|
Amber Martin wants to follow in her father’s council footsteps
Share
Email
Print
CommentAmber 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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
Join the conversation
Comment guidelines
All comments will be screened and may take several hours to be posted.
• Keep comments clear, concise and focused on the topic in the story.
• Comments exceeding 300 words will not be posted.
• Refrain from personal attacks, degrading comments or remarks that do not add to a constructive dialogue.
• Comments implying suspects in crime-related stories are guilty before they have been proven so in a court of law will be deleted.
• Do not post e-mail addresses or links except for pages on Napavalleyregister.com or government Web sites.
• Comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined.
• Comments may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
• If you feel a posted comment has violated our guidelines, please contact dross@napanews.com or bkennedy@napanews.com
For further information on the comment guidelines, click here.
|
|
kkjp wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:33 AM:
Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 17, 2008 7:40 AM:
Native74 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 8:46 AM:
4gnapan wrote on Jul 17, 2008 9:17 AM:
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:
MP wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:02 AM:
Sickothis wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:03 AM:
kkjp wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:39 AM:
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:
Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 17, 2008 1:41 PM:
Listening wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:05 PM:
kkjp wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:50 PM:
matt wrote on Jul 17, 2008 10:20 PM:
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:
kkjp wrote on Jul 18, 2008 12:06 PM: