Candidate for
Council Member; City of Novato

Annan (rhymes with "Shannon") Paterson has been involved in community work all her life. From working as a hospital volunteer as a teenager in the 1970's to helping open the Novato Wellness Center in 2006, she has always believed in the value of public service and the importance of giving back to others.

Annan was influenced early on by her grandfather, Arthur W. Bromage, who served as a City Councilman in Ann Arbor, Michigan during the 1950's after returning home from serving in World War II. Also a professor of municipal government at the University of Michigan, he passed on to Annan the conviction that effective, responsive local governments are essential to a healthy democracy.

Annan, a public school psychologist and guidance counselor for the past 25 years, is a firm believer in the importance of building strong communities. She works every day with teens and their families to help them build the tools they need to achieve academically and live successful lives. For her service to Novato's schools, Annan received a Golden Bell Award for excellence in education from the Marin County Office of Education.

As Chair of the City of Novato Multicultural Commission, Annan partnered with the Novato Police Department to help prevent crime and cultivate programs that promote cross-cultural awareness, respect and safety. As a result, she has earned the endorsements of former Police Chief Brian Brady and former Police Captain Reginald Lyles. She was awarded the Marin County Martin Luther King Award for her service in Novato.

As President of Sustainable Novato, Annan has been a leader in raising awareness of global warming issues and the need to take local action. She co-produced a series of local forums on clean energy, zero waste and the importance of locally owned businesses to a healthy economy. She has worked tirelessly to bring the City Council, Novato Unified School District and other governmental agencies up to speed on green practices and sustainable policies.

Annan's belief that the citizens of Novato should have more influence on local government and politics than the big moneyed special interests, led her to form Fair Campaigns Novato in 2006. Through a petition drive that garnered over 2000 signatures in less than 2 months, Annan and the Fair Campaigns Novato organization were able to convince the City Council to sign into law an ordinance that established a $400 maximum cap on all political campaign contributions for Novato elections.

Annan received her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her Masters degree from Hayward State University (now CSU East Bay).

Annan and her husband Frederick, a special education teacher, raised their son, Leland, in Novato, the city they love and cherish. Leland is a graduate of San Marin High School. Annan also helped raise her stepchildren, Carrie and Blake. She became a first-time grandmother earlier this year.