Jeff Wieler announcement of candidacy

By Jeff Wieler

My qualifications and reasons for running

I've been a community volunteer for the last 20 years, serving as member and chair of the Civil Service Commission (1993-99), member and report author of the Municipal (Parcel) Tax Committee (1995 and 1999), Ad Hoc Library Committee report author (1996), member, Civic Center Committee (2000-01), member, Park Commission (2001-02), member, Piedmont City Council (2002-06), member Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (2002-06), member, Piedmont City Council (2010-14).

As a council member, I have been a strong advocate of responsible financial management. I am proud to be supported by a super majority of the members of the Budget Advisory Committee. My career in finance (including school finance) and my MBA degree from Harvard Business School have aided me in helping the city maintain its strong financial position. Recently retired city finance director Mark Bichsel writes that: "I found Jeff Wieler to be one of the most productive Council members and volunteers that Piedmont has ever had. Jeff was one of the most creative people I worked with in Piedmont. Jeff would take a problem, shake it, and come up with a creative solution."

Piedmont will have a new City Administrator shortly after the election; three department heads and a number of important middle-management employees are close to retirement age. I believe that I can help provide continuity and institutional memory during this time of transition. I am honored to be supported by Mayor John Chiang and former mayors Michael Bruck, Valerie Matzger, Craig Lundin, Patty White, Dean Barbieri, Susan Hill, Katy Foulkes, and Skip Rhodes.

If re-elected, I promise to maintain an open mind, listening to all points of view, working to recognize valid points and working to incorporate those ideas into creative solutions.

I would be happy to answer any questions people may have for me. I can be reached at: 420-3040, or by email at JSWieler@yahoo.com. You can also go to my website: http://www.Jeff4Piedmont.com, currently under construction, but it will be up soon.