City Council Candidate Statements

BARBARA ARIETTA

Occupation: Public Relations Consultant

Education and Qualifications:

Pacifica is at a serious economic crossroads. We need leaders, who have passion, regional connections, broad-based experience and ability to rebuild Pacifica. We must protect our environment, preserve viable economic engines and maintain recreation. We need better public transportation, highway improvements that are acceptable to all, a sustainable revenue generation plan, revitalization of our business disticts and appropriate public safety staffing. For years, I have been working with many groups in Pacifica. I sit on the Boards of the Pacifica Historical Society and the Pacifica Library Foundation, and also serve as the Chair of Pacifica's Green Building Task Force and the Pacifica Community Coalition to Save Sharp Park Golf Course.

As a club president, I help produce monthly events and forums, featuring national, state, county and local leaders. My county involvements include; Vice Chair of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority's CAC and member of the 2008-2009 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury. My educational and career pursuits have been in the fields of: Broadcasting (ABC, NBC, and PBS), Public Relations (corporate and political); Financial Services (insurance, real estate and investments) and Tourism (corporate travel, events and hotel management). I respectfully ask for your support.

BARBARA ARIETTA


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THOMAS H. CLIFFORD    Age: 64

Occupation : Businessman/Planning Commissioner

We are facing difficult times. The long and deep recession has decimated our tax base, the state has hijacked city revenues, and other funding sources have dried up. Key city services are at risk. We need to create a new tax base, one based on an improved business climate. We must refocus city government to help businesses new and old thrive in our community. We must form a partnership between the City of Pacifica and its businesses. As both a longtime local businessman and a City of Pacifica Planning Commissioner, I believe I am the best candidate to make this happen. I know what it takes to make a business work, and I also know how city government works.

I want to be clear that I believe we can accomplish these goals without sacrificing the environment. I served for five years on the Open Space Committee and five years on the Planning Commission, and I know that we can protect our hillsides and beaches and still have vital commercial areas. In fact, our pier, hillsides and beaches are our biggest attractions. Please join me, and together we can ensure that Pacifica not only thrives, but prospers.

/s/ Thomas H. Clifford


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KARL F. DAVIDSON

Occupation: Network Engineer/Businessman

Originally I moved to Pacifica when I was three years old. I then spent the majority of my childhood and subsequent adolescence enjoying the beaches, the numerous hiking trails, and fishing off of our fabulous pier.

I completed college and got married in the east bay, but I knew that Pacifica was the only place I wanted to raise my two young daughters. I love the fact that the city has maintained so much of what I enjoyed while growing up here. The limited development has kept the hills as pristine as I remember.

As a member of the city council I will work my hardest to fight for what I cherish about my hometown, and ensure that our children receive the best education possible.

There are many areas that I see needed improvement, including initiatives to help reduce the recent increase in burglaries, providing incentives to spur the growth of our local small businesses, and finally helping to begin the construction of our local dog park.

I humbly request your support, and your vote for my position on the Pacifica City Council.



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SUE DIGRE

Occupation: Parca Advocacy Director

Education: B.A. Biology; NDNU, Belmont. California Life Credential

I am a successful Teacher. Grades 2 -Adult.

My Parca responsibility is to advocate for quality health, education, recreation, employment and housing for those who have a developmental disability.

Erick and I met on horseback in the Quarry. We raised four children. An ER Nurse, Special Forces Medic, Blackhawk Rescue pilot, successful Hope Services participant.

As an incumbent I have been faithful to a pledge to question everyone and everything and to enable the public to craft Pacifica's Destiny.

Pacifica is a coastal enclave, a dynamic community, not a mere breeze through bedroom community.

Our environment is that majestic ocean and rolling hills, our fantastic history, culture and social commitment.

I was influential in getting Pacifica into the San Mateo County Visitor's National Marketing Program.

I have been relentless in enabling o-ur history to be an enviable economic force. I meet with merchants to ensure their endeavors can flourish. I advocate for the right of the public to be informed and to craft Pacifica's Destiny. Together we can continue to enhance and promote Pacifica into the future.

Thank you.
Sue Digre


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WILLIAM R. "LEO" LEON, JR.

Occupation: Retired Postmaster/Manager, Planning Commissioner   Age: 62

I believe in Pacifica and in the future of our community.

These are tough financial times, tough for families and tough for cities and counties all over California. It's going to take creative problem solving and belt tightening to meet the challenges facing us. Environmental conservation, community needs and business interests can and must find common ground. I firmly believe that by working together we can find the solutions.

My wife and I are grandparents. We have lived in Pacifica since the 1980's. My community involvement started with environmental issues.

Working with my neighbors we fought large development projects on Milagra Ridge, ultimately resulting in a small, high quality residential and commercial project which saved the hillside in Open Space. Our open hillsides and beaches are City treasures.

I have served on the Planning Commission, The Open Space Committee, the City's Golden Gate National Recreation Area Committee, and the Mega-Home Ordinance Sub-Committee.

I understand the needs of small businesses having owned three successful businesses in the past. My skills include problem solving, communications and team building. I have extensive experience developing and managing large budgets for government and my businesses.

I respectfully ask for your support on November 2.

/s/ William R. "Leo" Leon Jr.


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LEN STONE   Age: 29

Occupation: Businessman

Pacifica is home to both my family and business. As a City Council person my decisions will be driven by this vested interest to represent you - Pacifica residents and business owners who want our city to flourish. My priorities include:

Maintaining a fiscally responsible city council.

Filling our commercial vacancies to produce a viable and vibrant local economy to generate sufficient tax dollars to pay our own bills.

Provide residents of Pacifica with the police, fire, schools, city works, and infrastructure they deserve with policies that respect and cherish Pacifica's most valuable resource, our unique environment.

I have owned and operated an insurance agency here in Pacifica for 8 years, am president-elect of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, donated time to local school programs, and organized local teen driver safety seminars.  I will bring the same thoughtful decision making process and excellent listening skills to the council that have been instrumental in my business success. My livelihood and family are invested in Pacifica, and I hope you will support me to build our local economy while preserving the small town living which we all enjoy.

I respectfully ask for your vote to City Council.

/s/ Len Stone


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HEATHER TANNER   Age: 37

Occupation: Attorney

I have been a resident of Pacifica since 2006. I am raising two children and volunteer in the community. Over the past year, Pacifica has seen an increase in the number of lay-offs; I am among them.

I would like to bring in funds from federal grant programs to create employment incentive packages.

I would also like to increase support services for those most adversely affected by the current economic crisis and those who are traditionally at-risk. I propose doing so with minimal impact on Pacificans who are already struggling and have been asked for a lot of sacrifices.

I would also like to make Pacifica more attractive to outside funds such as those brought in by Fog Fest and Mavericks. I would like to work directly with local businesses to create programs which would highlight our businesses and drive traffic to them from outside Pacifica. The better our businesses do, the better Pacifica does.

I am so grateful to Pacifica for all it has done for my family. I ask only an opportunity to give back by service to Pacifica. It would be my great honor.

Heather Tanner


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SUSAN VELLONE   Age: 47

Occupation: Businesswoman

As a resident and business owners for 30 years, I presently serve my community as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Liaison to the GGNRA, Director on the Board of Pacifican's Care and President-Elect of Rotary.

I believe City Council should be a balanced representation of our community. With leadership and determination, the improvement of our city's economy is needed to maintain our vital emergency services and our Public Works for our weakened infrastructure. Change can be made through visibility and appeal to the Tourism Industry and new businesses.


The focus in leadership should be marketing our City's potential as a destination for outstanding businesses opportunities, recreational use, improving our greatly needed sales tax revenue and assuring an optimum quality of life for our community.

/s/ Susan Vellone


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JIM VREELAND   Age: 47

Occupation: Husband and father of two
Former Mayor and current City Councilmember

Education/Qualification : Masters in Public Administration and Natural Resources Management Pacifica City Council (1998-present); Planning Commission (Chair 1996); San Mateo City/County Association of Governments (Chair 2005-07); County Library Joint Powers Authority (Chair 2003-04); Pacifica Land Trust (past board-member); County Transportation Authority; Pacifica School Volunteer

Professional Experience:
US Environmental Protection Agency (1988-current)

Since being elected, I have worked hard to ensure that our City has a strong voice on the County's regional boards. We've been able to obtain additional monies for libraries, millions to create new trails and restore wetlands, and obtain additional parklands.

I believe that by working together with positive leadership and common purpose, we can continue to create community centered solutions to protect our City's tremendous natural beauty, as well as, the development of appropriate, consensus-based, revenue generating alternatives to help support our social, public safety and govern mental services.

I hope you will allow me to continue to serve you as your City Councilperson. I want to continue to work for you in developing the future of our wonderful community.

On November 2, I hope you Vote Vreeland for City Council.

/s/ Jim Vreeland


Submitted by Mark Smoliarz