Candidate for
Council Member; City of Clayton

Julie's Vision for Clayton

Clayton residents live in one of the most beautiful places in the bay area. Our small, family-oriented bedroom community has all the advantages of close proximity to the big city while retaining the ambience of a town in the country. We have a low crime rate, great schools, friendly neighborhoods and Mt. Diablo in our back yard.

As the proud, active "Nana" to four grandchildren, two in Clayton, I am committed to the preservation of our scenic vistas, ridgelines, open spaces, and our award-winning trail system, while creating new recreational opportunities for our families. I co-chaired the effort to build our community gym, helped establish our Concerts in The Grove, co-chair July 4th and Clayton Counts Down events, actively support Clayton Valley Charter High School and volunteer for many community events.

Together as a community, we set a vision for our downtown. We are seeing the realization of our long-term planning. The Grove Park is the lively focal point of downtown activities, concerts and playtime. Creation of our vibrant downtown of small shops with historic ambience will require continued deliberate, responsible planning. New commercial buildings and businesses will bring services for our residents and provide much-needed revenue for the city of Clayton.

The Region & State Affect Clayton too

On the regional level, I am actively involved in protecting our local land-use control as the region struggles with plans for future growth. We must plan now for the future we want for ourselves, our children and grandchildren while retaining the unique qualities that make our communities special. As Vice President of the Association of Bay Area Governments, I am a respected, effective voice for allowing cities to plan in ways that are suitable for their own residents. I meet regularly with regional business leaders to press for our needs in the region. As your representative at the table, I bring needed reason and balance to these critical discussions.

California's state legislatures have continually violated the will of the voters by stealing local monies (redevelopment, property and sales taxes) owed to the cities. They have passed the costs of the state's obligations to local jurisdictions, leaving cities strapped to fund local services. As a result, Clayton's current general fund budget is the same as a decade ago. Clayton led other cities in implementing a two-tier retirement plan, unpaid furloughs and a five-year pay freeze. Together, Clayton's council and staff have worked hard to preserve essential community services with careful stewardship, though unfunded special projects have been curtailed. Even if the state's fiscal situation improves we must not initiate services without identified, ongoing funding. I am committed to maintaining Clayton's financial stability through careful planning and conservative budgeting.

Together, we do a lot for our community

Clayton is an active community with many hard-working volunteers! Without your contributions, and in the face of state take-aways, many of the activities we have come to cherish could not continue. Your support of our Concerts in The Grove, VFW Memorial Day, 4th of July, Clayton Cleans Up, CBCA, Woman's Club, Historical Society, schools, scout programs, youth sports and other activities adds to the richness of our town and makes it the place we love to call home.

With your support, I have been honored to serve as a Clayton council member and community leader since 1992, including four terms as mayor. My experience on the council has given me extensive knowledge of the issues facing Clayton and the region. I bring continuity of policy leadership to our community.

Please vote "YES" for Julie Pierce for Clayton City Council on November 6, 2012. I need your support to continue doing this important local and regional work. I would deeply appreciate your support in this election.

For more information about issues of importance to Clayton, please call me at 925-518-4446 or email me at Julie_Pierce@comcast.net.