Please see www.tina4saratoga.com for more information.

My husband and I are blessed to have lived in Saratoga for the last 19 years. I am honored to have served our City for the last 10 years on the Planning Commission, twice each as chair and vice-chair. I have had the privilege of working with this wonderful community in all neighborhoods, giving me an opportunity to learn intimately the characteristics of Saratoga, its downtown, hillsides and the flat lands. As your public servant, I have a proven record of hard work, due diligence and fairness.

I love Saratoga, and I want to renew our focus on issues that matter the most to our community.

A firm a believer in democracy, I strive for fairness, truth and transparency. No party affiliation.

Please visit my website: ElectKookie.com    

Dear Neighbor,

I am currently a Saratoga Planning Commissioner of 6+ years and a community leader with 30 years of volunteer service in Saratoga. My current profession is in clinical research. Previously, I was a small business owner in Saratoga Village for 15 years. You may already know me personally for my involvement and deep commitment to serving our beautiful Saratoga. You know of my integrity, fairness, enthusiasm, and courage to speak out against things that are wrong. I believe in community feedback and a transparent government.

I’m a lifelong Saratogan. Three generations of my family have called Saratoga home. I love Saratoga.

AS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, I PROMISE TO:

ü  Protect our semi-rural atmosphere

ü  Champion opportunities for families and seniors

ü  Optimize local strategic planning

ü  Cultivate and promote local business

ü  Ensure fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

§  Saratoga Planning Commission 2014 to present, Vice Chair 2018-2019.

§  Saratoga Rotary, 2000 to present

o    Board of Directors, Art Show Co-Chair, Breakfast with Santa, Highway 9 Clean-up Project, Stop Hunger Now, West Valley Community Services Back-To-School, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley

§  (Original) Saratoga Business Development Council - Charter Member

§  President Saratoga Village Merchants Association

§  Chair Blossom Festival

§  Chair Saratoga Village Halloween Costume Walk

 PROFESSIONAL:

§  Leadership roles in clinical research for 13 years.

§  Demonstrated proficiency with budgets, personnel, and regulatory requirements involving multiple stakeholders on $20+ million projects.

§  Selected for competitive leadership development.

§  Received multiple commendations for outstanding contributions in improving efficiencies and innovative ideas that contribute to improvements in clinical trials.

§  My experience as a small business owner in Saratoga Village for 15 years provides insight into promoting local business vitality.

 EDUCATION:

§  Sacred Heart School

§  Saint Francis High School

§  UCLA

§  College of Notre Dame (Pre-primary Credential, American Montessori Society)

I’m grateful to have had the honor to serve Saratoga for 30 years and look forward to continuing this work. With your vote we can manage growth while maintaining Saratoga’s heritage and character.

Thank you, Kookie Fitzsimmons       ElectKookie.com   

Belal has been involved in a variety of civic causes, community organizations and issues over the course of his life. He is currently:

1. Chair of the Traffic Safety Commission in the City of Saratoga

2. Vice Chair of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority Citizens Advisory Committee

3. Volunteer, City Partnerships, US Digital Response

4. Member, West Valley Muslim Association

5. Co-Founder & Co-Lead, Interfaith Community Group at Stripe

6. Member, Flight Safety Foundation

7. A regular volunteer at local organizations such as Martha’s Kitchen and the Rahima Foundation

Biography

Brought up in Saratoga, Belal was raised by an engineer and preschool teacher who taught him the importance of good character, hard work, faith and a strong community.

When it came time for high school, Belal made the commute to Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose where he interned for Congressman Michael Honda and led the district’s Student Advisory Committee. Belal was also a member of the Speech & Debate team at Bellarmine that won multiple state championships.

For college, Belal attended UC Berkeley where he studied Business and English. After graduating Belal worked at Goldman Sachs in the US, Europe and the Middle East, where he helped governments, companies and institutions of all types achieve their financial and strategic objectives.

After working with investment funds and growth companies for a few years, Belal decided it was time to come home and join the hometown team: the tech industry. Belal currently works for financial technology company Stripe, which is building economic infrastructure for the internet.

Saratoga needs new, energetic leadership and fresh ideas. As a Saratoga native, I would bring a deep understanding of the city and its values. We are entering a new and already challenging decade, and need fresh ideas for Saratoga to control its own destiny and maintain its special character while California continues to rapidly change.

Cooperation, friendliness and showing up are at the core of my personality and campaign, and would be staples throughout my time in office. There is enough divisiveness in our politics these days - Saratoga can and will rise above it.

Education: Study-Work program in Engineering and Computer Science. Paid my way for college.
Family success: Tina and I raised 3 daughters. Our family has always been active in our community, enjoying the outdoors, sports, theater, school events in Saratoga and the Bay Area.

Business success: 30+ years career, 12 industries, EMEA ex-Pat in Amsterdam, executive management since 2007.
Competitive success: 5,500-mile bike for American Lung Assoc charity raising $10,000; marathons; triathlons; Spartan Mountain races; 125 hours/25 solo private pilot in training. Health success: Cancer beat 2010.

I am passionate about our community.  I am eager to represent Saratoga as we work to meet its emerging priorities and challenges while further solidifying our village as a leader in California.

I grew up in Lancaster, PA. I attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA and completed a 5-year study-work program and earned an Engineering and Computer Science degree.

Inspired by the book, ​A Walk Across America​, I coordinated a cross country bike ride. We left Philadelphia the week after graduation. We reconstructed our boxed bikes in the Seattle Airport, and then we started pedaling 5,500 miles through 14 states and eastern Canada. Working with the American Lung Association, 4 of us including my younger brother raised $10,000 in donations to promote National Lung Health awareness. After visiting Great America, we pedaled to Santa Cruz via Saratoga Big Basin Way and over Highway 9!

My 30+ years career includes sales and executive management roles at Hewlett-Packard, Sybase, Cisco, and NetApp. I have vast executive leadership roles in several successful tech startups. See his ​LinkedIn ​for more details.

In Saratoga since 1997, I have been involved in many service activities. And, together with my wife Tina, we have raised 3 daughters and 3 dogs. I mentor young adults who are starting careers by guiding them in interviewing, goal setting and negotiating skills.

Other notable community activities:

• ●  AYSO head coach for 14 years

• ●  NJB coach

• ●  AYSO VIP assistant

• ●  Saratoga Federated - Amor Ministries, Tijuana home builder

• ●  Second Harvest fundraiser lead

• ●  Estrella Family Services Thanksgiving food volunteer, San Jose

This is a nonpartisan seat in local gov't.  That said, my political philosophy is to represent Saratoga residents and businesses with an open mind and open ears.  I use a common-sense application of thought and decision for what is best for Saratoga.