Candidate for
Council Member; Town of Windsor

I grew up in the Silicon Valley before it was the Silicon Valley - before Highways 280 and 85 existed. I remember open spaces between cities, and lots of fruit trees in the valley.

I spent high school years in Santa Cruz where there was a real sense of community. I received a Masters Degree in Environmental and City Planning and then went to work for the Governor's Office of Planning and Research in the early 1980's.

I moved to Sonoma County in 1989 to be closer to my Grandmother in Sonoma to help care for her. I bought a 1934-era farmhouse in Windsor in 1990, and after Windsor was incorporated, I wanted to put my environmental and city planning skills to use to prevent the sprawl development I saw happen in the Sunnyvale/San Jose area. Sam Salmon appointed me to the Planning Commission in 1994, I ran for council in 1996 and have been working for Windsor since then.

I recently left PG&E after a 25 year career as an Environmental Specialist, and more recently, as a Senior Program Manager in the new Sustainable Communities Department.

I bicycle long distances for fun and exercise - last year I rode my bike across Iowa with 20,000 other people, in the 35th annual RAGBRAI event. I make about 150 jars of jam and jellies each year to give away in baskets at fundraisers, and for family and friends. I also needlepoint when I can find the time. "Aunt Debbie" takes her 10 yr old niece and 7 yr old nephew on a special trip each year.

People can say that they believe in smart growth and good planning, but it's easy to say, and harder to know how to do it. I know how to do it. You need to fully understand the principles (I continue to learn by attending a nationwide conference each year), and you need to hold firm to your principles when developers come forward with average, sprawl development projects that are not smart growth. I want to continue helping Windsor to growth in a smart, slow way for the next four years. I also want to push the envelope and lead us toward a more sustainable future, where we create or encourage others to create local renewable power sources.