City Council Candidate Q&A: Joanne Wile

Albany Patch has asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. See other elections coverage here.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? To continue the work I have been doing the past four years on the City Council, and the past year as mayor: (1) balancing the city's budget with no staff lay-offs; (2) developing environmental initiatives, such as our styrofoam ban and energy improvement subsidies; (3) expanding our partnership with Albany schools, for which I developed a collaborative plan with UC Berkeley so interns could provide counseling services at our elementary schools at no cost to the city; (4) supporting local businesses. I have organized seminars to provide business owners with concrete ideas on surviving during the current economic downturn.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? Continuing to insure the financial health of our community by working with city staff, schools and business leaders. We will continue to find ways to secure alternative funding through initiatives, grant proposals, and collaborative partnerships that maintain and even expand our services. For example, I am currently working on a grant to fund case management services to address the homeless problem at the Albany waterfront.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? My 35 years of community service in public health give me the experience to work productively with all members of our community. For many years I have been co-chair of the Cultural Competence and Ethnic Minority Issues Program at San Francisco General Hospital.

Where do you work and what is your job title? Retired public health administrator; mental health consultant to San Francisco Behavioral Health Services

Age and birthplace? 64; San Diego, CA

What is your spouse's or domestic partner's name, if any? Domestic partner, Nancy

What are the names and ages of your children, if any? None

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when. UC-Berkeley 1967 B.A. Psychology; UC Berkeley 1971 M.S.W. School of Social Welfare

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office? City Council of Albany, 2006-10; Mayor of Albany, 2009-10

Have you run before for an elected public office? 2006, Albany City Council

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign? $2,500

Have you ever served in the military? No

Have you ever been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation? No

Have you or a business you owned or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy? No

How long have you lived in Albany? 1o years

What's your favorite thing about Albany? The sense of community

What is the biggest problem in Albany? Maintaining our financial health

Contact information: jwile46@gmail.com