Town of FairfaxCandidate for City Council

Barbara Coler is an incumbent on the Fairfax Town Council serving the last 7 years and as Mayor in 2015 & 2019.  She was appointed May 2013, elected November 2013 reelected in 2017.  She is a scientist with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in biological sciences.  She serves on several Boards: Marin Clean Energy (Executive Board and Board member); Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority; Marin Telecommunications Agency (former, disbanded 6/20); Community Media Center of Marin; Countywide Community Development Block Grant; Marin County Assessment of Fair Housing; LAFCO, and several Town committees, notably Affordable Housing; Climate Action (former); Open Space; and Age Friendly. 

Barbara has demonstrated her commitment to protection of public health and the environment – with 20+ years running statewide hazardous waste site cleanup/permitting for Cal/EPA and 5 years enforcing air quality regulations for the Bay Area Air District.  She was Administrator of a significant climate change program for the 35 California Air Districts for several years.

Barbara is a long time resident of the west end of Fairfax and is an avid hiker and biker.  She is a 24+ year Fairfax resident (with 31 years in Marin).

Working together with the community, we have made progress towards realizing our common vision for Fairfax: embracing diversity, inclusion and racial equity; sustaining our economic vitality while preserving our Town’s unique qualities; preparing for disasters and providing leadership on social justice and environmental issues.

As a 24 year resident, I am devoted to preserving the look and feel of Fairfax that we all love. Helping our residents and businesses remain stable and recover safely during the Covid-19 pandemic will be a primary focus in 2020 and beyond. 

I am a scientist with a long term commitment to protection of public health and the environment. My education and years of public service have given me a deep understanding of how government works and the ability to get things done. Some of my many accomplishments on the Council include: acquiring Sky Ranch for open space; achieving key climate action objectives; bringing renter protections to our Town; facilitating infill affordable housing; increasing our disaster preparedness.  I ran three highly successful voter campaigns for local taxes to support Fairfax over the last few years.  

I have focused on living within our budget to provide locally-controlled public services, maintaining/replacing our aging infrastructure, bringing social justice matters to the Council, preserving our Town's uniqueness and beauty while enhancing Fairfax's strong environmental sustainability ethics.  With your vote I can continue this important work. 

I have five major priorities for Fairfax: Living within our Budget; Housing for Inclusion, Social Justice and Racial Equity; Disaster Preparedness; Maintaining and Improving our Aging Infrastructure; Protecting our Environment.