Comments on: Fremont City Council History

By: Judy Zlatnik

Judy Zlatnik — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:52:48 +0000

It appears you used an early version of Gus’ spreadsheet or he forgot to change it. I was NOT termed out. I could have run for another term but chose not to. (How many politicians that you know quit while they were ahead?)

I did serve on the Planning Commission but I was thrown off mid-term by the very council members who were later recalled. Many women who are elected to local office do so after 15-20 years of local involvement. The biggest obstacle to younger folks getting elected is lack of name recognition and difficulty of raising money for the campaign.

By: Jon Simon

Jon Simon — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:49:04 +0000

Getting known and liked by many citizens is the most important part of getting elected in Fremont. Then people are more likely to vote for you, and tell their friends to do the same. Volunteering, commission appointments, and running a large business help get you known. Running for office also gets your name out, but campaigning successfully takes tremendous amounts of money and effort.

By: Gus Morrison

Gus Morrison — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:17:26 +0000

I was leaping to correct Audrey, when she corrected herself. Jen, a narrow, but important correction. The mayor appoints all commissioners, but the council must concur. I didn’t have much trouble getting concurrence on most commissioners, but appointing a planning commissioner was a difficult process trying to find two more votes.

And, of the 38 people elected to the council, 25 did not serve on the planning commission. Of course, the first five never served, making it 20 who had the opportunity but did not. Most recently, Dominic Dutra, Bill Pease, JoNelle Zager, Gary Mello, Alane Loisel, John Baker, and Bob Wasserman were elected without serving on the planning commission.

Harrison, Chan, Natarajan, Wieckowski, Cho, Zlatnik, and John Dutra served on the planning commission.

It is logical, somehow, to provide someone the opportunity to prove themselves before they run. But, in general, if someone was blatant about using it as a stepping stone to council, I wouldn’t appoint them.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:11:29 +0000

Audrey,
Unfortunately, Fremont voters follow the “devil you know is better than the devil you don’t” mantra when voting.
And the Council appoints planning commissioners which will further their agenda to have Fremont be a developers dream with no consideration for the current residents.
I would love for someone new to get elected to city council, but sadly, I think we’ll have to wait until the ones there retire or die, whichever comes first.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:01:07 +0000

oops i suck.. I mean Gus Morrison had the most years in city council.. sorry… –> the previous comment was an epic fail on my end

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:00:32 +0000

Interesting and informative. Thanks! I see the current mayor has held the most years in political office. Anyway what’s the best route to getting elected to the City Council? (This is just a curious 26-year-old asking.) Does one need to be on the Planning Commission first? Also would Fremont elect a city councilmember under the age of 30? haha probably not