CALIFORNIA FOREVER's development plan, in conversation with SOLANO TOGETHER.
FEBRUARY 8TH, 2024
BALLY KEAL ESTATE
Presenting Sponsors:
Duane Kromm Solano County Orderly Growth Committee I grew up in a modest suburb right next to Detroit. 9 Mile Rd and Gratiot functioned as out city center. Even back in the 60s it was clear there was no real center to the center. As I learned much later, East Detroit was one of those sad communities that enacted racially discriminatory ordinances that prohibited people of color from living in our little suburb. Going to college, Western Michigan University, opened my eyes about people and opportunities. I started to participate in civil rights and anti-war protests. My first political activism was working on the Gene McCarthy Presidential campaign in 1968. That did not turn out well, but I was bitten by the activism bug. I lived in LA from 1968 to 1975, working as a CPA. We found LA a tough place to be very active in ways that felt meaningful. Marilyn and I wanted to live in a place where we could be much more engaged in the community, which lead to us moving to Fairfield. That specific move was because Marilyn was hired to lead Fairfield’s Housing Office. Her biggest initial responsibility was running the Section 8 low income housing program.
Duane Kromm Solano County Orderly Growth Committee I quickly learned that being a CPA was a skill that lots of Nonprofit organizations wanted on their boards. Starting with the Napa-Solano Girl Scouts in the late 1970s and ending with Planned Parenthood Northern California, I found great satisfaction working with scores of local and regional Nonprofits. This was also a big part of my client base, along with local governments. When I ran for Board of Supervisors in 1998 I was motivated by environmental, healthy children, and fiscal responsibility concerns. It was great work, steep learning curves (many, as issues came from all directions). Two terms were right for me. Today I still spend lots of time working with the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee to preserve and protect our farmlands and open spaces. Community service, either as a volunteer or as an elected official, is a wonderful way to spend my time. I encourage any who have an urge to serve to step up and volunteer or run for office.
Princess Washington Suisun City Mayor Pro Tem Chapter Chair of the Solano Sierra Club
Ms. Princess Washington is a multifaceted community leader, artist, and an influential presence in Solano County. Currently holding the position of Mayor Pro Tem in the City of Suisun City, she also serves as a Board member of the California League of Cities African American Caucus. Ms. Washington plays a vital role as Vice Chair for The Salvation Army of Solano County Advisory Board, further demonstrating her commitment to community welfare. Her leadership extends to environmental advocacy as the Chair of the Solano County Sierra Club and as a Board member for Sustainable Solano, where she actively contributes to sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives in the region. Ms. Washington's dedication to community services is evident in her role as the Community Services Director on the Board of Directors for the Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club.
Princess Washington
Suisun City Mayor Pro Tem Ms. Washington's outstanding contributions have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of her exemplary service, she was honored as the Rotarian of the Year for 2022-2023 by the Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club. Additionally, her remarkable impact on the community was acknowledged when she was named Woman of the Year in 2023 by Congressman Garamendi, solidifying her status as a respected and influential figure in Solano County.
Gabriel Metcalf Head of Planning
Gabriel Metcalf is a city planner who has dedicated his career to helping cities become more livable, sustainable, and inclusive. For many years, he served as the President and CEO of SPUR, an urban policy think tank for the San Francisco Bay Area. Most recently, he was the CEO of the Committee for Sydney, a research and advocacy organization that provides vision, strategy, and advocacy for the Australia’s largest city. Gabriel’s work has focused on housing policy, climate change, economic development, transportation, and government effectiveness. He has been interested in new communities as a growth management strategy since first learning about the British new town movement in his introduction to planning history at UC Berkeley, where he earned a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning.
Jan Sramek Founder & CEO
Jan grew up in a small village in the Czech Republic until a chance scholarship found on the early internet landed him in England, where he studied Mathematics and Economics at Trinity College, Cambridge and the London School of Economics. He started his career in finance, but left after 20 months and founded Better, an education company that helped workers acquire new skills. Seeing the impact that living in different places had on his own life, Jan is passionate about cities and their ability to foster community, creativity, and economic mobility. After a lifetime moving West searching for home, he has found it in Solano County, where he now lives with his wife Naytri, two young children, and golden retriever Bruce. Jan is excited to help build something wonderful here with our new friends and neighbors. He also can't wait to move into the first house in the new community.