Morgan Hill – City council candidate Al Tervalon became interested in city politics when he moved to town six years ago.
“I realized, in a small town, city politics really make a big difference,” said Tervalon, 40, an engineer with 19 years experience in the high-tech industry. “I went to a council meeting early on, and I watched the interaction with all the people, and it was real live interaction. The ability to have that feedback is pretty cool.”
Tervalon, who’s been chair of the parent organization at Mount Madonna School, is making his first bid for public office in Morgan Hill. His top priorities, if elected, would be responsible economic growth, expanded access to recreational facilities and higher ethical standards.
“We have to find more funding for our recreation facilities, but I’m not sure where that would come from,” Tervalon said. “I want to start the discussion. To say that the city is in great financial shape, and parks aren’t being watered, doesn’t make any sense.”
Tervalon, a graduate of MIT, equates city government with a large corporation. He touts his problem-solving and cost-management skills, and says he’s a “big-picture guy.” He also wants to involve the whole community in the city’s decision making process – at least as much as possible.
“We need more direct feedback from residents,” Tervalon said, adding he would organize neighborhood in-home meetings and explore Web “solutions” to enhance communication with citizens.
Born in Philadelphia, Tervalon spent most of his childhood in Albany, N.Y. He currently lives in the Jackson Oaks neighborhood with his wife and two young children.
AL TERVALON
AGE: 40
OCCUPATION: Engineer
EDUCATION: MIT
BACKGROUND: Chair of parent organization at Mount Madonna School
E-MAIL: te******@******it.edu
PHONE: (408) 425-4832
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or tburchyns@morganhilltimes.
