Font ResizeJennifer West, a teacher and a mother of two young children, will take her place on the Emeryville City Council dais to be sworn in this month. But a squeaky tight election race has postponed the announcement of the winner of the second council seat until all the absentee ballots are counted.
West, a progressive who shares many of the same values as outgoing Councilmember John Fricke, won a seat by a wide margin. Frank Flores, a descendant of Emeryville's founder, is in second, but Kurt Brinkman, a school board trustee, trails him by a mere four votes.
West said she's looking forward to helping bring to reality the policies outlined in the newly adopted General Plan.
"It's a great blueprint for improving the quality of life of Emervyille residents," she said.
West said her selection shows that Emervyille residents want a progressive voice in their government. She said she will advocate for more neighborhood-serving businesses in the city. The council has paid subsidies in the past to local businesses that opened at the Promenade on San Pablo, but many failed.
Like Fricke, West promised to continue the fight to create better pedestrian and cyclist access around the city and a safe route across the railroad tracks and freeway. But she said she planned to work with her council colleagues in an entirely different way.
"I'm a teacher and a facilitator is in my training," she said. "I'll try to build bridges and have a
Voters kept the status quo for Emery Unified, with incumbents Cheryl Webb, Joshua Simon and Miguel Dwin winning re-election over challengers Brian Donahue and Darice Bridges.
Measure K, an increase in the tax on Emeryville's card rooms, won overwhelmingly. The measure increased the tax rate from 9 percent to 10 percent, with the funds to be used to pay for services strained by the worsening economy, such as public safety, and street and parks maintenance.
Reach Cecily Burt at 510-208-6441. Check out her blog at www.ibabuzz.com/westside.
