Dear Friends,

As you may know, I am running for Santa Cruz City Council in the November election. I need your help.

Our city faces difficult choices. With challenges from all directions- impacts from unrelenting growth, a limited water supply, an overburdened transportation system, fiscal crises at both the state and local level- the decisions we make now will shape our community for many years to come. We must ensure that all development is responsible and sustainable; that our working population has dependable and satisfying jobs; we must preserve the integrity of our neighborhoods; we must protect our environment. Equally important, the Council will be voting to adopt new global warming policies, as well as the General Plan update that will guide City policy through the year 2030. In all these matters, who do you want speaking for you?

When I moved to Santa Cruz to begin my career as a librarian at UCSC's McHenry Library, I discovered that 40 acres of beautiful coastal open space near my home were earmarked for development as a large convention center, hotel, and shopping center. I, along with many others, joined in a successful grass-roots effort to protect that land. Out of that commitment grew the environmental movement and neighborhood involvement in Santa Cruz, and today Lighthouse Field is protected open space. I've been serving our community ever since. I've been a member of the City's Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, and the County's Civil Service Commission. I've served on the board of the Cultural Council, for two years as president. And I served on the Santa Cruz City Council for eleven years, including twice as Mayor. Since then, I've tackled my personal to-do list- working on my historic home, traveling, and running four Boston Marathons- winning my age-division once!

And I've stayed involved in community service. I currently serve on the boards of the Homeless Service Center and the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, and I'm never far removed from what is going on in our City. I follow every Council meeting with great interest and concern for the projects and processes of our community and our government.

Now I want to step back into action. I will work tirelessly to represent you as we tackle the issues affecting us all. And I will work to ensure that everyone has a meaningful opportunity to participate and be heard through open, democratic government.

To make this happen, I need your financial support in my campaign, as well as your vote on November 4. The City's Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limitation allows me to receive up to $283 from any individual, but I would truly appreciate any amount that you can send.

Thank you all.

Katherine Beiers

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