Nancy BeninatiNancy Beninati

Piedmont is blessed with many community-minded residents who are highly competent professionals.  City Council members are volunteers and the role is focused on City management.  In my view, competent candidates should be evaluated on their roots in our community, past public service in Piedmont, and the usefulness of their professional expertise.  There are three openings and three candidates stand out.  Each reflects priorities of public safety, fiscal responsibility, community engagement, and sustainability.

Tom Ramsey is a solid incumbent, elected in 2022.  He has lived in Piedmont since 1993 and served on the Piedmont Planning Commission (2015– 2022), Piedmont Design Guidelines Committee  (2019), Measure A1 Advisory Committee (2020), Seismic Safety Advisory Committee for the Piedmont Public Schools (2006 – 2007), and Piedmont Community Service Crew/Rebuild Together Oakland Team Leader (2009 – 2023).  He is a practicing architect who often serves as the owner’s representative, managing scope, schedule and budget—which will be useful as the City continues to evaluate its infrastructure.

Bill Reichle has lived in Piedmont since 2000 and has served on the Piedmont Education Foundation and the boards of Camp Augusta, PHS Boosters, and the Piedmont Youth Soccer League.  Bill was Assistant Vice Chancellor at UC Berkeley, where he was responsible for planning, budgets, policies, and communications for departments also found in Piedmont-- police, emergency management, facilities, human resources, disability access, sustainability, and capital projects.  Bill’s expertise will be useful as City Council manages City government.

Nancy Beninati has lived in Piedmont for 20 years and served as a leader for the Piedmont League of Women Voters and on the Piedmont Civil Service and Recreation Commissions.  She is an attorney who has served in the California Department of Justice and more recently has been teaching law and public policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley.  Her legal expertise will be useful to ensure the Piedmont complies with state housing requirements and in contracting.

While Adam Hundt admirably wants to serve his community, he moved to Piedmont in 2021 and has not yet volunteered in Piedmont.  Sunny Bostrom is a longtime gadfly candidate.