News & Views

Silva a fearless leader

Walnut Creek Journal — October 21, 2010

Walnut Creek needs Cindy Silva. For more than 15 years, she has spent thousands of hours of volunteer time making our city a better place to live, work and play.

As I and hundreds of other community volunteers can attest, it's an incredible privilege to work with Cindy. Her intelligence and work ethic, and her striving for excellence, are epitomized through her leadership abilities and devotion to her community.

In 2007, despite being diagnosed with breast cancer (treating it as if were a minor nuisance), Cindy continued on with her community service. We had to prepare for an upcoming Walnut Creek Fountain for Youth golf tournament fundraiser, so we met at John Muir Hospital while an IV dripped chemotherapy into one of her arms while her other arm made notes. By the way, she scheduled these chemotherapy treatments so they wouldn't coincide with the weeks she had city council meetings.

Peoples' true colors are shown in times of crises. What Cindy showed to me was unflappable courage and a commitment to the city that she was elected to serve.

We must re-elect Cindy because she is an experienced, proven leader that truly cares about maintaining our quality of life.

Natalie Inouye

Walnut Creek

All employees must contribute to pensions

Walnut Creek Journal — October 21, 2010

Now that our city employees have joined our police officers and also formed a political action committee, it becomes clear that the real issue at City Hall is not safety but compensation.

Those of us in the private sector have been self-funding our pensions and contributing for our health insurance for a long time. As taxpayers, it is time to ask all of the fine employees of our city to take some of this burden from us, and step up to contribute to their benefit plans.

Thanks to our city council, including Cindy Silva, for making thoughtful budgetary decisions, that will ensure the city s continued fiscal health while preserving our quality of life.

Silva is not only fiscally sensible in her approach to city budgeting, but she also looks at the broad needs of a vital and strong community -- supporting parks, recreation facilities and the arts.

Cindy Silva, a fiscally responsible council member, deserves to be re-elected to a second term.

Carole Wynstra

Walnut Creek

Police are a 'special interest'

Walnut Creek Journal — October 21, 2010

The police activities in Walnut Creek are a classic case of a "special interest trying to influence elections. Their goal is to affect the election in some way that will benefit them.

If they are successful, the elected official can then be asked to do them a favor at some future date. This the first time I know of that an employees group has taken this action in Walnut Creek.

The police have simply the candidates that they believe they can influence. In this election, there are just three candidates. It is clear that Cindy Silva is much too independent for them to influence, so she has to go. They want to get rid of her, and send a message that they have power.

It is clear that the police group does not like anyone on the current Walnut City Council for their work on the police managers contract, but Cindy Silva happens to be the one who is up for election. So they are targeting her.

For the police union to say that safety in Walnut Creek has been compromised is pure bunk. For them to suggest that other city services should be slashed in order for them to get their compensation is just plain selfish.

I will be voting for Cindy Silva and Kristina Lawson.

Charlie Abrams

Walnut Creek

Silva, council did what was needed

Walnut Creek Journal — October 21, 2010

A City Council is a representative of a body politic dedicated to the best interests of its citizenry. Cindy Silva, in my opinion, has shown in her service as a City Council member her commitment to our city's best interests, and she has my support and vote.

As a board member of the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, I would like to thank the City Council for restoring a significant part of the city's funding to the museum during the last budget meeting in June. This support resonates with me and I believe the entire board.

The City Council in June voted for a budget that included some significant reductions in overall city expenditures. This became necessary because city staff predicts a 17 percent drop in general revenues over the next two-year period compared to the last two-year period. In absolute terms, general revenues are slated to drop from $85 million (2008-2010) to $69 million over the next two years.

We simply could not afford operate at then-current levels. There was no animosity toward the any city department in the council's, or particularly Cindy Silva's, vote for the budget. It just had to be done.

Mark Brown

Walnut Creek

Silva 'Dedicated Public Servant'

Walnut Creek Journal — October 14, 2010

A 28-yer resident of Walnut Creek, I’ve been impressed with the quality of leadership provided by so many of the council members who have served during that time. One such person is Cindy Silva, who we elected to the city council four years ago. She has been working hard to see that our city continues to be a safe and vibrant one.

Her tireless efforts contributed to the successful completion of a new downtown library, delivered on time and about $6 million under budget.

The final results were even better than she’d promised during her campaign. When our town’s economic health was threatened by out-of-area interests, Cindy spearheaded the drive to inform us of that threat so that we could make an intelligent decision when we voted on Measure I.

She promised she would be diligent with city funds. Cindy has carried her concern about skyrocketing benefit costs into the budgeting process, which resulted in employee contributions, including police, being made to help offset unsustainable costs in the long run.

I will enthusiastically vote for Cindy Silva’s re-election Nov. 2, hope you will join me in supporting a truly dedicated public servant.

Ron deGolia
Walnut Creek

Police should focus on police work

Walnut Creek Journal — October 14, 2010

Give Cindy Silva a break, not the boot. Our City Council has worked hard to make Walnut Creek a place we can be proud to live in.

The police are trying their hardest to influence this election. It's not about public safety; it's about them and their retirement. Their focus should be police work, not pensions and politics. Don't be fooled. A vote for Cindy Silva is a vote for a safe community.

David Leutzinger

Walnut Creek

Promises made, promises kept

Walnut Creek Journal — October 14, 2010

Cindy Silva is my No. 1 choice for Walnut Creek City Council.

Cindy is committed to this city. Through her leadership, the Library Foundation was able to solicit donations to make our wonderful library even better. All those special things that make the library great, like the beautiful fencing in the outdoor children's area, were paid for by generous donations not taxpayer dollars.

Her personal integrity is unquestionable. As the slogan says, "Promises Made, Promises Kept." Her financial credibility was clearly demonstrated during the last budget cycle. I was at the meetings where she asked the tough questions. She was actively looking out for the best interest of all of us, the taxpayers, citizens and employees, in a positive team approach.

I was most impressed, however, by her compassion for us as a community. When it came to deciding whether to cut a summer camp specifically for children with special needs, Cindy asked the tough questions, listened to community input and is working toward a way to keep the program that will work for all of us. I encourage you to vote for Cindy Silva for Walnut Creek City Council.

Sandra Jacobsen

Walnut Creek

Re-elect Silva

Contra Costa Times — October 10, 2010

I have lived in Walnut Creek for about 40 years and the City has never been better run than it is today. Cindy Silva is an intelligent, independent and experienced City Council member.

She has repeatedly demonstrated the qualities required to guide this city in both good and difficult times. She was an important factor in bringing us (without outside aid and within budget) a new library that is a credit to our community.

The Sept. 30 Times editorial hit the nail on the head. Silva should be re-elected to the City Council which she has served so well. We should reject the police union's attempt to stack our council with candidates pledged to support high wages and pension costs regardless of the city's overall needs.

Northern California has seen a series of communities brought to their knees by mismanagement and out-of-control wage and pension costs, with police (and others) actually losing their jobs.

By contrast, Walnut Creek's police are exceptionally well paid and supported. The police union's intrusion on local elections to attack fair and responsible candidates like Silva can only lead us to distrust any candidate the union "endorses."

Jack Fallin

Walnut Creek

Re-elect Silva

Contra Costa Times — October 8, 2010

Cindy Silva should be re-elected to the Walnut Creek City Council. Here are some of the many reasons I will vote for her again:

· Silva is the only candidate to sign the "Fair Campaign Pledge." She does not condone the negative or personal attacks that have become so commonplace in other communities and at the state and national level.
· Silva has been endorsed for re-election by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
· In 2009, Silva worked actively with the grass-roots YES for Walnut Creek group to ensure our community had a voice on Measure I, the success of which will bring more jobs to our city and strengthen local business.
· This year, Silva is serving as council member and chair of TRANSPAC, the Regional Transportation Planning Committee of Central Contra Costa, and leading the effort to find regional solutions to local transportation and safety issues.
· Silva has served the community as a Walnut Creek planning commissioner. She has given many hours to the community effort to help raise more than $5 million in private funds for the new Walnut Creek library.

Join me on Nov. 2 and vote for Cindy Silva.

Patricia Pava

Walnut Creek

Cindy Silva Recognizes Importance of Rossmoor

Rossmoore News —October 8, 2010

Cindy Silva deserves to be reelected to the Walnut Creek City Council. For the past 15 years, she has devoted her energy and leadership to our Walnut Creek schools and our city. In addition, she recognizes the importance of Rossmoor to Walnut Creek.

For example, she originated and promoted the City Council's Rossmoor liaison program, and Cindy brought representatives of all city departments to Rossmoor for a town hall meeting to get our input on what our needs and priorities are. Similarly, she brought Macerich representatives here to learn our ideas about their proposal for Neiman Marcus and about how we wanted it to develop.

Cindy's achievements include leadership in building the new Walnut Creek library, and she helped lead the $5.5 million private fundraising effort. Her priorities include bringing new jobs to Walnut Creek, improving downtown parking, devising regional solutions to ensure safe access to schools, improving local roads, and developing partnerships that support our arts, recreation and cultural programs.

Let's keep Walnut Creek a wonderful place to live by reelecting Cindy Silva to the Walnut Creek City Council so that she can then continue to work on strengthening the local economy and ensuring the city's fiscal health. Finally, we need a council member who is attentive to Rossmoor as part of the city mix.

Diane and Tom Mader

Grey Eagle Drive

Silva Wins the Vote

Rossmoor News — October 8, 2010

Walnut Creek City Council incumbent, Cindy Silva, wins our vote because of her proven expertise in Walnut Creek government, responsive outreach to our Rossmoor community and her leadership on the Central County Transportation Committee. As evidenced by her long community commitment, Cindy has been meeting Walnut Creek governmental challenges in a positive and constructive manner. We expect her to continue on that path.

Please join us by casting your vote to reelect Cindy Silva to the Walnut Creek City Council.

Margie and Moe Richman

Terra Granada Drive

Cindy Silva, city council have performed admirably

By Gwen Regalia — Walnut Creek Journal — October 7, 2010

Cindy Silva has served the City of Walnut Creek very well these past four years as a member of the City Council and this year as mayor pro tem. Prior to this, she was active in children's programs, served as PTSA president, headed school fundraising events, worked in the arts, and was very instrumental in building the new library. She is someone who has worked hard to help support and maintain the quality of life that we have all come to expect and enjoy.

During this past budget process she worked to balance all the interests that go into life in this City. All but one department had to consider layoffs of valued and productive employees The one with no layoffs was the police department. The chief of police has stated that the present force is enough to ensure the same safe community that we have all enjoyed.

This city spends $340 per resident per year on police services, as compared to $242 in Antioch. In addition to the regular budget, from 2006 to 2012, nearly $1 million has been spent on technology, the department's bomb team a prisoner transport van and a police dog program. Also new police cars are replaced on a rotating basis (six new Ford Crown Victorias in 2009) and 52 handguns were replaced in 2010. The city will participate in the regional effort to put all safety agencies on the same radio frequency. Although the cost is not yet certain, it will be more than $1 million. It appears the city has been responsive to the needs of the police department and the community, and that public safety is not at risk.

Keeping a healthy, although perhaps smaller program, in the arts, recreation and community services is one of the way to keep a safe city. Giving children, especially, an opportunity to participate in art classes, team sports, swimming, drama, and other sponsored programs keeps them off the streets and out of mischief, thereby allowing police officers to continue working on more important matters.

Having people out enjoying the parks, strolling and shopping downtown or in neighborhood centers, attending programs in the Lesher Center and visiting the library all make for a vibrant community that discourages poor behavior and helps maintain the quality of life we all enjoy.

Cindy Silva, working within the constraints of the budget during these recessionary times, has been a major contributor to all these important programs. She deserves to be returned to office.

Gwen Regalia is a former Walnut Creek mayor and city council member.

Support Silva

Contra Costa Times — October 6, 2010

Cindy Silva is a very committed community leader who has been bringing positive results to the city of Walnut Creek for the last 15-plus years.

I was very impressed to watch her lead the efforts on building the Walnut Creek downtown library. It was a long process to raise funds year after year but she never tired. Under her firm leadership, the library project was finished on time and $6 million under budget. What a remarkable record!

When Walnut Creek was being bullied by outside money on defeating the Neiman Marcus project, Silva exercised her determined leadership again to pass Measure I to bring Neiman Marcus to Walnut Creek.

The Neiman Marcus project is under construction and bringing jobs to Walnut Creek. When it is done, we will have 170 more free parking spaces in the downtown area; another impressive record!

Silva is a tireless leader. When it is right, when it benefits Walnut Creek and its residents, she will do it until it is done correctly. A vote for Silva is a vote for a better future for the city of Walnut Creek.

Ellen Osmundson

Walnut Creek

Silva's strong track record

Walnut Creek Journal — September 30, 2010

A challenge with elections is to know how a candidate will govern once in office. Debates can be helpful in displaying their grasp of issues and to which interest groups he or she caters. However, nothing is as instructive as a track record.

As a volunteer I have seen how Cindy Silva has fulfilled her role on the City Council.

When I first met Cindy as a candidate, she said she would fight to make the idea of a library a reality. This summer, we opened a green certified library -- on time and $6 million under budget -- that will be cherished for generations. There are many heroes from this battle, but there is nobody who deserves more credit than Cindy.

Then, when an out-of-state developer -- whose interests lay in San Ramon -- sought to scuttle our opportunity to bring Neiman Marcus and the associated jobs and revenue to Walnut Creek, Cindy once again stepped forward. She spent hundreds of unpaid hours organizing and literally walking neighborhood by neighborhood to explain to citizens what was at stake. The Measure I victory was a community effort, but Cindy's leadership was pivotal.

Then, as economic difficulties hammered the nation, Cindy listened and worked with peers and staff to create a thoughtful plan in which broad-based concessions were made to guide Walnut Creek's future.

There is an adage in politics about "Work Horses" and "Show Horses." I can say from firsthand experience that Cindy Silva is a Work Horse who does what she says she will do and deserves our support for re-election.

Brad Kofoed

Walnut Creek

Silva keeps promises

Walnut Creek Journal — September 23, 2010

When I vote in November, it will be for Cindy Silva, the candidate who stands for something, who has demonstrated her willingness to work for the citizens of Walnut Creek by showing up and putting her money where her mouth is on projects and on campaigns.

My vote will be cast for the candidate with a strong record of keeping her promises; for example, to get our new library built (it came in on time and considerably under budget), to bring more jobs to the city and strengthen our local business environment, to work with various community groups to enhance our quality of life and to maintain our city's fiscal health.

The safety of the community is one of Cindy's top priorities. For example, she initiated and is leading the effort to find a regional solution to ensure adequate crossing guard services across central county. Experience, intelligence, commitment, integrity, honesty and a clear vision of how to keep Walnut Creek an excellent place to live and work are only some of Cindy Silva's attributes.

Cindy has my vote; I hope she will have yours as well.

Terry Goss

Walnut Creek

Silva no 'clone'

Walnut Creek Journal — September 23, 2010

All communities have a group of die-hard detractors of local government. In Walnut Creek we certainly have ours, and if you read the letters to the editor you know their names. Dissent is a healthy thing in a democracy but sometimes leads to wild claims and accusations.

The current scenario that all City Council members, city commissioners and presumably all members of city management are "clones" is ridiculous. We are told that these "clones" have lost their ability to think for themselves. Also they are oblivious or ambivalent to issues of public safety and prudent financial management and are leading Walnut Creek to ruination.

Our salvation from this catastrophe-in-the-making can only come from an "outsider," so we are told. In other words, someone who has not donated thousands of hours of their time to really get to know their community and the people in it, but instead has sat on the sidelines. Someone not having any past genuine involvement with city government (or any significant volunteer experience) may not be a disqualifying factor but it is certainly nothing to brag about.

Our current council members are all committed, experienced individuals who think for themselves and often have different opinions. They simply know how to work through their differences to reach consensus on the issues most important to our city.

Notwithstanding the opinion of the Police Officers Association, a special interest group, the safety of Walnut Creek is not being compromised. For the police department (and all other city departments) to learn to work more efficiently during tight economic times is not a compromise of community safety; it is a benefit to city government and the community as a whole. I support and will vote for incumbent Cindy Silva and I thank her for her leadership during this difficult economic time.

Janet Abrams

Walnut Creek

Silva's experience needed

Walnut Creek Journal — September 23, 2010

I've worked closely on projects with Cindy Silva over the last few years, and have been continually impressed by her dedication to the city and communities of Walnut Creek.

She has worked tirelessly to ensure that proper funding occurs for our city services and made difficult but necessary decisions when budgets forced cuts. In working with Cindy on the Measure I campaign to bring Neiman Marcus to Walnut Creek, she foresaw the potential tax revenue implications, and how outside entities were behind the opposition. Her persistence helped that measure pass, for the betterment of our city.

Her experience is needed at this time, and I encourage my fellow citizens to cast their vote for Cindy Silva for City Council of Walnut Creek in November.

Kevin Wilk

Walnut Creek

Vote for Silva / Silva's Common-sense Approach

Contra Costa Times — September, 17 2010

Walnut Creek Journal — September 30, 2010

I support Cindy Silva for the Walnut Creek City Council. She works very hard for the city of Walnut Creek. She is very enthusiastic in the projects she works on and motivates everyone around her to work harder.

She brings common sense to our complex city issues and listens to its citizens for additional input and suggestions. As everyone knows, our city has financial problems that need solving. Silva is very concerned and is working diligently to work through these issues. She knows how to listen to input from our citizens to work toward a solution.

Silva has a proven track record in our community and is well known for making things happen. She provides strong leadership to our city, and I am happy to give her my vote for another term to the Walnut Creek City Council. Please vote to re-elect Silva to the Walnut Creek City Council this November.

Howard Geifman

Walnut Creek

Silva's Accomplishments Numerous

Walnut Creek Journal — September 16, 2010

Thank goodness Cindy Silva is running for re-election! The love she has for this city comes through in every aspect of her time to date on City Council.

Her accomplishments have been numerous in her short time on the council, from the support and time she gives to the open space, our local schools and our wonderful new library to our Farmers Market by not only shopping, but being open to answer the many questions that come up at the City of Walnut Creek's very own booth.

What I find just as significant as her many accomplishments is the encouragement she gives to each of us to become involved in our city to be part of the process, a voice in the community, to strive for excellence by joining other community members in attending city held outreach meetings, to participating in something as enjoyable as the "One City One Book" evenings with an author.

Cindy Silva's encouragement to be part of our community reflects Cindy's own involvement in our city, her city. I encourage each and every one of you to vote yes to re-elect Cindy Silva to Walnut Creek City Council.

Joyce Long

Walnut Creek

This citizen likes Cindy Silva

Walnut Creek Journal — September 9, 2010

The question may be budgetary issues, between support for police, recreation, arts or maintenance. The issue is evaluated by Cindy Silva with one criteria in mind -- what will be best for the citizens of Walnut Creek.

It may be traffic problems in our city and region; the issue is evaluated by Cindy with one criteria in mind -- what will be best for the citizens of Walnut Creek.

It may be preservation of our open space, the enhancement of our parks, the maintenance of existing public use facilities; the issue is evaluated by Cindy with one criteria in mind -- what will be best for the citizens of Walnut Creek.

Join me in making sure that our City Council members are always focused on what is best for the citizens of Walnut Creek. Join me in voting this November to re-elect Cindy Silva to the City Council.

Jean Harwood

Walnut Creek

Silva working for us

Walnut Creek Journal — September 2, 2010

A recent letter to the editor (Aug. 12 Times, "Candidate Bonds") discussed the need to hold political candidates accountable for their election promises. Often, "promises" made by candidates to win votes are quickly forgotten after the election; this is not leadership. True leaders aggressively strive to accomplish what they have promised and welcome accountability.

One example of a leader who accomplishes what she promises is Cindy Silva, now running for re-election to Walnut Creek's City Council. She promised a new library, and it opened on time and millions of dollars under budget. She worked to preserve open space lands and to maintain our amazing arts and recreation programs as she promised.

Cindy meets regularly with residents on issues as diverse as traffic and parking, farmers markets, crossing guards, the downtown and the city's fiscal issues. And don't forget that when outside parties wanted to direct our city's downtown retail development for their own interests, she worked hard to defeat them from dictating to us.

This is why more than 250 residents from across our community stepped forward to endorse her. Walnut Creek needs a leader like Cindy Silva, and deserves leaders who will protect and preserve our quality of life through vision and accountability.

Rich Carlston

Walnut Creek