Priorities
Alameda is a mid-size city with people from all walks of life who sincerely care about our community and its future and love the fact that we are located in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s a refuge for the endangered California least tern and other wildlife. We get to shape the future of the former Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda, now called Alameda Point, which is approximately one third the land area of Alameda. Alameda is a wonderful and very exciting community to be part of.
Unfortunately, we do have issues that must be addressed: crime, the unhoused, residents living on the economic margins, sea level rise, climate change, vacant buildings, traffic, deferred maintenance, unfunded pension liabilities, etc. Government must be transparent, fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of its community members so that we can work together to best meet these crucial needs. She strives to implement these values.
Her first priority is public safety—it’s essential that we are safe in our community. She's committed to fully staffing Alameda Police Department with the latest, safest, tools. By ensuring optimal staffing, equipment and technology, our first responders can protect our community more effectively and efficiently. Public safety impacts many aspects of our lives. For example, she successfully advocated for the partnership between Alameda Family Services (AFS) and Alameda Fire Department (AFD), creating Alameda’s award-winning non-police crisis program, C.A.R.E. Her eight years on City Council provided her with a deep understanding of AFD’s Community Paramedics Program, which was piloted during her tenure as Mayor. Additionally, her six years on the Alameda Unified School District Board familiarized her with the crucial mental health services offered by AFS. She also successfully advocated to resolve Fernside dock owners’ safety issues and protect public health with regulated cannabis dispensaries. She also supports necessary traffic solutions (safe streets, emergency vehicle/bus access, Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle), climate change conservation efforts (address flooding risks, protect open space, shorelines, and scenic views, reduce environmental impacts), and responsible growth (including middle/workforce and affordable housing).
We must focus on job growth, another priority of hers. The Base closure eliminated some 16,000 military and civilian jobs. Meaningful job growth is part of the City’s economic balance so that residents have living-wage jobs and don’t have to endure long commutes and so that the City has revenue from those jobs/businesses to provide important services. As such she regularly attends Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Alameda Business Association and West Alameda Business Association events, often the only Councilmember to do so. She also strongly supports local businesses, especially small local business, often meeting with owners to help navigate City Hall and shopping locally.
As an Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Board Member, Trish successfully led AUSD’s equitable anti-bullying policies encompassing disability, LGBTQ+, race and religion. These policies were subsequently adopted as California State law in 2012.
As a Councilmember, Trish continued her advocacy for diversity and inclusion, aligning with the state's laws. She is championing the "A" of Accessibility, ensuring that City's resources and facilities were accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. As a person with a disability herself, Trish understands firsthand the challenges faced by both the public and disabled employees.
Culturally, Trish celebrates and actively promotes Alameda's rich ethnic, social and artistic diversity. During her tenure as Mayor, she played a pivotal role in creating Alameda's unique National Heritage Month banners that are proudly displayed over City Hall and AUSD schools.
Trish enthusiastically supports local artists, businesses and organizations and is committed to continuing to partner with them to meet the diverse needs of all Alamedans. As a longtime supporter of the Alameda Food Bank, Trish joined other councilmembers voting in favor of their relocation, a unanimous Council decision, and the City Attorney will vigorously defend City’s Council's position. Trish is committed to continue to support our Food Bank, as well as many other of Alameda's nonprofit and service organizations that make Alameda unique and special for the betterment of all of our community members.
Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more vibrant Alameda.