San Ramon Council Taps New Member To Join Ranks

SAN RAMON, CA — Mark Armstrong will serve as the fifth member on the San Ramon City Council, councilmembers decided during a special meeting held Wednesday.

Armstrong, a longtime San Ramon resident and retired U.S. Army colonel, will fill the District 2 seat vacated by Dave Hudson, who is now serving as the city's member. He will serve the remainder of the term Hudson began, which ends in 2022.

In his application, Armstrong said he prioritizes public safety, protection of open spaces and neighborhoods, fiscal responsibility and quality of life. He said he seeks to "provide leadership, oversight and decision-making skills which leverage my years of senior military and federal public service for the benefit of our citizens, community and the environment."

During the interviews, Armstrong said his top priority would be public safety, which shouldn't come as a surprise. Armstrong served as FEMA's Response Operations Director for the western states and Pacific territories from 2012 to 2016.

"I have the experience and decision-making skills to lead as a councilmember and thoughtfully evaluate the issues facing our city," Armstrong wrote in his application. "I will work closely with city staff and partners to understand the issues and ensure we are prepared for disasters, honor our veterans and first responders, and meet the needs of our citizens."

Armstrong was one of 15 candidates who applied for the job and one of five interviewed this week by the council, which opted last month to save nearly $250,000 in special election costs by appointing a member instead of conducting an election.

Councilmembers used a points-based system to tally their favorite candidates. Armstrong received 15 points, beating out Patrick Vanier and former councilmemember Harry Sachs, who were tied with 14 points, Dwight Pratt with nine points and Sarah Lashanlo with eight points.

Armstrong was the first choice of councilmembers Scott Perkins and Sridhar Verose, and the second choice of Hudson. He was Vice Mayor Sabina Zafar's last choice.

After a motion was made to appoint Armstrong to fill the seat, Hudson made a last-ditch push for his preferred candidate, Sachs. To choose anyone else was a big mistake, Hudson said.

"The others will be good candidates, but to finish these next two years," someone with political experience is needed, he said.

Hudson's motion to appoint Sachs died, as no other councilmembers seconded the motion.

The councilmembers lauded the final five candidates for thinking on their feet and stepping up to the challenge. Zafar encouraged them to stay involved in the community and Perkins even joked that he hoped none of the candidates would run against him.

Armstrong is scheduled to be sworn in at the council's next Jan. 12 meeting.

Read Armstrong's application here.

— Bay City News contributed reporting