Voice of the People. Bertha Sanchez for San Mateo City Council - BerthaSanchez.com

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Events, Candidates Night

Oct. 3, 2009
Saturday morning between 10-12 noon. Hillsdale United Methodist Church 36th Ave. and Hacienda

Oct. 8, 2009
Thursday 7:30 PM by 19th Ave. Park Home Owners Association Marriott Hotel, 1770 So. Amphlett Blvd., SM

Oct. 20, 2009
7 PM by the San Mateo park Neighborhood Association at Park School, 161 Clark Drive, SM

Oct. 29th
7-8:30 PM, St. Bartholomew Auditorium, 600 Columbia Dr., SM

More Info

• Mission Statement
• 
  Mission Statement After discussion with friends and colleagues, I have come to a decision that I know you will support. I am a candidate for San Mateo City Council. The election is this November 2009. My second four-year term as Planning Commissioner for our city ends this June. For a number of years, many people from all parts of our city have asked me to run for a council seat. They believe I offer unique knowledge and perspective grounded in my connections to the average, everyday San Mateo citizen. This is the right time for me to run for City Council. For over 60 years, I have lived in our great city. My family, the wonderful schools and the general environment of our city have nurtured me. For the last 25 years, I have given back to San Mateo by actively supporting my neighborhood and my city. I have had three overriding themes: giving a voice to those with no voice, creating access for those who feel pushed aside, and by simplifying government jargon and policies so they can be understood by all. Our city needs the involvement of everyday people as well as those with power and influence. We need the participation of both the customers of businesses, and the business owners. We will be strengthened by examining the needs of our residents and developers. This all comes down to inclusion, and access and balance. To this end, I am stepping up to the plate to run for a council seat. After listening to the concerns and frustrations of many residents, I have selected the top priorities for my campaign. First, I will work to preserve and enhance the quality of life for residents. We have some wonderful and unique neighborhoods in San Mateo. Their character should be retained and not destroyed in a rush to provide more housing. A healthy balance can be achieved with careful planning. Second, we need to develop a real partnership between residents and government. It is time for the residents to lead rather than follow. We must improve communication so residents know they are being heard by city officials and staff. My third priority is to maintain the balance between business and residential needs. For example, we have not had the foresight to set aside areas for light industrial and commercial businesses. As a result, our service industries and commercial areas are dispersed throughout our city. Those locations are under attack by some who wish to modify our zoning in favor of more housing. We need to preserve and protect commercial areas for these businesses. I seek the support of everyday people like me. I represent those who know what it is like to get up everyday and go to work to pay the mortgage or the rent. I represent those who watch city council meetings on television and wonder why no one asked them the tough questions. I will be a friend to those who want to speak openly to city officials, face to face. I am running for those whose hopes and dreams for themselves and their children rest in the future of this fair city. My election in November will let me continue to work for the residents and businesses of San Mateo. I thank everyone in advance for their support.
• Candidate Statement
• 
  STATEMENT OF BERTHA H. SANCHEZ,
  CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL
  MEMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO, FULL TERM,
  IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE
  SAN MATEO CITY CHARTER. 1. My name is Bertha H. Sanchez 2. I am a candidate for the office of San Mateo City Council. 3. I reside in North Central San Mateo. 4. For the past 27 years I have worked at the Peninsula Hospital Campus as an Emergency Room nurse. I have also worked with Project Concern International Health Organizati on both within the USA and overseas. This has allowed me to develop a deep respect, empathy and understanding for persons of all socio-economic and cultural strata. I also worked as a school nurse at Jefferson High School in Daly City. My background is one of helping people and being a council member will allow me to be a voice of the people. 5. My civic activities have included: Member (founding member) and Board Member of HANCSM (Home Association of North Central San Mateo), being a member of City of San Mateo Planning Commission (1999-2007), member of the SM/Foster City/Burlingame/Hillsborough Leadership Advisory Board, member of the San Mateo City Economic Development Committee, member of the New SM City Library Steering committee, member of interview panel for selection of Superintendent for SM/FC Elementary School District, member of interview panel for SM Police Chief selection. I have been involved in the single family/duplex design guideline and protection; pushed for "green buildings." 6. Public offices have included appointment for two terms as a Planning Commissioner in which I have served as a Vice-Chair and Chair. 7. I grew up in San Mateo and finished my elementary, middle school and high school in our city. I have an AA degree from the College of San Mateo, a three year nursing diploma from Mt. Zion School of Nursing/SF; a Bachelor of Science degree from University of San Francisco and public health nurse certificate; a Master of Science degree from UCSF in Maternal/Child Nursing. 8. San Mateo has been my legal residence for 60 years and I am a taxpayer. 9. If elected I will work towards: the preservation and enhancement of the quality of life of our residents which includes the protection of the unique character of our many neighborhoods. We need to develop a real partnership between residents and government so that people will not feel rejected or ignored by our city officials. We must maintain a balance between business and residents' needs which means open dialogue, understand, and perhaps compromise at times. We need to protect our businesses which provide an important tax base for our city finances. The underlying concerns of residents about traffic, congestion, parking, safety, density, open space, responsible growth, and protection of neighborhoods are of paramount importance and I will listen to these concerns. 10. The following is a partial list of individuals who live in San Mateo and can attest to my character and abilities: May L. Nichols, Claire &I Ed Mack, Yasuko Ann Ito, Dr. Jane H. Williams, Tom Elliott, Stacy Weiss, Victor Ip, Dorothy Chow, Karen Herrel, Maxine Terner, Enrique Diaz, Gloria & Arther Brown, Mary & Cyril Christensson, Fred Hansson, Winnie Lee, Nancy & Albert Pellizzer, Mark Wandro, John Chiappe, Enrico Marchesin, Melodie & Wei Mon Lew, John Margaroni, Brenda & Jerry Markota, Joanne Bennett, Mike Germano, Dr. Vincent Tornabene, Yoneo Kawakita. 11. Having grown up in San Mateo, I know what a wonderful city we have and how important it is for our residents to become involved in the process of governing our city. Over the years, I have worked diligently to encourage participation of our residents in civic affairs so that we may all have a say in what will happen in our city. I will demand that our city does more to get all people involved in the process, so they can act intelligently in helping to determine our city's future. Preservation, inclusion, balance and access are key components of my message. We should not be governed from the top down but rather it is a collaborative effort between residents, businesses and civic officials. I will listen with an open mind, get broad based input for difficult issues, consider our economic viability, and work on quality of life issues. I will have an open door policy so that residents may feel free to contact me. I offer an even handed approach to our many complex issues.
• Press Releases
• 
  PRESS RELEASE - For Friday, April 17, 2009 Bertha is a long time resident of San Mateo, as well as a neighborhood and community activist. Throughout the years, Bertha has encouraged civic participation by all. She also served eight years as a San Mateo Planning Commissioner during which time, the San Mateo Downtown Cinema, the San Mateo Main Public Library, housing at the College of San Mateo, senior housing at the Rotary Floritas and Fountain Glen, the Stonegate Housing Development, and the new San Mateo Police Facility, to name a few, were passed by the Commission and sent on to the City Council for completion. Bertha asked the tough questions regarding developments in our city so they could become the best possible quality projects. Her beliefs and support for a sustainable future began when she was a Girl Scout. Bertha has carried these principals forward personally throughout the years, and in her positions of responsibility to the community. She also feels strongly that we need to keep and protect our commercial businesses, as they provide important and valued services to our residents and a source of tax revenue for our city. Although change is inevitable, if done constructively, proper balance can be maintained and change can be directed in such a way as to continue preserving and enhancing the quality of life for San Mateo residents, making San Mateo one of the premier livable citys on the Peninsula.

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