Oakley Councilwoman Diane Burgis announces candidacy for East Bay Regional Parks District Board, Ward 7
Incumbent Ted Radke to retire and endorses Burgis
On Thursday, August 7, 2014, Oakley City Council Member and Executive Director for the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, Diane Burgis, announced her candidacy for East Bay Regional Parks District Board, Ward 7. Incumbent, Ted Radke, is retiring and not seeking re-election.
Ward 7 includes the Cities and communities of Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Clyde, Crockett, Discovery Bay, Hercules, Martinez, Oakley, Pacheco, part of Pinole, Pittsburg, Port Costa and Rodeo.
“Ted Radke has served our community with distinction on the East Bay Regional Parks District Board and I am honored to have earned his endorsement upon his retirement,” said Burgis. “My professional life has been devoted to conservation, protecting open space, habitat restoration, and clean water. I will use my experience to expand on Ted’s legacy and enhance our regional parks.”
“People were questioning whether he was getting ready to retire. A few people encouraged me to think about running,” Burgis said. “Then when the time came, I spoke with Ted about a month ago. and he said he was thinking about retiring but wanted to make sure someone who he felt good about was wanting to run. I told him I was interested and he was supportive of that.”
“I can think of no one better suited than Diane Burgis to serve on the East Bay Regional Parks District Board,” said Ted Radke, current Board Member of the East Bay Regional Parks District, Ward 7. “Diane’s commitment to bettering our environment and ensuring access to open space, conservation of habitat, and environmental education programs makes her an excellent choice to replace me on the Board. I expect Diane to inject new energy and ideas into the Parks District organization.”
Burgis was elected to the Oakley City Council in 2012. Currently, she serves as Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, a grassroots nonprofit based in East Contra Costa County that focuses on issues related to conservation, water quality, habitat restoration, and environmental education. Since taking over the organization in 2007, Burgis has helped transform the nonprofit from a local grassroots group into a nationally recognized organization. In 2011, Burgis was awarded the “Watershed Champion” award by the Contra Costa County Watershed Forum for her work to build partnerships and provide leadership in protecting, restoring and enhancing creeks and watersheds.
Burgis has also been endorsed by Congressman Jerry McNerney, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, Assemblyman Jim Frazier, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho, Supervisor Federal Glover, Oakley Mayor Randy Pope, Oakley City Council Members Doug Hardcastle and Kevin Romick, Hercules Mayor Myrna de Vera, Martinez Mayor Rob Schroeder, Pittsburg Mayor Sal Evola, Antioch Council Members Mary Rocha and Tony Tiscareno, Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor, Brentwood Council Members Steve Barr and Joel Bryant.
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