LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Glazer Announces Run for State Legislature


Steve Glazer Photo Ohlen Alexander

Former two-term mayor Steve Glazer surprised area residents Jan. 29 when he declared his intent to run for the California State Assembly. Recently re-elected to another four-year stint on the Orinda City Council and scheduled to become the city's mayor again in 2015, Glazer announced that he will actively campaign for the seat now held by Assembly Member Joan Buchanan (D - 16th District) who will be leaving office in 2014 due to term limits.

The key advisor to Governor Jerry Brown said he is running "to be a voice for fiscal responsibility and a champion for public education." Appointed by Brown in 2011 to serve on the California State University Board of Trustees, Glazer recently helped to enact a policy change limiting trustee power to approve hefty salary increases for CSU execs. Locally, he co-chaired two parcel tax campaigns for area school districts.

"Orinda is in excellent financial shape. We have a balanced budget and prudent reserves. We do not have any pension or post-retirement healthcare obligations, and it is reflective of the council's fidelity to conservative fiscal management." In contrast, he noted that the state of California has wrestled with unbalanced budgets, continued borrowing, and other challenging fiscal issues over the years. "Under the leadership of Governor Brown, stronger fiscal management is in place. I want to continue that - helping to move the state forward in a financially responsible way."

Glazer has also advocated for improved foster care and domestic violence prevention programs. "The test for a compassionate community," he observed, "is how we take care of our most vulnerable."

Asked what prompted his decision to run now, he cited three things - Orindans' recent approval, after several failed attempts, of a road repair initiative (November 2012's Measure L), the substantial progress made by the city council in achieving key goals, and recent successes by the governor in achieving critical goals for California.

"As a council member, I have sought to build stronger city partnerships with our local schools; improve our planning and design review process; expanded citizen participation in community matters with enhanced transparency; promote public safety improvements; and secure new resources for critical road and drain repair. The passage of the local measure tax for improving our roads was an especially important milestone for the city, and an accomplishment we can all be proud of."

Praising the wonderful leadership of colleagues on the city council, numerous citizen volunteers, and an exceptional staff, Glazer said he believes Orinda has "come a long way in addressing each of these concerns. We may take for granted the fact that Orinda is one of the best run and financially sound cities in all of California, but our sense of civic pride, undoubtedly was bolstered recently when Forbes Magazine rated Orinda as the 'friendliest town' in all of America."

Should Glazer win his Assembly campaign, the city would have two options for addressing the resulting vacancy on Orinda's city council. The council could appoint someone to serve out the remaining two years of his term, or could call a special election.