Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum
Subject: Reappointments to the North Fair Oaks Community Council
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for reappointments to the North Fair Oaks Community Council, each representing Resident for a three-year term ending December 31, 2022:
A) Blair Whitney, for a first full term; and
B) Beatriz Cerillo, for a third term; and
C) Linda Lopez, for a third term.
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BACKGROUND:
The North Fair Oaks Community Council has traditionally been comprised of a nine-member body. This recommendation will fill the existing Council vacancy.
DISCUSSION:
Blair Whitney joined the North Fair Oaks Community Council in September 2018 and has lived in North Fair Oaks since 2012. He was serving a partial term in 2018, and this reappointment would be for his first full term. Blair has worked with St. Francis and Siena Youth Center, and is an experienced security professional with a history of working in security and investigations. He has a background in business process Improvement, customer service, nonprofit organizations, fundraising, and military and protective services with completed coursework in management from College of San Mateo. He also has experience in both the U.S. Army and technology company environment. He has his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Jose State University, with some years of graduate level work in Urban Planning and Public Administration.
Beatriz Cerrillo is a long-time resident of North Fair Oaks and has served on the Council since 2006. She is the School Librarian at Fair Oaks and Garfield Elementary School. Ms. Cerrillo believes in life-long learning, reflected through her BA from Santa Clara University; post graduate credits in the teacher credential program from Norte Dame University; and library Technician program certificate from San Francisco City College. She has been a board member of the Girls Middle School, a private girl’ school in Palo Alto for 6 years and participated on the PTA and School site Council of the school district. She was recognized by the school board for her 30 years of service and received an award from San Mateo County of coordinating the mother - Daughter Program at Fair Oaks School. The Program with the assistance federal grant, provide guidance and activities for 5th grade Latina girls and their mothers to attend college. As a council member, her goal is to affect positive change by encouraging residents to get involved in current project and serve as a liaison for residents to ensure they have a voice in their local government.
Linda Lopez was born in San Francisco. At the age of 16, Linda began her community work with the Anti-War Movement and Citizens Against Racism in Redwood City. She joined the struggle being fought by Martin Luther King in the south and Cesar Chavez in California’s central valley fields. Linda made a personal commitment to fight for social justice and equity. Her dedication continued throughout the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. At College of San Mateo, Linda co-founded COBRA, the first Latino Student Union in the San Mateo College District and helped to organize the first Ethnic Studies Program in the San Mateo College District. In 1969, Linda worked to establish fully accredited Venceremos/Nairobi Junior College, Inc. in the North Fair Oaks and East Palo Alto communities with partnerships from Stanford University and community.
In 1970, Linda worked with Stanford Hospital doctors in establishing the People’s Medical Center in North Fair Oaks. This was the prototype for the health service delivery system currently existing in North Fair Oaks. Between 1974 and 1979, Linda worked with North Fair Oaks community members in creating the Fair Oaks Community Center, Fair Oaks Senior Center and the first North Fair Oaks Community Plan under the leadership of Target, Education and Welfare Council, Inc.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None