Dear Friend,
My name is Iman Novin and I’m running for Walnut Creek City Council because it’s important that we preserve and enhance our quality of life and cultural diversity. Together we can protect the quality of life in Walnut Creek for all residents and make sure that Walnut Creek continues to be the best place to live, work and play.
I met my wife in Walnut Creek in 2010. She was a student and worked at Nordstrom in downtown at the time, and I was working at BRIDGE Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer in San Francisco. I proposed in 2013 at Civic Park and decided to move permanently to Walnut Creek because I was drawn to everything this city has to offer– safety, great schools, beautiful parks, and family-friendly restaurants. I joined the Walnut Creek Planning Commission shortly thereafter and have had the honor of serving you on many important local issues like advocating for more flexible zoning standards at Shadelands and fighting for more balanced growth and community benefits. I pride myself on being a voice for positive social change, equity and environmental sustainability.
I’ve noticed some changes in the last 5 years that are important for us to address as a community while we look to the future. Walnut Creek has become extremely expensive and out of reach for both new families and many long-time residents who are now selling their homes and moving out of state. There is a rise in homeless including many seniors on fixed-incomes. Housing costs remain out of reach for the teachers, firemen and officers who protect our neighborhoods and teach our children.
As a father and husband, it’s important to me that Walnut Creek continues to be a safe family-oriented community with great schools. Our kids should have an opportunity to buy a house and start a family of their own here one day and to enjoy the parks, amenities and open spaces that we love and cherish. Our seniors and long-time residents should not be forced out and should not have to choose between the cost of housing and the cost of good medical care.
As a Board Member for the Trinity Center I have first-hand experience in helping solve difficult challenges like homelessness and will continue to work with various community stakeholders to make sure we are taking care of the most vulnerable members of our community. After all, the strength of a community is judged by how we treat its most vulnerable members.
As a Chamber of Commerce board member and local small business owner I understand what it takes to create a strong local economy and I will continue to support efforts to increase high paying local jobs, a vibrant downtown and our art and cultural resources. It has been shown that our commitment to local non-profit arts and the cultural institutions, like Lesher Center, Boundary Oak Golf Course, Heather Park and the Aquatics Program, contributes over $40M to our economy each year.
I will work to maintain the integrity of our distinct neighborhoods and ensure that city services and quality of life are not negatively impacted by new development. Looking to the future, I will leverage my experience in workforce housing development to implement creative and environmentally sound ways to increase the supply of housing for working families, teachers, police, firefighters, and seniors. As an avid mountain biker and environmental sustainability expert, I will continue to protect and enhance our Open Space, Parks and trails, which serve all of our residents and neighborhoods.
Elections are about the future. The decisions we make today will guide the future direction of development and progress in Walnut Creek for many years to come. Together we can find solutions to all of these challenges and create a Walnut Creek that our children will one day inherit—a Walnut Creek that we are proud of! I look forward to meeting you soon and earning your vote this November.
– Iman Novin
2018 Candidate of Walnut Creek City Council