Editor's note: All six candidates were invited to provide to Cupertino Patch a biography and candidate statement. We are running the statements in order in which they were received.
This is Homer Tong's bio and statement. Only minor edits for this website's management system were changed.
Biography
As a Bay Area resident for more than 40 years, I have a real sense of the pulse of this region.
My background:
- B.A. Chemistry, Chico State University
- M.Sc. Organic Chemistry, minor in Biochemistry, Oregon State University
- Researcher, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA.
- 30 year tenure Professor of Chemistry at De Anza College
- Five term Fremont Union High School Board of Trustee involved in managing $100 million dollar annual budget which remains solvent
I have been blessed by opportunities and experiences, which have inspired me to contribute to the betterment of our community, especially schools.
As a longstanding school board member and professor of chemistry at De Anza College, I have extensive experience in business and personnel management. I have also been involved in community outreach programs.
Some of my community activities are:
- Elected to five terms on the Board of Trustees of the Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) and served as Board President four times. I have participated in the hiring of four school superintendents. Our world-class Fremont Union High School District is ranked third statewide.
- Tenured professor of chemistry at De Anza College for more than 30 years. I have taught more than 10,000 students and serve as mentor to hundreds of students at De Anza College. As a professor of chemistry at De Anza College I have hired and mentored numerous part-time chemistry instructors.
- Cupertino resident and community volunteer for 25 years, including:
- Served as vice president of the Regnart Elementary School PTA.
- Highest ticket seller for the Fremont Union High School Foundation Crab Feed, which raises funds for FUHSD. - Active member of Orchard Valley Christian Church, and involved in a Mission to China.
- Closely involved with local Chinese and Korean language schools for 25 years, including serving as teacher, principal and board member.
- Served on the City of Cupertino Cross-Cultural Consortium (5 C's).
Awards and Grants:
- Granted U.S. Patent on Chemo-sterilant.
- Awarded Research & Development Funds by De Anza College to use Microscale Methods in Laboratory Experiments to Minimize Chemical Waste.
Candidate's Statement:
Schools
My overriding concern is the consequences of the State's financial crisis upon the funding of our schools. The State can no longer sustain its current support for public schools. This means that our schools will soon run critically short of funds. Schools are what Cupertino is about and why families move here sustaining prime property values. The consequences of loosing significant State funds could be devastating to our schools. I see the city helping our schools but no one on city council truly represents schools. Most are businessmen. I am running for City Council to fill in that void and represent our schools, which may be in distress soon. See my website below for more details.
New Business
I will also push hard to make bringing new business into Cupertino. This will improve local shopping, bring in more visitors and jobs, and raise revenues that can help pay for schools and other city expenses. We must also help companies like Apple to expand.
Healthy Environment
Making Cupertino a cleaner, greener, healthier, safer, and more environmentally sustainable city must be addressed. For example toxic pollution and other issues and resident concerns from Lehigh Cement Co. need to be much more seriously discussed.
Communication
I am very concerned about the lack of communication between City Council and concerned residents. I want residents to feel city hall is working with them and for them but not against them. I strongly believe that good communication is essential to addressing the concerns of residents whom council is supposed to represent. Improved communications will be my most urgent action.
My website has much more information: www.homerforcupertino.com
My email: patch@homerforcupertino.com
