2 Fil-Ams win big in Vallejo council race

FILAMSTAR PHOTO

VALLEJO, California—Jess Malgapo and Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga were elected to the Vallejo City Council on Tuesday last week, Nov. 5, according to the Solano County Office of Election Registrar tally.

After the votes were tallied for the three seats with four-year term limits, Malgapo, an incumbent, received the highest number of votes with 6,321 (20.3 percent), followed by Katy Meissner with 5,590 (18.02 percent) votes and Pippin Dew with 5,372 (17.31 percent).

For the one open council position with a two-year term limit, Verder-Aliga garnered 5,556 votes (47.20 percent) in her first council race. It was enough to defeat former Vallejo councilmember Joanne Schively by a margin of 10 percent.

Verder-Aliga, who watched the results with family, friends and supporters at her residence, eventually joined up to celebrate with Malgapo, and his supporters, at Zio Fraedo’s Italian Restaurant.

Strategist Norma Placido, along with colleague Ed Paulo, who served as Malgapo’s campaign manager, said, “Congratulations on this historic win for Vallejo!”

During an earlier interview in the campaign, Verder-Aliga said her team had been working very hard, even to the point of precinct walking all over Vallejo. According to the first-time candidate, the grassroots approach turned out to be a success.

“The voters were very receptive,” Verder-Aliga said.

Verder-Aliga led a positive campaign, running on her qualifications and civic experience in being a “consensus builder” and a team player.

“I will work with Mayor Osby Davis and council members to rebuild and reshape Vallejo,” she said to voters on the stump.

Indeed, Vallejo voters must have acknowledged her 30 years’ experience in volunteer work, management and public service—not only as a senior mental health services manager in Solano County, but also her 18 years of service as an elected member of the Solano County and Vallejo boards of education.

For many of her supporters, however, the difference-maker was Verder-Aliga’s early recognition of how important embracing a changing population is to the make-up of Vallejo.

As she said, it’s about “welcoming the diversity” and “celebrating a vibrant community” that is “passionate about Vallejo moving forward.”

Verder-Aliga added: “In order for us to move forward and address the most pressing issues in the city like public safety, crime reduction, jobs, economic development, financial stability and recovery as well as infrastructure and road repairs, we have to work together and focus on what is good for Vallejo not individual agendas or interests.”

A 32-year resident of Vallejo, Verder-Aliga was married to Nestor Aliga, a US Army veteran and Mare Island retiree. They have three sons who all attended city public schools.

Malgapo says that he is humbled for being the top vote-getter.

“I just want to say thank you Vallejo for giving me the honor…I am truly grateful!” he said, leading up to the election. “After many months of campaigning hard starting March 13, 2013, I am elated.”

“I think the story of this campaign from the Filipino community standpoint is that, two Fil-Am candidates are in the race but we’re not competing with each other. Rozzana and I are actually supporting each other. The atmosphere within the community is very positive; for once, we are not divided,” said Malgapo.

“I’ve done my best to campaign for votes, by walking, and canvassing neighborhoods almost daily…I knocked on doors and called voters by phone to ask for their votes. I am grateful to my manager, Ed Paulo, and my entire team of volunteers. I would be remiss if I do not thank Gloria, my wife for 37 years, for her support and understanding…I can’t do this without her support.”

A retired Navy Commander and veteran, Malgapo foresees the city council having to make some crucial decisions in the near future. The issues will include creating jobs, bringing added revenues, continued development of the former navy base-Mare Island and Solano 360 Project including crime, unemployment and inadequate levels of police officers patrolling Vallejo Streets.

“Seizing these opportunities and tackling our challenges starts with a council that puts bickering aside and works together to make Vallejo the best it can be,” said Malgapo.

Because of term limits, current member Hermie Sunga will leave the council at the end of 2013.With the addition of Verder-Aliga, there will be three Filipino-American council members with Bob Sampayan as the other.

For the Vallejo mayor, the election results are good news. Osby Davis remains in office until 2015. For now, it is expected that Malgapo, Dew and Verder-Aliga will align themselves with him to compose a council majority.