Gina Papan and community supporters.
Burlingame, CA – Bay Area Chinese American community leaders are backing Gina Papan in her campaign to become San Mateo County Supervisor on the May 3 special election.
Chinese American and San Mateo County supporters at an April 13 Burlingame reception listened to Papan emphasize the need to elect “common sense” county leadership.
“We are working towards more efficiency, more consolidation…to survive these tough economic times,” said Papan.
She noted her Millbrae City Council vote this week merging her city’s fire department with other cities. She also said renting county property and encouraging local businesses to remain, for example, will help solve a $150 million county budget shortfall without increasing taxes.
Papan, who has run the California Office of Emergency Services with 150 employees on a $400 million budget, has the fiscal management skills, according to Assemblywoman Fiona Ma.
“Gina has the qualifications and experience to serve on the San Mateo Board of Supervisors during these tough fiscal times,” said Ma, a former county supervisor and certified public accountant.
BART Director James Fang said Papan comes from a family long dedicated to public service. “Gina has a long history of serving San Mateo County residents, particularly those of Asian and Chinese ancestry,” he said.
“Her late father and former Assemblyman Lou Papan was a pioneer in insuring that all San Mateo residents regardless of color were all treated equally. Gina will continue her father’s legacy of over 20 years,” said Fang.
At the Burlingame fundraiser, host and San Mateo County resident Lawrence Lui lauded Papan for “making enormous contributions to the state.”
Lui cited her work to implement the Amber Alert and saving the lives of more than 200 children. As Deputy Attorney General, Papan led efforts to stop the fraudulent use of taxpayer money.
Supporting Papan also are State Senator Leland Yee, State Assemblyman Paul Fong, former Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association president Arnold Lee, Millbrae Planning Commissioner Wayne Lee and Sammy Yim of the Peninsula Chinese Business Association.
Registered voters should mail their ballots before May 3. Mailed ballots received after the May 3 deadline will not count.
More information about Gina Papan can be found at www.ginapapan.com/index.shtml.
