Candidate for
Council Member; City of Berkeley; Council District 5

Laurie represents North Berkeley's neighborhoods on the City Council. As our Councilmember and a 40-year resident of North Berkeley, he brings decades of local professional experience and a deep appreciation for our community--as a student, parent and teacher, small business owner, community leader and public servant.

Laurie's roots in Berkeley go way back: he first attended public school in Berkeley and later earned his degree from UC Berkeley. He married his college sweetheart, Marilyn--well known around town as the owner of Avenue Books, an independent bookstore in the Elmwood--and began teaching social studies at an East Bay high school. Together, Laurie and Marilyn raised their two children, who both attended Berkeley public schools. His daughter Sarah returned to Berkeley and will be sending her own daughter to Jefferson School in the fall.

After eight years as a high-school teacher, Laurie began his business career with Red Oak Realty on Solano Avenue. More than 35 years later, he has helped hundreds of families to find their homes and build their dreams in Berkeley.

Taking that "community building" a step further, Laurie co-founded the Red Oak Opportunity Fund (ROOF) in 1985 to support local homeless, educational and other community-service organizations in the area. Since then, ROOF has contributed almost one million dollars to strengthening the fabric of our community.

As a former board member and President of the Berkeley Public Education Foundation, Laurie is dedicated to bringing resources into our public schools to provide a quality education for all our children. (He continues to host the BPEF annual Luncheon that raises nearly $200,000 for our schools.) He is an active member of the Vision 2020 "Under 5: School Readiness" Committee, and of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force combating substance abuse in our schools.

In 1991, Laurie co-founded the Elmwood Theater Foundation, a community-based group committed to preserving and restoring the Elmwood Theater. Today the theater is a vital anchor to the wonderful Elmwood neighborhood.

First elected to the City Council in 2004, Laurie previously served on the Planning Commission (1996-2000) and the Zoning Adjustments Board (2000-04)--including terms as Chair on both of these crucial Berkeley boards. He also chaired the Mayor's Task Force on Permit Streamlining, where he helped forge a consensus among community stakeholders for important reforms of Berkeley's permitting process.

As our Councilmember, Laurie has focused on insuring that District 5 has safe, walkable neighborhoods for its residents, that its commercial districts are attractive and inviting, that kids and families have programs and services that keep them engaged and active close to home. His office regularly assists residents with individual issues, providing them reasonable and efficient access to information and City services.

As a policy maker, Laurie has worked with his colleagues to expand Berkeley's economic potential. Economic development not only in District 5, but also in the Downtown, West Berkeley and all our commercial areas will provide the resources to fund the services and programs that ensure our quality of life.

Looking forward, Laurie's Council priorities include continuing the work with Solano Avenue businesses to "green" and revitalize the shopping district; working with residents and police to make our streets, homes and properties safer; working with our Office of Transportation to expand the Residential Traffic Calming program; and working with our Parks staff to beautify our neighborhoods and to bring new resources to John Hinkel Park.

In everything he does, Laurie is a great listener and consensus builder. He approaches challenges with unflagging optimism and calm leadership to bring people and solutions together. He has won the respect of his Council colleagues and looks forward to continuing his work with them and all the residents of North Berkeley.