Full Biography for Steve Harkness

Candidate for
City Council; City of Morgan Hill

I am a native of California, born in Burbank, October, 1959. My public schooling took place in southern California, the Seattle area, and in Cupertino, CA, graduating from Monta Vista High. While I have not taken a college degree, I have taken college classes off and on through the years, and am an insatiable reader of anything I can get my hands on, from who-dunnits to quantum physics. I served briefly in the Air Force before blowing out my knee. I have worked in the electronics and semiconductor industries for many years now, and have been with my current employer for almost seven years as Bidding and Estimates Manager, Safety and Haz/Mat Manager, Telecommunications Manager and currently as Accounts Manager (although I'm still stuck with running the phone system). Prior to that I worked an assembly line at IBM.

I moved to Morgan Hill in September of 1989, about three weeks before the Loma Prieta Earthquake. Despite the shaking, I made Morgan Hill my home.

I am a firm believer in giving back to my community, and try live that belief every day:

• I am a member of the Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club, a service organization whose motto is "We Build". Kiwanis initiates and participates in many projects in and around Morgan Hill, including but not limited to:
  -Senior Pancake Breakfast
  -Live Oak High School Key Club
  -Holiday Lights Parade
  -Mushroom Mardi Gras
  -Taste of Morgan Hill I have served on the board of directors of the club for several years, and have served one term as president for which our parent organization, Kiwanis International, granted me the title of "Distinguished". I am proud to be a member an organization which does so much for our community.

• I am finishing a term as president of the Morgan Hill Historical Society, and am proud to have presented the newly refurbished Villa Mira Monte (the Morgan Hill House) to the people of Morgan Hill. The Board of the Historical Society has become a real force in our town, and is committed to the preservation of our heritage

• I have served as Interim City Treasurer, gaining the insight and knowledge needed to cope with Morgan Hill's complex budget.

• I have recently finished a full term on the city's Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Commission, protecting the rights of mobile home residents and park owners. I did not re-apply to this post as I was planning on running for city council at this time, and felt that I should not commit to another term if I was going to run for higher office.

• I have (and still do) volunteer for the city's Graffiti Wipe-out and Watch programs (Graffiti Watch is not currently active)

• I have been a member of the Bay Area Emergency Radio chapter of REACT International.

• I have served on two interview boards for the Morgan Hill Police Department, interviewing for promotions and new hires.