Candidate for
Councilmember; City of Modesto; District 1

I am a candidate for Modesto City Council, District One. After serving as a governing board member for Stanislaus Union going on 2 years, made the discovery that I am suited for public service. As a substitute teacher (6 yrs in November), my schedule is flexible and I would be able to dedicate the necessary time to matters concerning the City of Modesto. I have achieved a BS in Business Administration along with a minor in Computer Information Systems at Stanislaus State. In graduate studies I have reached the point of internship eligibility for single subject teaching. The climate in California has not been good for academia of late so internships are rare.

Both of my parents' families have been in the Modesto area for many years. My father came here as a toddler in 1914 from North Dakota and my mother was born in Ripon in 1917. My father was a Pacific Bell Pioneer (designation for those who came on early) and my mother was a teacher/librarian. Both families are tied to Emmanuel Lutheran and have been for many years. My roots here do reach out some. My parents died when I was a teenager and that presented some challenges. Found solace in the mountains around Twain Harte and Mariposa. My sojourn there (22 years) taught self sufficiency and responsibility as I had to take care of what I had. Still taking care as I have a wife of 22 years and two adult sons, delighted to have their association.

I have a background in many fields including: landlord for 30 years, owned and operated a weld shop, plant nursery and backhoe service. Have worked for the National Park Service as a seasonal in Campgrounds, Roads, Forestry and Sign Shop. Worked one season with Mariposa Public Works (Roads). Did soil analysis (perc tests) for a civil engineer for a few years, sales rep for a Mariposa machine shop (won a bid for a Space shuttle related part) and numerous other jobs. Mariposa is a different environment when it comes to jobs, still I found it satisfying to live and work there.

Over the past 6 years I have been substitute teaching in our county's public schools. Areas of experience would include: high school, special education (autism, deaf hard of hearing, emotional, severely handicapped and learning handicapped), junior high, juvenile hall, alternative education (Ceres Community, Allard, Pace, Roselawn, Empire Community, Argus, SMA and Elliott) and a little bit of elementary school. Worked for such school entities as Patterson, Turlock, Ceres, SCOE, Modesto, Stanislaus, Hughson, Waterford, Newman, Riverbank, Salida, Empire, Keyes and Chatom. It has been interesting and I am thankful for the insight it has given me in regards to what our area schools are doing.

I'm up to a challenge and today's economic climate certainly has provided us all with a challenge that has not happened since the Depression. I think they are calling it the Great Recession at this point, pray it does not go beyond that. California's plight in all this has been exceptional.