Candidate for
Trustee; Peralta Community College District; Trustee Area 4

My political philosophy is broad and variegated. Since this is not my first run for public office, one may argue that I am either glutton for punishment, obsessed with the notion of making public policy or have a love affair with democracy. I suspect that the latter analysis best describes the definition of why I am seeking elected office as Trustee, Peralta Community College District Area 4, which includes the cities of Albany, Central Berkeley, and Emeryville, California. The skills and strength of which I bring to this position include an in-depth knowledge of budgeting and accounting, contract negotiations, tax-exempt bond financing, acquisition and development, land use planning, and certificate of participation.

Today is October 8, 2004. Exactly, 25 days or 602 hours from now we as voters will have an opportunity to cast a vote for the candidate of our choice in the national and local elections. 602 hours from now, we will be able to carry out the profound words of President John Kennedy, which he so aptly expressed in the book Profiles in Courage, when he says, "What happens to the country, to the world, depends on what we do with what others have left us." I suggest that others have left us with a great responsibility to vote and participate in the democratic political process. And what we can do now is vote for Progress for Peralta by giving James E. Peterson an opportunity to navigate the future of policymaking over the next four years at Peralta College Board on behalf of the cities of Albany, Berkeley and Emeryville. In the end, one candidate will win, but no one will lose for it is the process of democracy that makes this nation great and not just the outcome of the tally count. I ask that you give me your endeavor and your vote in this election on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. I thank you.

Some of the public offices I had held or strived for include:

• 1978-1980 - Appointed Chairperson Oakland Unified School District Affirmative Action Advisory Council
• 1975-1977 - Appointed Commissioner Alameda County Human Relations Commission
• 1975 - Candidate Berkeley City Council - Endorsed by Central Labor Council of Alameda County
• 1973-1976 - Appointed by Mayor to City of Berkeley - University of California Berkeley Community Affairs Committee
• 1999-2000 - Appointed Commissioner Berkeley Zoning Adjustment Board
• 2000 - Berkeley City Council Candidate District 3
• 2000 - Endorsed by Oakland Tribune for Berkeley City Council District 3

• Promote - a balanced budget and maintain reserve funds to safeguard the future of each Peralta Community College campus

• Encourage - fair and just collective bargaining agreements for SEIU Local 790 and Local 39

• Review - critical strategies in support of California Performance Review (CPR) community colleges development for students, faculty and administrators

• Aim - to increase student enrollment priority for each community college campus

• Lend - leadership and garner financial support to meet the $2.5 million funding requirement for completion of state-of-the arts Berkeley Vista College campus

• Thoroughly - research ways to establish an independent Development Fund Office charged with the responsibility of donor and contribution fundraising with a mission of less reliance on California State revenue. This activity may occur in conjuction with The Peralta Colleges Foundation to secure unrestricted fund donations for special projects.

• Assist - in promotion of more private sector and federal grant program funding.