Candidate for
Mayor; City of Alameda

Biography

As life-long Alameda residents, my family and I have strong ties to the community. Our family has lived in Alameda for four generations; my parents, Jean and Bob Follrath, are seniors active in the community, and both of my children--Geoffrey, age 12, and Katherine, age 9--attend local public schools. For the past 15 years, my husband Michael has been a police officer across the estuary in Oakland.

Education and Professional Recognition

After attending Alameda public schools, I went to college at California State University at Hayward. At Hayward, I majored in Music and graduated with high honors. Continuing my education at the University of San Francisco, School of Law, I was deeply involved in activities that trained me in preparation of trial work: the International Moot Court, the Student Trial Lawyers Association, and the Student Bar Association. I was also a member of the Phi Alpha Delta honor society. Transferring to McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific, I obtained my Juris Doctor from McGeorge in June of 1986. I gained admission to the State Bar of California and the United States District Court in December of 1986. I was also honored to be admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in June of 1996. I currently practice law in Alameda.

Community Background

Serving on the Planning Board for four years and the City Council for four years, I have promoted and implemented policies specifically tailored to preserve the quality of life here in Alameda. I have worked for better transportation solutions for Alameda by helping create the Alameda Public Transit Committee & Transportation Commission, and serving on the Alameda County Transportation Authority. By negotiating to acquire Mastic Senior Center, we made certain that a vibrant and unique community institution remained open to our senior citizens. I have also fought hard to enhance the educational opportunities for Alameda youths by doubling developer fees that go to our schools, and also by securing funds for a new library facility. These programs and many others are crucial to maintaining the residential character of Alameda and keeping our city one of the Bay Area's most desirable places to live.

I am proud of my record of public service and community involvement and I hope you will give me the opportunity to continue my service as your new mayor.