Candidate for
Member, Green Party County Council; County of Contra Costa

"When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Long ago, in what seems to be a different world then what we live in today, I started on my journey of political awareness. When it started there was no way of knowing that it would lead me to asking the voters of Contra Costa to elect me to a fourth term as a member of the County Council.

It was in high school when I volunteered for my first political campaign as a class assignment. It was the early 1970's and those who were 18 had just gotten the right to vote. Vietnam was still going on and Watergate was just beginning to break. If the person I am now were to go back I would have volunteered for any pro peace candidate that was running. But I wound up volunteering to work on a candidate who was running for Contra Costa Supervisor.

After high school I entered the Navy where I learned several lessons:

• The insanity of nuclear warfare - I was sent to school to learn how to operate ballistic missiles and dropped out when I finally realized that I was being told to do a job where, if I was to do it, meant that I had failed . . .
• The hardships asked of those serving active duty - I was several thousand miles away from my family when my first child was born and spent more time away from them then with them . . .
• The need to take responsibility for those who have served - I left the Navy as a disabled veteran . . .

• The country will lose its way unless citizens get involved - the Regan years brought us Iran Contra and reversals of many of the New Deal reforms
• That Democrats and Republicans will sell out those who they are supposed to serve - again and again those in office would say one thing to get elected and then do the opposite when in office.
• The economy will not allow families to exist on one paycheck - I had to drop out to help support my family

While serving on the County Council several Greens have been elected to office, including Mayor Gayle Mclaughlin of Richmond and Mayor Lynda Deschambault of Moraga.

It is my hope that, if the voters return me to the Council, my focus will be on voter outreach and helping Greens run for office.