Candidate for
Rent Stabilization Board Commissioners; City of Berkeley

Judy J. Hunt Candidate Biography

The owner of rental property in Berkeley, I am running to become a Commissioner on the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. I have the executive management skills needed to address critical issues in the June 25, 2012 Grand Jury report. The operational deficiencies highlighted in the report need skilled leadership to address: commission governance practices, executive performance appraisals, staff recruitment, hiring and salaries, fiscal accountability about how fees are utilized and open decision-making processes. The rent board needs balanced representation of tenants and landlords to honestly resolve issues and remain true to the rent ordinance.

My birthplace is the island community of Alameda, California. My family's roots in Berkeley, California go back over 50 years. For kindergarten and the first grade, I attended Franklin Elementary School, which is now the Berkeley Adult Education School campus. I graduated from the Anna Head School in Oakland and Pepperdine College in Los Angeles; and earned my graduate degree in administration from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After working as a non-profit executive with international organizations in New York, and public health in New Jersey, I returned home to the Bay Area in 2002.

As a Head Start consultant in Cleveland, Ohio I worked to improve housing environments for low-income children. While working at a community mental health center, I was invited to work with senior adults who advocated for housing options that preserved their dignity and independence. Poor housing and environmental health conditions impacted the health, education and well-being of children, youth, families and elders.

My political involvement began in Ohio working with city, county and state officials on community issues and ballot measures. In Englewood, New Jersey I was a member of the Democratic Club. As a participant with the Alameda County Leadership Academy in 2004-2005, I learned about various opportunities for public service. Appointed by Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, I served as a Commissioner with the Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging from 2006 to 2010. My community service activities also include: working as a poll worker in Berkeley with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters and as an Alumni Council Member at Head Royce School.