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Amber Martin wants to follow in her father’s council footsteps
Thursday, July 17, 2008
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Amber Martin, daughter of longtime former City Councilman Harry Martin, announced Wednesday she intends to run for the position her father held for more than 12 years.

Martin, 35, will join incumbent Councilmembers Mark van Gorder and Jim Krider in the Nov. 4 battle for two council seats.
“Amber wants to become the ‘second generation’ Martin on the City Council. ... She waited to see if her father was going to run for City Council again and when he decided not to, she made the decision to enter the race,” Harry Martin said in a prepared statement.

Harry Martin, publisher of the Napa Sentinel, is in a November runoff for Napa County Supervisor against incumbent Mark Luce.
Amber Martin, who works at the Sentinel as an editor, is a Napa High School graduate who also attended Napa Valley College. Martin is a single mother of two young daughters — something she says many voters can relate to.

“Being a single mom of two girls and having to live off of a low income, I know how hard it is and I hope I can take that knowledge to help others in a similar (situation). Low income housing is a big issue with me. I’ve watched my dad over the years and I’ve kept up on things and it really helps if there’s somebody there who knows what the people are going through,” she said.
Martin said having a hand in her father’s campaigning efforts over the years has familiarized her with local politics, adding that the pair shares some political views.

“We’re alike in the fact that we’re out there for the little guy,” she said.

Still, Harry Martin said, the two do not always agree.

“We don’t always vote for the same candidates by any means,” he said. “I raised her to be independent and I raised my son the same way. ... This is her campaign, not mine.”

Martin said if elected, she plans to work to improve the condition of city streets and sidewalks and advocate for more local affordable housing.

“The working class needs a chance. ... Basically, I’m not really crazy about developing Napa to the point where a normal family can’t live here,” she said.

Amber Martin is opposed to the Napa Pipe project and to building 1,000 homes on the Ghisletta property, according to a statement from Harry Martin. A “higher priority for flood control along Napa Creek” is also cited on Martin’s wish list in the statement.

Other potential candidates for City Council include former Napa Police Chief Dan Monez and Planning Commissioner Gordon Heuther. Mayor Jill Techel, who is running for re-election, has one announced rival, Napa businessman Don Huffman.
15 comment(s)

kkjp wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:33 AM:

" This article does not mention what experience or expertise Ms. Martin has that qualify her for this position of city leadership. What is her record of community involvement or participation on commissions, committees or with local organizations? While being a single low-income parent could bring a valuable perspective to the Council, that in and of itself does not demonstrate the proven leadership qualities essential for our elected officials to possess. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:40 AM:

" I would like to run, but I have no idea how. It obviously takes no skill or background.. Help me out here people. "

Native74 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I think it's great! "

4gnapan wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:17 AM:

" kkjp,
Thats her most redeeming feature.. she's not in anyones pocket.
City councils are not meant to be run by "Professional" politicians, they are meant to be participated in by the general population of the area. "

wined0wnnapa wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:01 AM:

" kkjp - are you serious? she writes in a column called "ASK AMBER." Civic Duty? she gives advice! to people! who ask amber! I dont know but when I think of civic duty, right up there with firefighters, crossing guards, and nurses, I think of freelance journalism advice-givers. "

MP wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:02 AM:

" I agree kkjp--we need to see some track record. "

Sickothis wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:03 AM:

" Oy. Here we go again. Maybe Amber will follow in her father's footsteps and give away all the City's money to the Unions. And here I thought we were done with the Martin family when we voted Harry off the City Council. "

kkjp wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:39 AM:

" 4gnapan: I re-read my blog entry, and I don't see where I stated we need "professional" politicians, or people who are in someone's pocket. I didn't state that, and am not suggesting any such thing.

The people who do the best job representing us are people who have a track record that demonstrates a commitment of time and energy to bettering the community. They get involved with neighborhood groups, non-profit organizations, commissions and other groups of ordinary citizens who work to make Napa a better place.

Through this effort, they gain a better understanding of community needs, important issues, and public opinion. They are engaged and informed and demonstrate leadership qualities and good judgment in the tasks they undertake, and thereby earn the confidence and respect of fellow residents.

You wouldn't hire someone with no experience to manage your business, run the school system or provide medical treatment for your family. Why would you hire someone with no experience or involvement in the community to run the city? Like with most important jobs, people don't start at the top. They work their way up and through hard work and dedication, demonstrate that they are qualified to fill the position. "

Listening wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:49 AM:

" First, Amber does not write a column "Ask Amber" nor does such a column exist in the Sentinel. Her list of activities and positions were sent in a press release and the information appears in FULL in the Sentinel. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:41 PM:

" Listening: and second.. was... what?? "

Listening wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:05 PM:

" To Dirty Napkin: second was that her activities were not published. "

kkjp wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:50 PM:

" Why wouldn't the Register print a list of a candidate's childhood activities? Go figure. "

matt wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:20 PM:

" wined....

Are you serious? Freelance "journalists" who work for their father's newspaper are civil servants? That seems to be a bit of a stretch. Then all the people who post here count as "journalists" too?
I am sorry - I don't think so.

kkjp - you are right on.

I am unclear on why Ms. Martin would think that since her father was well known and lost his city council bid, that she could ride in on his coat tails and win?

Maybe Ms. Martin will be a great candidate - I just don't know enough to make a decision yet. I did read the Sentinel announcement and it sounds like her father wrote it, so that concerns me. "

justnana wrote on Jul 17, 2008 11:29 PM:

" poor girl...what is she thinking...she's going to get eaten alive. "

kkjp wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:06 PM:

" matt - I too am concerned that her father wrote her candidacy announcement and is speaking for her, and that her positions exactly mirror his. Empathy for "the little guy" is admirable, but without specific proposals, consensus building skills and experience in implementing change, those are just tired words. "

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