Meet Mel Chiong, Candidate For Livermore City Council

LIVERMORE, CA — Learn more about Mel Chiong, a General Plan Advisory Committee member and community activist running to represent Livermore’s District 2. Some questions have been removed to avoid redundancy.

1. Why are you running for City Council?

I am running because I want to see Livermore continue to be the thriving, welcoming and dynamic city that it has become. With my community volunteer work, including serving on the General Plan Advisory Committee, I believe I can help keep our commnunity in that direction if elected.

2. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Livermore?

The biggest challenge I see is getting ahead of the long term affordable housing needs along with homelessness issues.

3. How do you intend to address it?

Due to the market economy, affordable housing and homelessness issues have been impacted not only in Livermore, but in many parts of the country. That being said, I believe the city of Livermore has policies, programs and resources that address these issues quite extensively. If elected, I will continue to make sure the city follows through with its housing element, provide a strong committment to equitable access to jobs, transportation, amenities and services, and continue working with other public and private entities to help mitigate the issues in the tri-valley and the greater bay area.

4. What do you think the city can do to maintain water security?

The city needs to continue having a good working relationship with Zone 7 and Cal Water and lead by example. I am aware that the overall use by the city and its residents have resulted in reduction. Still, the city needs to provide continuous education with the residents, including school children, regarding water conservation.

5. What can the city do to help its downtown and small businesses?

Providing workforce housing in the core of downtown is one way of showing a commitment to helping the businesses downtown. Providing resources and processes to make it easy for small business to establish operations, whether they are in downtown or elsewhere in the city, will encourage business owners. Livermore Downtown Inc. provides great support with its different programs and events.

6. What is your idea of responsible development?

Responsible development takes into account fair and equitable access to housing, jobs, amenities and services while making sure projects address climate impact and sutainable energy solutions.

7. What other issues are important to you?

My three focus areas are: Connected Community, Sustainable Solutions and Housing for All. Specific to district 2, I am advocating for the improvement of the Springtown open space where the golf course used to be. I believe the elements on the concept plan that was put together by LARPD in 2017 will enhance not only Springtown, but the the entire Livermore. It will benefit the northeast area of Livermore. As people begin to gather in the improved open space, local and other businesses will be enticed to open in the area, thus adding to the amenities and services that are needed in this part of the city.

8. How long have you lived in Livermore?

24 years

9. If you didn’t grow up there, what brought you to the city?

My husband's job moved to Pleasanton and Livermore was where we could afford to buy a house that would be close to work and accommodate a growing family.

10. What experience do you have serving the community?

I currently serve on the General Plan Advisory Committee, helping the city plan for the next 20 years and beyond. I have been an active community volunteer with various organizations and causes. I was a speaker at both the Stop Asian Hate and Black Lives Matter rallies in 2020. I helped organize the first Livermore Pride event in 2019. I volunteered in the Census 2020 awareness campaign by the county prior to becoming a census taker. I also volunteered with the city's and county's outreach program for COVID-19 vaccinations. I helped form a group at my church to provide a safe environment for the LGBTQ members of our faith community.

11. What is your education?

I have a bachelor's degree on Psychology from the University of the Philippines

12. Tell us about your family.

My husband and I moved to the United States from the Philippines 28 years ago. We have 2 adult kids now both carving their own paths in their chosen fields.

13. Please provide links to websites and social media.

• Website: mel4livermore.com;
• IG and FB: mel4livermore