Council on Aging chief seeks supervisor seat

Shirlee Zane, a leading advocate on issues affecting seniors for the past decade, is running for the central Sonoma County seat on the Board of Supervisors.

The seat vacated by incumbent Tim Smith now has four official candidates, including former Santa Rosa Councilwomen Maureen Casey and Sharon Wright and Rohnert Park Councilman Tim Smith, who is not related to the supervisor.

Zane filed her Form 501 candidate intention statements with the county registrar of voters Friday to compete in the June 3 nonpartisan election. The filing deadline is not until March.

As chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Council on Aging for nine years, Zane has been on the forefront of issues such as maintaining publicly funded services for seniors, keeping Sutter Medical Center open and establishing a kitchen for preparation of food for the Meals on Wheels program and dining sites for seniors.

Zane is a 47-year-old Santa Rosa resident who has lived in Sonoma County for 18 years. She has worked for more than 25 years in social and health services and has not previously sought election except for service on the Democratic Party Central Committee.

"A healthy Sonoma County means environmental and social justice, affordable housing, clean water and mental health services for all," Zane said. "I want to have a say in how money is spent in terms of seniors and their well-being."

She campaigned for voter approval of reauthorization of the open space sales tax and she initiated last year's "Take Back the Streets" event to raise awareness on pedestrian and bicycle safety.

She said that during her campaign for office she would retain her post as head of the Council on Aging.

You can reach Staff Writer Bleys W. Rose at 521-5431 or bleys.rose@pressdemocrat.com.