Shane Brinton for Arcata City Council

Background:

I was born and raised in Arcata and I love this place. My girlfriend Monica and I live downtown, just a few blocks from the Arcata Plaza.

I currently serve on the Northern Humboldt Union High School District Board of Trustees, making me the youngest elected official in the county at the age of 21. Voters elected me to that office when I was only 18 because they wanted a new voice to represent the needs and interests of parents, teachers, and students.

I've been a grassroots community organizer ever since I was a teenager. Some of the organizations and causes I've been involved with are The Placebo, Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County, The Tenants Union of Northern Humboldt, the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee, the Redwood Peace & Justice Center, and Food Not Bombs.

I have also managed the campaigns of progressive candidates for local office, including our recently elected Third District County Supervisor.

Goals:

I'm running for Arcata City Council because I want to make sure that middle class and low income people can survive and thrive here. This is an amazing city with much to be proud of, but it is also a very expensive place to live. Many working families, students, and seniors on fixed incomes struggle to stay in Arcata.

As councilmember, I will work to keep Arcata a place that we can all be proud of. We can counter the high cost of living by creating good jobs and quality affordable housing. We can counter global warming and rising fuel prices by working for sustainable transportation, bicycle trails, and renewable energy.

Issues:

Economic Development & Living Wage Jobs

Affordable Housing & Tenants' Rights

Renewable Energy & Sustainable Transportation

Read more about my positions on these issues and others at: http://www.voteshane.org

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots community organizing is my background. It's where I come from. My campaign will reflect this by focusing on door-to-door voter outreach and community empowerment.

I'm a progressive Democrat and my campaign manager is a Green. During this campaign, we will be working with our respective parties, as well as a variety of other community organizations to build an enduring coalition to elect progressive candidates at the local level.

DFA Values:

To give a concrete example:

In my role on the school board, I have been an advocate for comprehensive sexual and life skills education. I have also been an outspoken critic of the No Child Left Behind Act and its punitive approach to raising standards.

On the fiscal side: I recently voted against a pay raise for district administrative staff, all of whom make at least twice as much as the lowest paid teacher in the district.

The way I see it, giving them a raise right now is not morally right, given the low wages of some very good teachers, and its certainly not fiscally prudent, given the budget crisis California is currently facing.