Introduction to the "Marc Boyd for Assembly 2012" Campaign

By Marc Boyd

This report provides background on myself, the foothill district, and my main campaign topics.

The foothill district is one of the largest geographically in California. It includes South Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, the Stanislaus and El Dorado National Forests, 14 California State Parks, and the Gold Country along Highway 49.

The Gold Rush Era which began in Coloma (El Dorado County) in 1848, remains alive in our historic towns throughout the district. I'd like to see California rediscover the spirit of the Gold Rush, so we can restore prosperity throughout the Golden State for future generations.

I believe that this is an historic election for our state. I also believe that California's best years are ahead of us. We cannot allow more cuts to education, public safety, and economic development. Now is the time to move California forward by restoring funding levels necessary to rebuild our economy.

I'm a California native living in Arnold, near Calaveras Big Trees State Park. I'm currently working as a substitute teacher in Calaveras County. In 2011, I retired after 35 years of working as a high school sports official. I officiated high school basketball and soccer for ten years in the Mother Lode area.

In addition, I'm a former small business owner, and I help manage my family's real estate business that dates back over 100 years to my grandparents neighborhood market. I have a BA Degree in Political Science from San Jose State University. I also have an AA degree from Columbia College.

In my final semester at San Jose State in 2005, I completed a successful internship with the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The title of my internship report was called, "Downtown Health Care District Feasibility Study." The purpose of my report was to create a plan to reopen San Jose's only downtown hospital after an abrupt closure in December of 2004.

My feasibility study's findings were reported on the front page of the San Jose Mercury News on June 20th, 2005. It was also used as background to eventually pass Measure A in 2008 which raised $800 million for building upgrades at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and $40 million for a new Downtown Acute Care Clinic at the former hospital site. This year, the ground is being broken for the new downtown clinic.

In 2007, I prepared a Climate Action Plan (PowerPoint) and presented it to the policy consultant for San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed's administration as he was preparing the Mayor's Green Vision. San Jose's Green Vision is a model for a big city that wants to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, lower its ecological footprint, and become more sustainable.

In November of last year I completed an internship report in Assembly District 24. The report was called "Feasibility Study on the Statehouse Replica Building." The purpose was to determine if a 1949 replica of California's First Statehouse Building could be restored at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately, I concluded that the building has been neglected for too long.

In addition, I've been politically active for the past decade volunteering on campaigns and advocating for improved access to health care, greater environmental protection, and transitioning to clean energy. In 2008, I presented a revised Climate Action Plan to the Calaveras Planning Coalition.

If I am elected, the first thing I will do is to call for a district-wide economic summit. The new redistricted foothill Assembly district is now primarily a rural area that is more conducive to a common economic approach. High unemployment, deep budget cuts, and endless home foreclosures have sent our district's economy into crisis.

We cannot allow more cuts to education, public safety, and economic development. We need to build up our business community in the foothill district. My economic plan will focus on tourism, improving high-speed internet connections, and harnessing solar power.

Finally, I'd like to share a story of a brief conversation I had with Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom last October when he visited the historic Sonora Opera Hall. I mentioned to him that I'm exploring the possibility of running for the Assembly seat in the newly-created Foothill Assembly District. He looked at me directly in the eyes and said, "Make it happen."

Throughout my campaign, I will work hard every day to show my dedication, my work ethic, and my commitment to the people of this district. My campaign will be a positive one focused on solutions to our many challenges. If you live in the foothill Assembly district, I hope to earn your vote. I also hope to see you on the campaign trail.