Mayor Gwen Regalia of Walnut Creek is stepping down after 21 years of public service, including 5 terms as Mayor. She has worked relentlessly to transform Walnut Creek into a prestigious shopping destination with parks, schools, and services. Regalia believes keeping older stores functioning is important to maintain the city's vitality. While some residents feel unheard, she emphasizes citizen participation and transparency in government.

1. A Conversation with Walnut Creek Mayor Gwen Regalia
By Deborah Burstyn
M
MR: We have the money to com- DB: How do you feel about the
ayor Gwen Regalia is call-
ing it quits. It’s been a plete it. It is the cost of operating opposition to the Neiman Marcus
long, hard journey through the library that we will need as- store?
decades of public service. Through sistance with.
MR: If the measure against Neiman
it all, Regalia has been relentless in
DB: So why do you do all this? Why Marcus makes it to the ballot, it is
her goal to help transform Walnut
be a part of local government? clear that the appeal is intended to
Creek into a prestigious destina-
repeal the decision of the Council.
tion shopping city with a healthy
MR: I love what I do. I would not We believe that the incentive for
balance of parks and recreation,
have wanted to do anything else. this is coming from a competing
good schools and public services.
interest that wishes to
And after 21 years on the
kill the deal in Walnut
City Council, including
Creek so they can take it
five times as Mayor, Gwen
to their own community.
Regalia steps down this
If they can attract Nei-
month from the podium.
man Marcus, some of the
Respected by her col-
Broadway Plaza shops
leagues as “the sage of
will follow leaving empty
Walnut Creek who knows
storefronts. We need to
what the city needs and
keep our older stores
fights to get it,” Regalia
functioning and vital.
is admired for her com-
mitment, knowledge and
DB: Sometimes residents
tenacity.
feel that the Council does
not listen to them. What
I spoke to the Mayor at
do you think?
her office about her career
and her views on some
MR: I believe in citizen
of the challenges facing
participation, I believe
the City of Walnut Creek
in public meetings and
in coming years. And of
I believe in the Brown
cours