Candidate for
Council Member; City of Fremont

32 year Fremont resident Retired after 29 years as a Fremont Police Officer 24 years as a Hostage Negotiatior attached to the SWAT Team 5 years as a Traffic Officer 9 years as the School Resource Officer at Washington High School

Fremont public school parent

Current Employment - Fremont Adult School Traffic School Instructor

J.V. Girls Softball coach at Kennedy High School

Former Little League Baseball, Youth Soccer coach

My name is Rick Jones, and I am proud to say that I have spent the majority of my life serving the residents of Fremont. I am a 32 year Fremont resident and retired after serving 29 years as a Fremont Police Officer. During that time I spent 15 years as a Patrol Officer, 5 years as a Traffic Accident Specialist, and for 24 years I was a Hostage Negotiator with the SWAT team. My most rewarding and enjoyable assignment was the 9 years I spent as the School Resource Officer assigned to Washington High School.

I currently teach Traffic School at the Fremont Adult School and am the coach for the JV Girls Softball team at Kennedy High School. I have four children; and my two youngest children attended Fremont schools. One is currently at Kennedy High and another just completed Ohlone Junior College. I also have two grandchildren.

I may not have as much political experience as some of the other candidates, I am not a businessman, nor do I have the knowledge afforded those who have served this office before, but I do believe I have unique qualities that other candidates do not have. My years as a Police Officer and School Resource Officer allowed me to deal directly with the general public, both good and bad, as a problem solver on a daily basis. I can relate to all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic groups. The basic responsibilities of a Police Officer include the ability to contact ALL walks of life within the community, often times while they are in "crisis". A Police Officer must listen patiently, evaluate the needs of the individual or group, and using experience, Department policy, and provisions of Law, make sound decisions. While these decisions may not be the most popular, or offer instant gratification for those involved, they must be sound decisions none-the-less. I believe that I am uniquely qualified to seek a wide array of opportunities for Fremont, and to ensure that our residents and workforce enjoy the quality of life and services that they deserve.

Fremont is an incredibly diverse city and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with residents on a regular basis while teaching Traffic School. We also enjoy a highly educated population. I believe that education and diversity leads to opportunity and prosperity for all of us. I want to engage all of our community and give them a voice in city government.

Fremont is unique in our geography and technological setting. The city needs to take full advantage of the opportunities that exist in clean energy and green development. I want to explore wind, solar and clean fuel alternatives right here, and I truly believe that Fremont can be a real force in such developments. I am proud to say that I have solar panels on my own home.

Another important resource that we have in Fremont, but we tend to overlook, is our youth. I know that in the 9 years I spent at Washington High School, I learned more from my students than I could possibly have hoped to teach them. We need to find ways to get our young people involved in our future developments. After all, this is going to be their city one day. Why not engage them now and give them a voice in Fremont's future.

By nature I am not a Politician. I am not supported by special interest groups, developers or unions. I don't have well known political names to throw at you, but I am proud to say that my support comes from the people and small business owners of Fremont. That being said, I am running a grass roots campaign; my staff consists of my wife and a good friend, so what you get from me are my views and thoughts, not those of big financial supporters. I am simply a Fremont resident who sees a need for change in this city. A vote for me will give you my dedication and assurances that I will put the needs of Fremont residents above all else. Decisions will be based on the needs of our community, not how they could further a political career.

As I mentioned earlier, Fremont has a relatively well paid, highly educated population. We deserve public services, businesses and activities that reflect our city and its potential. We have gone from an innovative, proactive city, once regarded as a model for others, to a city that can no longer deliver the services that the citizens and workforce deserves. You'll soon be choosing more than one person to represent you on the City Council and I would be honored to continue to serve the residents of Fremont. As your council member I will dedicate myself to serving the needs of our city.

I thank you for your support and your vote.