I am a US citizen and have lived in Santa Cruz for 51 years. For 45 of those years, I’ve actively engaged in local politics, from preventing the closure of Garfield Park Library in the late 1970’s, establishing the Commission for the Prevention of Violence against Women in the 1980’s, to protecting our heritage trees and preserving the historic character of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf in the 2020’s.
My academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney and a Diploma in Education from Sydney Teachers’ College. I taught High School in Australia and qualified as a school counselor. In 1979 I was hired by UCSC to establish a Rape Prevention Education Program to help students who had ever been raped and to educate the student body, faculty and staff on rape awareness and prevention. I helped write the sexual harassment guidelines for the campus. I managed and trained teams of 15 student peer educators each year. I worked at UCSC for 30 years.
In 2023-24, I served on the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury whose investigative reports included one titled “Housing for Whom?” This report documents the city’s lack of tracking and verification on whether the required local worker and resident priorities for affordable housing are actually being followed.
I have served on two city commissions, including three terms as chair. I have a deep understanding of our local government and am skilled at chairing public meetings. I’ve written extensively on environmental protection and on housing issues, especially the impacts of overbuilding.
My pledge: If elected I will work with council members in a leadership role: to redirect staff away from overbuilding; to comply with state laws but no more; to push back against state take-over of local control; to protect our neighborhoods, our infrastructure, our local businesses, and our environment with transparency and a more robust democratic process.
Greensite for Mayor !
© Greensite for Mayor 2026 FPPC ID 1488822