(SAN RAMON) ---There was an undeniable good vibe in Amrutha Villas last night.
The local restaurant where I gathered with former and current elected officials to discuss the importance of local government, safety, and my run for Assembly District 16 turned out better than I planned.
The event started by a quick introduction by myself giving a brief background of why I am running Independent and quick walk through to the topics that led to the run.
Here I spoke what i have previously highlighted that 34% people dont register themselves with either party and in primaries only 23% actually vote. One reason they dont vote is as they don't have an option. Here my aim to run independent is to give these voters a choice as well as run a massive education campaign for people to vote in primaries.
Followed by Chirag's introduction, former San Ramon Mayor and Councilman Greg Carr, Dublin Councilman John Morada, and San Ramon Planning Commissioner Santosh Kanjula all spoke at the event, which San Ramon Planning Commissioner Santosh Kanjula also attended. It was my first formal gathering, and Carr broke the ice with humor and education.
As for my run for assembly, Carr said he would like to see me start on a local level, but made it clear he is supportive of my state-level campaign.
Former San Ramon Mayor, Councilman Greg Carr and me at Amrutha Villas Sunday night
He let everyone in attendance know that the most important thing they can do as citizens is to register to vote and actually vote. He also encouraged attendance, noting how important it is to see officials work in person rather than through a screen. He admitted that being the only one in the audience is not how change happens.
Sometimes I get so frustrated, and I will be talking to some of you," Carr said, noting that when he looks directly into the camera, he is letting those watching know "you should be down here behind me."
He let citizens know that if they see something wrong, say it, but have an answer, not just complaints. He told the audience to share their ideas with officials, who often settle for city staff advice.
"You have got to know everything on the agenda packet before you," Carr told them before noting that actions often speak louder than documents. "Observe their behavior among themselves, how they act with special interest like developers, get a sense of how the system works."
Gregg Car and San Ramon Planning Commissioner Santosh Kanjula at Amrutha Villas Restaurant, San Ramon
Brian Swanson showed his support for my run and for OpGov.ai, which is an essential tool for the public to use in understanding local government.
"It's broken down and simplified statements, because there is so much information coming at you," Swanson said of the AI-assisted platform I founded.
Me and my OpGov.ai team at my first formal Assembly District 16 campaign nomination event
Dublin Councilman John Morada also spoke, beginning with public safety in his city, noting the "rectangle right below" San Ramon by the interstate.
"We are about 15 square miles, but right in the middle of our city is a federal prison," Morada explained.
He told everyone that the city unanimously passed a resolution allowing the Government Administration Services not to reopen the detention center.
"However, it is a federal piece of land, so the city does not have jurisdiction," Morada said. "However, we can always use the help of our fellow state assembly members to continue to reinforce that public safety."
Morada let me know that, as a future assembly member, it must be my priority.
"I will call you at night and let you know I don't like what you are doing because I have your cell phone number," Morada said to me.
If elected, I promised Morada and others that I would address some of my goals, beginning with the current lack of Zoom participation allowed at meetings. This must change, especially for elderly or disabled citizens who cannot attend the meetings.
I also spoke about the affordable housing crisis and the need to enforce requirements to curb the proliferation of rental-only developments. Lastly, I discussed utility charges associated with AI infrastructure and public transportation inefficiencies.
I look forward to more community gatherings on my campaign trail, inviting all citizens to join me so we can discuss the district's future.
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