro Valley Voter Registration Project in 2006.
- California Advisory Committee of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, 2001-2008.
- Watsonville Library Board, 2005-2006.
- Watsonville General Plan Steering Committee, 2004-2006.
- County Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Commission, 2003-2006.
- English Learner Master Plan Task Force, Pajaro Valley Unified School District, 2007.
- City of Watsonville Blue Ribbon Committee for Sustainable Revenue + member, 2006.
- County Transportation Funding Task Force + member, 2007.

SERVICE AWARDS: My work has been recognized through numerous awards including :
- The John F. Kennedy Award for Outstanding Public Service.
- The United Way Community Hero Award.
- The Martin Luther King Community Service Award.
- The Association of Mexican American Educators Community Service Award.

With my educational background and experience, I hope to serve you as your city council member, and to continue working hard to make good changes in the Pajaro Valley. But I cannot do it without you, and I respectfully ask for your support on November 4th.

Sincerely,

Luis Alejo