Q&A: Burgis, Foley Answer Questions About East Bay Regional Park District

Last week, Diane Burgis (Oakley) and Mark Foley (Antioch), both candidates running for East Bay Regional Park District, Ward 7,  were sent out questions about the the park district and why they were running for office.

We sent 7 questions on Tuesday September 23 to both Burgis and Foley, unfortunately, Mr. Foley failed to answer half the questions (he answered just 3). Meanwhile, Burgis highlighted her experience and a clear understanding for the Park District and the issues it faces with open space, future services, and its shorelines.

Furthermore, behind the scenes there reportedly has been some questionable behavior on the part of AFSCME who is attempting to place their candidate in a seat so he can negotiate on behalf of the union he has led while trying to also represent the taxpayers. While we do support unions and Mark Foley may be a nice guy, there is a major conflict in this particular race.

Furthermore, Foley was endorsed by the Democratic Party mostly due to AFSCME, however, you basically have all the elected officials endorsing Burgis.

For example, Burgis’ endorsements include: Congressmen George Miller and Jerry McNerney, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblymembers Joan Buchanan, Jim Frazier, and Nancy Skinner. She has also been endorsed by all five Contra Costa County Supervisors.  Most importantly, she was endorsed by Ted Radke who currently has been on the Board for 30 plus years.

Below are the answers to the Q&A, we encourage voters to support Burgis as she is most qualified for the position.

In 200 words or less, can you provide a quick bio:

Burgis: I am the proud mom of three young men ages 15, 17 & 20. My two younger sons currently attend Freedom High School in Oakley and the oldest is an Apprentice with Local 342 Steamfitters/Pipefitters Union. Ten years ago when I got divorced I chose to move my boys to Oakley, a happy place that my boys could grow up in. I made sure that I took a job where I could be home when they left for school and when they got home from school. I was very lucky to have found not only a job and a career, but also my calling when I started my work with the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed. It has been gratifying to not only enjoy the work I do but to also be recognized for it. I love that my boys can be proud of what I do. Two years ago I was elected to the Oakley City Council. It is a privilege to represent my community. I believe & hope others feel that things are better since I was elected . During my free time I love to read, garden and play tennis when I can.

Foley: I’ve been a resident of Contra Costa County for 35 years and an Antioch homeowner with my wife, Cindy and two teenage daughters, Madison and Maya, for over a decade.

How long have you lived in Contra Costa County and how have you been involved in your community?

Foley: 35 years, for the past 10 years, I’ve been involved in the leadership of various youth non-profit organizations. I’ve served as a Board of Director for the Special Kids Foundation, whose mission is to promote the education, awareness, and success of all families with children who have special needs and as a manager, coach and current President of the Delta Baseball and Softball League, where we strive to provide a positive and instructional league for children where the focus is on participation, fundamentals, and enjoyment of the game.

As a 22-year employee of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), I work every day to ensure that our 1.3 million customers have clean, safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater service. Since 2005, I’ve served as the President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2019, representing almost 700 EBMUD workers. My work as President has provided me with the opportunity to help shape EBMUD Policy and Procedure, as well as build collaborative working relationships with elected officials and agency Management.

Burgis: I have lived in Contra Costa County most of my life. & I am proud to be raising my three boys here. I grew up in Martinez and graduated from Alhambra High School. I have volunteered all my life for various organizations and causes. It is through that volunteer work that I have developed many of the most satisfying and important relationships in my life.

I have volunteered with the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance for 17 years now in various capacities. I am currently the Chairperson for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance of Northern California and am proud to see the progress that has occurred as a result of parents advocating for their children.

Today as a member of my community I volunteer or support dozens of organizations related to the environment, education, seniors, community gardens, historical groups and more. I invite people to research me and see that I have been involved with various things over the years because that is who I am and what I am all about.

Why are you running for East Bay Regional Park District?

Burgis: I love the work that I do both as the executive director of an environmental nonprofit and as a city councilwoman. I am running because I believe the East Bay Regional Park District is a real jewel that needs to be protected and managed properly. I am running because I know that if elected I can make a difference and will make the Park District an even better agency. I look forward to being the first East County resident (who has roots in the western part of Ward 7) to serve on the Park District and getting to bring forward some of those interests. I look forward to bringing a fresh new perspective and know that I have the temperament and people skills to help make things happen. Finally I am running because I believe I bring an ideal skill set that could contribute to the success of the East Bay Regional Park District and I have the passion to do it!

Foley: I’m running for the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) because…

The EBRPD Board of Directors no longer reflects the community that it serves and lacks the leadership that is needed to refocus its mission on being stewards of the Natural Resources to which they are entrusted. I will bring the perspective of a regular park user and supporter, who wants to preserve both open-space and accessibility to the park systems for our future generations.

• Improve Resource Management. The existing Board has purchased thousands of acres of open-space without giving proper consideration to the cost of maintaining this land. Workplace efficiencies (scheduling and sharing of individual park resources across multiple parks, better planning and coordination of work, etc.) and staffing levels need to be addressed.
• Improve Communication. Move Board meetings to the evening to allow park stakeholders to attend and provide feedback. Meet with environmental and park user groups to help foster collaboration and build coalitions with external subject matter expects, such as the Sierra Club, to gain a better understanding of park issues and priorities.
• Increase Youth Involvement. EBPRD isn’t maximizing its interaction with our next wave of environmental stewards, our children. Improve our partnering with local schools to increase the number of field trips, providing extra credit for cleanup activities, etc. to help educate and activate their involvement in the parks. Also, we need to provide environmental mentoring and internships to engage our youth.

What makes you the best candidate for Director of East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7?

Burgis:  Simply, I am the best candidate because I have the proven environmental and government experience & knowledge that other candidates don’t have.

The Contra Costa Times recognized that I bring “excellent experience combining natural resource issues with local government leadership”. The League of Conservation Voters whose mission is to further environmental protection in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties by electing environmental leaders to local office and supporting or opposing ballot measures that affect the environment endorsed me because I have proven myself as an environmental leader.

Some Highlights of my Experience:

• I have organized and managed thousands of volunteers who have done thousands of hours of community service and helped improve the environment.
• I have served on the Governing Board or the Advisory Board to the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy since it began. The ECCHC has been key to much of the new land EBRPD acquisitions in East Contra Costa County over the past 6 years.
• I have served on the Delta Protection Commission representing the cities of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.
• I have developed a paid youth internship program that gives youth from underserved communities an opportunity to learn about the environmental sciences and to participate in activities that help improve the environment.
• I have worked to help improve thow the cities and county value creeks and restoration work.
• I have worked with developers to create more environmentally friendly approaches to stormwater runoff.
• I have worked with federal and state agencies on water quality issues.
• I have worked on safe school routes, mental health issues, economic development, zoning and planning, recreation, police issues, fire protection issues and so much more as a council person.
• I have served on the League of Cities East Bay Division Executive Committee
• So much more!

Foley – Did not answer

What is your experience in government and leadership?

Burgis: I have been in elected office for two years. I have held various leadership positions over the years. As a mom, a business owner, an executive director of a nonprofit, as a community organizer and as a city councilwoman I have found success comes from good relationships, knowing your stuff, and by letting people know what they can expect from you. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I am always working to become an even better leader.

As a councilwoman in Oakley for the past two years and the executive director of a non profit I have worked on local, county and state issues. I have learned about who does what and why. I have developed relationships with those folks so that when we need to work together that relationship is already established. I have learned about the processes of working on a council and how to do it successfully. I understand and have had the opportunity to practice that we don’t always have to agree but we should always treat each other with kindness and respect. It is a wonderful thing to go in to things with an open mind and find ways to help as many people get to contribute to the processes as possible.

Foley – Did not answer

What kind have work have you done for open space, habitat restoration, recreation, and/or environmental stewardship?

Burgis: In 2011 I received the “Watershed Champion” award by the Contra Costa County Watershed Forum, an open committee of some fifty organizations, including state and local agencies, local non-profit environmental and education organizations, community volunteer groups, and private citizens. The “Watershed Champion” award is presented every four years honoring a person who works to build partnerships and provide leadership in protecting, restoring or enhancing creeks and watersheds. According to the Watershed Forum Page “The Watershed Champion Award is given to those that have inspired others to work collaboratively toward addressing conservation issues in Contra Costa County.”

I was given the California State Assembly Woman of the Year Award in 2012 for my work on behalf of the environment and the nonprofit I work for was awarded the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair of the Board Award for the important work we do in East Contra Costa County.

I have worked on open space issues primarily while doing my work with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy. The HCP provides a framework to protect natural resources in eastern Contra Costa County, while improving and streamlining the environmental permitting process for impacts on endangered species. The Plan will allow Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the East Bay Regional Park District and the Cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, and Pittsburg (collectively, the Permittees) to control endangered species permitting for activities and projects in the region that they perform or approve. The Plan also provides for comprehensive species, wetlands, and ecosystem conservation and contributes to the recovery of endangered species in northern California. The Plan avoids project-by-project permitting that is generally costly and time consuming for applicants and often results in uncoordinated and biologically ineffective mitigation.

I have worked on various approaches to habitat restoration through monitoring and planning projects to putting on my waders and managing a fish ladder. I have helped build burrows for burrowing owls and have worked with citizens to help protect various other critter habitat.

For recreation I have worked to develop a variety of experiences for people in order to get them engaged. From walks and hikes to hands on learning experiences I have learned that meaningful experiences can turn someone in to a lifelong environmental advocate.

Environmental Stewardship is really important to the work I do. In order to get support to do the work that needs to be done to improve habitat and preserve open space people need to care and be willing to act. In order for people to care and act on behalf of things they need to understand what we are trying to do. That is environmental stewardship- doing good work and engaging the support of as many of the interested parties possible along the way.

Foley – Did not answer

What are the issues in Ward 7 specifically that you are concerned about working on as Director of East Bay Regional Park District?

Burgis provided the following list:

• Ward 7 has a very big shoreline. If elected I will continue my work on behalf of the Delta and Bay. I see great opportunities to build more trails along the shore.
• I see more wetland restoration opportunities and public access to the Delta.
• There is a lot of land that was acquired during the economic turndown that is currently being banked. I hope that we will be able to create more public access to create and enhance the connectivity between parks.
• I look forward to learning about the open space opportunities in the areas around Martinez and Crockett and along the shoreline in the western part of Ward 7.
• I am interested in seeing what kind of interpretive services and activities we can add to our parks.
• I would like to engage more people from Ward 7 in to becoming more involved with their parks.
• I suspect there will be more opportunities with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, the Department of Water Resources, the upcoming water bonds, the local transportation authorities, the Association of Bay Area Governments & more to enhance our Park District

 Foley – did not answer, but we did find this information on his website and was included on Question 3.

• Improve Resource Management. The existing Board has purchased thousands of acres of open-space without giving proper consideration to the cost of maintaining this land. Workplace efficiencies (scheduling and sharing of individual park resources across multiple parks, better planning and coordination of work, etc.) and staffing levels need to be addressed.
• Improve Communication. Move Board meetings to the evening to allow park stakeholders to attend and provide feedback. Meet with environmental and park user groups to help foster collaboration and build coalitions with external subject matter expects, such as the Sierra Club, to gain a better understanding of park issues and priorities.
• Increase Youth Involvement. EBPRD isn’t maximizing its interaction with our next wave of environmental stewards, our children. Improve our partnering with local schools to increase the number of field trips, providing extra credit for cleanup activities, etc. to help educate and activate their involvement in the parks. Also, we need to provide environmental mentoring and internships to engage our youth.

For more information about the candidates, visit their websites:

• Diane Burgis
• Mark Foley