Rancho Rinconada Recreation & Park DistrictCandidate for Director

My Parents met after WW2: Mom was a Marine from 1941-45, Dad was in the Coast Guard 1936-59. My brother John was born in San Mateo, CA, I was born in Palo Alto, CA. I surfed daily and loved Kindergarden & 1st Grade at Barber's Point Elementary, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii until I was 7, enjoyed 2nd-6th Grade in Santa Clara, and 7th-12th Grade in Cupertino. We moved to Cupertino in 1964. My brother and I mowed lawns, delivered newspapers, cut apricots for Mariani's, picked onions at SJC airport& other jobs while in school. Dad worked in electronics, and semiconductors. I had a soldering iron by 7. I took apart, built or fixed electric, electronic and mechanical things,enjoyed home repair, construction, demolition.

After classes at Foothill and Santa Clara U, John volunteered for the Army in 1967, died during 1968 Tet. His name is on Cupertino's Veteran's Memorial & D.C.s Vietnam Memorial, was buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery, where our parents later joined him.

I'm lucky to grow up, live near and work for Mariani orchards, other farms and businesses. I grew up learning mechanics, electronics and computers from many local agricultural and engineering pioneers and entrepreneurs. I enjoyed and grew living multi-culturally in Hawaii Territory, then California. Life is change: I enjoy and embrace all positive change. My family and I strongly believe(d) in and support(ed) all learning, and travel for personal growth and understanding other cultures. Extensive, frequent travel since I was born is one of my best teachers. I enjoy flying, trains, boats and cars.

My work and interest in electronic and other systems, research and development, computers and mechanical engineering mean constant growth and learning, which I enjoy. The creative, intelligent, growth and learning oriented friends I've been lucky to grow, work and live with, make life more fun. I share what I understand with anyone who wants to learn. Life has been good to me, of course not without its down sides.

I don't care what party anyone belongs to, as long as they're willing to work for our common best interest even if that means we all must compromise.

My family was mostly politically conservative, socially liberal. They encouraged reading everything on any subject, encouraged thinking independently. We were all widely read. Dad brought The Wall Street Journal home because it was my favorite newspaper, so I could read it. Luckily, I had many challenging teachers, including liberals, socialists, political independents and conservatives, neighbors and friends across ideological spectrums.  I learned from their willingness to share their thoughts and ideas, democracy can't work as well as it could unless we listen to all sides and learn from all to vote our best future.

When I filed to be on this ballot, I voluntarily swore an oath at the Registrar of Voters to only campaign truthfully about the issues and not engage in any personal 'attacks'. The oath is new this election, but I decided long ago life is too short to waste time acting with only some of the facts or facts without context. I also have too much respect for our honest differences to spread rumors or to accuse, lie about or disparage other opinions. Not even to win an election. I began serving on the board because I was asked. I've continued because democracy doesn't work unless all are willing to serve when needed, honestly, with integrity, and be willing to listen to, consider and respect others with differing opinions.