NEWS RELEASE

January 25, 2008

Santa Clarita — Diane Trautman’s bid for a seat on the Santa Clarita City Council gained momentum today (Friday, January 25, 2008) when she received the endorsement of Council member TimBen Boydston. This is the second significant endorsement for Trautman after that of another council member, former Mayor Marsha McLean, who voiced her support at Trautman’s campaign kickoff on January 11 at City Hall.

“She’s the hardest worker of all the candidates,” Council member Boydston said yesterday in a telephone interview.  “She gained my respect through her knowledge and hard work.”

Boydston said that while on the council, it became his job to work alongside the Santa Clarita Planning Commission and know what was going on. For more than five years, Diane Trautman has served on the planning commission, where she approved the creation of new parks, shopping and dining amenities, hotels, business offices, private schools, medical clinics and a green-built transit maintenance facility. “A couple of people stood out as working really hard and knowing the issues,” Boydston said. “Diane was one of those people. She was incredibly knowledgeable.”

“Her overriding philosophy is [that] she wants to have really smart growth,” Boydston added. “She takes into account everyone’s needs — not just those of the developers, but the needs of the people who live here already.”

Trautman expressed appreciation of Boydston’s endorsement. “I sincerely appreciate Council Member Boydston’s endorsement. He has been a strong advocate for transparent and accountable local government. As a planning commissioner, I’ve always had an open door policy. I have invited community members to share their knowledge and expertise with the commission to help guide our decisions. I’ve listened and responded whenever a need has been brought to my attention. As a council member, I will actively pursue opportunities to bring our government closer to the people.

Trautman has pledged to work long, hard hours if elected as Councilmember. “I will increase my efforts to bring more affordable senior and workforce housing to our City and improve our transportation system. As has been my practice, I’ll include public safety considerations in every project I approve. I’ll continue to work productively with other agencies, including the county, our schools, our water suppliers, our business community, and our nonprofit organizations, to support and maintain the health of our city. When you take into account my community involvement and my training on the commission, I’ve been preparing for a council seat for 14 years,” she said, adding that she has the contacts and knows what it takes to get the job done. “This is a time of transition in our city’s history. It’s time for us to come together to create a truly sustainable city. I’m asking for your vote on April 8.”

Boydston said he sees very little difference between his outlook and Trautman’s. “She’s the most independent candidate,” he said. “The city of Santa Clarita needs independent voices on the council.”

Boydston also released a written statement endorsing Trautman. That statement reads: “I am endorsing Diane Trautman because she is honest, independent, does her homework on the issues and will make her decisions based on what is best for our great city. She is not beholden to special interests and will not be afraid to ask the hard questions. Her work on the Planning Commission has shown that she spends the time needed to learn each issue and then works to make each project better. Our City Council needs new blood and a fresh perspective — and Diane fits the bill.”