Nov. 2020 Voting Guide

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Tuesday,
September 15th
3:00 pm

I am a third-generation Aiello living in Pittsburg, California. If you visit the Pittsburg Historical Society on Railroad Avenue, you will see a picture of my nana, who was in an internment camp in WWII. Her name was Mamie Chiparo Aiello.

I was on the Pittsburg City Council from 1997-2002. I have served on the Keller Canyon local Advisory committee, Dow chemical community Advisory panel, Association of Bay Area Governments, the 2002 Governor Davis Environmental Justice Panel, and the 1986 Jesse Jackson Rainbow Coalition, San Francisco Chapter.

I am also a retired member of local 5 and current member of SEIU 2015.

I am a family man, with family values. I put God and family above all else. My family has a tradition of paying it forward and serving others.

I have also coached both in Pittsburg Little league and Pittsburg Pony League.
My wife Barbara is a former Pittsburg Unified School Board member, and former president of the Board.
My daughter, who has survived a serious illness, was the first youth ambassador for the city of Pittsburg, under Mayor Glover. She later served on the Youth Commission, and was a Pittsburg Police Explorer. She was recently named an Honorary Pittsburg police officer by Chief Addington.
My oldest son has coached Pittsburg Youth Football.

Our city needs guidance going into the next 10 years and beyond. Without it, the city will fail. We need to become a destination point, drawing people in to spend money. This will allow for our city to blossom, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
I respectfully ask for your vote in November.
(Bio from candidate's website)

Juan Antonio Banales, Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Friday,
September 11th
1:00 pm

Juan is a son of immigrant parents who came to this country in search of a promising future. They worked in manufacturing for most of their careers, having later worked in the commercial shipping industry at the Port of Oakland. They began their careers in Pittsburg and enjoyed living and working in Pittsburg. When their manufacturing jobs left Pittsburg they were forced to move out of Pittsburg to keep their commutes short. Shortly after leaving, they realized the difficulty of raising their children away from their large family which was and still is rooted in Pittsburg. They moved back and endured long commutes every day so that their kids could be raised with family around them. Juan's parent's experience has helped to shape how he views the importance of family and good local jobs.

Juan was raised in Pittsburg public schools having attended Highlands Elementary, Central Jr. High, and Pittsburg High. In 2013, Juan graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He immediately came back to his hometown where he had the opportunity and privilege to live and work in Pittsburg. For the past 7 years Juan has worked as an engineer for The Dow Chemical Company and now Corteva Agriscience which has a manufacturing site in Pittsburg. In that same time Juan has served his community in various roles such as Planning Commissioner, City Council Member, and Mayor.

Juan is recently married and enjoys spending time with his family most of which resides in Pittsburg.

(Bio from candidate's website)

Dr. Natisa Dill

Website (to come)

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Wednesday,
September 16th
1:30 pm

I love living in Pittsburg, and I am proud to be a home owner here in the Pittsburg/Bay Point area. Overcoming poverty and teen pregnancy, I understand first hand what it feels like to work hard to achieve your dreams. I believe with the right leadership Pittsburg can achieve its dreams too, a safe community, flourishing commerce, a healthy pipeline of jobs, and activities for all generations. I have a true passion for people and as a nurse of 17 years, I have spent the majority of my life serving others and making people and communities healthier and I would love the opportunity to serve you and make a real impact here in our community!

Dr. Natisa Dill is a visionary healthcare executive leader and organizational change agent with a passion for people. Dr. Dill serves as the Regional Risk Management & Patient Safety Leader for the Northern California Region of Kaiser Permanente; with 68,000 staff; 9,000 physicians; and serving 4.4 million members. Dr. Dill is guided by a mission to promote economic development and enhance the quality of life across Pittsburg. Her Economic Development plan includes Creating New Jobs, Supporting Current Commerce, and investing in City Owned Ventures.
(Bio from Govserv.org)

Jelani Killings, Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Thursday,
September 10th
5:00 pm

Submit your questions for consideration

Mayor Jelani Killings was elected to the Pittsburg City Council in November 2016. A Pittsburg native and Pittsburg High School graduate, Mayor Killings has dedicated his life to serving others and giving back to the community that inspired him growing up. He is a proud husband, father, minister, and mentor. Mayor Killings earned his BA in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University and his MPA in Public Policy and Management from California State University East Bay.
In just his first term, Mayor Killings hit the ground running, working for a better Pittsburg. He provides responsible and effective leadership towards establishing coherent and strategic approaches to economic development, public safety, and quality of life issues facing Pittsburg to create a sustainable and vibrant city. He currently serves on the City Council’s Finance, Economic Development, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) committees. Mayor Killings also serves as a city representative to the East Bay League of California Cities, Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and the 2x2 School District committees.
Although the city continues to take steps in the right direction, there is still much work to do and Mayor Killings is committed to implementing effective policies to keep Pittsburg moving forward and providing the responsible and balanced leadership that Pittsburg residents need.
Join neighbors, community leaders, and local businesses to re-elect Jelani Killings for Pittsburg City Council!

Contra Costa County, District 5 Candidates
Live Candidate Forum - Wednesday, September 30th 6:00 - 7:00 pm

View via Facebook LIVE

View Submitted Questions

Federal Glover, Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Wednesday,
September 16th
3:30 pm

Federal Glover has been serving District 5 residents on the Board of Supervisors since 2000. He was chairman of the board in 2004, 2008 and 2013. He began his fifth term in 2017.

Born and raised in Pittsburg, Federal has lived in District 5 all his life. After attending San Francisco State University, he began working for local industries including POSCO and Dow Chemical. At Dow, where he worked 22 years, he served in several capacities centering on training and safety.
In 1996, following in the footsteps of his mentor and role model Taylor Davis and after serving on several city commissions, he won election to the Pittsburg City Council. From 1998 to 1999, Federal served as Mayor.

As a County Supervisor, Federal implemented several ordinances and beefed up county services that helped improve the quality of life for residents in his district and the rest of the county.

He believes a strong community values the uniqueness of these different interest groups and diverse religious traditions. A strong community also recognizes their interdependency.

It takes many elements to foster a sense of community. “Besides shared values, rights and responsibility,” he says, “we also need an atmosphere of civility, trust and respect along with opportunities for networking and active participation.”

He has been married to Janis Glover for over thirty-eight years. They have been blessed with two children, Tederal and Carissa, as well as six grandchildren. The Glovers make their home in Pittsburg.

Gus Kramer, Assessor

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Monday,
September 14th
2:00 pm

Submit your questions for consideration

Gus Kramer was elected to the Office of Assessor of Contra Costa County in 1994. Kramer has served the taxpayers of Contra Costa County for more than twenty years as the County Assessor.

He grew up in Bay Point, California and is a graduate of the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and the University of San Francisco. His public career in Contra Costa County began in 1974. Kramer embarked on his tenure with the County at the Contra Costa County Sheriff Coroner’s Office, later moving to the Contra Costa County Probation Department, and finally to the Contra Costa County Public Works Department until 1994 when he was elected to the position of County Assessor. In addition to his service to Contra Costa County and its residents, Kramer was also elected to the position of Martinez City Clerk in 1986.

As County Assessor, Kramer has overseen remarkable improvements to streamline the operations of his office, eliminate backlogs, and achieve higher levels of public service, all while operating substantially under budget. The State Board of Equalization acknowledged his office as one of the best managed assessors’ operations in California.

Gus Kramer is a member of the California Assessors’ Association and the International Right of Way Association and has more than 30 years as a licensed real estate salesperson.

Pittsburg Unified School District School Board Candidates
Live Candidate Forum - Wednesday, September 30th 7:30 - 8:30 pm

View via Facebook LIVE

View Submitted Questions

George Miller, Incumbant

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Thursday,
September 17th
2:00 pm

Bio to come.

Helio Moreno

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Tuesday,
September 15th
1:00 pm

Watch on Faecbook

My name is Heliodoro Moreno, but you can call me Helio, and I am running for a seat on the Pittsburg School Board. Being a Pittsburg native, and graduating from Pittsburg High School, after serving as the student board member, have shaped who I am. Pittsburg was built on the backs of immigrants, and I want to follow in that tradition. The son of immigrants, and the first in my family to graduate from college make education very important to me. After the terror attacks of 9/11, I joined the United States Marine Corps where I served for five years, completing a tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. I then graduated with honors from the University of Northern Iowa. For the past nine years I have worked as an immigration attorney, most recently at the Contra Costa Public Defender’s Office, where I am a dues-paying member of our union, the Contra Costa Defender Association.

Very tough decisions lie ahead for the Pittsburg School Board. The future of education is uncertain because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Our district was already faced with having to make budget cuts, and this will only get worse with the state budget crisis. We need a trustee who will bring a parent’s perspective to the board. As your school board member, I will dedicate myself to doing what is best for our children.

Michael Orlando

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Thursday,
September 10th
2:30 pm

I am a 49 year old, third generation born Italian-Sicilian American. My family have been in Pittsburg well over 100 years, and I am the fourth generation to live here with my great grandparents immigrating to the United States looking for a better life.

With Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD) serving as the largest employer currently in the City of Pittsburg, it is not a surprise to know that my family has been involved in the functions of or graduated from PUSD.

I have worked locally at USS-POSCO for over 29 years as a member of Local 1440, Steel Workers Union. I have been a proud and active member of the union over the years serving as an Executive Board Member, Trustee and Shop Steward. I know firsthand what it means to obtain a contract that reflects the professionalism and quality of work that we deliver. I served on the negotiating team for three separate contracts.

My community involvement spans over 30 years in this community serving as a coach and mentor to hundreds of Pittsburg youth. Over the past 18 years, I have coach Varsity Football at Pittsburg High School.

As you can see my perspective of the educational system in Pittsburg has many viewpoints that spans multiple generations from parenting, supporting family employees and working one on one with our future—our youth.

Yesenia Roman

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Wednesday,
September 9th
10:00 am

My name is Yesenia Roman and I am a lifelong Pittsburg resident. I attended Pittsburg schools from the start to graduation from Pittsburg High School in 1992. I then attended Los Medanos College and graduated in 1995 transferring to San Francisco State University. During my senior year of college, I worked as a outreach recruiter for Los Medanos College (LMC) connecting high school students across Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley with LMC's limitless possibilities. Upon graduation from San Francisco State University, I began working for California's largest disability rights non-profit legal agency, Disability Rights California, where I served as a Child/Youth Advocate for under-served communities across 10 counties including Contra Costa. Currently, I work for the Human Services Agency of the City & County of San Francisco in the
In-Home Support Services Program.

My family has resided in Pittsburg since the early 1950's after migration from Puerto Rico to work at the steel mill, otherwise known, as "USS POSCO". My husband of 21 years and myself are proud parents of five children who have attended Pittsburg schools all of their lives. I have served on parent clubs at Highlands Elementary and Hillview Junior High, East County Boys and Girls Club, Early Start and Girls Ministries at the Bay Church and most recently, the Parent African American Achievement Collaborative Team (PAAACT). I am running for Board Trustee of the Pittsburg Unified School District because I would like to be the "parent's voice at the table"developing world changers and ensuring Pittsburg students are "empowered students who believe, achieve and succeed everyday!"

Taylor Sims

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Monday,
September 14th
11:00 am