Government Worker Runs For Petaluma City Council

PETALUMA, CA – A Petaluma resident and planning commissioner with a history of government work is seeking his first elected office when voters go to the polls for the Nov. 6 General Election next month.

Scott Alonso currently is a spokesman for the Contra Costa County District Attorney, but in the past five years, he's also worked as a communications director for Sonoma County's Department of Health Services and as a field representative for state Assemblyman Marc Levine.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Hawaii in 2008 and a master's degree in public affairs from the University of San Francisco in 2013.

If elected to the Petaluma City Council, Alonso says he'd need to keep his day job. Councilmembers earn $5 per meeting, capped at $10 per month, and he estimates it takes roughly 20 hours per week to get the job
done.

"There are healthcare benefits, but there's not really a salary," he said Wednesday. "Obviously I would still keep my job in Contra Costa County."

Alonso sees his experience in government work as an asset he can bring to the table as a local leader. While working for the state assembly, he specialized in helping constituents by advocating for them when they were
having issues with functions of government like unemployment or disability.

Though not an attorney, he says his work with the office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney has also given him greater insight into crime prevention strategies, the elements required for a successful criminal
prosecution and how to effectively provide services to the victims of crime.

"I've worked in local government, I've worked for the state assembly," Alonso said. "I feel like now is a good time to take the next step and see if I can serve in more of a policy oriented role at the city council
level."

Alonso said the current city council has done a great job, but there are systemic issues like housing he thinks he can help with.

"The challenge is not only a lack of housing but also a lack of housing for seniors, folks experiencing mental illness and a lack of housing for working families," Alonso said. "That's something I'd like to tackle as a
renter myself."

He also pointed to vacancies in the police department and aging fire departments as indicators more resources could be put toward first responders and public safety.

"Our fiscal situation is not positive right now," Alonso said. "There's a lot that needs to be done."

"Local government is really important, and we can do a lot of good work at the local level," Alonso said. "We can make a difference together, but we need folks to buy in and be active."

The Peace Officers Association of Petaluma and the Sonoma County Democratic Party have endorsed his campaign.

• ALSO SEE: Countywide Sales-Tax Hike For Parks On Nov. 6 Ballot

--Bay City News/Image courtesy of Scott Alonso for Petaluma City Council