Kris Wang Vows to Stay Involved in Community Service

Kris Wang, now-former Cupertino City Councilwoman and two-time mayor may have termed out from her post, but she hasn’t ruled out public service.

filed an intent to run for the District 5 Santa Clara County Supervisor seat that will be vacated by termed-out Supervisor . But Wang says she is only exploring the option.

"I have not done any fundraising for it. I haven't made a final decision about it," she said.

Wang was the first Chinese-American female councilwoman, vice mayor and mayor of Cupertino. Born and raised in Taiwan, she first came to the United States more than three decades ago to pursue higher education.

With a Bachelor's degree in statistics, an M.B.A., and some graduate studies in computer science, Wang worked for high tech companies from 1991 to 2002. She has been a Cupertino resident since 1987.

Wang said she and her husband Gene chose Cupertino for the city's renowned schools. It was her two sons' schools where Wang started getting involved with community service.

Ben Liao, a Cupertino Union School District board member said his work experience with Wang was a positive one.

"After an (after-school) incident in 2009, she and I jointly called a meeting to discuss ways to enhance after school safety measures," said Liao. "She was also involved in creating safe routes to schools and increasing crossing guards at several crosswalks."

i, a Fremont Union High School District board member, spoke highly of her own community service experiences shared with Wang.

"I find Kris to be a dedicated doer who always strives to make things happen, " said Wei. "She is straightforward and always goes right to action items that are necessary to complete the projects."

That level of focus was evident from the start of her first council term. Wang said from Day One she said she started pushing for the Heart of the City Specific Plan.

The Heart of the City Specific Plan provides development guidance for the area that spans the Stevens Creek Boulevard corridor generally between Highway 85 and the eastern city limits near Lawrence Expressway. It consists of streetscape design, development standards and design guidelines for multi-unit residential and commercial/office projects.

Her community involvement is deep; she was the team manager of the Cupertino Youth Soccer Association; she served on the Monta Vista High School Modernization Committee, the Cupertino Parks and Recreation commission, and the Cupertino General Plan Update Task Force prior to running for a council seat in 2003.

Looking back, Wang said her career in public service stemmed from her natural inclination to fight for justice. To describe this behavior in a about politics on Ding Ding TV, Wang used a Chinese phrase, da bao bu ping (打抱不平), which means speaking for those being treated unfairly.

"Because I was not afraid to speak up, people often asked me to represent them, and some suggested that I run for office," said Wang of how she first decided to run for the city council eight years ago.

, founder and producer of Ding Ding TV sees Wang in the same light. Ding described Wang as a "brave and genuine person."

"She (Wang) never hides her feelings and thoughts," said Ding. "As a politician, you can always see her point clearly. As a friend, she tells you what she likes or dislikes directly. Sometimes people say she is too sharp and tough, but she is the one that's always ready to help others."

Cupertino resident sobbed when he bid farewell to Wang at her final city council meeting.

After saying "I'm really going to miss you," Gottwald stepped down from the podium as tears streamed down his face. Wang greeted and embraced him.

Gottwald, a 2009 CREST award winner, was among the speakers who praised Wang's contribution to Cupertino at the Dec. 6 meeting.

At Wang's last council meeting, Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss and County Sheriff Laurie Smith each presented her a plaque. Wang also received a bouquet of flowers from the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce.

Outgoing mayor Gilbert Wong and City Manager David Knapp presented her a gift box, which included a remembrance of her first project on the council; the Heart of the City Specific Plan.

Whether Wang pursues the county supervisor role remains open, she plans to stay active in community service as was evident with her involvement in Cupertino Rotary’s Operation Snowflake on Dec. 10.

Rotarians and other volunteers spread 10 tons of snow for children with special needs—some who experienced snow for the first time—at Via West (formerly Camp Costanoan), which is Via Services outdoor education center.

"I will continue to do everything I can for the city," said Wang, who remains a board member of the West Valley Community Services and Shin Shin Educational Foundation. She is also a member of the Suicide Prevention Oversight Committee  of Santa Clara County.

Wang's last speech on the city council is in one of the video recordings attached to the article, along with a Chinese speech she made about her last day as councilwoman for Chinese-speaking Patch readers.

Download the movie

Download the movie