Author: William Ktsanes

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of GREG LYMAN

My family has lived and owned a home in El Cerrito for 27 years and have served on the El Cerrito City Council for the past 7.5 years, currently as Mayor. During my time in office, we have reopened the Cerrito Theater, completed San Pablo Avenue improvements, repaved City streets, attracted new businesses, rebuilt the recycling center, banned plastic bags, enacted a non-smoking ordinance, joined Marin Clean Energy, passed the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, raised the minimum wage, and ensured responsive city services, all while weathering tough economic times.

I have been an ECDC member for 8 years and on the Executive Board since 2010. Currently, I am the ECDC Treasurer and was the Executive Vice President. I previously served on El Cerrito’s Park and Recreation Commission and as President of the Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League. I have worked to increase the size of the Hillside Natural Area and create playing fields.

I hold a BS degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University and am a licensed California Professional Engineer. My career of 30+ years has been dedicated to protection and restoration of our natural environment, including creation of habitat for threatened and endangered species.

I am endorsed by current El Cerrito Council Members Abelson, Bridges, Friedman and Quinto, Congressman DeSaulnier, Assembly Member Thurmond, Supervisor Gioia, and State Senate candidate Skinner.

If reelected, I will continue to work on improving quality of life in El Cerrito, with emphasis on providing public safety and services, expanding pedestrian-friendly areas, attracting new shops and amenities and building a safe modern library. If reelected, I will continue to represent El Cerrito on regional boards. I would appreciate your vote for endorsement on August 27^th and your vote on November 8th.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of NICHOLAS ARZIO

I’m Nicholas Arzio and I’m running for El Cerrito City Council to promote inclusiveness at city hall and to represent the interests of the El Cerrito community when planning our regional role.

Here are a few of my goals:

1. Require affordable housing in all new multifamily residences.
2. Add bins where needed along the Ohlone Greenway and San Pablo Ave.
3. Keep police, fire, and public works departments properly staffed and equipped to serve El Cerrito well.
4. Promote practical methods to combat climate change locally.
5. Replace some vacant storefronts with modern office and lab space to attract professionals, scientists and software developers. This will, in turn, attract cafes and retail to the remaining storefronts.

I have the endorsement of Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, Former Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, Former El Cerrito Mayor Cathie Kosel, Berkeley City Councilmember Jesse Arreguin, and many more.

I want the ECDC endorsement because I’m deeply involved with this club and the Democratic Party. I’m the former ECDC Executive Vice President, co-wrote our local minimum wage resolution and successfully campaigned for our municipal minimum wage. I’ve served on five DPCCC committees and attended/volunteered at countless DPCCC events. I attended two California Democratic Conventions and a meeting of the CADEM Executive Board and I’ve volunteered for numerous Democratic candidates.

I’m also deeply involved in the El Cerrito Community. I am currently the Chair of the El Cerrito Crime Prevention Committee, and a member of the El Cerrito NAACP, El Cerrito Historical Society, and Friends of Baxter Creek.

I humbly ask for your endorsement. Questions? Contact me:

(415) 473-7623

Arzio4council@gmail.com

www.arzio2016.com

https://www.facebook.com/arzio4council

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of PAUL FADELLI

I grew up here. Our kids grew up here too. They went to pre-school, camps, used the great recreational facilities, the parks, swim center and soccer fields, and we’ve always enjoyed the July 4^th Festival. I owe a lot to El Cerrito. I want to give back to this great community and maintain a high quality of life for our residents.

My priorities: keep us safe from crime and fire danger, protect our parks and recreational facilities, enhance local business along San Pablo Avenue, grow a transit-friendly sustainable community, and encourage additional housing that can spur local business development.

We must also prioritize a new library! I will work to keep the city budget balanced and continue to encourage arts and cultural events. El Cerrito citizens must make sure their voice is heard in any regional efforts that impact our city, and I will do that.

I am new at being a candidate – but not new at being a public servant. I have worked in Congress and the State Capitol on behalf of progressive legislators and their constituents for over three decades.

I presently work for BART in charge of legislation to keep the system running and its riders safe. I am also a commissioner on the El Cerrito Arts & Culture Commission.

I am endorsed by local firefighters, police, the Sierra Club, El Cerrito City Council Members Janet Abelson, Jan Bridges, Mark Friedman, and Gabriel Quinto.

I would be honored to have your vote. Learn more at www.fadelliforelcerrito.org.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of ROCHELLE PARDUE-OKIMOTO

As your Councilmember, I will fight for a healthy, inclusive community.

I received my bachelor’s in nursing degree from Samuel Merritt/Saint Mary’s College. Currently, I practice nursing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Alta Bates Hospital. I’ve spent years advocating for healthcare access.

I will fight for the safety of our citizens. I will work with city, county and state leaders to ensure El Cerrito’s paramedics have access to full service, acute care hospitals in order to provide timely care.

While Vice Chair of the El Cerrito Human Relations Commission, I wrote a resolution to proclaim June 12th Loving Day in honor of the Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage. I spearheaded the first Loving Day celebration in El Cerrito that took place in June 2016. I was also instrumental in creating the Not in Our Town Campaign, asserting our community values of tolerance and respect.

As the mother of two young boys, I will continue to build a community where all of our children are safe, respected, and nurtured.

Most importantly, I will listen to your needs in order to ensure a responsive government. Thank you for your support.

Endorsed by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Senator Loni Hancock, Assemblymember Tony Thurmond, Supervisor John Gioia, Mayor Pro Tem Janet Abelson, Councilmember Jan Bridges, Councilmember Mark Friedman, Councilmember Gabriel Quinto, Sierra Club, El Cerrito Police Employee’s Association, Contra Costa Professional Firefighter’s Local 1230, and the California Nurses Association.

www.Pardue-Okimoto.com

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of CHUCK TOOMBS

I am a member of the ECDC and I seek its endorsement as I run for re-election to our District Board.

I am deeply committed to Kensington’s future. I have ably served Kensington, putting the interests of all Kensington residents first and foremost. If I win with your endorsement and your support I will continue to serve Kensington with the integrity and civility this community deserves. And I will carry the Democratic values and message that are so important to this Club throughout Kensington.

We have asked a Kensington citizen committee to help chart our future and I want to be a vital part of it.

We must examine our current police services, ask what our community wants and ask what it is prepared to pay for.

We must determine if a separate general manager/ chief of police is the best management model and whether it is affordable.

We must determine if a combined district managing both police and fire services is the best way to set community priorities and manage tax dollars needed to pay for them.

We must make these decisions in partnership with our community, fairly, respectfully, and with the best interests of Kensington first and foremost. Only then can we say we have done our best and ably served each other.

I vow to seek the input and opinions of our community as we move forward into our future. We owe it to each other to wrestle with these issues together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect as we look to create a sustainable future for all of us.

I respectfully ask for this club’s endorsement.

Thanks!

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of DAVID SPATH

The Kensington community faces important decisions regarding provision of police services, Kensington Police Protection and Community Services District (KPPCSD) management and the structure of Kensington government. These decisions require thoughtful deliberation by and cooperation among the KPPCSD Board and full engagement with Kensington residents to ensure all opinions are heard and considered.

My 44 year professional experience is in public sector service at the local, state and national level. I have worked effectively with people of diverse opinions in an open public process. For example, I’ve chaired the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Drinking Water Advisory Council and, most recently, chaired the KPPCSD’s Ad Hoc Committee on Governance and Operations Structure.

I have considerable experience in public sector management, which is important for a Board member. I have managed state programs with both small and large multifaceted budgets and staff. I understand the challenges of balancing budgets with limited revenue sources while managing personnel costs including salaries, pension and medical benefits.

As a 33 year resident who’s been actively involved in the Kensington community, I am deeply committed to helping develop a sustainable future direction that best meets the values and ideals of the community. I believe my experience and my ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others toward consensus decision-making make me well suited to serve on the Board. KPPCSD and the community are facing important decisions going forward and I hope that you will allow me to help lead that process. I respectively ask for your vote. Thank you

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of EILEEN M. NOTTOLI 
Director, Kensington Police Protection and Community Service District

I want to serve as one of your elected directors on the KPPCSD Board, using my experience to help our community work together to balance sound fiscal management with active citizen-based governance.

As a 26+ year Kensington property owner, I care deeply about strengthening our community in the face of shrinking reserves and growing long-term debt. Like many of my neighbors, I’m eager to work together to restore sound community policing, transparency, and exemplary administrative practices. I have the time, temperament and dedication to help our board become better problem solvers.

I am an environmental attorney with the San Francisco firm of Allen Matkins. My education in chemistry led to a legal career advancing client interests through a broad range of regulatory environments. I have solved knotty, contentious public problems and I will use this experience to bring focus and creativity to the KPPCSD board.

I am open-minded and will gather data before taking action.  After evaluation of the Ad Hoc Committee’s findings, I recommend obtaining competing bids for police services from the interested agencies to determine whether we can save revenue while meeting community needs.  Regarding consolidating fire and police services, it seems reckless to consider this before the KPPCSD gets its own administration and fiscal house in order.  Whether to split the General Manager/Chief of Police combined job remains a top priority to ensure the best long term strategy for Kensington.

You can find more about me at bit.do/eileen4kensington.

I appreciate your support and ask for your vote.

Email: enottoli4kensington@gmail.com

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of SIMON BRAFMAN

I am a 3-year Kensington resident, who appreciates the beauty and potential of our community. As a member of the KPPCSD Finance Committee, Ad Hoc Committee on Governance and Operations Structure, and the KCC, I am well acquainted with two critical challenges facing our district:

• Financial Instability
• Lack of Board Accountability to Kensington Residents

The KPPCSD continues to operate without a sustainable, fiscal plan, and often accepts legal turmoil over common sense or community-oriented problem solving. We need to change that approach.

If elected, I will focus on reasonable governing, rather than on control. I will engage our community, ensuring open dialogues about which plans, policies and expenditures will best safeguard Kensington’s future. I will listen to criticism and ideas, responding with reasonable solutions.

I will apply my MBA education and extensive business experience to ensure our community obtains quality services and sustainable, long-term financial stability. I will work to establish a balanced budget, including a five-year financial plan, a reserves policy, and strategies to address all unfunded liabilities threatening Kensington’s long term financial health. I will apply pragmatism to manage our community-oriented police services, our community’s assets, as well as our garbage service contracts and labor negotiations.

As a Director, I won’t just talk about problems. I will promote pragmatic, community-based solutions to address our current and future needs with accountability, creativity and respect, thus making the KPPCSD Board as effective as Kensington is beautiful.

Thank you for your consideration.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of SYLVIA HACAJ

I am running for the Kensington Police Protection and Community Services District Board to restore trust in our governance, fiscal policy and police services.

I moved to Kensington with my husband in 2008. Our two children attend Hilltop Elementary School and I serve on the Kensington Education Foundation board. I also served on the board of the Kensington Property Owners Association. I run my own consulting practice advising and training nonprofit leaders.

Early in my career, I helped establish the AmeriCorps national service program. I have devoted my professional life to shaping public policy, leading advocacy efforts, and developing priorities and effective fundraising strategies within the national and international philanthropic communities.

These experiences have taught me how to build cooperation and rally others around a common endeavor–skills that can inform my work on the KPPCSD board.

The final report of the Ad Hoc Committee for Governance and Operations Structure presents the new KPPCSD board with fundamental policy choices on how we manage police services and improve Kensington’s governance structure. If elected I will work constructively with board members and residents to analyze our needs and address them in ways that minimize fiscal and legal risk. I will work to diminish acrimony and bolster civic engagement and consensus.

I have the judgment, skills and disposition needed to make good decisions for Kensington at this critical time. If you will give me your vote, I will serve you by listening, and forging solutions that will have tangible, positive and long-lasting impacts on Kensington.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of ANTONIO MEDRANO

Occupation: retired teacher, community college and high school

I taught for 36 years in public schools. I am the proud father of two sons and a daughter, and I’m the grandfather of four grandkids, ages 3 to 19. I have lived in West County since the early 1980s and have been very active in the community and the school district-including chair of the Redevelopment Committee of Montalvin Manor, two terms on the Contra Costa Grand Jury, WCCUSD school board member 2008-2012, WCCUSD Citizen Bond Oversight Committee member, WCCUSD Audit Subcommittee member, WCCUSD Budget Advisory Committee member, and chair of the Berkeley/North East Bay chapter of the ACLU of Northern California. I am a graduate of the University of San Francisco, with a teaching credential from UCLA. Retired AFT/CFT #61 AFL-CIO,NEA/CTA.

We need to increase school safety, attract and retain the best teachers and principals, provide equal opportunities for all students, and make student achievement our top priority. Our academies-health, technology, environmental studies, law and justice, multimedia, hospitality, and creative and performing arts-are providing more of our students with greater educational opportunities and are keeping students in school. They need our strong support.

We want and need open, transparent communication with our school board. And we need full and open distribution ofthe Local Control Funds designated for low-income, English language students, and foster kids.

I want to thank all those who voted for me in the election of 2008, and I ask for your vote now in this election. When I am elected, I promise to listen to you, the community, to our parents, and to our students. Vote for change and a new voice. All students deserve an equal opportunity for success.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of AYANA YOUNG

I’m Ayana Kirkland Young, a wife, a mother of 7 and an attorney. I grew up in Pinole and live in Hercules.

I’m not a politician but a concerned parent. I’m running for office because I have a vested interest in the success of this district and want to help ensure that all students obtain the best education possible to prepare them for the future.

My platform:

Raise academic achievement for all
Raise our standards and expect the highest achievement from each student
Create art and other extra-curricular programs that will inspire a love for learning

-The way to raise academic achievement is by making it a priority for all. Turn the focus to educating students to be proficient or better in Math and Science. Encourage Reading and Comprehension through the Socratic Method and Collaborative Learning.

– We can no longer be satisfied with mediocrity. Every student must be encouraged to reach their highest potential and be given the tools to do so, such as motivated teachers; during and after school academic support; and high achievement math and science programs and courses.

– Arts and other extra- curricular activities support Math and Science. Students won’t learn if they hate school. By making the Arts a priority we can create a holistic environment for learning.

There is definitely work to be done, and I will serve at the pleasure of the students and this community!

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of CARLOS TABOADA

I have been a teacher and counselor for 21 years in West Contra Costa Unified School District. I believe, unequivocally, in the value of real public education and want to continue serving our community as an elected School Board member.

I am an educator and parent of a child who attended WCCUSD schools as well as a grandfather of another child who will soon attend schools in WCCUSD. I know firsthand that the key to ensuring great public schools for all students is to provide educators with the tools and resources they need. Therefore, I believe maintaining fiscal responsibility to taxpayers and the community is essential in order to have well-functioning schools.

So that our students achieve and succeed, our schools need caring, qualified, experienced teachers as well as smaller class sizes, up-to-date textbooks with appropriate technology, and safe learning environments.

Public education is a shared responsibility. We are all responsible—teachers, parents, students, elected officials and community leaders–for ensuring all children receive quality education. By working together, we are able to overcome any challenges facing our school district.

We have a wealth of highly qualified, committed and talented teachers, as well as students who are eager to learn. We also have a strong school district that is responsible for educating all children, regardless of their abilities and backgrounds.

As a School Board candidate I am driven by a desire to work toward a stronger relationship between the district and the communities it serves. Public education is an investment and a commitment to our children, our communities and our future. Therefore, in order to protect our investment in all children we must limit the expansion of charter schools.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of DON GOSNEY

Remember that time when our School Board used to focus their attention on the education of our children? In recent years they’ve lost their way and seem to be fixated on investigations, charter schools and construction projects.

Before we can begin to address the educational needs of our kids, though we need to clear these distractions from the table. My goals include:

#1 ~ Bridging the divides that are keeping us from focusing on what we should be focused on: the education of the children. We have pro/anti charter people, Hercules vs. Kensington, flatland vs everyone else, one ethnicity against all other ethnicities. Until we can bridge these divides we’re going to stagnate.

#2 ~ Find a way to attract and retain quality teachers and administrators. The mass exodus from the District is having a destructive effect on our students.

#3 ~ Refocus the attention of the Board on educating our students. Right now they’re fixated on finding someone to blame for issues that live mostly in their minds. Borrowing $2.4 million for the witch hunt investigation to root out corruption that no one–not the District Attorney, the Grand Jury, the State Attorney General, the FBI, the IRS, and the SEC have been able to find–is a ludicrous waste of our precious tax dollars. Unless someone can tell us what their end game is–what they expect to get from this–then the Board needs to rethink their actions and they sure as heck need to put that money back into the classrooms.

Communication is the key to many of our problems. We need to open lines of communication between the Board, the community, the students and our educators to learn what needs to be done and then we need to devote our attention to making it happen.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of MISTER PHILLIPS

I have faithfully represented the residents of West County on the Democratic Central Committee since 2012. Now I am running for the board of the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) to help our students achieve their full potential. As the parent of a WCCUSD student, co-chair of the Richmond Promise Ad-Hoc Committee, member of the First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, attorney at law, non-profit trustee, and former substitute teacher in the WCCUSD, I believe I have the right combination of energy and experience to help our students move forward. My vision is that every student in the WCCUSD will attend a safe school where they are engaged and able to achieve academically. Unfortunately, that is not the case now. Nineteen schools in the WCCUSD have been in Program Improvement status for five or more years, which means these schools have failed to meet Annual Yearly Progress (state standards) for seven or more years. That is unacceptable. Fortunately, we can still turn things around. But we have to prioritize school safety, student engagement, academic achievement, employee morale, and parent involvement. If elected, I will work with other parents, district employees, community groups, my fellow board members, and others in the spirit of collaboration to make sure that every student in the WCCUSD can receive a quality public education. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. I humbly ask for your vote. For more information, please visit www.misterphillips.com. Thank you.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT of TOM PANAS

I believe an excellent public education is the key to unlocking our children’s future and a thriving school system is essential for a successful community. That is why I’m running for the West County school board.

I am a former Chief Financial Officer and Certified Public Accountant. I’m the Chair of the WCCUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. I served on the WCCUSD Community Budget Advisory Committee. I have the know-how to ensure the District’s $340 million budget and $1.6 billion school construction program are well managed. I will make sure that students and taxpayers are getting the most for our money.

I believe students of every background deserve an excellent education. I fully support our Party’s education plank, for example adequate school funding and strong democratic governance. The School Board must ensure every dollar benefits students, teachers and schools. I’ll focus on academic and school climate programs that best serve the needs of our students, families, and teachers.

I’ve lived here for more than 40 years. My two grown sons attended District schools K-12. I believe in the potential of West County and have fought hard to improve our community. Because of my years of service, my City Council put me on the Wall of Fame in 2014. Now I’d like to apply that same passion to our District. I know that all our students can succeed.

I stand for great schools and effective financial management. I respectfully ask for your vote. My website is tom4kids.com. Thank you.