VIG 11/03/26-Candidate Statements-Town of Corte Madera

Over 8 years on the Town Council and two terms as Mayor, I’ve worked tirelessly to put my hometown of Corte Madera on strong footing. We took Corte Madera from near-bankrupt to AAA credit; adopted Marin County’s first long-term plan to protect our community from flooding and wildfire; and repaired miles of road and sewer infrastructure.

Today, Corte Madera is fiscally sound and increasingly vibrant. But as we build on that progress, a new era of challenges lies ahead—one that will require experienced leadership to successfully address.

As climate change threatens our homes and infrastructure, we must move urgently to reduce fire hazards and build flood protection systems. We’ll need to navigate the State’s efforts to sideline local government, making sure local voices continue to guide our decision making. And we must continue our work to make Corte Madera a more vibrant and enjoyable place for all of us to call home, by supporting economic development and community events.

As our most experienced Council Member, I’ll continue working with the community to translate our shared values into action on the issues that impact us all.

It would be my honor to continue serving you on the Town Council.

Durante más de 8 años en el Concejo Municipal y dos mandatos como Alcalde, he trabajado incansablemente para fortalecer mi ciudad natal, Corte Madera. Llevamos a Corte Madera de estar casi en bancarrota a obtener una calificación crediticia AAA; adoptamos el primer plan a largo plazo del condado de Marin para proteger a nuestra comunidad de inundaciones e incendios forestales; y reparamos millas de infraestructura vial y de alcantarillado.

Hoy, Corte Madera es financieramente sólido y cada vez más atractivo. Pero, conforme avanzamos en ese progreso, se avecina una nueva era de desafíos, que requerirá un liderazgo experimentado para abordarlos con éxito.

A medida que el cambio climático amenaza nuestros hogares e infraestructuras, debemos actuar con urgencia para reducir los riesgos de incendios y construir sistemas de protección contra inundaciones. Necesitaremos sortear los esfuerzos del Estado para marginar al gobierno local, asegurándonos de que las voces locales continúen guiando nuestra toma de decisiones. Y debemos continuar nuestro trabajo para hacer de Corte Madera un lugar más dinámico y agradable para que todos podamos llamarlo hogar, apoyando el desarrollo económico y los eventos comunitarios.

Como miembro del Concejo con más experiencia, continuaré trabajando con la comunidad para traducir nuestros valores compartidos en acciones sobre los temas que nos afectan a todos.

Sería un honor para mí continuar sirviéndoles en el Concejo Municipal.

I am David C. Bell, a candidate for the Corte Madera Town Council. I am a retired environmental engineer with 30 years of experience focused on environmental protection. As an 18-year resident, I care deeply about preserving the character, safety, and quality of life that make Corte Madera such a special place to live.

My commitment to public service is grounded in years of community involvement. For the past seven years, I have served on the Corte Madera Flood Control Board, supporting flood prevention and recovery efforts that are essential to our town’s resilience. I also serve as Vice President of the Corte Madera Lions Club, where I have been a proud member for 15 years, helping advance local service projects and respond to community needs. In addition, my work with the Corte Madera Beautification Committee reflects my dedication to preserving and enhancing our town’s natural beauty and welcoming spirit.

On the Town Council, I will bring experience, dedication, and a collaborative spirit. I believe in thoughtful planning, responsible decision-making, and active listening. I am committed to governance that delivers meaningful benefits to the community and helps Corte Madera build on its accomplishments while remaining resilient, prepared, and responsive to residents’ needs.

My goal is to create a quality of life for Corte Madera that’s second to none. During my first term, key projects included the free community swim program at Redwood High School, new restrooms at Town Park, a first-of-its-kind in Marin Intergenerational Center at the former Andy’s market site, and, also coming soon, the long-awaited Tamalpais/101 pedestrian overcrossing.

Next up, flood protection work is urgently needed in low lying areas. Protection of our open spaces and public rights-of-way is critical to both recreation and evacuation needs. Our fire stations need modernization. Our new economic development effort should include infrastructure support for new housing, outdoor recreation, planning for the future of Park Madera Center, a year-round community pool, as well as new restrooms and expanded parking to support the businesses in the Old Square.

Corte Madera is blessed with a strong retail sales tax base which enables us to make quality investments in our community. I have the ideas, the skills, the courage, and hopefully, your support, to make these important projects happen for Corte Madera.

Mi objetivo es crear una calidad de vida para Corte Madera que no tenga igual. Durante mi primera gestión, los proyectos clave incluyeron el programa gratuito de natación comunitaria en la escuela secundaria Redwood, nuevos baños en el parque municipal, el primer Centro Intergeneracional de su tipo en Marin, ubicado en el antiguo sitio del mercado Andy’s, y, próximamente, el tan esperado puente peatonal sobre la autopista 101 en Tamalpais.

Lo próximo es abordar con urgencia las obras de protección contra inundaciones en las zonas bajas. La protección de nuestros espacios abiertos y derechos de paso públicos es fundamental tanto para las necesidades recreativas como de evacuación. Nuestras estaciones de bomberos necesitan modernización. Nuestro nuevo esfuerzo de desarrollo económico debe incluir el apoyo a la infraestructura para nuevas viviendas, recreación al aire libre, planificación para el futuro de Park Madera Center, una piscina comunitaria abierta todo el año, así como nuevos baños y la ampliación del estacionamiento para apoyar a los negocios en Old Square.

Corte Madera cuenta con una sólida base de impuestos sobre las ventas minoristas que nos permite realizar inversiones de calidad en nuestra comunidad. Tengo las ideas, las habilidades, el valor y, espero, su apoyo, para hacer realidad estos importantes proyectos para Corte Madera.

My name is Deborah Gallegos and I am running to be your Town Council Member. I am a 58-year-old Corte Madera resident currently serving as Deputy Controller for the California State Controller.

I am looking forward to serving the Town. My commitment is to be transparent, represent the needs of the members of our Village and be a steward of our Community. With a background in financial services, I am well equipped to complement the expertise of fellow Council Members in the evaluation of how we allocate resources and help our local businesses thrive. With a background in sustainability, I am committed to preserving our precious open space and support the cultivation of projects that expand access to nature and benefit the residents of Corte Madera.

I look forward to receiving your vote and connecting with you during this election season.

I am Ava Fruin, a School Board Trustee and mother of three running for Corte Madera Town Council.

Professionally, I have spent more than fifteen years leading teams and solving complex challenges across education, technology, and nonprofit organizations. My work has included strategic planning, budget oversight, and building products and programs serving thousands of learners.

In recent years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District Board of Trustees, where I have worked to strengthen public education, support responsible fiscal stewardship, and make thoughtful decisions through collaboration and community engagement.

For our family, Corte Madera has become home in every sense of the word. It’s where we are raising our three children, where they attend our public schools, and where we have built lasting friendships and a deep commitment to our community.

Serving on the school board has shown me how interconnected our schools, infrastructure, parks, housing, transportation, and public services are in shaping the quality of life we value. If elected, I will bring the same thoughtful, collaborative approach to serving Corte Madera that has guided my work on behalf of our schools and community.

I would be honored to earn your support.