Candidate for
County Supervisor; Santa Cruz County; Supervisorial District 1

Charles Paulden Healthy Communities Advocate

Whether people know me as Chas, Charlie, Everyday Chuck or Yoga Charles, they know that I am deeply committed to the welfare of the people and the quality of life in Santa Cruz.

I have spent a lifetime working to preserve, protect and enhance the world in which we live. From my experience in leadership positions in the Boy Scouts, a a Senior Patrol Leader and Camp Counselor over seeing the Health Lodge and the Drinking Water supply, to my High School leadership as Jr Class President and Student body Vice President, I have worked to serve others to improve the experience of our lives together. As an opponent to the Vietnam War, I helped to organize UC Riverside with Teach-ins, Rallies and Community Petitions to non-violently educate and work to end what now is seen as a misguide intervention in a foreign Nation.

After receiving my BA in Psychology at UCR, hitch hiking through Europe, I returned to live in Santa Cruz. I have been involved in many actions to preserve our Open Spaces. Among them Lighthouse Field, Porter Sesnon, the Farm, O'Neill Ranch, Wielder Ranch and in opposition to the offshore oil drilling schemes that lead to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. I also campaigned to elect politicians that supported the preservation of what makes SC Co the place we love to live.

I attended Cabrillo and worked with the Body Awareness and Yoga Classes, as well as taking Counseling and Art Classes.

In order to try and communicate with the people making the Political decisions, that affect our lives, I attended Graduate School through Sonoma State. I worked at a Community Center in Mendocino, while pursuing a Masters Degree centered on Community and Environmental Psychology as well as research in how our thinking affects ourselves and others.

After finishing my Graduate course work, I spent time in Kauai.

I returned to Santa Cruz to work to protect our County from the pressures of development that have ravaged much of California, I certified as a Message Practitioner and a Wholistic Health Educator I continued my political activism while also studying Horticulture, Construction Management and becoming a Licensed Landscape Contractor. I also studied Art, Music and assisted in the Yoga Classes as well as volunteering for Tandy Beal Fundraisers.

I certified as a Yoga Therapist and a Hypnotherapist in order to help people work at their potential in a healthy environment.

I began People for the Preservation of Pleasure Point in order to protect the Special Coastal Community I have called home for over 40 years. I fought to prevent polluting Urban runoff and the loss precious rainwater we need to recharge our wells and prevent saltwater intrusion. I have filed many appeals to the Coastal Commission and made many appearances at the Board of Supervisors, in the attempt to retain our special quality of life that so many wish to emulate and visit.

I worked with the Live Oak History Group in the attempt to save Pleasure Point as an Historic district, one with deep roots of Surf Culture As this was not accepted by the County, I began the Campaign to save the Historic Roadhouse, an Arts and Crafts home, Barn and Cottage property that retained the character of the Point. Our vision for it as a Community Center, youth center, community gardens, hostel and History Museum was reflected in the early meetings of the Pleasure Point Planning process. A process I instigated in order to preserve the garden cottage surf community. I also started the campaign that preserved the Windbreak Park, to protect the overwinter Butterfly roost in Moran Lagoon.

My environmental activism and my understanding of Urban Design lead me to work with the Sierra Club, where I now sit on the Executive Committee.

My work to preserve Pleasure Point and my beginning of the Pleasure Point 4th of July Parade, as well as my membership in the local surf club PPNF and my wikipedia articles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasure_point,_santa_cruz,_california ) on the history of Pleasure Point, all show my commitment to good governance, that preserves, protects and enhance our special County.

Whether working on personal improvement in health and growth, or working for the health and well being of others, my commitment to good planing, as well as my work in the Trades and Landscape design while volunteering and working to be proactive, all show my commitment and understanding that all the parts need to work together for the greater good of the local business, the working people and the environment.