September 8, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Over the last decade, I have had the privilege of working with Hilary Cooper on Parent Club Boards, the Giving Campaign, and Citywide parcel tax initiatives. Her impact has been significant and she is exceptionally well qualified to serve as a PUSD Board of Education Member. Today, I would like to look beyond her resume and share the leadership qualities that make her an ideal candidate.

Hilary’s Leadership

Hilary’s Vision for our schools is innovative and practical. As an educator, she sees opportunities for student engagement, fundraising, curriculum, and professional development. She is financially savvy and knows how to allocate resources where it makes a difference.

Hilary communicates by listening first then speaking. She asks great questions to collaborate with diverse perspectives and facilitate inclusive action. As a result, her curiosity gives constituents the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process and support outcomes.

Hilary is passionate about her commitment to our schools and her enthusiasm is contagious. She is the first to “roll up her sleeves” to get things done and when she reaches out to engage others…. I always say YES!

Please join me and say YES to Hilary’s campaign. Engage in the conversation about PUSD efforts for school safety, innovative teaching and learning modalities, state funding/budget allocations, co-curricular programs, and academic excellence. Check out her website to see how you can get involved at hilaryforschoolboard.com.

In closing, I am a PHS alum and our children have benefited from Piedmont schools. We need to ensure the future of our schools for many generations to come and Hilary Cooper has the vision, communication skills, and passion to make it happen.

Go Highlanders!

Mary Alice McNeil

On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, following the Labor Day weekend, the City Council will be updated by the staff on keeping the pool  closed at this time.  A staff report informs the public and Council that the condition of the Piedmont Municipal Pool is in disrepair, including a broken heater and other factors, making it inappropriate for the pool to be reopened at this time.  The City Council will consider the matter at the September 8 meeting. 

Read the staff report for the September 8th meeting:  >Pool 92020 Update

Piedmont Municipal Pool

Council Meeting, September 8, 6:00 PM,  Read how to watch and participate in the meeting by clicking the link below:

https://piedmont.ca.gov/UserFiles/Servers/Server_13659739/File/Government/City%20Council/Agenda/council-current-agenda.pdf

Announcement:  The Piedmont Civic Association has specific policies regarding Piedmont elections:

1.  PCA does not support or oppose candidates for public office.
2.  PCA does not support or oppose ballot measures.
3.  The PCA website is open for comments or opinions on election matters – ballot measures and candidates. These may be sent to editors@piedmontcivic.org.
4. Personal attacks on individuals and attacks on organizations are not accepted.
5. Opinions are published with the author’s name. 
6. PCA has invited all candidates to submit information on their candidacy to our website.
7. All Piedmont candidates have had questions posed to them by PCA, and their responses will be published on this website.

PCA will attempt to keep voters informed during this election period and welcomes community engagement in the process.

BE SURE TO VOTE ON PIEDMONT CANDIDATES AND MEASURES, TYPICALLY FOUND NEAR THE END OF EACH BALLOT. 

PIEDMONT WILL HAVE AN ALAMEDA COUNTY BALLOT BOX NEAR THE MAIL BOXES AT WELLS FARGO BANK IN CENTRAL PIEDMONT. POSTAGE IS NOT REQUIRED. 

As a City Council Member for the last four years, I have made it my priority to balance fiscal responsibility with a commitment to improving Piedmont’s aging infrastructure and enhancing public services. We are a small city with limited resources and staff, and it is essential that we budget conservatively and address past unfunded liabilities, including our streets and sidewalks, parks, and recreation facilities. Essential long-term investments will ensure a beautiful, sustainable city for our kids and grandkids. I also continue to emphasize more immediate priorities such as wildfire prevention, disaster preparedness, community health and public safety.

As a Council Member, I leverage my deep community connections to engage and promote diverse perspectives, develop mutually beneficial solutions, and increase equity and inclusiveness. I am actively involved with many community organizations to hear their perspectives and support their efforts including PUSD School Board, Piedmont Connect, League of Women Voters, Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee, Parent Clubs, Piedmont Community Service Crew, Appreciating Diversity Film Series, Piedmont Parent Network, Piedmont Racial Equity Campaign, and others.

My husband and I moved to Piedmont 17 years ago from San Francisco when we had two sons, Jackson age 2.5 and Salem, 6 mos. Our daughter Shelby was born in Piedmont shortly thereafter. Like many Piedmonters, we were drawn to Piedmont for the quality public education and beautiful city. I quickly became involved in our schools once my oldest started kindergarten. My three kids all attend(ed) Piedmont public schools and I make it my mission as a Council Member to be a strong partner for our schools in every way possible.

I earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from the University of Illinois.  As a business professional, I had strategic and financial responsibility for large consumer products businesses and was an IT management consultant. I am honored to put my experience, work ethic, and dedication to work on the Piedmont City Council.

Please visit: www.Jen4Piedmont.com.

Jennifer Cavenaugh, Candidate for Piedmont City Council.

Cory Smegal School Board Candidate

Click below to read the list of endorsers for Cory Smegal’s re-election to the Piedmont School Board.

http://www.voteforcorysmegal.com/endorse

For the past four years, I have served on the Piedmont Board of Education and am currently Vice-President.  I am running for a second term because I believe that experience is important, and I care deeply about the schools and the well-being of our students and staff.   Recognizing that California continues to underfund public education, I led PUSD advocacy efforts in Sacramento for additional state funding.  Locally, I fought for Measures G&H to guarantee Piedmont’s continued fiscal solvency. I am proud of my role in bringing a new STEAM building and theater to PHS. I also convinced the district to refinance a PUSD facilities bond which will save Piedmont taxpayers $25M over the life of the bond. As board correspondent for the past two years, I have been committed to enhancing communication and increasing community outreach.  I am proud of the board’s efforts to prioritize student mental health and to promote equity and anti-racism. But there is still more to be done.  

The COVID-related challenges the school district is facing are unprecedented. The needs of our students, families, faculty, and staff have never been greater.  At this time, we must all come together to support our schools.  We must do everything we can to prioritize the needs of our students.  If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for fiscal solvency, mental and physical health, clear communication, and excellence in education.  

Personally, I have an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.  My husband grew up in Piedmont (PHS ‘85).  We moved to town 16 years ago with our daughter, Anna (PHS ‘19), our son, Tommy (PHS ‘21). I am active in the Piedmont Parents Network, Scouts and Boosters, and in my free time I enjoy playing golf and meeting up with friends at a distance in the dog park.

If you’d like to know more about my candidacy or to endorse me, please visit my website, www.voteforcorysmegal.com

Cory Smegal

Thursday, Sept 3^rd 6 pm Citizens May Ask a Question about the Proposed Climate Action Building Code Modifications, Reach Codes.

Sign in to the ZOOM platform (see instruction below) to follow the meeting.

To Ask a Question, click the “Raise Your Hand” button.

City Announcement:

City of Piedmont staff will host a virtual Town Hall on September 3^rd at 6:00 p.m. to provide an opportunity for Piedmont residents to learn more about the proposed Reach Codes. 

During and since the Council’s consideration of the Reach Codes on July 20^th several questions have been raised. The Town Hall will provide an opportunity for those questions to be answered. Following a short presentation addressing some of the issues, a panel will provide responses to questions submitted by attendees. 

Residents can view the screening by tuning to KCOM TV, Comcast channel 27 or AT&T channel 99. Residents can watch on the Zoom platform by clicking the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84001381498

Please visit the City website to find more information on the City’s Climate Action program and the proposed Reach Codes. On the Reach Codes webpage you will find links to several documents, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Reach Codes that was updated on August 20^th.

Sincerely,

Kevin Jackson, AICP, Planning & Building Director

City of Piedmont, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611

Tel: (510) 420-3039, Fax: (510) 658-3167