It’s time for citizens interested in running for elected office to throw their hats into the ring: The nomination period for three vacancies on the Piedmont City Council and two vacancies on the Board of Education opened on Monday, July 18.
At the city level, Mayor Teddy Gray King is termed out, Betsy Andersen is up for re-election, and Jennifer Long, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the vacancy left by Tim Rood in December 2021, is up for election. At the Board of Education, Amal Smith is termed out and Megan Pillsbury is not running for re-election.
Piedmont’s elected officials have had to grapple with a range of pressing matters in recent years that are likely to continue. Housing mandates, aquatic center development, and what to do about deteriorating city facilities have been hot topic agenda items for City Council members. School board members have had to address the fallout from its COVID policies, address staff and teacher shortages, and deal with budget realities related to a projected decline in student enrollment.
From the City of Piedmont on July 13:
The deadline for submitting completed paperwork is Friday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. There is no cost to candidates to file for election.
The City Council and Board of Education are Piedmont’s two elected bodies and guide the operation of City government and the Piedmont Unified School District respectively. Members of these bodies may serve a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms.
The City publishes the Guide to Nomination and Candidacy, which provides details about the nomination and candidacy process which prospective candidates should find useful.
Prospective candidates are required to schedule an appointment to take out nomination papers with the City Clerk’s office. An appointment will also be required to submit the nomination papers once the candidate has completed their work. These appointments generally last between 30 minutes and one hour.
Residents with questions about the process or wishing to make an appointment can call the City Clerk’s office at (510) 420-3040 or send an email to cityclerk@piedmont.ca.gov.