City Council Candidate Q&A: Scott Perkins

San Ramon Patch has asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire to give residents information about his or her background. Click here for more election news.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office? 

I enjoy being part of the decision making process to ensure that San Ramon continues to be financially sound and a desirable place to live, and want to see that the City Center Project moves forward as soon as possible considering the state of the economy. I also wish to improve communication between residents and City Hall.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? 

Maintaining the financial health of the city, because without sound financial decisions the safety, security, and overall quality of life for all residents will suffer.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? 

Leadership, Experience and Service. I developed leadership skills in serving 34 years in the Navy and Reserves, including as a unit commander, and during the past eight years on the San Ramon City Council. My experience includes serving as the Inspector General of the Naval Reserve engineer program and as a financial manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in charge of a budget exceeding $130 million. My service includes being a leader in my Boy Scout Troop and as mentor to Scouts from Life to Eagle. I am the coordinator for the US Naval Academy Admissions Office for a region extending from the Pacific Coast to I-5 from the Oregon border to south of Carmel.

Where do you work and what is your job title? 

I am a Flight Test Engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where I have worked for more than 31 years in various capacities.

Age and birthplace?

I am 58 years old and I was born in Maryland

Who’s in your immediate family? Spouse, children?

Elizabeth is my wife of 35 years. We have four children (Michael, Bill, Nathan and Merry) all of whom who attended the public schools in San Ramon, and three grandchildren (Brendan, Meghan, and Matthew).

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained and when. 

I received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the  US Naval Academy in 1975. I obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of San Diego in 1981.

Have you ever held an elected or appointed public office?

I was elected to the San Ramon City Council in 2003 and have served for nearly eight years in that capacity. I have been Vice Mayor for two terms.

Have you run before for an elected public office?

I ran for, and was elected to, the San Ramon City Council in 2003.  I ran unopposed for San Ramon City Council in 2007.

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign, both total spending and personal?

I expect to spend up to $25,000. I expect to use less than $1,000 of my own funds.

Have you ever served in the military?

I served for 34 years in the Navy and the Navy Reserve. I was recalled to Active Duty during Desert Storm and served in Germany, Turkey and Iraq.

Have you ever been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

No.

Have you or a business you owned or had principal interest in ever filed bankruptcy?

No.

How long have you lived in San Ramon?

My wife and I have lived in San Ramon for over 31 years.

What's your favorite thing about San Ramon? 

We particularly enjoy the general feeling of safety in San Ramon. Many local communities are dealing with much greater crime and safety problems, but in San Ramon we have a very low crime rate and we feel safe going to any neighborhood even at night. We also enjoy the variety, quality and quantity of parks in San Ramon – our 58 parks offer almost every activity one can imagine or desire.

What is the biggest problem in San Ramon? 

We need to plan our future that balances control with quality of life.  For our fiscal health we need retail opportunities to retain sales tax revenue that now flows to other communities to ensure that we have the funds to meet the needs and expectations of our current 73,000 residents and those that will become residents in the future.

Contact information: Work phone 925-423-0580; home phone 925-833-7743; email address is sperkins@sanramon.ca.gov (non-campaign messages only please); perkins@1975.usna.com. Campaign website is www.perkinsforsanramon.com.