Dear Friends & Neighbors,

I am running for Atherton City Council this Nov 3rd. We are down to the wire with only days left to vote. The Atherton city council election can be determined by just a few votes so your vote counts! Please see my video (click here), and my website (click here). If you are willing to host a yard sign please (click here). 

Get to know me personally.

Virtual Get-Togethers:

I will be hosting a series of casual virtual get-togethers to give you an opportunity to meet me and tell me more about what Atherton issues you care about most.

Oct 15th  7:00- 7:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 830 3252 0661
Passcode: 991486

Oct 23rd, 12:00- 12:30PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 835 5471 8764
Passcode: 524152

Please let me know if you can’t make these dates and I will add more sessions. 

Mail-in ballot

I can’t stress enough how important it is to vote in this historical election and encourage everyone you know to vote! 

If you did not get your ballot, you can check on your registration status here RegisterToVote.ca.gov 
Once you have voted, you can track your ballot here. https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/

There are ballot drop boxes at:
Atherton Administration office- 150 Watkin Ave
Menlo Park City hall –701 Laurel St Menlo park
Redwood City Hall- 1017 Middlefield Road

Endorsements: 
Rick DeGolia -Atherton Mayor
Anna Eshoo- Congresswoman
Don Horsley- Board of Supervisors San Mateo County
Josh Becker- State Senate District 13 candidate 2020
Ray Mueller –City Council Menlo Park
James McLaughlin- Menlo Park Fire Protection District Board of Directors
Robert Jones- Menlo Park Fire district
Rob Silano – Director of Menlo Park Fire Protection District
Charles Stone– Vice Mayor, City of Belmont
Carlos Bolanos- Sheriff San Mateo County
Glenn Nielsen– Retired Atherton Police Chief
Sean Ballard- Candidate Director Menlo Park Fire Board
Peter Carpenter- Menlo Park fire district board candidate
Democratic Party San Mateo County California
Kelly Davis 
Gary & Laura Lauder
Noosheen Hashemi
Heidi Roizen
Valarie Gardener
Suzette & Earl Rennison
Laird & Sherry Cagan
Athena & Timothy Blackburn
Anna Chase
Marium and Micheal Hara
Lena and Ken Talio
John Donohue
Maureen O’Kicki
Alaine Enthoven
Celia Maurice
Lida Urbanek
Patricia Young
Sally Brudo

— Partial List —

My priorities are to meet the demands of this unusual time:

• Address air quality & environment issues with action and public education
• Support our schools and community with timely pandemic  information
• Prioritize communication to and involvement of Atherton’s residents.
• Actively support emergency preparedness through ADAPT. 
• Work cooperatively with the Menlo Park Fire District and our city partners.
• No Detachment from Menlo Park Fire District!
• Manage the town’s resources in a careful, fiscally conservative manner.
• Maintain Atherton’s close, cooperative relationship with its police force.
• Build consensus on the Council and always respect different opinions. 
• Explore new solutions to gas leaf blowers, housing density requirements, flooding, & traffic safety, and more

Why am I running?

I have been a resident of Atherton for 27 years and raised my three children here. I love this community and am grateful to call it home. Last year I joined the Atherton Environmental Programs committee. Through that work, I became aware that there was so much more Atherton could do to address the environmental issues we all face right now. Over the past few weeks, hundreds of fires in California have incinerated more than 1.6 million acres of our valuable forests. Smoke has blanketed our region for weeks resulting in unhealthy air quality.  I believe Atherton needs to be actively involved in addressing the immediate environmental issues that are affecting us all. Wildfire and smoke hazards will continue to be an increasing challenge that we must address. 

Earlier this year, members of the Atherton City Council proposed that Atherton detach from the Menlo Park Fire District. I strongly oppose withdrawing from the fire district because we need our first-class fire district now more than ever. By participating in a fire district that includes Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and parts of unincorporated San Mateo, we are able to pool our tax dollars to have one of the best fire departments in the nation. Withdrawing from the fire district will not serve to lower Atherton taxes but it will serve to diminish Atherton’s fire services and those of the surrounding communities. 

Fire and smoke do not recognize city borders!  See my video here 

Most importantly, I will fight to keep Atherton safe, quiet, and healthy. I value privacy and hope to maintain the serenity and safety of our community. I have had a long career as an academic, entrepreneur,  board member, startup mentor, and mother. Like many residents, I appreciate the special place that we live and felt motivated to find a way to give back to my community. I am eager to hear your opinions so I can better represent your interests so please reach out to register for a virtual get-together.

We are all in this together! 
 
Diana

Dr. Diana Hawkins Manuelian for Atherton City Council
Link Atherton living article
Link to Almanac News
 

Paid for by Diana for Atherton City Council 2020
Diana Hawkins Manuelian