November 2006

News & Views

Elect Rainey, Silva

Contra Costa Times Editorial, October 25, 2006

IN OUR MINDS, THE RACE for the two seats on the Walnut Creek City Council comes down to a matter of experience. That is why we think voters should re-elect Sue Rainey and elect Cindy Silva to the council.

Rainey is an incumbent and has served the voters well in her time on the council. We have not always agreed with her, but we have always found her to be an honest broker of ideas with a willingness to listen with an open mind and a genuine desire to serve.

We believe that Walnut Creek is a well-managed city that gives its residents their tax money's worth. Rainey has been a part of that since 1997, and we see no reason why voters should not re-elect her.

Fellow council member Kathy Hicks decided not to run for re-election this year. We think that Silva is the best choice to fill Hicks' shoes on the council.

Silva, a 52-year-old marketing and communications consultant, has been a city planning commissioner since 2004. She also was a member of the One City One Book committee, on the city library advisory team 2005-06, the Walnut Creek Swim Conference president in 2004, the Los Lomas PTA president from 2003-05 and was a Walnut Creek Soccer Club director from 1999-2004.

For us, one of the most important issues facing Walnut Creek is the construction of a new library. As we have said many times, the current one is wholly inadequate for a city such as Walnut Creek.

Rainey and Silva have been on the front lines fighting that battle. While they have not yet succeeded, we believe that electing them provides the best chance for that to happen.

Jake Bronson, a 62-year-old auto appraiser, and Sol Henik, a 33-year-old Prospect High teacher and former basketball coach, are also candidates.

Both men are strong, active candidates and seem sincere about their concerns, but they do not have the government and civic experience of their opponents.

They argue, of course, that fact is why they should be elected. They say their inexperience proves they aren't part of the government establishment, which they claim hasn't listened to residents recently.

It is an argument one might expect to hear from similarly situated candidates, but it is difficult to swallow. We find that the Walnut Creek Council spends a great deal of time listening to its residents.

After the election, the next council will vote on a historic preservation ordinance that could limit the size of buildings or provide incentives for restoring architecture. Although all the candidates endorse an ordinance, they differ somewhat about how to retain small businesses and whether to allow housing in the area. Here again, we side with Rainey and Silva.

All in all, we believe that Walnut Creek voters should consider the experience factor and select Sue Rainey and Cindy Silva to serve on the city council on Nov. 7.

Silva points to her community service

GUEST COMMENTARY Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006
By Cindy Silva

I love Walnut Creek, and with your support, I will bring my energy and experience to the City Council.

When my husband and I decided where we would live 22 years ago, we chose Walnut Creek so we could raise our family in a place with excellent neighborhoods and schools, recreation and youth programs, arts and cultural activities and open spaces.

Over the last 10 years, I have turned my love for Walnut Creek into thousands of volunteer hours, working to enrich our community's quality of life. I've served as president of the Las Lomas PTA and on the PTA boards at Las Lomas and WCI. I've been a vice president and director of the Walnut Creek Education Foundation. And I've worked tirelessly on initiatives to provide our schools with essential local funding.

On the recreation side, I was president of the Walnut Creek Swim Conference and board member for four years. I was a six-year board member of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club, managing fields, scheduling, referees and registration.

Last year, I was co-chair of the "Yes! A New Walnut Creek Library" campaign, and I recently served on the "One City, One Book" steering committee.

My dedication to our community has given me a strong understanding of our local values and the challenges we face in the future -- an understanding I have used successfully for the past two years as a Walnut Creek planning commissioner.

Professionally, I am a marketing communications consultant.

I've owned my own business since 1980 and worked on multi-million-dollar projects for some of the world's most respected companies -- giving me the experience I'll need as a council member to maintain the city's fiscal health, to sustain the economic vitality of our community, and to support local business owners.

As a City Council member, I will apply my experience and bring new energy to maintain and enhance our quality of life. I believe we must: Preserve the unique character of our neighborhoods and our traditional downtown. Build the new downtown library we need -- within budget.

Sustain Walnut Creek's unique position as the regional leader for the arts. Enhance our parks and preserve our creeks and open spaces.

Support the partnerships that help to keep our schools among the best in the state. Protect our economic vitality and support local business while seeking solutions to manage growth and traffic.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the 250 people who have donated to my campaign in recent weeks, particularly the 70 retirees from all over the community and the 150 school, soccer and swim families and library supporters with whom I have worked over the last 10 years.

I believe my passion for our community combined with my professional experience and 10-year track record of community leadership make me eminently qualified to serve on the City Council. I would be honored to have your vote on Election Day.

Vote for Silva

Contra Costa Times, November 3, 2006

Cindy Silva will make an excellent city council member. I have worked with her on a number of fund raising activities and find her to be smart, informed, committed, involved and knowledgeable about Walnut Creek issues.

During her 21/2 years on the Walnut Creek Planning Commission, she has listened to the concerns of hundreds of residents and business owners.

While helping develop the Walnut Creek 20-year general plan, she heard many hours of public comments, from which she has gained insight into what Walnut Creek residents feel is important to them.

Silva is committed to building a new downtown library, within budget, that will meet our needs and be an asset to the city. She will work to improve our parks, protect our open space and find solutions to our traffic and growth issues.

Enhancing the quality of life in Walnut Creek while maintaining the City's fiscal health is a priority with Cindy.

She will bring new energy to the Walnut Creek City Council. Please vote for Cindy Silva.

— Judy Whelan, Walnut Creek

Suggestion to Rossmoor Voters

Rossmoor News, November 1, 2006

My parents moved our family to Danville in 1950, and I have lived in various cities in the area ever since. I chose Walnut Creek as my current place of residence, as it was also my place of employment until I retired. I taught for many years in the Walnut Creek School District, and became acquainted with the city and its government during that time.

I have always been impressed with the quality of leadership of the city. Walnut Creek has come to be a model for other cities to copy as to how it addresses fiscal matters, as well as neighborhood growth, cultural enrichment, or everyday maintenance needs. In the upcoming election, voters will be asked to make selections for City Council.

I think that Walnut Creek residents would do well to put Cindy Silva on the council. She brings experience, intelligence and a desire to maintain the achievements Walnut Creek has made in past years, while skillfully helping deal with the situations an ever-changing city encounters. I think she is the right person at the right time for our city. I suggest Rossmoor voters examine her qualifications and decide if she is their candidate as well as mine.

— Martha Alexanderson, Rossmoor Resident

Silva for council

Contra Costa Times, October 28, 2006

Having worked with Cindy Silva on the Planning Commission since our appointment over two years ago, I have been impressed by her intellect and work ethic.

As a result of her work on the general plan, Silva has developed a solid understanding of the growth, traffic and planning issues facing the city. Through the many hearings we have sat together, I have learned to respect her judgment on the diverse and sometime controversial matters that came before the Planning Commission.

In a representative form of government like ours, I like to vote for a candidate who I believe will, after consideration of all the available facts and listening to the public, exercise good judgment. I don't know the other candidates as well, but I know Silva has the good judgment that is necessary to making sound decisions in the best interests of the city and its residents.

Her long history of volunteer effort on behalf of school and civic organizations illustrates her strong and continuing interest in such matters. She will make an excellent council member.

— Robert Simmons, Walnut Creek

Silva for council

Contra Costa Times, October 28, 2006

I hope the 60 percent plus of Walnut Creek voters who have consistently voted for libraries will vote for Cindy Silva for City Council. Silva has consistently supported the new downtown library.

She is a problem-solver. She will help the council find the best solutions to issues still outstanding. But she will negotiate for the purpose of getting the best possible library and not for undercutting the project.

— Jerry Miller, Walnut Creek

City needs Silva's leadership

Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

Cindy Silva deserves your vote for city council. Over the past two and a half years she has demonstrated concern for the quality of life of our community by serving in volunteer leadership positions for a variety of community organizations.

As a planning commissioner during the past two and a half years we have benefited from Cindy's ability to sort through very complex issues and come to common sense conclusions. For example, she opposed the recent proposal for the development of Block C because it wouldn't have been an enhancement to our city.

Because of Cindy's deep community involvement, she has received contributions from a broad base of supporters who value her honesty and commitment to Walnut Creek. I am one of a large number of retired people who have given help with the cost of her campaign. Others who have worked with her on youth soccer, swimming and education funding issues, have pitched in as well.

The election is right around the corner. I'll be voting for Cindy Silva, and I hope you will too.

— Jesse Goldberg, Walnut Creek

Silva grateful for community support

Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

On behalf of the Friends of Cindy Silva I would like to thank all of the hundreds of individuals who have sent in donations thus far. Given Walnut Creek's limitations on individual contributions ($140 per person) Cindy's success is a result of her broad base of support throughout the community, based on her extensive involvement in community activities, with over 225 persons contributing to her campaign thus far. Over 90 percent of her contributors are neighbors, friends and folks she has worked with over the last 22 years. Of the total number of contributors over 30 percent are retired persons. Cindy's other supporters come from many of the activities in which she has been involved. For example more than 35 percent her contributors are school families, swim families, soccer families, and library supporters. Her neighbors and personal friends alone constitute roughly 25 percent of the contributors to date. Contrary to false impressions held by some people, developers constitute less than 2 percent of her supporters and have donated less than 2 percent of campaign receipts! Cindy is truly grateful for this broad-based support.

— Neil Gerstner, Campaign Manager Friends of Cindy Silva, Walnut Creek

Silva's opponents mislead voters

Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

After reading the guest column by Jeanne Carlston Kaplan in the Walnut Creek Journal, I find it be really sad that some people need to misrepresent the facts in order to win votes in the upcoming City Council race. I have attended dozens of planning commission meetings over the past couple of years, and it has been my observation that the people making these claims don't have their facts straight. The planning commission is made up of a group of dedicated hard working volunteers who have spent countless hours studying the materials in which they will be making decisions. Of the votes that the opponents are citing, all but a handful were routine matters; restaurant operating hours, cellular antennas, use permits for medical offices. Of the fewer than 10 new developments that received the planning commissions support, all of them received the support of the planning commission after public input, and significant improvements were made to the development plans at the direction of the planning commission. It is clear that some of the opponents of council candidate Cindy Silva have resorted to misrepresentation of facts in order to gain support for their candidate. Vote for Cindy Silva.

— Joyce Long, Walnut Creek

Silva a proven problem-solver

Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

I hope the 60 percent plus of Walnut Creek voters who have consistently voted yes for libraries will vote yes for Cindy Silva for City Council. Silva has consistently supported the new downtown library.

Cindy is a problem solver. She will help the Council find the best solutions to issues still outstanding. But she will negotiate for the purpose of getting the best possible library and not for the purpose of undercutting the project.

— Jerry Miller, Walnut Creek

Vote to put Silva on council

Walnut Creek Journal, October 19, 2006

We have come to an odd place in our civic life when candidates seeking voter support "tout their inexperience" as their principle qualification, which two of the candidates for Walnut Creek City Council have done, according to the Times (Oct. 8).

Fortunately, in contrast, we have the candidacy of Cindy Silva, an experienced and dedicated civic volunteer. Silva has been listening to and working with residents for many years on education, youth issues and activities, and civic and cultural improvement. Silva will bring considerable intelligence, depth of knowledge, independence, passion and energy to the council.

She certainly deserves our thanks for her years of dedicated service to the community, and now she deserves our votes.

— Tom Donahoe, Walnut Creek

Silva well qualified for council seat

Walnut Creek Journal, October 19, 2006

A description of the best qualified candidate for any city council in any city would include the following: Bright and well-educated with an analytical mind, able to understand complex budgets, active in many phases of community life and a leader in those activities, ability to work well with others, energetic, understanding of how local government works, and an independent thinker.

These are all qualities which Cindy Silva has -- in spades. Go to her website www.cindysilva.com and look at her resume.

No wonder she has monetary support from the entire community.

She has worked with the entire community as PTA president, Soccer Board, WC Swim Conference president, Fountain for Youth, WC Education Foundation, WC Library Foundation, and as a Planning Commissioner to name just a few things the residents of Walnut Creek have for which to thank Silva.

So please thank her by joining us in voting for Silva for Walnut Creek City Council.

— Harvey and Phyllis Ceaser, Walnut Creek

Silva belongs on City Council

Walnut Creek Journal, October 19, 2006

Cindy Silva has the proven leadership qualities we need on the Walnut Creek City Council. Silva's experience as a small business owner and her track record on the Planning Commission, with our schools, libraries, and youth clearly demonstrates her dedication and commitment to this community.

Silva's priorities as a Council member will be to continue policies which have made Walnut Creek the envy of many other communities - a vibrant downtown, kid-friendly neighborhoods, and a leader in the arts community.

Silva will bring an independent and unique perspective to the City Council as demonstrated by her recent action on the John Muir Hospital expansion project where she voted for a smaller parking garage in order to avoid impacts on the neighborhood.

She also worked with fellow Planning Commissioners, staff and residents of the Almond-Shuey neighborhood to define a solution that will help to preserve the character of this small, residential district and protect it from the impacts of nearby development.

Clearly, we can count on Silva to stand up for residents and make up her own mind on issues. In short, Silva will continue to lead our city in the right direction and will be a valuable addition to our City Council.

— Matt and Samantha Francois, Walnut Creek

Council could use Silva's energy

Walnut Creek Journal, October 19, 2006

Cindy Silva will make an excellent City Council member. I have worked with her on a number of fundraising activities and find her to be smart, informed, committed, involved and knowledgeable about Walnut Creek issues.

During her 2-1/2 years on the WC Planning Commission, she has listened to the concerns of hundreds of residents and business owners. While helping develop the WC 20-year General Plan, she heard many hours of public comments, from which she has gained insight into what Walnut Creek residents feel is important to them.

Silva is committed to building a new downtown library, within budget, that will meet our needs and be an asset to the City. She will work to improve our parks, protect our open space and find solutions to our traffic and growth issues.

Enhancing the quality of life in Walnut Creek while maintaining the City's fiscal health is a priority with Silva.

She will bring new energy to the Walnut Creek City Council. Please vote for Silva.

— Judy Whelan, Walnut Creek

Thanks Kathy and Go Cindy!

Rossmoor News, October 18, 2006
What a challenge to replace Kathy Hicks, who has served our city as a member of the city council for more than a decade.

Fortunately, we have the perfect replacement! It's Cindy Silva.

Blessed with the experience, energy and understanding that will make Walnut Creek shine, Cindy will help our city and its staff to continue to reach for excellence. I like her positive attitude. She knows progress comes in cans and not cannots.

She's fiscally conservative and will use her collaborative skills, good listening skills and her enthusiasm to make us proud, as she continues to display what every great government needs - pragmatic and thoughtful leadership. How refreshing to hear her use the words: preserve, build, sustain, enhance, support and protect in her top priorities.

Walnut Creek will be better with Cindy Silva. I urge residents to vote for Cindy Silva for our City Council.

— Ed Montgomery, Rossmoor Resident

She’s got leadership qualities

Rossmoor News, October 4, 2006 / Walnut Creek Journal, October 19, 2006

Having worked with Cindy Silva on the Rossmoor Library Committee to Build a New Walnut Creek Library, I know that she will listen to your concerns.

Given that Cindy excelled in school at the highest level, it’s no surprise that she would become a successful independent business owner.

Furthermore, Cindy would volunteer and become a leader in myriad of activities ranging from education and schools to youth and recreation to libraries to the community at large. Just a few examples of her leadership: president of Las Lomas PTSA, fields director of Walnut Creek Soccer Club; co-chair of Yes! A New Walnut Creek Library Committee; Rossmoor liaison for Acalanes High School District school funding measure; and Planning Commissioner of Walnut Creek.

Her leadership will enable her to meet future challenges such as: improving our quality of life, enhancing open spaces, preserving our local neighborhoods, maintaining local schools as among the state’s best, building a new downtown library, sustaining Walnut Creek’s fiscal health and seeking solutions that manage growth and traffic.

Based upon her broad expertise and depth of experience, Cindy will serve you well as a member of the Walnut Creek City Council. Vote for Cindy Silva in November.

— Wayne Emrich, Walnut Creek

Silva is dedicated to Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek Journal, October 5, 2006

On Nov. 7 we have the opportunity to elect a dedicated and experienced community member to the Walnut Creek City Council. Cindy Silva is a tireless volunteer and has been serving Walnut Creek in different capacities for years. She currently serves on the City Planning Commission, but she has also been a Walnut Creek Soccer Club board member, co-chair of the Measure R library campaign, Las Lomas PTSA president, a director for the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, and has served on many other committees and boards.

Cindy inspires me because she gives back to the community she loves. She has lived in Walnut Creek for 22 years, raised a daughter here, and became involved because she wanted to help preserve the quality of life we all enjoy in Walnut Creek. I believe Cindy is a wonderful candidate for City Council because of her vast experience as a volunteer and a professional. She has the level of understanding to tackle the complex issues that face Walnut Creek. Cindy has the right qualifications to do an excellent job, and the right kind of energy for our city. I am proud to support her candidacy.

— Kristin Bengtson, Walnut Creek

Silva for council

Contra Costa Times & Rossmoor News, October 4, 2006 /Walnut Creek Journal, October 5, 2006

Having worked with Cindy Silva on education issues and the long-awaited Walnut Creek library (Rossmoor liaison), I had a chance to observe her first-hand. She knows her material, is organized, goal-oriented and works extremely effectively.

Her direction is always clearly stated. She listens carefully and is flexible about incorporating the ideas of others if they will lead to a desired outcome.

Silva has been involved with Walnut Creek since she and her family moved here 22 years ago.

Her resume includes many activities important to our community. Here are a few: strategic planning for Walnut Creek school district, Acalanes High School district revenue committee, Walnut Creek Education Foundation and executive director of the Walnut Creek Library Committee.

She is a city planning commissioner and is working with the City Council to develop a new general plan.

Silva is a business consultant, with her own practice, and that experience, in addition to her many civic activities for our community, provides her with the kind of broad background that we would wish for in our community leaders.

I am in excellent company when I join Kathy Hicks, our retiring City Council member, in recommending a vote for Cindy Silva for City Council.

— Annabelle Cloner, Walnut Creek

Silva a smart choice

Walnut Creek Journal, September 28, 2006

Wait a minute Walnut Creek. Cindy Silva is running for City Council and there are questions. This is a no-brainer!

Cindy is currently a member of the Planning Commission and has held leadership positions everywhere in our community.

She has turned in an outstanding job at each and every one of them. She has provided leadership at Parkmead Elementary School, Walnut Creek Intermediate School, Las Lomas High School, Walnut Creek Education Foundation, Walnut Creek School District Bond Measure, Downtown Library Project, Youth Soccer, Youth Swimming and many, many, more. Cindy's dedication, energy, and leadership are unmatched. Cindy has answered all the questions over the years as evidenced by her success.

Our City Council needs her hard work and vision for the future. Cindy Silva is the clear choice in this election, no questions are necessary.

Check out www.cindysilva.org for more information on Cindy's qualifications.

— Artie Goodman, Walnut Creek

Silva has the track record for the job

Walnut Creek Journal, September 21, 2006

According to writers of two recent letters to the Journal, we should place the fate of the city in the hands of individuals having no experience or record of involvement in the community. We should ignore candidates having a track record of experience and commitment, blindly assuming that non-experience translates into a brighter future.

That logic baffles me. Our city will be best served by a new council member who has a strong track record of leadership and service to our community.

Cindy Silva is one of our planning commissioners and has deep understanding of the issues that concern us -- quality of life, a new library, traffic and parking, education, the arts, open spaces and creeks.

She owns her own business and understands the importance of the fiscal health of the city.

She's past president of Las Lomas PTA. She has served on the boards of local community and education foundations.

She's dedicated to our youth, serving six years on the local soccer club board and as president of the Walnut Creek swim conference. She's worked actively on school funding and library measures. Check her credentials at www.cindysilva.org.

With that kind of experience, we should vote for Cindy Silva.

—Ron de Golia, Walnut Creek

Silva is the one for Walnut Creek council

Walnut Creek Journal, September 7, 2006

Cindy Silva should be elected to the Walnut Creek City Council. As a lifetime resident of this city, I am a young adult who has been privileged to work with Cindy as both a professional and volunteer. In each setting, I have discovered that it is her diligent work ethic, high standards, and genuine devotion to a cause that ensures the achievement of success, often surpassing all expectations. Cindy is an independent thinker with the determination, enthusiasm, and energy that our city government needs. She has a unique perspective of the community, achieved through her roles as a parent, school and political advocate, business professional, and Planning Commission member.

Cindy possesses an in-depth understanding and respect for the residents of Walnut Creek, and the diversity of age, ethnicity, and lifestyle that exists within this population. As a council member, Cindy would remain cognizant of the needs of all citizens in making decisions, drawing on her past experience and always addressing current opinion. Walnut Creek residents can count on Cindy to utilize her sincere love for this city to ensure its positive growth continues to bring necessary improvements, while maintaining its unique charm.

Cindy Silva is a leader, with the passion, experience, and ambition that should guide Walnut Creek. Vote Cindy Silva for City Council.

—E. Brooke Dodson, Walnut Creek

Voting advice

Contra Costa Times, September 7, 2006

I, too, believe that fresh ideas should be welcomed and considered by the governing body of a community. However, I was rather disheartened when the credibility of Walnut Creek City Council candidate Cindy Silva was questioned.

Kathy Hicks has put her support behind Silva, which has given some people the impression that the council is hand-picking its members. But I ask myself when is a retiring member's support more than an endorsement of someone's capability, when it is in fact the public who will vote?

Silva has every intention to better our community, and in doing so for the past 19 years of my life, she has created numerous connections in our city.

If being an active part of the community is frowned upon, then by all means I will be a hermit for the rest of my days.

Initially, I had no intention of becoming involved in this election during my summer break. However, I feel that before I leave again for college it is necessary to hope that the merits of contributing to the community are, in fact, still valued.

I urge you to consider each candidate's qualifications before voting this November.

—Kathleen Silva, Walnut Creek

Silva should sit on City Council

Walnut Creek Journal, August 31, 2006

Cindy Silva is the clear choice for election to the Walnut Creek City Council on Nov. 7. Cindy has a proven track record of involvement in the community. Although you may know of her for only one volunteer activity, she has helped in diverse activities all over our city -- in our schools, for our youth soccer league, with our libraries and in planning for our future.

Cindy is responsive to new ideas and has a demonstrated ability to take action and achieve results regardless of the task in which she is involved. Just as important, Cindy knows how to listen to input.

I have participated in many employment interviews during my career. Two questions always appear on the evaluation form for a professional position: "Does the candidate have a broad range of expertise?" Does the candidate have depth of experience?" Having worked with Cindy Silva and observed her performance in different arenas, I'm pleased to support this council candidate who has been deeply involved in a wide range of community issues and has made Walnut Creek a better place to live. She is positive about Walnut Creek and prepared for the job.

— Bob Brittain, Walnut Creek

• EDITORIAL "Elect Rainey, Silva", Contra Costa Times, October 25, 2006

• GUEST COMMENTARY " Silva points to her community service" by Cindy Silva,

Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

• "Vote for Silva", Contra Costa Times, November 3, 2006

• "Suggestion for Rossmoor Voters", Rossmoor News, November 1, 2006

• "Silva for Council", Contra Costa Times, October 28, 2006

• "City needs Silva's leadership", Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

• "Silva grateful for community support", Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

• "Silva's opponents mislead voters",

Walnut Creek Journal, October 26, 2006

• "Silva a proven problem-solver",