Letter to the Editor — Local officials endorse Holly Tillman for Clayton City Council

CLAYTON, CA (Oct. 25, 2024) — Dear Clayton Community:

We are writing to express our strong support for our friend and colleague, Holly Tillman. As fellow public servants who work alongside Holly in various capacities, we have witnessed firsthand her unwavering commitment to the people of Clayton and the values of transparency, integrity, and inclusivity.

Holly’s leadership on the Clayton City Council has been defined by her ability to do the right thing, even if it is the hard thing to do. From advocating for public safety and small businesses to championing events like the Clayton Pride Parade, Holly has worked tirelessly to ensure that every resident feels heard and valued. Her approach to governance reflects her deep belief that inclusion and diversity are strengths, and she continuously strives to create a more welcoming and vibrant community.

Recently, a small fringe group has engaged in a mean-spirited and misleading campaign to attack Holly’s character. These negative tactics do not reflect the reality of her leadership or the positive impact she’s had on the community. As her colleagues, we can attest to Holly’s transparency, fairness, and ethical decision-making. Holly has never shied away from tough conversations or difficult decisions, always putting the needs of the community first.

In the face of these unjust attacks, we want to emphasize that we have worked alongside Holly in many capacities—whether on regional initiatives, community projects, or collaborative efforts to improve public services. Holly is a trusted partner, a dedicated public servant, and a compassionate leader who approaches every issue with thoughtfulness and care.

The mean-spiritedness of these attacks do not align with constructive civic engagement. We believe it is important to uplift leaders like Holly who work tirelessly for the greater good, rather than deploy divisive and negative politics.

We are proud to stand with Holly Tillman, not just as governing colleagues but as partners in the work of building a stronger community. Her leadership is needed now more than ever, and we wholeheartedly support her re-election to the Clayton City Council.

Sincerely,

Peter Cloven, Clayton City Councilmember and Past Mayor
Julie Pierce, Former Clayton Mayor
Tuija Catalano, Former Clayton Mayor and Councilmember
Howard Geller, Former Clayton Mayor
Pete Laurence, Former Clayton Mayor
CW Wolfe, Former Clayton Mayor
Keith Haydon, Former Clayton Mayor

Ken Carlson, Contra Costa Supervisor District 4
Rebecca Barrett, Contra Costa Community College Board President
Cindy Darling, Walnut Creek Mayor ProTem
Kevin Wilk, Walnut Creek City Councilmember
Sue Noack, Pleasant Hill Vice Mayor
Laura Nakamura, Concord City Councilmember
Erin McFerrin, Mt. Diablo School Board President
Cherise Khaund, Mt Diablo School Board Member

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