Meet Valerie Arkin, Candidate For Pleasanton City Council District 2

PLEASANTON, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates for Pleasanton Mayor and and City Council with identical questions. Here are the responses from Valerie Arkin, a District 2 council member running for re-election. Responses have not been edited.

1. What is your personal, educational, and professional background?

I have been a City Council member in Pleasanton since 2020. Prior to that, I was a School Board Trustee with the Pleasanton Unified School District from 2008-2020. I was a City of Pleasanton Library Commissioner from 2006-2014. I have served on various committees and task forces over the years. I have served on 11 local and regional committees during my tenure as a Council Member. I am active with the League of California Cities and am currently on their Environmental Policy committee. I currently work for Alameda County Supervisor D4, Nate Miley. I previously worked for two non-profits in Pleasanton. I have served on the Boards and have volunteered at multiple non-profits in the community. I have volunteered extensively in our school district for 21 years straight.

I have a B.S. degree in Health Science and a M.B.A. degree. I also have a Masters in Governance certificate from the California School Boards Association.

2. How long have you lived in Pleasanton?

I am a 31-year resident of Pleasanton. My husband and I raised 3 children who all attended Pleasanton public schools for their entire K-12 education.

3. What brought you here?

My husband and I relocated to Pleasanton from Southern California due to employment prospects. We chose Pleasanton because of its great schools, great parks, ability to commute to Silicon Valley, the charming downtown, and the fact that it’s a safe
community.

4. How have you been involved in the community?

I have been involved in the Pleasanton community since shortly after arriving here in 1993. I started getting involved in campaigns – for candidates and initiatives, and then started getting involved with the schools in 1996. I have been involved ever since.

5. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges facing the city?

The biggest challenges in the city are - fiscal sustainability in spite of budget challenges, our water issues with PFAS contaminants as well as infrastructure, addressing affordable housing while also addressing the impacts to neighborhoods, traffic, water, schools (that are a result of increased housing), and continually addressing public safety.

6. What are your plans for addressing them?

I voted to place the ½ cent sales tax measure on the ballot in November. If passed, this will help preserve the programs and services that our residents and businesses value in our community. The voters deserve a choice!

I am also involved in the current decisions about water infrastructure, which the city is currently addressing. Pleasanton is partnering with Zone 7 to do test drilling of new wells outside of the PFAS plume. We will monitor results and will act accordingly. The city is addressing infrastructure needs with our water system as well. I will continue to keep this as a priority as we progress on these initiatives as clean and safe drinking water is an important responsibility of our city.

I advocate for affordable housing within housing projects but also am advocating for an affordable housing project where our city could partner with a non-profit developer. Our city is currently evaluating our options in this regard. In spite of state mandated laws with housing, I continue to advocate for addressing impacts to existing neighborhoods as well as impacts to infrastructure such as traffic and water.

7. What makes you the best candidate?

I have extensive experience, not only on the City Council, but 16 years of being an elected official in Pleasanton. I know governance and how to work together and get things done. I strive for communication and collaboration amongst my colleagues. I have always been responsive to the community as I respond to emails and inquiries to anyone who contacts me. I consider all viewpoints before making decisions and I solicit input from all perspectives. I have always demonstrated a high degree of respect and integrity and my track record proves it. As the city continues with many challenges, my experience, background, education, and values makes me the best candidate for the City Council seat in D2.

8. Outside of politics, what do you enjoy doing?

I am an avid reader, gardener, and I love to travel. I enjoy walking and exercising and I love to interact with people. I am an animal lover, too! I consider myself a lifelong learner who is always open to learning new things and I enjoy new experiences. Finally, I enjoy spending time with family and friends!

9. Any other comments?

I am endorsed by Congressman Eric Swalwell; Assembly Member, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan; Alameda County Supervisor D4, Nate Miley; Former Congressman and candidate for State Senate, Jerry McNerney; Mayor Karla Brown, and the Sierra Club. I have many other endorsements as well.

Also, all of my campaign contributions are from residents and business owners. I do not have any donations from builders, developers, or corporations. Please visit my website at VoteValerieArkin.com.

Community Endorsements:

• Pleasanton Voters Endorses Karla Brown, Valerie Arkin and Matt Gaidos