Jim Brady - Bio Background and Top Concern Viewpoint

By Jim Brady

The below information provides background and vision and perspective on important issues.

Jim lives in southeastern San Ramon near Country Club Elementary and Cal High with his wife Barb of 23 years. His son Travis living at home, is working as certified EMT and is attending community college studying fire science training to be a fireman. His daughter Jenna, an excited college freshman is adjusting well at CSU and is focused studying Kinesiology. Jim was born overseas on a United States Air Force Base, his father a retired Lieutenant Colonel, flew fighter jets in Vietnam and stood post on nuclear alert, and is now living in the Sacramento area. Jim's mother of six, Marie, lives in Pennsylvania near his oldest brother Michael.

Jim worked his way through college running part time automotive repair and working in the construction trades. He went to Canăda community college in Redwood City and earned his AS degree in Engineering Architecture and went to San Luis Obispo, earning a BS in Electrical Engineering. While working at a Fortune 500 telephone company in San Ramon he earned his Masters in Telecommunications Business, nights and weekends as is typical, from the University of Colorado at Boulder's distance learning program.

Following Cal Poly, he worked for 10 years in Ventura, (population 106,000) in local community cable television where he planned broadband TV citywide system design which required close coordination with Ventura City and County's municipal planners and joint utilities. With Barb working at Patagonia and new family of four Jim became involved in city government. He says, "Anyone who has children knows the heightened awareness you embrace for your children's future, it becomes personal. I encourage resident involvement and leadership in all areas, each of us can make a difference". Also see: http://www.JimBradyforcitycouncil.com

He was twice elected and served six years on the Ventura County's Ojai Special District (http://www.ojaisan.org), which as a special district is responsible for all aspects of its budget planning and management. Many issues were studied and acted upon from sphere of influence involving LAFCO, annexations to traffic impacts. EIR 's and state water quality control board stringent requirements for the preservation of the Ventura river valley were closely reviewed. He supported the long planned 30 million gallon per day new treatment plant construction and pipeline replacement projects online today.

Always a family man and now with the growing independence of his children, he plans to return to city government to provide fresh insight and added experience since last serving in elected office, 'for' the residents of San Ramon on behalf of the city. "Several serious issues are square in our lap. Number one is job creation needed for sustainability of services and for the quality of life we've come to appreciate in San Ramon".

Jim works for a three year old start-up renewable solar energy company, now number one in California. He plans to bring focused program awareness to the residents and business community of this growing sector. There are huge tax credits available today that will help resident budget's bottom line today. This is not even touched upon in the Green Building Guideline documents recently approved by the incumbent council. "Residents need a specific overview of executable steps on the renewable financial benefits for home and business. It's much more than suggesting that it makes sense to insulate your attic!". Jim sees the renewable energy sector is growing throughout California and is a strong source of jobs for all ages. "Renewable programs are well supported by our local energy anchors, which this is awesome".

Tassajara Valley - how fast do we take steps to build it out, obtain LAFCO approval and to incorporate and develop? Tassajara Valley, when put to a vote should be included in the 2030 General Plan and makes sense over time. He opposes, `fast tracking' outside of the process which will bring funds to our general fund early is problematic and squeezes the bubble instead of validating that we are a sustainable city with our current service infrastructure responsibilities.

Budget, he is concerned that the council is dipping into our budget reserves, while allocating expenditures of $700,000 for computers and $100,000 increases in General Government spending while freezing job growth for parks and services. The council boasts that we have been voted #1 for electronic communication with the public. "Televised council meetings and a complete website make sense but, do we really need changes in meeting agendas sent to our blackberry PDA's?"

"When we moved to San Ramon in the early 90's the Kavanagh Market relocation was being planned, much debate abounded as this was an unofficial `historic landmark'. Today the community of East Hampton and the new CVS stand in its place. Bent Creek was being built and Bishop Ranch Six was complete, a lot has changed since then, and sadly today we still lack a downtown".

The City Civic Center will be, `state of the art' and expensive and we all hope will bring destination retail to our community. "The CCC does however, fall short of providing a traditional downtown. The North Camino Ramon Specific plan is realistically the last opportunity for a 'Old Towne' downtown in San Ramon like a Pleasanton, Danville or Boulder Colorado. He says, "I've been here 15 years and still there are no plans for a traditional downtown plans in sight. Every one I know and meet loves this idea. It's time to bring the plan to the residents and work with,(not against) property owners who may actually agree it would be a great legacy to leave their grandchildren".

He supports the North Camino Ramon Specific Plan being significantly redrafted to avoid becoming more than just stucco, glass and concrete, as seen in most areas of greater Los Angeles. "Our valley is rich with history it should be celebrated, beyond Forest Home Farm, a wonderful place". If elected, Jim will plan to serve up to two terms if re-elected in 2013 and encourages new citizen leadership to join our City Council.

Jim says, "Afterwards, I would love to run the new hardware store in downtown San Ramon, visiting with folks thriving small business' add balance to our community."

Since March, when he began to explore my possible run for city council, he has been going non-stop walking neighborhoods, listening to people, sharing ideas. Residents do say they want a choice in candidates. He says, "I sense that our incumbents are insulated from residents and fully expect to be re-elected." I can do a better job representing the concerns of San Ramon residents. I am asking for your support.

Be the Difference.