"Ken has great and workable ideas for the future of Mill Valley, and he knows how to build public support to get things done. He will make an excellent City Council member."

- John Jaeger, City Council 1977-1984, Former Mayor

Who is Ken Wachtel?

October 2007

My goal as a member of the Mill Valley City Council is to maintain and improve the quality of life in this wonderful town. I believe in pursuing excellence in every facet of City government. I have lived in the City of Mill Valley for over 23 years and I have been involved in a wide range of activities in our City including the following:

      1. Mill Valley Planning Commission (six years, Chair for one year);
        2. Mill Valley Bicycle and Trails Committee;
          3. Mill Valley Affordable Housing Committee;
            4. CERT certified (Community Emergency Response Team);
              5. Fundraiser for the Mill Valley Community Center;
                6. Fundraiser for the Tam High Foundation;
                  7. Fundraiser for Kiddo!
                    8. School District Class Size Reduction Task Force;
                      9. Old Mill School Site Council (two years. president for one year);
                        10. Old Mill PTA (committee chair three years);
                          11. Tamalpais Preschool Board of Trustees (president);
                            12. Mill Valley Soccer Club (president four years, board member 12 years, coach for 12 years, team manager for 8 years); and
                              13. Mill Valley Little League Board Member (coach nine years, statistician 4 years).

My broad involvement in the community, including the people I have met and the decisions I have made in these volunteer situations, is an important and helpful, background for any Mill Valley City Council member. Any success I have achieved results from my efforts to reach a consensus on issues. When resolution is difficult and I must take on a decision maker role, I give all participants a free and fair chance to present their side, and I thoughtfully consider all issues, ramifications and the people involved. I learn much more by listening than by talking. I am proud of the fact that while in a decision making position, such as on the Planning Commission, I have not hesitated to change my position if I am given new information that justifies a change. This flexibility is an important characteristic for a City Council member.

As for my education, personal history and work experience, I graduated with honors from UC Berkeley in 1973 and from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1976. I moved to Marin in 1976 and to Mill Valley in 1984. I married my wife, Leslie, in 1983 and we have four children, ages 21, 18, 16, and 12. They attend USC; University of Colorado, Boulder; Tam High and Marin Country Day School. My wife is as active in community affairs as I am, and we encourage, each other to volunteer to work for the community, its organizations and its citizens. I joined the law firm of Leland, Parachini, Steinberg, Matzger & Melnick in 1982 and have been a partner since 1986 with a specialty in land use, real property, financial institutions and litigation.

 


Ken helping build Sycamore Park play structure