Candidate Profile: Bruce Ackerman For Fairfax Town Council

Municipal office

Fairfax Town Council (currently Vice-Mayor)

Bruce Ackerman

Age (as of Election Day)

66

Town/City of Residence

Fairfax

Office Sought

Municipal office

Where appropriate, add specifics about office sought: i.e., State Senate District 1, State Assembly District 2, Temecula City Council District 1, etc.

Fairfax Town Council (currently Vice-Mayor)

Party affiliation (not needed in non-partisan races, including county, city and school offices)

N/A (lifelong Democrat)

Family

• Married to Diane Holzer, a midwife and health care provider at Point Reyes Clinic
• Daughter Caymin, an organic farmer currently in Mendocino County
• Son Cyril, working locally with Good Green Moving

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Baylor University and MIT, studying chemistry, physics, mathematics, electrical engineering and computer science

Occupation

Engineer, as a software developer and project manager in laboratory instrumentation, medical instrument design, and epidemiological data collection

Campaign website

www.bruceackermanforfairfax.co...

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Three years on Town Council, Fairfax Planning Commissioner, General Plan Advisory Committee (ten years, most of that as chair), General Plan implementation Committee, Climate Action Committee (founder and chair). As a Council member, appointed to Flood Zone 9, Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District, MCE Board (alternate), TAM Board (alternate).

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Climate change, and the fires and other devastation it is causing.

I developed Fairfax's first Climate Action Plan and founded the Climate Action Committee. Currently re-writing the Climate Action Plan to address the Town's resolution of a Climate Emergency. Currently working with MCE and Drawdown to design an advanced microgrid to keep the Pavilion and other Town buildings running during power outages, and to show the community a practical example of the future of energy.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a practical engineering background. Having a wide variety of experience, I help to bring a balanced and wider viewpoint to town discussions, and to explain and consider the nuances of complex discussions. I truly consider all viewpoints.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Will be working with the newly-formed Racial Equity and Social Justice Committee to find ways to elevate the community's attitudes and actions, while understanding that Fairfax has and will continue to serve in many ways as a model of a tolerant, open community.
Continuing to make real progress in prevention of fires and floods and in our resiliency to them if they do occur.
Continuing to have the most respectful and productive conversations, involvement and volunteerism we possibly can in this amazing town.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Throughout life I have been a leader in many difficult conversations and challenging projects. In my three years on Council we have made major progress in elevating our public discussions to a level where a consensus has been reached on some thorny and difficult issues. In my prior work with Planning I was a big part of the town's approving, and I believe soon loving, Victory Village.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Rebuilding of town businesses as the pandemic recedes. Major progress in seriously addressing climate change and resiliency. Major progress in addressing the issues of social justice now thankfully being raised. Continued progress in addressing the severe crisis in housing affecting so many lives.

Why should voters trust you?

I am honest and direct with people.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am gratified that Fairfax has been well-managed with a lean and dedicated staff, and as a result we have not suffered as much as we might have thus far during the pandemic-caused economic crash.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

None that I know of.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

From my early days of long-distance bicycling: If you keep pedaling, even if you need to downshift, you will get there.