Vanessa Perry, who was appointed to the Oakley City Council in 2014 announced Monday she will not seek election this fall.
Perry was appointed in December of 2014 to fill the final two years of the seat after Diane Burgis was elected to the East Bay Regional Park District. Perry beat out 9 other applicants for the position. Perry also took third (14.48%) in the 2014 election behind Randy Pope (35.62%) and Sue Higgins (25.53%).
Perry said Monday she was grateful to have the opportunity to serve the community and through the experience found a calling for suicide prevention.
Councilmembers Vanessa Perry & Sue Higgins
“During the past year I have become increasingly more involved in the fight for suicide prevention, a cause that is both very important and close to my heart,” said Perry. “I have realized that I have found my passion in raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention and I want to give it my all. I would like to focus more time on this cause and into helping those that struggle themselves or who have experienced a loss due to suicide, as I have.”
Perry explained that last October she chaired the first annual Out of the Darkness Walk in Oakley. With the help of the community they had over 800 in attendance and raised over $40,000 in funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)—they are now planning this year’s walk set for October 8.
Perry is also now a board member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and plans on further collaborating with other organizations to bring mental health and suicide prevention training to East County.
Vanessa Perry with East Bay Regional Park District Trustee Diane Burgis
This year, the seats of Kevin Romick, Doug Hardcastle and Perry are up for re-election.
The Nomination Period for this election runs from July 18, 2016 through August 12, 2016. If an incumbent whose term is expiring should not file by 5:00 p.m. on August 12, 2016, the nomination period will be extended until 6:00 p.m. on August 17, 2016 for non-incumbents only.
Filing papers may be obtained during regular business hours at the Office of the City Clerk, Oakley City Hall, 3231 Main Street in Oakley. A nominee must be a registered voter residing within the City of Oakley. Individuals who are interested in running for office are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the City Clerk or Election Official to review and obtain papers to run for office.
For additional information, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 925-625-7013.
1 comment
The residents of Oakley should not elect anyone unwilling to fire Bryan Montgomery and his minions. I like Vanessa but she has done next to nothing for Oakley other than suicide prevention efforts which has been a wonderful asset and hope it will continue going forward.
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