Candidate for
Council Member; City of Sonoma

Laurie Gallian

In 1981, while visiting the Sonoma Plaza and the City of Sonoma, I decided to make this beautiful city my next home. For the last 31 years, including four years as a Sonoma City Councilmember and as Mayor in 2011, I have continuously served this community as an active parent, nonprofit board member, and community volunteer.

Work and Family

Since 1984, I have worked in Sonoma as a small business consultant providing accounting, billing, and payroll services to clients in Sonoma, Marin, and Sacramento. I served clients in a variety of industries, from construction, manufacturing and wine, to medical care and legal services. In 2000, I accepted my current position as a public school finance manager in the Springs area of Sonoma Valley. I am married to Ray Gallian, a former City Planning Commissioner and I have one son, Shane Dalton, who is a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corp Reserve. Shane works as a personal trainer and attends Santa Rosa Junior College.

Serving Sonoma

In 2007, I was selected as a City of Sonoma representative to the Sonoma County Climate Action Plan advisory committee, which broadened my public service focus to include the environment. Shortly thereafter, I served on the City of Sonoma Community Services and Environment Commission. In July 2008, I ran for Sonoma City Council and was sworn-in in December of 2008. In 2011, I served as Sonoma's Mayor.

History of Leadership

Today I represent the residents of Sonoma on many City and County committees, which include the City of Sonoma Budget Committee, the Sonoma County Water Advisory Committee, Sonoma County Transportation Authority, and the Sonoma County Agriculture Preservation and Open Space District Advisory Committee. These committees are very important to the overall quality of life in this community. Sonoma County has made innovative decisions in the areas of transportation, climate policy, and water. It is essential for small cities like Sonoma to have consistent representation and a place at the table. I have proposed and enacted local policies that help keep Sonoma clean, green, protected, and cherished + enhancing our quality of life while maintaining Sonoma's unique character.

Strong Government

I believe that government can play a role in bettering people's lives, and local government should be the first responder to citizens' concerns. Government is not the enemy, nor should the goal be to get it out of the way, as it is particularly suited to helping people; in fact, that is its purpose. Through government we provide a voice to our citizens, which strengthens our community and preserves the social equity and justice that we demand.