Belle La

Community-focused, special interest-free Pleasant Hill City Council Candidate. Public finance expert & community organizer. Let's Preserve our small-town charm.

Belle La Pleasant Hill City Council

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<h2>Leadership &amp; Experience</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/2c7f57f5-c6f5-4818-a4d6-5e4de93c4ba6/b8e2abfa-e07e-4474-bd24-4448384b1a35/b8e2abfa-e07e-4474-bd24-4448384b1a35.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1300%2C1290&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h3>As a second-generation Asian American, I've devoted much of my career to public service, driven by a deep commitment to serving my community.&nbsp; </h3>Now, I'm running for a seat for the City Council in Pleasant Hill for District 1.&nbsp;My goals are to elevate the voices of our community, strengthen public safety protocols, and streamline the provision of vital resources crucial for nurturing a dynamic and wholesome neighborhood environment. Together, we can create a healthy, viable community that will continue to thrive for future generations.<h4>12 Year Resident of Pleasant Hill</h4><img src="https://run.imgix.net/2c7f57f5-c6f5-4818-a4d6-5e4de93c4ba6/f0470d44-8e52-4cda-b60f-251abdee5f2f/388df527-4137-4b0d-80b4-3e3e93d7863f.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3270&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.&nbsp; She has been a resident of District 1 in Pleasant Hill for the past twelve years.Throughout her professional journey, Belle has remained dedicated to public service. Presently, she serves as the Senior Financial Analyst at the UCSF School of Medicine, actively championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives alongside her primary responsibilities. Belle's commitment extends beyond her role as she contributes to various projects, including the anti-oppression curriculum, and excels as a Wellness Champion, securing wellness grants for four consecutive years.Before assuming her current position, Belle held the role of Contracts Analyst for the City and County of San Francisco. In this capacity, she supervised city contracts, engaged in negotiations, and conducted comprehensive analyses of departmental data to shape policies. Additionally, Belle dedicated her efforts to community welfare during her tenure at the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, leading the expansion of satellite offices to enhance access to essential community resources.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/2c7f57f5-c6f5-4818-a4d6-5e4de93c4ba6/14d4ebc1-f760-477e-a995-5c325e1867ff/2a6e2ecb-d096-486a-8a03-5f45295874c8.webp?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C4096%2C3282&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">During her tenure as a Case Manager at Huckleberry Youth Programs, Belle collaborated with community-based organizations to craft and implement outreach plans tailored to at-risk high-crisis youth. She also designed workshops aimed at educating both youth and their families about available support services.On a personal level, Belle is a devoted wife and mother of three boys, all of who receive their education in Pleasant Hill schools.&nbsp; In her leisure time, she enjoys running and is a certified fitness trainer.&nbsp; Belle finds great satisfaction in serving her community, whether it involves organizing firefighters' toy drives for SFFD or supporting initiatives like Project Homeless Connect in San Francisco.&nbsp; She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University.

I will be your advocate and serve as a liaison between the city and its residents, ensuring effective communication and understanding between both parties. I will actively engage with our community members, attentively listen to their concerns, and steadfastly advocate for their interests.

<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top issues our campaign is focused on. Learn more about our issues <a href="/issues" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.

Focus Areas

My goal is to bolster public safety measures to enhance our quality of living.<h3>Expand Pedestrian and Bike Pathways</h3><ul><li>Promoting Safe, Active Transportation: By expanding pedestrian and bike pathways throughout Pleasant Hill, we can encourage more residents to choose walking or biking as a safe and convenient mode of transportation. This initiative will reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and promote a healthier lifestyle among residents. Strategic planning will focus on connecting residential areas to schools, parks, and commercial centers, ensuring that pathways are accessible and safe for all age groups.</li><li>Infrastructure Investment: We will prioritize funding and development of well-designed, clearly marked pathways that include safe crossings, bike lanes, and pedestrian zones. Additionally, the installation of protective barriers or raised pathways will enhance safety by separating pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic.</li></ul><h3>Build Out Our Lighting Infrastructure</h3><ul><li>Enhancing Public Safety: Improving street lighting is essential to increasing public safety, reducing crime, and ensuring that residents feel secure in their neighborhoods. We will focus on installing modern, energy-efficient LED lighting in poorly lit areas, including residential streets, parks, and commercial zones; while also taking into account light pollution.</li><li>Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: The new lighting infrastructure will not only provide brighter, more reliable illumination but will also be cost-effective and environmentally friendly. By using LED lights and smart technology, we can reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs, and minimize the city’s carbon footprint.</li></ul><h3>Traffic Calming Measures</h3><ul><li>Speed bumps: Speeding in residential areas poses significant risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. By strategically installing additional speed bumps, we can effectively reduce vehicle speeds in high-risk zones, particularly on Morello, near our parks, and residential streets.</li><li>Community Safety Prioritization: These traffic calming measures will be implemented based on data-driven analysis of accident reports and resident feedback, ensuring that the most critical areas are addressed first. Speed bumps will be complemented by clear signage and community education to maximize their effectiveness.</li></ul><h3>Launch Community Education Programs on Unhoused Resources &amp; Resident Rights</h3><ul><li>Empowering Residents: We will develop and implement community education programs that provide residents with information about resources available for the unhoused, as well as property owner and renters rights and responsibilities. These programs will help build understanding and compassion within the community while empowering residents to take appropriate actions when needed.</li><li>Collaborative Solutions: Working with local nonprofits, shelters, and social services, we will offer workshops, informational sessions, and online resources to guide residents in addressing homelessness in a constructive and supportive manner.</li></ul><h3>Partner with the County Fire Department for Disaster Preparedness</h3><ul><li>Enhancing Disaster Resilience: By partnering with the county Fire Department, we can ensure that Pleasant Hill is well-prepared for potential disasters, such as wildfires, earthquakes, or floods. This partnership will involve joint planning, resource sharing, and community training to enhance our overall resilience.</li><li>Community Preparedness Programs: We will work together to offer disaster preparedness workshops, distribute emergency kits, and develop evacuation plans that are clearly communicated to all residents. Advocate for drills and public awareness campaigns will ensure we are ready for any emergency.</li></ul><h3>Collaborate with Local School Districts for Student Safety</h3><ul><li>Prioritizing School Safety: I will collaborate with Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa, and Martinez school districts as well as Diablo Valley College to enhance the safety of students both in and around schools. This includes improving traffic management around school hours and ensuring that pathways to and from school are secure and well-maintained.</li><li>Comprehensive Safety Programs: School safety extends to the community. Together with school administrators, I'll work to implement safety education programs for families, focusing on issues such as bullying, cyber safety, and emergency preparedness. These initiatives will help create a safer, more supportive environment for our children.</li></ul><h3>Partner with the Police Department to Ensure Business and Customer Safety</h3><ul><li>Protecting Our Local Economy: By working closely with the Police Department, we can ensure that local businesses and their customers feel safe and secure. This partnership will focus on deterring organized retail crime, improving response times, and increasing police visibility in commercial areas.</li><li>Community Policing Initiatives: We will promote community policing efforts that encourage collaboration between law enforcement and business owners. Regular safety audits, crime prevention workshops, and enhanced communication channels will help build a strong, cooperative relationship aimed at reducing crime and enhancing the overall shopping experience.</li></ul><h3>Revitalize Vacant Spaces to Reduce Crime and Foster Community</h3><ul><li>Transforming Blight into Opportunity: Vacant and underutilized spaces become hotspots for crime and contribute to the decline of neighborhood vitality. I will focus on revitalizing these areas through targeted development, including mixed-use projects, green spaces, and community amenities that meet the needs of residents.</li><li>Sustainable Urban Development: By repurposing vacant spaces, we can reduce crime rates and cultivate a sustainable, thriving environment for our neighborhoods. These revitalization efforts will be guided by input from community members, ensuring that new developments align with the vision and values of our residents.</li></ul>

Advocating for bike and pedestrian pathways, public lights, and speed bumps. Helping ensure the safety of our community members as they navigate our streets.

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

Community Safety

Prioritize fiscal responsibility to ensure a departure from deficit, while concurrently strategizing for the long haul to amplify revenue generation and minimize expenses.<ul><li>Multi-Year Financial Planning: Require the creation of multi-year financial plans that project revenues, expenses, and capital needs over a 5-10 year horizon. This helps the city anticipate future challenges and opportunities.</li><li>Reserve Fund Policy: Establish a reserve fund policy to build up financial reserves during surplus years, providing a buffer for economic downturns or unexpected expenses.</li><li>Zero-Based Budgeting: Implement a zero-based budgeting approach where all expenses must be justified for each new period, rather than simply adjusting previous budgets. This helps identify and eliminate inefficiencies.</li><li>Cost-Benefit Analysis for Projects: Require a thorough cost-benefit analysis for all new projects and programs, ensuring that long-term benefits outweigh initial costs. Prioritize projects that generate future revenue or reduce operational costs.</li><li>Asset Management and Maintenance Plans: Implement a proactive asset management strategy to maintain existing infrastructure and avoid costly repairs in the future. Prioritize investments in infrastructure that supports economic growth, such as transportation and utilities.</li><li>Business Incentives and Retention Programs: Create policies that support local businesses, such as tax incentives for startups, streamlined permitting processes, and business retention programs. Focus on sectors that align with the city’s long-term economic goals.</li><li>Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage partnerships between the city and private entities to develop projects that enhance infrastructure, provide services, or create jobs without fully relying on public funds.</li><li>Debt Ceiling Policy: Establish a debt ceiling that limits the amount of debt the city can incur relative to its revenue. This prevents the city from taking on unsustainable debt levels.</li><li>Debt Reduction Plan: Develop and enforce a plan to reduce existing debt through refinancing, early repayments, or setting aside surplus revenue for debt reduction.</li><li>Revenue Diversification Strategy: Develop policies that encourage diversification of revenue streams beyond traditional property taxes. This could include promoting mixed-use developments, expanding tourism, and exploring local business incentives.</li><li>Fiscal Transparency Initiatives: Mandate regular public reporting on the city’s financial status, including budget summaries, spending reports, and debt levels. Implement a user-friendly online portal where residents can track city finances.</li></ul><h3></h3>

As a Senior Financial Analyst with 18 years of public sector experience, I will work to successfully manage our looming deficient and ensure transparency.

Fiscal Responsibility

<ul><li>Sustainability Incentives: Encourage energy-saving initiatives and green building practices through incentives, potentially reducing long-term operating costs for the city and residents.</li><li>Climate Resilience Planning: Develop policies focused on building climate resilience to avoid future costs associated with natural disasters, such as wildfires or floods.</li><li>Green Infrastructure Initiatives: Promote policies that incentivize sustainable and cost-saving infrastructure investments, such as renewable energy projects, energy-efficient buildings, and water conservation systems.</li></ul>

Prioritizing Sustainability Incentives, Climate Resilience Planning, and Green Infrastructure Initiatives. Encourage energy-saving initiatives and green building practices through incentives, potentially reducing long-term operating costs for the city and residents.

Environment and Sustainability

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<h3>Contribute now to support our campaign!</h3>

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<h2>Volunteering</h2>Our family packed over 2,000 lbs of food for the community!

<h2>Volunteering</h2>Supporting Pleasant Hill and race participants at the on July 4th.

<h2>Every Dollar Counts!</h2>Belle uses ActBlue to process donations. Pages sidebar, click the Link icon on the Donate page and add the link to your donation page. Some common options for donation processing include:<ul><li><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ActBlue</a></li><li><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/belle-la-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://secure.actblue.com/donate/belle-la-1</a></li></ul>

Mark your calendars! Check out the exciting events in Pleasant Hill.

Campaign &amp; Community Events

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Asian American, Native Hawaiian, &amp; Pacific Islander Celebration

Come to the 1st Asian American, Native Hawaiian, &amp; Pacific Islander celebration in Pleasant Hill. Learn about AANHPI Heritage with you Community. Showcasing creative artists and businesses around the Bay Area. Free food and ice cream while supplies last. Bring canned goods to donate to the local food bank. FREE EVENT.

Belle's Birthday at "Off the Grid"

It's a celebration! Join us for Belle's birthday at "Off the Grid." Enjoy snacks, games, and learn more about Belle and her vision for Pleasant Hill, District 1.

Volunteer Kick Off

Are you passionate about the community? Do you want to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our city? Join Team Belle! Meet your neighbors and connect with residents of Pleasant Hill. Together we can build a stronger, more vibrant Pleasant Hill. Snacks and drinks provided.

Join Team Belle! Meet your neighbors and connect with residents of Pleasant Hill. Learn more about Belle and share your vision for the city. Together we can build a stronger, more vibrant Pleasant Hill. Snacks and drinks provided.

Volunteer Meet and Greet

Get to know the candidates running for Pleasant Hill City Council in Electoral Districts 1 and 5. Your support is invaluable!

City Council Candidate Forum

Local community organizations, leaders, and residents support Belle!

Belle La for Pleasant Hill City Council

Chief Admin Officer at SF Planning Department

Thomas DiSanto

San Ramon Valley School Board Trustee

Susanna Ordway

SF Municipal transportation Board Director FMR

Sharon Lai

VP Contra Costa Community College District

Andy Li

Director Budget, Resource PlanninG &amp; Analysis UCSF

Jenny Allen

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Belle is exactly what our community needs on the City Council

Qualifications

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Together we can preserve our small-town charm!Email: <a href="mailto:bellela.ph1@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text)">bellela.ph1@gmail.com</a>

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I’d Love to Connect!

<h2>Leadership &amp; Experience</h2>Throughout my career in public service, I've worked with at-risk youth and the most vulnerable communities to help provide resources, reduce crime and increase well-being.&nbsp; Our District deserves a representative at City Council with the experience necessary to handle a wide variety of issues- from safety to financial stability and beyond.

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“My core perspectives stem from a deep belief in the promise of democracy and our rights to sit at the table and express our views and needs. This cannot happen if the people/community are not educated and organized with you.”— May Chen, Labor Organizer

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"As the organizer of Pleasant Hill's first Asian American Native Hawaiian &amp; Pacific Islander festival, I wanted to create an event that not only celebrates our rich cultural diversity but also strengthens our sense of community. By bringing people together in this way, we’re building a more inclusive and connected Pleasant Hill, where everyone feels valued and at home. It’s about showcasing our shared values, fostering understanding, and highlighting the unique contributions that make our city so special."

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Latest Developments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEBelle La Announces Candidacy for Pleasant Hill City Council, District 1Pleasant Hill, CA – July 14, 2024 – Belle La, a highly experienced professional and dedicated community advocate, is proud to announce her candidacy for Pleasant Hill City Council, District 1. With a diverse background in public service and financial management, Belle is running to bring effective leadership and fresh perspectives to the City Council.Belle’s extensive experience includes her role as a Senior Financial Analyst, where she honed her skills in managing budgets and ensuring fiscal responsibility—skills she is eager to apply to Pleasant Hill's financial decisions. As a City Contracts Analyst, Belle worked directly on city governance, giving her insight into the operations that keep municipalities running smoothly. Her commitment to equity and inclusion is evident from her work as a Staff Equity Advisor, advocating for fair treatment and opportunities for all.In addition to her financial and analytical expertise, Belle has a strong background in community engagement. She served in the Public Defender's Office, working to ensure justice for underserved populations, and as a Youth Case Manager, helping to guide young people toward productive and successful futures."I am running for City Council to leverage my background in finance, equity, and community service to address the needs of residents in District 1. I am committed to building a safer, more inclusive, and financially secure Pleasant Hill," said Belle.Belle La is ready to bring her depth of experience and passion for public service to the City Council, ensuring that District 1 receives the strong and thoughtful representation it deserves.For more information, please visit bellelaa.com or contact <a href="mailto:bellela.ph1@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">bellela.ph1@gmail.com</a>

Belle La Announces Candidacy for Pleasant Hill City Council. "I am running for City Council to leverage my background in finance, equity, and community service to address the needs of District 1. I am committed to building a safer, more inclusive, and financially secure Pleasant Hill," said Belle.

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Campaign Kick Off

Belle La has lived in Pleasant Hill for 12 years, and she saw the need to put together an event for AANHPI Heritage Month. She talks to Claudine about what it took to put together this event and the work she's doing to bring more events like this to Pleasant Hill.

Pleasant Hill's first AANHPI Heritage Month

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Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

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Join Team Belle! Meet your neighbors and connect with residents of Pleasant Hill. Learn more about Belle and share your vision for the city. Together we can build a stronger, more vibrant Pleasant Hill. 

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