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By Pat Eklund

To learn more about Pat Eklund's work on issues you care about, go to: www.pateklund.com

If you live in Novato, chances are you've met Pat Eklund at your doorstep, school, or neighborhood event. That's because Pat understands being a public servant means being a good neighbor not just at election time, but every day.

A Leader Who Stands Up for Us

Pat has earned a reputation as a leader who stands up for what she believes in even if it means taking on politics-as-usual. Pat stood up to Sacramento politicians by fighting to pass Proposition 1A to prevent the state government from raiding the local funds that pay for our essential services. She's been fighting to stop cuts to the Novato Police Department.

As a strong advocate for the environment, Pat is working to protect hillsides and ridgelines, and to upgrade and revitalize our parks. And Pat is a driving force behind the revitalization of downtown to attract new businesses and expand consumer choices in Novato.

Pat is fighting to bring more state and federal transportation dollars to Novato as Past President of the League of California Cities. As a former Novato representative on the Transportation Authority of Marin, Pat has worked to develop and implement solutions to congestion on Highway 101 that are cost effective, environmentally sound, and compatible with surrounding neighborhoods. Pat also has served as Novato's representative on the board of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART).

With a sharp eye for detail and a master's degree in public administration, Pat has made it her job to get under the hood of local government to make sure our leaders are making the very best decisions for taxpayers.

A Lifetime Protecting Our Environment

Pat balanced her work on the City Council with her career as an Environmental Manager for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where she managed important programs to protect our environment, including the Underground Storage Tanks, Ground Water, Ocean Dumping, Wetlands Protection (Section 404) of the Clean Water Act, San Francisco Bay, and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System programs. Pat has earned a master's of science degree in environmental management and led the effort to convert our streetlights to LED fixtures saving thousands of dollars in electrical and maintenance costs, worked to protect open spaces, advocated for green buildings, and spearheaded expansion of the City of Novato's recycling programs to include free collection of electronic, medical and household hazardous wastes. With her extensive experience in environmental policy and program implementation, Pat serves on the Environmental Quality Policy Committee for the League of California Cities. During her 18 year service on the Committee, she has served as chair twice and on many task forces focusing on the California Environmental Quality Act, waste management, recycling, hazardous waste and others.

A Passion for Public Service

Pat's advocacy for the environment is matched only by her devotion to public service. In addition to her service on the Novato City Council, Pat served as Past President and Secretary of the Cities, Counties and Schools (CCS) Partnership, a joint effort of the League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties and California School Boards Association. The CCS Partnership is dedicated to improving the conditions of California's children, families and communities by encouraging local collaborative efforts among cities, counties schools, community-based nonprofit organizations, and business and civic leaders.

Pat was elected by the 11 cities in Marin County to serve on the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Executive Board. She also serves of the Regional Planning Committee and the Administrative Committee for ABAG. Since her election to the ABAG Executive Board, Pat has been tirelessly standing up to maintain the quality of life and character of Novato and Marin County.

Pat is Past President of the League of California Cities and served on the Board of Directors for over a decade, where she worked tirelessly to protect local tax dollars and preserve local control for California cities.

As a Novato Planning Commissioner, Pat worked to protect our quality of life in Novato by advocating for smart land use decisions. Pat has served as President of the Hillside Park East Homeowner's Association and as a board member of Marin County Flood Control District, Novato Community Hospital, North Marin Federation of Homeowners, and North Bay Wetlands Project.

Currently, Pat is on the Hamilton Restoration Advisory Board, and has been an advocate for quality of life improvements in Hamilton, including expanding the Hamilton Arts Center.

A Good Neighbor with Deep Roots in Our Community

Pat grew up in Marin County and graduated from Terra Linda High School in 1969. Pat graduated from San Francisco State University in 1974. She earned a master's in public administration from Golden Gate University in 1979 and a master's of science in environmental management from the University of San Francisco in 1988.

In addition to her duties on the Novato City Council, the CCS Partnership, Association of Bay Area Governments, Pat is an active community volunteer for local activities such as Career Days in our schools, Native Sons of the Golden West 4th grade essay contest, and Read Across America at Olive School. Pat is a Rotarian, a member of the Novato Historical Guild, Sierra Club, Marin Conservation League, and an honorary member of the Indian Valley Artists.