Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz became my home in 1970 when my husband joined the faculty of UCSC. Like so many others before and after us, we were drawn by this stunningly beautiful area, creative spirit, and sense of community. I've lived in Santa Cruz for over 4 decades now+ raised my family here, pursued my professional work, and become deeply involved in community life.

During the years my kids were growing up, I became a leader with Downtown Neighbors Association; the founding director of our local Planned Parenthood affiliate; an advocate/volunteer for state and local parks; a participant in my children's school activities; and board member for the Museum of Art and History. I was appointed to the City's Planning Commission and Zoning Board, serving for twelve years.

In 1992 I decided to run for City Council, motivated specifically by my work with Vision Santa Cruz, guiding downtown recovery after the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and my experience as a neighborhood advocate dealing with issues of community safety and livability.

I was elected that year and have since been elected to serve on the Council three more times, for a total of sixteen years, including three one-year terms as mayor. Throughout that time I built a reputation for dealing effectively with challenging issues, engaging community members in finding solutions, building partnerships across various sectors, and doing the homework necessary to achieve results. My priorities throughout my service on the Council have remained broadly constant:

Fostering a healthy, diversified local economy that provides jobs and builds a solid tax base to support City services.
Ensuring public safety ; local residents and visitors alike need to feel safe in our neighborhoods, parks and business districts.
Building community engagement and a spirit of collaboration to enrich our quality of life, in the areas of education, environment, arts and culture, and the social fabric of our community.

Now, after a two-year break in service due to term limits, I'm eager to serve once again and am seeking a fifth term on the Council. I am proud to have received endorsements from a broad cross-section of community leaders, and welcome your support as well.

Following is more specific information about some of my work and affiliations over the years in Santa Cruz, as both a Council member and community volunteer. If you have questions about these activities or other issues, please feel free to contact me.

Economic Development: Board member, Conference and Visitors Council; Member, Economic Development Council; Board member, Chamber of Commerce; 2009 Amgen Steering Committee; member Harvey West Association; Chair, Oversight board for City Redevelopment Agency; worked successfully to retain and attract quality jobs; supported programs to strengthen local business districts including infrastructure, façade improvements; supported responsible City fiscal policies and budgets; supported approval of new developments to improve business climate and build tax base.

Public Safety: Board member of Downtown Management Corporation (Host Program); liaison to neighborhood organizations and leaders; Planning Committee for new Police Building and Fire Station renovation; co-chaired Measure T campaign to fund 9-1-1 Dispatch Center; co-chaired ballot measures to fund police officers and safety officers in parks; convened community meetings for teen safety; co-authored revised downtown ordinances.

Environment: Appointed member, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee; Leadership Committee, Sanctuary Exploration Center; member, Sanctuary Interagency Advisory Council; member, Arbor Day Committee for the Urban Forest; Board member, Friends of Wilder Ranch; Chair, City Greenbelt Advisory Committee; Supported ongoing City commitments to energy conservation, recycling and waste reduction, green building, integrated pest management, water conservation; supported increased bicycle and pedestrian facilities citywide.

Education & youth: Chair, City-Schools Task Force; Co-chair, Measures C & D to fund school programs; Steering committee member of Santa Cruz High Centennial Committee for High School renovation; classroom volunteer; member, Library Joint Powers Authority; co-chair, Measure R to provide ongoing library revenue; Teen Center Task Force.

Arts and Culture: Tannery Arts Center advisory committees; Board member, Museum of Art and History; MAH Landmarks Committee; champion for City "2% for the arts" ordinance; review committee for public art projects; board member, Friends of Cowell Lime Works Historic District (UCSC); Member, County Historic Resources Commission

Human Services: Member, Seniors Council Advisory Board; Health Improvement partnership; Council Community Services Committee; United Way Advisory committee; career with Planned Parenthood; co-founder, Reproductive Rights Network; Support for safety net services assisting the disadvantaged, seniors, children, and families; Support for affordable housing programs serving a variety of populations including seniors, working families, special needs and transitional.