Q&A with Denelle Fedor, candidate for District 1 Supervisor
San Jose-based candidate entered race in February
Editor’s note: A year ago, candidates for the Santa Clara County District 1 Board of Supervisors race were invited to provide answers to three questions. Their responses were published in the April 28, 2021 issue of Gilroy Life. Denelle Fedor entered the race in February. Here are her answers to questions given to the other candidates.
Why are you running for Santa Clara County Supervisor and what makes you qualified to represent District 1?
Denelle Fedor
I am the only Republican candidate running for District 1 — bringing a voice for fiscal health, accountability, and responsibility that we desperately need at the County. I bring 15+ years’ experience successfully working for elected City of San Jose councilmembers including former Vice Mayor of San Jose, Pat Dando a Republican, former Councilmember Ken Yeager a Democrat and as a Chief of Staff to former councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio. I have been described as a “budget hawk” due to my commitment to ensuring accountability in government spending. In 2010, as a Chief of Staff, I co-wrote Measure W which proposed various cost saving pension changes for the City of San Jose, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters. I currently serve as a Case Manager for LifeSTEPS, a non-profit organization.
My fiscal conservativism, successful policy collaboration outcomes, and understanding of non-profit partnerships make me uniquely qualified to serve as your next County Supervisor.
What in your opinion is the single most important challenge specific to South Valley residents and how do you intend to address it?
As your Supervisor, I will be a South County champion for Public Safety, lowering Homelessness counts, Farmland Preservation, Business, assisting the mentally ill, Transportation, and property rights. As your Supervisor, I will open a District Office in South County to serve Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Martin ensuring South County has better access to your government. As a former Executive Board member with the San Jose Police Foundation, I support the new jail, term limits for Sheriff, rehabilitation for inmates who can be assisted and against early release. I back the proposed CARE Court a bipartisan proposal to allow county courts to mandate care for the chronically mentally ill homeless population. I support Supervisor Joe Simitian’s work on Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) such as Laura’s Law. I support implementing the VTA Grand Jury report which calls for removal of career politicians from the VTA board which has contributed to the current VTA debacle.
How do you intend to protect and enhance the unique quality of life for the people of the South Valley.
As your Supervisor, I will protect and enhance South County quality of life by listening, collaborating, and working with South County residents.
As the former president of the Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association, I worked to ensure that our foothills remained open space. I will bring this mindset when protecting agriculture businesses, farmland, and open space in South County. As a non-profit professional, I recognize the importance of working together with South County farmers, religious congregations, businesses, school districts, and other nonprofit organizations to ensure solid representation of South County.
Being an elected official representing South County is not a “one man or woman show” job. It is important to elect someone who has a fiscal conservative mindset and the compassion and empathy to collaborate with the current Supervisors to protect and promote South County. I have a track record of working productively with elected officials. I would be honored to represent South County.