HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2013 B1 Lopez-SchermerGoodwin, Heather
n: Grimes, Maeve
t: Monday, February 04, 2013 9:52 AM
To: Goodwin, Heather
Subject: FW: Support for Jeff Aranguena's Appointment
Attachments: Jeff Aranguena Appointment.doc
Please distribute as Agenda Correspondence for Item 131 on the 2/5 Council Agenda.
Thank you.
MAEVC kenneby gwmcs
City Clerk
crty of sm Luis OBISPO
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
phone: (805) 781 -7102
emaiL• mgrimes @slocity.or
From: Carter, Andrew
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2013 3:16 PM
To: Grimes, Maeve
)ject: FW: Support for Jeff Aranguena's Appointment
Public record.
Andrew Carter
Council Member
City of San Luis Obispo
RECEIVED
FEB 0 4 2013
SLO CITY CLERK
AGENDA
':'ORPESPONDENCE
Item#
From: clschermer@gmail.com [clschermer @gmail.com] on behalf of Charlotte Schermer [cls @schermer.us]
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2013 9:40 AM
To: Marx, Jan; Smith, Kathy; Carter, Andrew; Carpenter, Dan; Ashbaugh, John
Subject: Support for Jeff Aranguena's Appointment
Letter attached. Thank you for your consideration.
February 3, 2013
Dear Mayor Marx and Members of the San Luis Obispo City Council:
I am writing to urge your strong consideration of appointing Jeff Aranguena to the City
Council in light of Councilmember Carter's departure. I have worked closely with Jeff
and can attest to his strength of character, work ethic and dedication to the youth and
community of San Luis Obispo.
When I served as the Congressional District Coordinator for Project Citizen, a nonprofit,
nonpartisan youth civic education organization, I contacted Pacific Beach High School
about the program. Principal Chris Dowler put me in touch with Jeff, who immediately
expressed enthusiasm for the program. The idea of Project Citizen is for students in
grades 5 -12 to address a local public policy issue through a series of steps designed to
familiarize them with the public policy process. Jeff guided his students through the
project, tackling the timely issue of cell phones in public schools. The students not only
researched the issue thoroughly, analyzed alternatives and developed a policy
recommendation, but they took the added step of presenting their project to the school
board. I think it is safe to say that the board members were highly impressed with the
project and the students' and Jeff's time and effort they put into it.
Last year, Jeff again guided his students through the Project Citizen process and they too
made a presentation to the school board, this time about student input in the teacher
evaluation process. Again, board members were highly complimentary of the students'
and Jeff's work, and many expressed support of the proposal.
These examples demonstrate not only Jeff's dedication and inspirational qualities as a
teacher, but also his keen interest and understanding of the public policy process. Jeff
also possesses a sharp intellect, passion for history and politics, and an affable manner. I
believe that all of these qualities should be present in our next Councilmember.
From an equity standpoint, Jeff's appointment makes sense as well. He earned
approximately 20% of the vote in the November 2012 election, making him the logical
choice for appointment. Such an appointment would also signal that the Council is
heeding the people's wishes for who represents them. It would also save the money
needed to stage a special election.
In closing, let me say that as a former aide to two state legislators and a U.S. Senator, I
have worked around politics, elected officials, and policy issues for much of my career. I
can say without reservation that, based on this experience, Jeff would make an excellent
public servant. I wholeheartedly endorse his appointment, and I hope you will as well.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Lopez - Schermer
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 547 -1776