Candidate for
Council Member; City of Alameda

I work hard every day for our local Assemblymember and help make policy that improves the lives of everyday Alamedans, provide services to our constituents, and collaborate with local leaders to solve the problems of our day.

Working hard is a value I learned from my parents while growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. And working hard is what I have done for Alameda since I moved here to raise a family almost 20 years ago.

As an attorney, I worked on behalf of fathers, mothers, tenants, small property owners, and small business owners. After starting up a law firm during the great recession, I know from personal experience how the tough economy impacted families' sense of security and safety. I am also proud to have grown up in a labor household. These values and experiences will shape how I vote on the City Council.

My record of working for Alameda includes serving as:

• The first chair of the city's Open Government Commission
• A member of Alameda Hospital's Finance and Management Committee
• A member of the America's Cup ad hoc committee
• The long time treasurer of the Cantamar Homeowner's Association
• A member of one of the Superintendent's Parcel Tax Advisory Committees
• An elected member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, and
• A number of years of president of the City of Alameda Democratic Club

• When the Newark school district was trying to take BTSA (beginning teacher support and assessment) grant money away from Alameda USD, I worked with the school district, teachers, and my colleagues in other legislative offices to convince the Budget chair to include a fix in this year's budget to stop this. This fix made sure Alameda (as well as Berkeley, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo) received the money it was supposed to receive.
• When Alameda Health System wanted to acquire San Leandro Hospital and affiliate with Alameda Hospital, it was not financially feasible if the employees were required to join the Alameda County Pension system. I worked with the bargaining units to get them to support legislation drafted by our office to both keep them whole and allow these two hospitals to stay open.
• When a local business in town was going to be closed down by the DMV, I worked to explain to the agency why they were misinterpreting the law and allowed the business to stay open.
• When CalTrans delayed responding to the City not once but twice on permits for the new In-N-Out Burger, and also on the new crosswalk by Krusi Park, I helped cut through the red tape. I also ensured CalTrans kept the Otis Drive sewer repair project as a priority item and on schedule for completion this year.

Our city has made tremendous progress over the last four years. An era of acrimony and divisiveness has been replaced with an era of transparency and collaboration.

I am running for City Council to keep moving Alameda forward, and would be honored to earn your vote.