Meet Monica Parmar, Candidate For Calabasas City Council

CALABASAS, CA — As ballots start to hit Calabasas mailboxes, it’s time for locals to get to know their candidates.

Come Nov. 8, five candidates will vie for three open Calabasas City Council seats as Mayor Mary Sue Maurer, James Bozajian and David Shapiro have terms ending this year. Bozajian and Shapiro are both running for reelection.

Calabasas residents will also weigh in on a number of other local elections, including the Las Virgenes Unified School District and local water district.

Visit this link for more information about the upcoming Calabasas election.

A number of City Council candidates answered questions to introduce themselves to Patch readers. Get to know Monica Parmar:

Age (as of Election Day)

47

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

I have been married to my husband, Hardip (Sunny) for 26 years. I have two children, Neyha, who recently started her first year at the University of Washington, and Navin, a Junior at Calabasas High School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one in my family works or has worked in politics or government. However, my father was a school teacher in Canada and taught me the importance of education and working within the community.

Education

I attended Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan, Canada, and graduated in 1992. I then went on to earn my B.S. in Biochemistry- Pharmaceuticals from the University of Victoria in 1996. After graduating, I enrolled and earned a BASc in Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory Affairs from York University in 2000.

Occupation

After receiving my education, I worked as a Pharmacy Relations Coordinator at Walmart Canada Corporate office from 1999 to 2005. I transitioned into a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at WMC Pharmacies from 2005 to 2007. After moving to Miami with my young family, I chose to become a stay-at-home mom to see my children grow up. With expertise in a very technical field as a Pharmacist and the lessons I learned as a mother, I have combined my experiences and leadership skills to become a community leader and volunteer in Calabasas.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have never held public office. However, I sit as the Vice President of THE Foundation for Las Virgenes Unified School District and I helped co-found Calabasas Parents, Youth Neighbors for Climate & Environmental Protection along with Calabasas’ Climate Action and Resilience Plan.

Campaign website

monicaforcalabasas.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

After many years of community volunteering, I am ready to bring an even higher level of committed, compassionate leadership to our city by serving our community as a member of The City Council. My core beliefs in leadership include a strong work ethic, empowering others, and promoting involvement and teamwork. I am also a strong advocate for hands-on community engagement and advancement. Together we can achieve this. We will need to encourage citizen and stakeholder engagement, better understand community needs and beliefs and protect public trust through honest business practices and even more transparent communication.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My position as a mother, a scientist, a woman of color, and a connection to the younger generations has made me the best candidate for Calabasas City Council. As the youngest candidate running for City Council, I will unite many generations and advocate for the improvement of quality of life regardless of age or gender. My candidacy, as the only woman, mother, and person of color brings unique experiences and perspectives that will positively impact Calabasas and our diverse population. As a scientist, I understand the complex relationships we have with our environment and will advocate for increased protection of our environment and better emergency preparedness for natural disasters.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

As mentioned above, I believe my perspective is a needed one on Calabasas City Council. As a community volunteer for years, I have first-hand experience working with our community and I have the skills to communicate, advocate, and improve these issues for all members of our community. My values, energy, and attitude push me to run for office, but I think it is the lessons I have learned from the community throughout my years living and working in Calabasas that will make me a good candidate for Calabasas City Council.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

An issue I am also very passionate about is making sure our youth and senior citizens are well represented by The City Council. Our youth is the future of our community and providing services such as teen wellness activities to support a healthier community will be the building blocks for a safer and more vibrant city. Our senior citizens are the backbone and need both improved access to senior services and upgraded amenities at our beautiful Senior Center to keep up with the demand. Public safety and emergency preparedness are so important for all citizens to enjoy their community and addressing these issues head-on by promoting already available resources are key.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have worked tirelessly as a classroom volunteer, PFCs, and Site Councils, chaired multiple fundraisers, worked with the District office, and advocated for the remarkable partnership our School District and City enjoy.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“To be the light;” sometimes we get too consumed by the negative words and events happening around us. I believe that seeing all the good around us and motivating our community through kindness and positivity is the solution to any issues we might face.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My family has shaped me into the person I am today. As a child, my parents always taught us to give back, regardless of what is given to us. Giving back to Calabasas is what I have taught my daughter and son. I want them to see that their mother is fighting for their futures in public schools, in environmental issues, and in the overall quality of life in Calabasas. I believe that, by working together, the future of our beautiful city is bright. Currently, I am Vice President of THE Foundation for LVUSD, uniting businesses, community, and district families to provide all students the support they deserve. I joined LVUSD’s Environmental Stewardship Committee to work with the City in implementing Greenleaf Initiatives at school sites. We were recognized with the City’s Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award. Subsequently, I co-created the Calabasas Parents and Youth for Climate and Environmental Protection Facebook group to increase community engagement on Climate and Environmental issues. We advocated successfully for a 100% renewable energy tier and a Climate Action Plan that I am eager to co-create with our residents if elected. Safety is always a parent’s first priority. Having worked with the Public Works Department as a member of the SATS Committee, I intend to accelerate improvements in traffic and safety issues. Additionally, I serve as Library Commissioner, acting in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to the City’s library and its services, and will prioritize our ongoing partnership between the City, Library, and our School District.