February 3, 2005

Off to Sacramento

Schwarzenegger appoints Dando director of local government outreach

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Although she’s been toying around with the idea since Arnold Schwarzenegger muscled his way into the Governor’s office, on Tuesday, former District 10 Councilmember and Vice Mayor Pat Dando accepted his high-level appointment to Director of Local Government Out-reach.

The position will make her the point person to the governor for cities, counties, redevelopment agencies, and organizations throughout the state, under deputy chief of staff for external affairs, Cassandra Pye. Her penchant for land-use, transportation, and development issues will make her a good conduit for local leaders on budget and policy concerns.

The decision Dando admits was a while in coming—for a couple of reasons.

“We spoke right after he was elected,” she began. “At that time, I wasn’t ready to make a decision because I wanted to complete my term here in San Jose. I’ve been talking with the governor and his staff over the past few weeks and I’m honored that he would offer me this opportunity to work with him to make much needed change in state government.”

It’s a $90,000 gig within the exclusive Schwarzenegger “horseshoe,” circle of high-level offices, along with the added benefit of frequent flyer miles, as her new schedule is expected to keep her in Sacramento an average of two days per week, while the real work she says will be done on the road, connecting the governor with cities, towns, and organizations throughout California.

Active in the League of California Cities—founded in 1898, which today serves to unite nearly 480 cities with officials by consolidating experience and information, Dando is excited about having the opportunity to be involved with what she considers an “historic” shift in the fundamentals of state government.
“I like hearing his passion and how he wants to make the state operate,” she explained.

As governor appointees, Dando and Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neal served together on the California Performance Review Committee, and again as board members for the League of California Cities—positions she says will give Dando a heads-up because of the relationships she has forged with local government officials and representatives throughout the state.

“She is so well qualified for this position and I’m delighted,” said O’Neal. “I think it’s so important for the governor to have a local government relations person who has been in local government. She understands what local officials need to know with regard to state policies and the legislature. I think she’ll do an outstanding job.”

“Through all these associations,” O’Neal added, “she works in and is very respective by getting things done really non-partisan way.”

In addition to her tenure on the City Council and two years as Vice Mayor, Dando served on the National League of Cities [NLC], chaired the Transportation, Communication and Public Works Policy Committee, as well as the NLC Transportation and Infrastructure Services Policy Committee, and was a member of the NLC Working Group on Homeland Security.

“I hope I’ll be able to offer him some insight because I’ve been an elected official and I know the challenges of implementing state mandates,” Dando said. “Especially in tough budget times.”

It’s a job where Dando says being attentive will be just as paramount as the messages she will be sent to deliver.

“I would hope to be an individual that can not only be seen as carrying the governor’s message to our local cities and towns but to also be listening very carefully to those comments that need to go back to the governor,” she explained.

“This is great news for Pat and for San Jose,” exclaimed David Vossbrink, communications director for Mayor Ron Gonzales. “It’s critically important to California’s long-term prosperity to have someone who both understands cities and knows San Jose. It’s wonderful to have someone in the governor’s office who understands those needs to open doors, return calls, and build bridges so that the governor can stay in touch with the real needs and opportunities for California cities.”

The decision to accept the notable position begs for an answer to the ongoing question of whether Dando plans to run for Mayor—one she’s shied away from. However, the appointment and her association with Schwarzenegger is being considered by some to be a boon to Dando’s political career, should she ultimately toss her hat in the Mayoral ring, especially if the governor stays popular with the voters.

“There isn’t anything with this that would preclude me from running for mayor,” Dando declared. “As a matter of fact, some have even said that this experience would better prepare me for whatever the next opportunity would be. However, at this time, my full commitment is to the governor and helping him accomplish his goals for the year.”