Promoting Community Values

By Aileen Kao

I am running for the Saratoga City Council. I look forward to serving our community, and promoting the quality of our lives in Saratoga.

I was born in Taiwan and came to the United States for graduate school in 1976, then became a U.S. citizen in 1988. My husband and I moved the family to California in 1996. Our son is now a freshman in college. I have a Master's degree in Chemistry, and have worked at Eastman Kodak, BASF, Bell Atlantic Corporation, and Cisco during the last 25 years. I am currently working part time at a software company. My education and professional experience have given me a strong background in team building and in delivering services and products.

While serving as an elected Saratoga school board member, we faced significant budget and policy decisions requiring difficult trade-offs among the interests of students, teachers, administrators, neighborhoods, and the general public. This responsibility helped enhance my skills in achieving cooperative solutions to city problems in tough financial times. I also volunteered in our community for seven years as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 488, on the Saratoga High School site council, with the Saratoga Music Boosters, and with the Organization for Chinese American Women, Silicon Valley Chapter.

While volunteering, I experienced the beauty of Saratoga, its people and its natural resources. I also became aware of citizen concerns in many areas of the City. My volunteer and school board experience confirmed my commitment to public service and inspired me to become a candidate for City Council. I want to help lead the efforts to promote quality of life issues for all of us.

I am committed to do what is best for all of Saratoga's neighborhoods and commercial areas. My commitment includes:

• preserving neighborhood integrity and compatibility
• supporting fiscally responsible budgets
• increasing senior and youth oriented activities
• improving our business climate
• promoting partnerships with our school districts
• addressing the problems around safety, noise, and congestion