City Council Accomplishments

By Marge Atkinson

As Mayor of Albany, 2008-2009, one of my priorities was to foster on-going and better communication and partnerships between the Albany School District and the City. This has resulted in a number of successful collaborations. As a retired Albany High School teacher I have been a liaison to connect teachers, students, administrators, and community members with city staff, and projects. I have also created new ways to get citizens involved in improving our community. I participated in the High School Challenge Day and was on the planning committee. I am a volunteer in the Writer Coach Connection program and I substitute regularly at the high school. During the last four years, the city budget has been balanced with no staff lay-offs. A projected short fall three years ago was successfully addressed. The projected $300,000 deficit projected for 2011-12 can also be successfully addressed in the next year with the many tools available to the city, in a thoughtful and carefully balanced manner. As an incumbent, I have the experience to bring to the table, to work with staff on this. I will continue to work with city staff to be fiscally responsible. I have worked with the leadership of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Solano Avenue Association on economic development and business outreach.