Q&A: City Council Applicants

Editor’s Note: As of Jan. 26 it is confirmed that applicant Richard Watters has . An asterisk (*) after an applicant’s name indicates that the applicant’s answers are solely based on the application he or she submitted to the City Clerk.

Thirteen Newark residents are looking to be appointed to the Newark City Council next week.

Current city council members will interview the applicants on Jan. 30. in a public meeting that will begin at 6 p.m. The person who is chosen will fill the seat that became vacant when Al Nagy was elected as mayor on Nov. 8.

Learn more about the candidates by reading about their current and past involvement in the community and their reasons for applying for city council.

The candidates are listed by alphabetical order with their ages, occupations and years of residency in Newark provided below their name.

Ronald Brazil

55, Teacher; Newark resident for 20 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. I have not had a government position before. I have been involved with my kids in their activities such as Newark American Little League and CYO sports as a coach, and also in my church as a member and officer of its service organization. 

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I am grateful for what Newark has provided for my family as a positive environment for them to grow up, and I would consider myself fortunate to be able to give back to my community in this way.

More from Brazil on this question based on his application: “I wish to give back to my community which has served my family so well. I would like to help make Newark a better place by giving of my time and energy in any way that I can, and one way I an do this is by being on thw City Council.”

Mike Bucci*

33, Journey Millwright; Newark resident for 25 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. My local community service and volunteer experience is extensive. I donate countless hours every year to numerous animal rescue organizations. I regularly participate in fundraisers and adoption sdrive for organizations such as NARF (Nike Animal Rescue Foundation), SPCA and the Humane Society. I am also involved in numerous programs within Newark. One of my top priorities is the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. As a committee member, I recruit teams, plan and execute the event. I have volunteered for LOV Newark and have most recently joined the Newark Mercy Brown Bag Program.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. My unwavering passion and motivation, my deep rooted love for this city, and the opportunity to shape our future is what drives me to be a part of Newark’s City Council. This is what inspired the hard work and dedication to run a recent campaign for the position. My age, energy and involvement in community programs provides me with a unique perspective that will greatly benefit the board and our city as a whole. I am committed as I ever was and if given this opportunity, I will dedicate myself to help Newark grow in the right direction.

Jack Dane

80, Senior Tax Advisor and Small Business Tax Expert, Newak resident for 46 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. President Newark AARP Chapter; Member and past President of Newark Toastmasters.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I have the background to represent the citizens of Newark. As a semi-retired person, I have the time needed to serve the community. My 26 years as a registered tax preparer and Small Business Tax Expert at my employer's tax office in Newark has given me the opportunity to sit at a desk with hundreds of Newark residents and discuss their concerns about Newark.I have no business to run or employment that would take up much of my time. I can spend as much time as needed to perform my duties as a Newark City Councilmember. I have lived in the City of Newark for 46 years and will be here for many more years.

Roberto Khamseh

32, Occupation Senior Unified Communications Engineer, Newark resident of 13 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. Volunteer Coach for Newark Girls Softball League; Volunteer Coach for Fremont Baseball; Board member for Newark Girls Softball.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I want to express my ideas to help bring business and growth to Newark. I wish to try and bring big business back to Newark to help fund future projects to help improve and develop the city.

More from Khamseh on this answer based on his application: “I wish to be appointed to the City of Newark City Council as I have become more aware of my love and ambition to make my home an even greater place. I feel a sense of responsibility to help make changes that will better our great city. I feel that if you have something to say, you should become involved. I have seen how more and more companies have left our town or are leaving our town and I wish to become involved in bringing business back to Newark.

Andrew Limtiaco

42, News Editor, Newark resident of 10 years resident (25 years prior in Fremont)

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. Volunteer employee with the City of Hayward

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. Motivation to continue making Newark prosperous. I'd like to see what we (as in City Council) can do to move Newark forward in a rebounding economy.  Being a part of something that involves a new era of leadership with newly elected Mayor Al Nagy.  I would like to show my children that civic duty is an honorable decision.

Robert Marshall*

63, Real Estate Appraiser

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A.

• Current vice chairperson on Newark Planning Commision
• Past President: Newark Jaycees; Newark Optimist Club; Washington Township Men’s Club.
• Past Chairman: Newark Educational Foundation; NUSD Surplus School Property (7/11)
• Committee; Newark Planning Commission; St. Edward’s School Board of Trustees
• Past Secretary and Treasurer: Fremont Symphony
• Current Vice Chairman: Newark Planning Commission
• Current President: Newark Toastmasters
• Member of the Newark Planning Commission since 1984
• Senior Review Appraiser for Fremont Bank
• Past Member: Newark School Attendance Review Board; Newark Rotary
• Past Athletic Director for Saint Edward’s CYO

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I believe first and foremost that the Council should have the opportunity to appoint a person who is thoroughly familiar with current issues facing our city; who has a wealth of experience working with City staff; who has working knowledge of public policy issues; who has a demonstrated record of leadership and teamwork; who will have a very short learning curve; and who can “hit the ground running” for the hard work and choices that face the Newark City Council over the next 24 months. I believe that I am that person.

Bernie Nillo*

51, Project Manager / City Planning Commissioner / Sports Official

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. I currently work as a Project QA Test Manager in San Jose, Planning Commissioner for the City of Newark and serve as a Commissioner for Alameda County Social Services Agency - Department of Adult & Aging Services. I volunteered at the US Fish and Wildlife (Fremont and South-bay locations), participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training walkers program, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and been a Newark CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) volunteer. I have participated in the Newark Police Citizen academy. I have served on several non-profit organizations Board of Directors, been a youth sports soccer, baseball and football coach, team manager for over 15 years, combined. I currently now serve as President for Viola Blythe Community Service in Newark, CA. As a coach and mentor, I find that being a Role Model helps demonstrating the actions and values that are necessary to be a good person. I have over 10+ years of communication, coordination, and collaboration with OEM companies, City and County Governments, using inter-personal and customer service skills in a customer support environment.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A.  I enjoy serving the citizens of Newark. I feel it is important to give something back and making a difference each day. Being a City of Newark resident for 42 years, I grew up here and I love this city. It would be a great honor to finish out Mayor Nagy’s council seat term. I want to protect and serve the Newark Citizens with public safety, fiscal responsibility, and the quality of life. Throughout my career and in scores of volunteer activities, I have shown my dedication to taking on challenges and solving problems.

Danny Radcliff

66, Retired cable television executive, Newark resident of nine years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. I have an A.A. degree from Edison Junior College in Ft. Myers, Florida.  I have a bachelor's degree in accounting from Florida State University and I have passed the C.P.A. exam.  As controller for Viacom's Cable Television Division and as a Senior Vice-president of Operations for the division, I had years of experience in creating, analysing, and managing within budgets.  I served on the Executive Committee of the California Cable Television Association for several years and held the position of Vice President Of Government Relations wherein I became very experienced at lobbying for cable television issues at the state and federal levels.  As a cable television manager I often dealt with city councils and county supervisors in several states on issues relating to cable television franchises, rate increase requests, etc.  I served as President of the Lake Area Residents' Association in Newark for two years during which time I lead the resuscitation of the organization from the brink of extinction to a well-functioning organization.  I was a Boy Scout leader for several years with Troop 153 of Fremont.  I currently volunteer with Newark's graffiti abatement team.  I have been a leader all of my life having served as class presidents, student body presidents, captain of many athletic teams, and president of my college fraternity.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I am an advocate of the Thomas Jefferson philosophy that everyone who is able should participate in government at some point in their life.  I have never run for public office, but I believe that I have the education, leadership skills, and experience that would serve the City Of Newark well for the remaining term of the seat vacated by Mayor Nagy.  I have no intention of running for the council seat at the expiration of the interim term.

Angelica Reyes

65, Retired City Clerk and current consultant; Newark resident since 1990

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. I am a retired municipal clerk working for the City of Hayward for over 30 years and about 3 years in the City of Brisbane on the peninsula. My most current employment was to assist in the closing of ACAP via records management consulting.

I have been involved in local government elections since 1982 and was
a trainer on elections since 1993 teaching for the City Clerks of California conferences as well as those in County elections and taught such course at the Extension Program of the Univ. of Cal in Riverside for a number of years. The voting equipment that is currently used in Alameda County was selected by a County committee. I was the only City Clerk on that team.

I have also presented to other boards i.e. school board, on basics to
parliamentary procedures. I have assisted local neighborhood groups on
ways to submit petitions.

I have been a member of the Viola Blythe volunteer of the year Selection Committee and a past participant of the Newark Days Celebration including hosting receptions, the special entertainment, and co-chaired the parade committee for several years as well and remain a volunteer.  I also participated in the first utility tax measure advisory committee. I try to stay current on local issues as best that I can. I currently volunteer at an elementary school in the
media center and assist in my grand children's schools.

My experience in serving on a board has been as follows:
Clerk of the Board for the Hayward City Council
Clerk of the Board for the Brisbane City Council
Temporary Clerk of the Board ACAP
President - California City Clerks Association (Northern Division)
President -City Clerks Association of California (State President)
VP - City Clerks Association of California

Director - City Clerks Association of California

President as well as various board positions - League of Women Voters
Eden Area  (currently member)
Board Member - Hispanic Community Affairs Council
Resource Director - Hear and Soul Women's Conference
Member Union City Apostolic Church and volunteer in community events

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council

A. I believe in Community and enjoy living in this Community and feel
that I need to give back to my Community. I believe that I can work
with such an amazing group of folks.  With my skills and background I
am confident that I can be an asset to my community.

Michelle Romero

24, Claiming Our Democracy Program Manager at The Greenlining Institute, a multi-ethnic public policy nonprofit organization, Newark resident for more than 10 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. In my years as a voting rights and higher education policy advocate, most of my involvement has been at the state-wide level, including:  

Member, The Future of California Elections Roundtable;
Member, California Civil Rights Coalition;
Member, The RedistrictingCA Alliance
Appointed Representative (2009-10), University of California Board on Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS);
Board of Directors Member (2009-10), University of California Students Association; and Appointed Representative (2008-09), UC Santa Cruz Committee on Admissions & Financial Aid.

I was also heavily involved in community-based activities while living in Santa Cruz for college, where I helped to organize the International Workers Day March & Celebration for two consecutive years; provided Know Your Rights workshops to immigrant communities; coordinated legislative advocacy for the undergraduate student body; and conducted research on the local noise ordinance’s impact on student renters.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I applied to fill the vacant seat on the Newark City Council because I believe Newark could benefit from a fresh perspective. Young people, who are the future of Newark, deserve a seat at the table, especially as we make decisions about what kind of future we imagine for Newark. Newark also needs an advocate to help establish its place in the region. As our city continues to lose business to neighboring cities, my experience developing and leveraging cross-sector relationships to advocate for issues, is exactly what Newark needs; if appointed, I will be able to apply my skills to work with the residents of Newark and with county and regional agencies outside of Newark, to ensure our city is fairly represented and considered in regional plans. For more information, please visit www.MichelleRomero4Newark.org.

Donna Marie Sisk

54, Office Manager and Inside Sales at Orbex Group Inc., Newark resident of 48 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. I am clearly NOT a professional politician.  I do, however, have over 25 years of occupational and volunteer experience within the City of Newark.  As the Assistant Director for the Tri-Cities League of Volunteers for almost 20 years I have learned a lot about leadership under the direction of Shirley Sisk.  I learned how to inspire people to give of themselves and volunteer their time; how to work with troubled youth and families; how to effectively raise money to fund programs vital to the well being of thousands of families in the Tri-Cities and perhaps most importantly, how to operate within a small budget and be a good steward of the funds entrusted to us.  After leaving LOV in 2005, I have continued to serve on the Board of Directors and remain committed to its mission and the people it serves. I am also a long time volunteer and board member with Newark Days.  I believe strongly that Newark Days plays a key part in keeping that small town charm that makes Newark so special.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I think it’s time to step up and I know I’d be great as a City Council member.  I’m great at inspiring, empowering, delegating and getting the job done.  I think we have a great city staff; police department and an equally great council and I would be honored to work with them.  I am a great team player and really want to work with “Team Newark”. Supporting local business is a must.  With the up and coming loss of Target and the Newark Theater, shopping in Newark will become even more difficult. I don’t have all the answers but I would like to work with the Council to make Newark even more attractive to new businesses and retain current businesses, which will create jobs and generate desperately needed tax dollars.  As the City continues to recover from current economic challenges, I would love to help Mayor Dave’s dream come true by developing a Newark Golf Course so that Newark can truly live up to it’s motto: Newark. Live, Work, Shop and Play.  We all live here, lets work together for Newark!    

Richard Watters*

39, College Administrator

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. Over the past 10 years, I have been an active participant in many Newark organizations. Specifically, I was a volunteer, board member, past treasurer, and past president of Stage 1 Community Theatre; board member and past president of the Newark Educational Foundation; and volunteer and past parade chair for the Newark Days committee. I have also been a member of the Newark Chamber of Commerce and Newark Optimists.

I assisted on the Measure U campaign  (flyer/mailer design), and recently walked precincts for the Measure G campaign for NUSD.

For the past four years, I have been representing the City of Newark as an elected trustee on the Ohlone Community College District. As a trustee, I have gained knowledge and experience regarding bond financing, collective bargaining and policy development.

I believe my volunteer experiences and experience as a trustee have provided me with a solid foundation that will assist the City in budget related matters, collective bargaining and implementation of the general plan.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. I would like to be appointed to the Newark City Council to assist in making Newark a better place to live. I believe my experiences as a resident, public official, volunteer, and part-time realtor in Newark, provide me with a great perspective to assist in advancing the city’s general plan, capital improvement plan, and city services for our residents. Additionally, I am very passionate about public safety, and will strive to improve services and restore funding for public safety in Newark.

I also think that my perspective as a resident in “Old Town” and being a father of a young family will assist the Council in making decisions that will positively affect the quality of life for our youth and young families.

Finally, I would encourage the City Council and Planning Commission to review current ordinances and guidelines that address property conditions and timelines for compliance updates. It is our responsibility to work with homeowners, landowners, and landlords to ensure that they are maintaining their property (at a minimum) to City standards.  

Christopher Wecks

28, Marketing Content Specialist with Cisco Systems, Shift Supervisor at Starbucks, Father, Husband, and Entrepreneur, Newark resident of 20 years

Q. What other local government agencies or community organizations have you been involved in?

A. As a frequent attendee of City Council Meetings, a former Recreation Department Employee, the husband of a recently former Newark Educator, and an avid believer in knowing what’s happening in one’s own government, I have familiarized myself a great deal with Newark’s various organizations and projects.  I have devoted countless hours through my youth and young adulthood to projects with Cedar Boulevard Neighborhood Church and First Presbyterian Church of Newark.  I have participated heavily in the Arts, acting and supporting for theatrical shows with both Newark Memorial High School, and Stage 1 theater.

Q. Why do you want to be appointed to the Newark City Council?

A. As a lifelong resident of Newark and an impassioned believer in its potential, I believe I hold some of the key ingredients for being a powerfully-good change-agent with City Council.  I have fostered relationships between businesses, schools and local governments in ways that have benefited all involved.  I believe in, and fight for, win-win-win opportunities and I want to do that for our fair town.  I exercise unbiased judgment and discerning decision making.  I acknowledge that economic times have been tough, that police challenges have risen, and that our diverse community faces outward and inward pressure that risk us losing the smallness we all love about Newark.  I applaud the council for the leadership courage it has taken to make some difficult decisions in the past to address these challenges.  I would like to join the council as a supporting member, and offer additional vision for how our town’s future can be a bright one for all involved.  Most of all, I want to be appointed to City Council because I wish to be a help and a public servant for Newark, and all of its residents.

I think many of you out there may be wondering where I was 5-6 months ago when the general election nomination application process began.  Why didn’t I apply as a nominee then if I was so passionate about this?

A year ago, when my wife and I considered running, our lives were in turmoil.  My daughter has cancer, and we were undergoing intensive chemotherapy.  We ended up deciding that it wouldn't be fair to anyone to attempt a run for council.  We just didn't know what our future would bring.

Today, I'm glad to say that my daughter is soon to finish her chemotherapy course, and she's doing great.  Our lives are more stable, and were there a self-nomination process today for council, my decision would be in the affirmative this time around.

Instead, there's this appointment process.  (As an aside, it might be worth considering revising this sort of process in the future, like having a discussion about vacancies being automatically filled with runner up candidates).  With Mayor Nagy's council seat vacancy, I felt that the best thing I could contribute to the appointment process was a robust and open conversation about my ideas and qualifications for the role.  That's why I decided to participate in this process now.

I agree with many of you.  Bucci and those that ran should strongly be considered.  But, I intend to bring my best ideas and a transparent reflectiveness about who I am to the process, and I can hope that my participation benefits the council by bringing fresh perspective to the role.

I hope that answers why I'm doing this, even if it doesn't change anyone's mind about who should be appointed.  If you have any questions, ideas or comments, please feel free to email me: christopher.wecks@gmail.com.