Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Cotati

Councilmember Janet Orchard was elected to Council in November 2000, and she served as Mayor in 2002. Her current term as Councilmember ends November 2004.

Councilmember Orchard presently represents Cotati on the Sonoma County Water Advisory Committee, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) General Assembly, is the city's alternative representative to the Sonoma County Transporation Authority and is the city's liaison to Cities for Climate Protection. She has served on several council subcommittees including the energy subcommittee for the new Cotati Police facility and the Campaign Finance Reform Subcommittee.

Councilmember Orchard has resided in Cotati since 1998. She is a strong advocate of community service and as a volunteer served on the Community and Environment Commission immediately prior to her election to Council.

Councilmember Orchard has a 25 year career in the insurance industry. She is employed by Swett & Crawford as a senior underwiter in their long term care division, specializing in insurance for long term care facilities for the elderly. Due to this work and her family's experience with Alzheimer's disease, she has developed a deep interest in quality of care and qualify of life issues for the elderly.

Economic viability, environmental stewardship, improvement of community services and public safety are Councilmember Orchard's prime areas of focus. She is an advocate for green building policies, affordable housing and youth recreation.