Council Member, Council District 6 — City of Sunnyvale
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Council Member, Council District 6 — City of Sunnyvale
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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My Top 3 Priorities
Increase the allotment of affordable housing units, especially along transit corridors
Provide rent stabilization for mobile home park residents
Ensure continuing essential services in the face of COVID-19 impacted budget
Experience
Experience
Profession:Manager, Drug Safety Systems Management
Manager, Drug Safety Systems Management, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc (2014–current)
Vice Chair, Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission — Appointed position (2018–current)
Education
National University of San Diego — Master of Science, Forensic Science (2001)
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania — Bachelor of Science (BS), Nursing (1991)
Community Activities
Member, Volunteer, Stanford Research Park Bicycle Champions (2015–current)
Member, Sunnyvale Democratic Club (2020–current)
Member, Livable Sunnyvale (2019–current)
Member, Volunteer, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (2016–current)
Biography
Resident in District 6 for over 14 years. Serving on the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission since 2018, presently Vice Chair. Experience in public service in disaster response. I have had many years in varied careers, including as a loan officer, in retail and in education before I started my 20+ year career in nursing. I've served on Federal and State disaster response teams. And I have a broad background in clinical research, quality and compliance and pharmacovigilance. I bring a multicultural perspective and believe in the essential dignity, autonomy and intrinsic value of all persons, regardless of race, sexual identity, religion or national origin.
Who supports this candidate?
Organizations (2)
Sunnyvale Democratic Club
South Bay YIMBY
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of California and Elect Justice CA (2)
Does your office have any plans to include currently or formerly incarcerated people in your decision-making process as it relates to criminal justice issues? What would that look like?
Answer from Leia Mehlman:
It is essential that we include the current and formerly incarcerated in any criminal justice reform strategy as well as reducing mass incarceration. This group of people have the unique knowledge and experience to provide credible examples of what strategies could be employed, are organizational catalysts and can communicate across the different backgrounds. Without the knwledge and experiances of those who have experience the criminal justice system, we could miss critical barriers, influence and leadership and lack credibility for any changes proposd which would virtually ensure their failure. These leasers have the social capital and ability to vocalize the experiences of the incarcerated and communicate with affected communities and families. Such a dedicated group is essential to build the trust foundation that such a systemic change requires.
With 8,000 people eligible for release from CA prisons to help stem the transmission of COVID-19, how, if at all, would your office aid these Californians and their families in navigating reentry?
Answer from Leia Mehlman:
We firstly need to assess their basic needs, housing, food, healthcare and income are being met. Lack of any one of these is a recipe for failure for the newly released. We should provide support and education to the parolees and their families to enable them to navigate back into society and provide the skills needed to be successful. Additionally, if they are in addiction recovery, they require access to supportive services, such as counseling, healthcare and rehabilitation facilities to prevent relapse. We will have to create partnerships with key leaders who advocate for the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated to develop workable strategies for addressing these basic needs, and obtain funding, either from public or private donors (or a mix) to provide these services. Mostly, we need to ensure that there is a measured, thoughtful and specific strategy surrounding release so that public safety is protected, the parolees are protected and so no-one is left to fend on their own.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
My philosophy is simple, we should strive to ensure that we leave the world better than we entered it. To this end, we should ensure that every person has the ability to reach their best potential by guaranteeing access to healthcare, a safe place to live, a comprehensive education, opportunities to pursue a career and earn a livable income and equal treatment under the law. In my view, It is the role of government to ensure the protections civil liberties, provide services to protect and serve the common good and to safeguard the environement for future generatons.
