City Council — City of Cupertino

I am the current Mayor of Cupertino.  In anticipation of being Mayor this year, I did as much possible to clear space in my professional schedule.  By trade and profession, I am an attorney.  I attended Harvard Law School and graduate in 2003.  Prior to that, I studied to become a medical doctor as a pre-med at Harvard College.  I was admitted into medical school but I decided to become an attorney in order better to understand and help our democratic society.  After I moved to Cupertino in 2005, I served on the Cupertino Parks & Recreation Commission for seven years, from 2008-2014, prior to being elected to our City Council at the end of 2014.  

I believe that Democracy can work and function as the best possible system that we have as human beings.  But I also know that this is not an easy system to achieve.  A lot of people mistake complete lack of contention for success.  The truth of the matter is, there is no way that we are going to hash out our disagreements in the absence of contention.  And at the end, we are not all going to agree on everything.  We need truth and honesty, and a healthy mechanism for preserving and respecting the rights of all people to have their perspectives heard, much more than we need unanimous consent on all issues.  If we, as a society spearheading our modern Democratic system, figure out how to preserve the rights of minorities in this manner, then we are going to succeed with our social aims.  If we don't, then we are going to go down a path of cronyism, systemic corruption, and eventually systemic decay where we lose sight of our most valued priorities.  After that, there will be no functional difference between how we operate and how an oligarchy or a dictatorship operates, except for perhaps the fact that we are less efficient in certain respects as we pretend to pay heed to democratic processes.

We need dissent but we also need to be intelligent and well-considered about how we approach our disagreements.  It is critically necessary to be civil to each other and not to act like we live in a feudal society where not prevailing on any given decision means the sacrifice of our family honor.  We are not engaged in a winner-take-all process here.  That kind of mentality is both undisciplined and uninformed under modern Democratic principles.  Some people like to talk about winners and losers.  I prefer to do the hard work of upholding our system and processes, and to hold a basic faith that we are robust enough to withstand blustering idiots.  And I know that we are.  We have to hold fast to the notion that we are ruled by laws and not by any particular group or individual.  We should not take pre-conceived notions into our decisionmaking process and drag everyone through a dance of going through the motions.  I can't think of a sadder fate for a system conceived in the idea that we can enjoy our freedoms through a patient and thoughtful exercise of the healthy and competing tensions of our individual autonomies than allowing ourselves to be manipulated by ego-driven demagoguery.

Ours is a system filled with possibilities, and when you look around Cupertino, you know that the vast majority of things are going well.  Our schools are doing well.  We are at the epicenter of cutting-edge innovation as delivered to people all around the world.  And we attract people from all around the world.  Our parks are good, and our programming is improving.  We are building upon solid fiscal foundations since the last recession.  I will continue to encourage the spirit of volunteerism in order to help keep our community compassionate, effective, and motivated to get all the work done that we need to do in order to ascertain all of the various factors, see through fair processes, and then follow-through in a manner that gets things done while optimizing our ability to address the many underlying concerns.  As stated, this is not an easy endeavor, but it is one worth the time and sacrifice.

Dr. Liang Chao has lived in Cupertino for 20 years, where her two sons attend public schools. She is now an elected member of the Cupertino Union School District Board, where she has brought positive changes to rebuild trust. Liang proactively proposes better policies and interfaces with the community to bring issues of concern to the attention of the school district administration.

Liang holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Princeton University, and has taught at the university level in the United States and abroad prior to moving to Silicon Valley. After a long career in high-tech, Liang now focuses more on education and community issues, while initiating a small education startup for enrichment activities through tech.

In 2017, Liang received the CREST (Cupertino Recognizes Extra Steps Taken) Award from the City of Cupertino for her contributions to our community.

Liang enjoys serving community with the Lions Club, the League of Women Voters and Sierra Club. She also volunteers to teach Computer Science and math to middle and high school students.

Liang’s Values are what guide her decisions as she represents the 18,000 children and their parents on the Cupertino Union School Board, and will continue to guide her if she is elected as your city council member.

INTEGRITY FIRST!

Transparency, evidence-based decision making, and fiscal responsibility for equitable solutions that benefit residents and local businesses.

RESIDENTS ARE THE DRIVERS!

We, the people - not outside forces - should decide what we build, or don’t build, in our own city. There is no excuse for tolerating hypergrowth that will permanently burden infrastructure.

FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS ARE THE CENTER

Our children depend on us for quality education and safety. School overcrowding and traffic congestion affect our family lives every day.

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

What we do here and now will impact generations to come.

My family and I are proud to call Cupertino our home.  We've lived here over 23 years. Our daughter is a graduate of Cupertino's excellent public school system and lives in the Bay Area. I too am a product of local schools. I took business pre-requisite courses at De Anza College and received my MBA from San Jose State University.

I was elected to the Cupertino City Council in 2014. Subsequently I served as Vice Mayor in 2016 and then Mayor in 2017. Due to my years of work on transportation issues and my two years on VTA Policy Advisory Committee, I was also selected to the Board of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in 2016.  I also serve on two Airplane Noise Relief Committees that includes FAA, SJC Airport, and Cities Association. I can assure you I work full time for the well being of Cupertino residents. 

Even with my City Council duties I remain deeply involved in community activities. I am very accessible and enjoy hearing inputs from residents. I enjoy encouraging youth and participating in their events. When I was Mayor, I attended over 50 events involving each of Cupertino's diverse ethnic groups.

Hung Wei was born and raised in Taiwan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from National Taiwan University majoring in Foreign Languages and Literature.  Hung went to study at UCLA in 1979 and earned a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. After graduating from UCLA, she moved to the Bay Area with her husband Ta-Wei Chien in 1981, residing first in West San Jose, then moving into Cupertino in 1990. 

Hung is currently serving as a Member on the Board of Trustees of Fremont Union High School District.  She dedicates her time in meeting with teens and parents, listening to their concerns with patience, understanding, and compassion.  Hung believes that building communication channels among students, parents, teachers, school staff and the district is a top priority in providing the best opportunities for students to succeed. 

When asked what is her profession, Hung often jokes that she is a “professional volunteer.”  She served as President of the Rotary Club of Cupertino in 2014-2015, Board Chair of the Northwest YMCA Board of Managers in 2014 and 2015, and she also serves as a Board Member of Asian American Parent Association and Board Member of Fremont Union High Schools Foundation. Hung loves to fundraise for local functions. She has served as chair or co-chair of the Annual Golf Classic Tournament for the Rotary Club of Cupertino, the Triangle Campaign for the Northwest YMCA, and the Auction Chair for the Fremont Union High Schools Foundation. Even though her youngest child graduated from high school in 2008, she continues to raise funds for Monta Vista High School Senior-All-Night Party every year.  In addition to volunteering at non-profit organizations in Cupertino, Hung is also a member of the Butter Paddle, a gift store located in Los Gatos that fund-raises year round for Uplift Family Services - a statewide nonprofit that provides foster care and comprehensive mental health treatment for children and families in need.

With eleven years of public service and 20+ years of community involvement, Hung has proven to be an effective leader, listening to all perspectives, communicating with compassion, making policies that are fair to all concerned, while at the same time, she has the courage to make positive changes. Hung has proven leadership and consensus building skills, that's why all her colleagues on the High School Board endorse her candidacy for Cupertino City Coucil, and she has also been endorsed by eleven former Cupertino mayors.

Hung has received many awards in the community, including 2006 Honorary Service Award from Cupertino-Fremont Council of PTA, 2009 Community Leader of the Year Award from Silicon Valley DECA,  2011 CREST Award from the City of Cupertino, 2015 State of California "Woman of the Year" Award representing State Assembly District 28, 2016 Citizen of the Year Award from Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, 2017 Distinguished Volunteer Fundraiser for Philanthropic Excellence Award from Association of Fundraising Professionals SV Chapter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Hung Wei is running for Cupertino City Council, because Cupertino needs a strong voice to represent residents, who desire to move Cupertino forward.

Cupertino's top priority now is to rejuvenate Vallco as a spectacular city center, that gives residents a place to gather, dine, shop, and celebrate – a place truly worthy of Cupertino.

Vallco is a perfect location to offer multi generation living options, including teacher housing. From many years of talking to residents, it’s clear that a majority look forward to a vibrant Vallco.  As a Cupertino Councilmember, Hung will make sure that Vallco is a beneficial project that makes local public schools and Cupertino City stronger.

Residents hold legitimate concerns about traffic congestion. Cupertino needs innovative solutions, such as the Pogo ridesharing program that Hung commissioned as a member of the High School Board of Trustees, which is reducing traffic around schools.

Traffic, however, recognizes no city boundaries.  Hung will build coalitions with neighboring cities, and negotiate with Apple to bring resources for frequent and reliable transit to the region.

Teacher housing is another major issue in Cupertino. In a recent survey, 56% of FUHSD teachers said that, they would have to leave the District in the next 6 years due to housing shortage.  Hung will ensure that new developments include moderate-income housing for teachers, in order to protect the quality of public education.

Everyone needs to do his or her part to mitigate climate change and improve the quality of the air we breathe. Hung will seek appointments to the boards of Silicon Valley Clean Energy, and the Bay Area Quality Management District. These agencies are helping make the switch to cleaner energy sources, and leading us toward a healthier future.

With eleven years of school board experience, Hung has proven leadership and consensus-building skills, that’s why all her colleagues on the High School Board – regardless of their differences – endorse Hung's candidacy for Cupertino City Council.  Hung has also been endorsed by eleven former Cupertino mayors.

I’m running for Cupertino City Council because I'm invested in our City, I understand public policy, I know how to navigate red tape in order to create real change in a City Government, and I know that real change happens at the local, grassroots level.

My roots are here in this great city that gave me the tools to succeed. Now, I want to give back to this vibrant, diverse community, such that others can thrive like I was able to.

Growing up in Cupertino, my inspiration for public service came from my parents who taught me to work hard in public school and give back to my community. I’ve lived in Cupertino since I was 5, and am a product of Cupertino public schools: Portal, Kennedy, and Monta Vista. Even as a young girl, I admiringly watched my mother who worked hard in the Cupertino public school system as a librarian, volunteer organizer, and fundraiser. 

Right after graduating from Mills College, the oldest women’s college on the West Coast, I set out to work as a Community Organizer for local campaigns, and later as a City Council Legislative Aide. As a Grassroots Organizer here in Cupertino and around the Bay Area, I’ve mobilized hundreds of people to take action on the issues they care about and improve their community. As a legislative staffer in City Government, I've assisted in drafting and passing a range of laws and have successfully navigated City bureaucracies. The policy issues I worked on included addressing our historic housing crisis, climate change prevention, neighborhood traffic mitigations, safety improvements, and code enforcement cases to name a few. 

I value data-driven decision making, sound fiscal policy and integrity.

In short, I'm a product of Cupertino and I'm fighting for our future.

Read a list of my accomplisments at: https://www.tara4cupertino.com/accomplishments/

I have detailed policy proposals laid out on my website for the following issues: Traffic Relief, Workable Transportation, Environmental Leadership, Responsible City Planning, Affordable Housing Options, Safe Neighborhoods, Strong Schools, A Community-Based Vallco.

Visit www.tara4cupertino.com for my detailed proposals and email me at tara4cupertino@gmail.com to discuss these proposals further. 

I'll lead with integrity, accountability, and transparency.