This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information.
Los Angeles County, CA November 8, 2005 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Marta "Williamson-Cox" Kester

Candidate for
City Council Member; City of Palmdale

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

In 1954 my mother and I came from Germany to the United States to join my father, we moved often because he was career military. Growing up I was blessed with the opportunity to learn about other cultures, ways of living and learning to value the diversity of humanity.

My family and I moved to Palmdale in 1976. We bought our home, which I still own, in 1977. I was married for 25 years before the death of my husband in 1998. I just remarried recently to Desmond Kester, candidate for Mayor.

I am the proud parent of two children by birth and three by marriage. Now I have three grandchildren with the birth of our newest bundle one month ago. My children all attended Palmdale schools.

I earned a degree from Antelope Valley College and continued my education to become an educator of very young children. I was an Early Childhood Eduacator for 20 years and became a Head Start Teacher in 1995. My experiences taught me the value of our educators, but more importantly the need for active particpation of parents in the education of their children, starting at home as the first teachers.

I hosted a news magazine for 3 years in Northern CA. I currently write a column for the Metropolitan Star, a local paper out of Quartz Hill.

In 2000 a neighbor, Mary Spiva, and I founded OldTown Homeowners group. Properties were being taken by eminent domain in my small neighborhood. The zoning on many of our neighbors homes changed to industrial without notification or a vote of those concerned, and we were losing our open spaces. It was out of our desire and concern to preserve the uniqueness of our environment and our concern for the health, safety and education of the students attending our schools OldTown Homeowners Group, Inc. was founded.

At this time in my life I have moved into being an IEP Consultant for special needs students, being a child advocate for low income disenfranchised children, advocating for homeowners and property owners rights, and civil rights as guaranteed by our constitution, doing so under the banner of Oldtown Homeowners Group, Inc.

Through the continued pressure from those who know me through OldTown Homeowners Group, Inc., personal friends and family I finally agreed to make this run for Palmdale City Council.

Next Page: Political Philosophy

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
November 2005 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 18, 2005 15:14
Smart Voter   <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org