Pittsburg Election Preview

1-on-1 Live Interview:

I have lived in Pittsburg my entire life, I now raise a son in the same, I work here as an Attorney. This is my town. Culturally, I am Mexican-American, fluent in Spanish, and proud daughter of Mexican migrants who have the best work ethic.

From K-12, I attended public schools in Pittsburg. Then I attended Los Medanos College, and worked my way up all the way to a Juris Doctor degree. I am licensed to practice law in the state of California, and I own a law firm, with a focus on family law.

Prior to my legal career, I worked in finance, business growth/development, non-profits, and co-created a real estate software. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, and I will always consider myself a life-long learner.

Dionne Adams

1-on-1 Live Interview:

As a lifelong, second generation Pittsburg resident, I seek to serve you on the City Council. I offer my values, experience and commitment to keeping Pittsburg moving in a positive direction. I am running because I grew up here and have always appreciated the genuine love people of our city have for each other.

As our city moves forward, I want to continue our legacy of Pittsburg love while embracing new residents, businesses and community partners to help make Pittsburg a destination city where everyone feels included and is proud to work, live and play here.

I currently serve on the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce Board, as an advocate for local businesses. I also serve as a Pittsburg Planning Commissioner, where I’m responsible for reviewing project proposals brought before the city to evaluate feasibility and impact to our community. In my professional career, I have worked for over 20 years in the areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, supplier diversity, marketing, operations and public policy. If elected, I will use those skills and my love for Pittsburg to make it a destination city for businesses and families by improving our city image, attracting businesses and local jobs, ensuring leadership, transparency and accountability, making our city safer and improving programming for our youth and seniors.

Shanelle Scales-Preston, Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:

Coming Soon
(Bio from candidate's website)

Sonja Shepard

1-on-1 Live Interview:
Declined to do an interview

email: shephardsonja33@gmail.com

I was in the U.S. Navy for 8 years, honorable discharge. I was pulled from my civilian job and stationed at Concord Weapon Station, EOT1, during Dessert Storm. I used my U. S. Navy Reserve veteran benefits to graduate from San Francisco State University Paralegal Program and to study at Oakland College of Law. My Paralegal internship was completed at the City Attorney’s Office (Oakland).

As a Pittsburg resident for 27 years, I have served the community on several Boards and Commissions, such as Stoneman Village HUD subsidized apartments. Stoneman Village's mission is to provide safe and affordable housing for low-income seniors and disabled citizens. During my 7 years on this Board, the last three years I have also been the Chair of the Project Services and Food Services Committees. On the Stoneman Board we deal with budgets, tax credits, maintenance and repair issues, reviewing staff salary ranges, running an on-site dining facility and safety and security concerns. We have a BIPOC (diversity inclusive) Board as required by HUD.

I also volunteered at Saint Vincent De Paul for 10 years, doing numerous home visits to assist residents with financial assistance for PG&E bills, back rent, and rental deposits; as well as providing motel vouchers for the homeless. This opportunity to serve the public was first- hand experience as to the needs of this community.

Additionally, I have a background as a public service employee, as I worked at the City of Oakland for just shy of 10 years. Three of those years were in Public Works; and for another three years I worked in Environmental Services where I worked on the Oil Recycling program, Graffiti Abatement program and the We Mean Clean program.

My other experiences include Board of Safe Streets Now (Oakland) which was a crime abatement group that helped neighborhoods organize neighborhood watch groups and enrolled at risk youth in summer jobs/internships. I have also co-chaired neighborhood watch meetings with A.C.O.RN. (Pittsburg). I feel that neighborhood watch groups are a very effective tool in fighting crime. I also am the Vice President of Pittsburg Fifty Plus Club as well as being a part of their Grant and Fundraising Committees; and currently serve on the Pittsburg Youth Advisory Commission.

If elected to City Council, I would work hard to attract more businesses to Pittsburg; ensure affordable housing and safe neighborhoods for all; create more positive solutions for the homeless in Pittsburg; and invest in activities and programs for our youth. I have the experience, determination and commitment to serve the community of Pittsburg to achieve a better quality of life for all.

Wolf Croskey

1-on-1 Live Interview:

Submit your questions for consideration

I ask for your support to renew Pittsburg’s commitment to its residents, by voting for Wolf Croskey for Pittsburg City Council. I will be a relentless advocate for the residents and businesses, one who will fight to preserve our quality of life while leading us forward to a better future.
I am a proud graduate of Pittsburg High School and a college graduate from Chapman University, with a B.A. degree in Organizational Leadership and an M.A. in Education- Curriculum and Instruction.
I have worked in, owned, and now mentor small businesses here in Pittsburg. I am currently the C.E.O. of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, where I am able to see firsthand the importance of a robust local economy. I’ll apply my education and experience in making sound City Council decisions and will focus on:
- Funding that increases public safety.
- Enhancing the resident experience in Pittsburg.
- Improving the curb appeal of our streets and gateways
- Support for local businesses.
- Increase opportunities to support our youth. My wife and I have 6 children, so this is VERY important to us.

Pittsburg has been my home all my life, and I will do my utmost to represent its unique qualities, history, and spirit.
I will always strive to make Pittsburg safe, attractive, and prosperous.
Together we can build and sustain a stronger community.

Pittsburg Unified School District School Board Candidates

View Submitted Questions

De'Shawn Woolridge, Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:

o Personal
 Suicide Survivor
 Overcoming homelessness
o Public Service:
 Former member of PUSD Bond Oversight Committee
 Former member of the PUSD Student Attendance Review Board, including 2 years as Board chairman
 Former member of the Pittsburg Community Advisory Commission, including a year as Chairman
 Former member of the Contra Costa County Economic Opportunity Council
 Member of the PUSD School Board (12/2014 – Present)
o Professional
 9 years teaching: (3 years elementary, 3 years middle- and 3-years high school) – 7 years Special Education and 2 years General Education
 5.5 years of educational non-profit work
o Educational
 Obtained 3 associated degrees: Admin of Justice, Political Science, and 1 Liberal Studies associates
 Obtained a bachelor’s degree: Political Science
 Obtained three educational credentials: Prelim Admin Credential, Special Education (M/2/M), and MIAA credential
 Obtained two master’s degrees: Public Administration and Special Education
 Obtained a doctorate degree: Educational Leadership (12/2021)

Destiny Briscoe

1-on-1 Live Interview:

Watch on Faecbook

Destiny Briscoe is a wife, mother, attorney, and caretaker. She lives in Pittsburg, California, with her family. Pittsburg is her home, a community that she values, and a place where she plans to raise her family. She has been involved in education for over 15 years.

Duane Smith, Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:

I have served on the Pittburg Unified School Board since March 2013. I have served as President of the Board for 5 of the last 8 years.

I am a visible Board Member who visits and attends various school events. I will continue to be visible, not only at our school sites, but also in the community.

I’m running to be Re-Elected, to the Pittsburg Unified School Board, so all scholars can succeed and thrive in our district, as well as be prepared for the next stop on their academic and life journeys.

I ask for your support, so that I can continue to serve the Pittsburg community. I would be honored to have your vote. Thank you

Helio Moreno, Appointed Incumbent

1-on-1 Live Interview:

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.

Maria Bagley

1-on-1 Live Interview:

Hello I am Maria Bagley, I am a proud mother of 4, and already a grandmother. I started off in life from very humble beginnings. My grandparents immigrated to this country from Italy (mom’s side), and my parents were in the system. Neither of my parents have a college education and from a very young age all I knew was struggle. I became pregnant at the young age of 16 and right then and there I decided not to be a statistic! With a newborn in hand, I attended the university and graduated on the honor roll. I have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in finance and economics. I put myself through school using scholarships and financial aid. All of my life I have pushed myself and worked my way up into leadership roles.

I have worked in both the private and public sector. One of my public sector jobs was in a large public school district, giving me a unique understanding of how schools work from the other side. I am a community and business leader volunteering time in several organizations, almost all of them supporting our youth. I also was co-chair of the financial women’s scholarship fund where I helped select and award $40,000 in scholarships to young women who were pursuing their higher education in finance.

“I’m running for Pittsburg Unified District School Board because I believe in the limitless potential of every child and we need to close the achievement gap!”.

As a parent of four kids and a former public school employee. I see our District needing new leadership, to help establish fiscal policies to provide more resources in our under-resourced community. I know a high-quality education that meets the holistic needs of children and families can transform lives and strengthen communities. I believe in the life-changing power of an education that addresses students’ academic and social emotional needs — but our schools are failing far too many students, particularly students of color and those with disabilities here in Pittsburg.

For me my school provided me with a strong foundation to achieve, today nearly half of our students aren’t meeting grade-level standards and Covid has only exacerbated long standing inequities and left many children and families reeling from trauma. Many of our households are multigenerational households and need additional support from our District.

Despite these challenges, I’m optimistic about what we can achieve with clear goals and thoughtful plans centered around kids and families. I want to align student achievement and well-being with the annual budgeting process.

Yesenia Roman

1-on-1 Live Interview:

Advocate/Parent
I am a lifelong resident who attended Pittsburg schools and my children currently
attend schools in this district. My two eldest children are Pittsburg High School
graduates who followed my guidance and pursued college educations. I graduated
from Pittsburg High School in 1992, continued my studies at Los Medanos College
(LMC), and transferred to San Francisco State University (SFSU) where I graduated.
I joined Disability Rights California (DRC) in 1998 where I worked for 17 years as an
advocate focusing on education and disability rights issues for children and youth in
low-income communities of color. Currently, I am employed by the Human Services
Agency for the City and County of San Francisco. While working as an advocate, I
served on parent clubs in my school district at the Elementary and Jr. High levels and on East County Boys and Girls Club Board. Currently, I serve as an officer for the Parental African American Achievement Collaborative Team.

Organization Affiliations:
SEIU 1021PAAACT (Parent African American Achievement Collaborative Team)
CAAASA (California Association of African-American Superintendents and
Administrators)
CALSA (California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators)
East County NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
DPCCC (Democratic Party of Contra Costa)
WFP (Working Families Party)
ACCE (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment)

Mt. Diablo Unified School District School Board, Area 1 Candidates

A. J. Fardella

1-on-1 Live Interview:

In 1999, my growing family and I moved to Pittsburg from San Francisco. Since then, four of my six children have attended schools in the Mount Diablo School District (MDUSD). The District has, for decades, neglected the needs of our Area 1, instead pandering to the more affluent areas. This elitist attitude must change and I am the candidate who will effectuate that change.
For starters, we desperately need to build a full program high school that serves Area 1, the only area WITHOUT OUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL! It’s a disgrace.
In the early 2000’s, I and a couple of other dedicated parents pressured the powers that be to build Delta View Elementary School so that our children wouldn’t have to travel miles in order to get educated. Two of my children attended Delta View, where I served as PTA president. As a Board Member, I will dedicate service to get our Area more schools and more respect.
I have served for 7 years as a member of the MDUSD Measure C oversight committee, 4 years as chairman. I served 9 years as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Pittsburg, 3 years as Chairman.
I have the experience and the resolve to get Area 1 the attention and respect it deserves and will dedicate every moment necessary to increase our value in the community.

Contra Costa Water District

Patt Moore Tolliver

1-on-1 Interview:

Watch Here.

Retired Health Educator. I have spent the entirety of my personal and professional life working to build community though increasing social capital, inclusion and equity. I worked for CCC Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program (FIMR) to identify and mitigate the negative impact of inequity that drives poor health outcomes. Clean, safe water is crucial to health and safety so moving from Public Health to water management and safety is a more natural transition than many May think. I am also committed to not only preserving our environment but restoring our various delta ecosystems. I want to promote conservation with education and compassion. Marginalized communities often find conservation and recycling foreign concepts. I am committed to inclusion and equity to foster behavioral chanes that will benefit community.

Mariah Lauritzen