Candidate Profile: Greg Knell For San Rafael City Council

Municipal office

City Council District 4 -North San Rafael/Terra Linda

Greg Knell

Age (as of Election Day)

71

Town/City of Residence

San Rafael

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.

City Council District 4 -North San Rafael/Terra Linda

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

Democrat

Family

Married with two adult children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife is a High School Attendance Councilor

Education

UCSB and UCLA Law School

Occupation

Printing business owner, Graphic Designer

Campaign website

gregknell4sanrafael.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Seventeen year Trustee San Rafael City Schools/Appointed Marin County Commissioner RxSafe Marin for the Opioid and other Prescription Drugs crisis

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

Restoring the COVID impacted economy. PPE for all business combined with an education program to convince the community that it is safe to return to shop at our local businesses.

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

I will protect R-1 zoning while increasing the amount of affordable housing. My opponent is endorsed by the North Bay Council which supports the Weiner bills in Sacramento that wants to destroy R-1 zoning in order to make homeowners responsible for solving the housing crisis rather than the real creators of high housing costs, the major employers and developers.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The incumbent was appointed and has never been elected or participated in any of the North San Rafael civic projects. I am the defacto incumbent having been the advocate for North San Rafael for 30 years in San Rafael City government.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I am working on the future concept mall to provide income and sales tax where the current Northgate Mall is. I am opposed to the Costco big box alternative that my opponent has favored. We must have a town center that includes affordable housing which is the model for malls that are now profitalbe and will be into the future. I also will promote equity in government as a leader in equity in education, as a small business owner.

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

Seventeen years of balancing a budget twice the size of the City budget and managing twice the number of employees at a Trustee for San Rafael City Schools. I have also served on the steering committee's for every pivotal event in San Rafael for the past 30 years including the new Fire Stations, Public Safety building, Wildfire Authority, Transportation Authority of Marin and free Paramedic services.

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

Creating affordable housing. Bringing the mall of the future to the City. Bringing back the economy from the COVID depression.

Why should voters trust you?

I have been volunteering to help the City for over 30 years. My record is a very public record.

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

I have always balanced my government budgets as required by law. I have always had labor peace in my organizations. I have a 17 year record of successful governance.

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

I have no ambitions for higher elective office unlike one of my opponents who is running for this office one year after winning her 2nd term of office and promising to serve 4 years on the school board.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Do what you say you will do.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My wife is African American and Cherokee and my children are mixed race but identify black. People of all races and backgrounds speak with me and trust me.