Chirag Kathrani, a business startup owner and San Ramon resident, is a candidate for the 2024 San Ramon Mayoral Election that will take place on Nov. 5, 2024. His stated goal is to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.
In the past, Kathrani has actively participated in city council meetings to voice concerns he may have; however, in his experience, the city council will tell him his concerns “cannot be answered as it isn’t an agenda item or is beyond” the scope of their meeting. This was frustrating for Kathrani.
It should be noted that city council meetings have limited time available for public comments and allocate specific amounts of time to citizens who voice their ideas or concerns as agenda items are often their main priority. Additionally, city council members are prohibited by state law to take action on any items not on the agenda.
Many of his concerns for San Ramon have to do with the budget. With the city projecting a financial deficit of over $14 million, Kathrani focused on city spending projects he deems frivolous. For example, he pointed to new construction that costs over $40 million and is meant to change traffic flows by five to ten seconds. Also, Kathrani highlighted the $6.5 million Olympic pool renovation which was “equivalent to 20,000 passes for five years at the Concord Water Park.” However, many of the figures that he mentioned during the interview were on documents in his possession, but could not be found or verified through a public records search completed by staff members of The Wildcat Tribune.
He further claimed that a lot of the budget deficit has to do with their “mismanagement.” He continued, “if [the city] was in deficit they wouldn’t be spending their money [that] way.”
Kathrani’s overall plan to reduce the financial deficit is by “ensuring that the right questions are being asked while making fund distribution strategies.” He believes that will allow the impact of the crisis to lower as communities would be given opportunities to take part in the decision making process as well.
To implement his plans for the city, he recruited people to be a part of his volunteer system and support him on his journey to becoming mayor. Some other methods he utilized were traditional door-knocking, where he talked to people and introduced himself as a way to not only get involved in his cause but also vote for him.
He emphasized the importance of building up human voices. “Politics is a divisive term,” Kathrani said, “and I find the word ‘leadership’ to be a more cohesive way to describe my actions as it doesn’t break down people and rather builds them up.”
As someone who seeks to create connections with others, he has a non-profit organization called Lead For Earth where he mentors youth in creating environmental climate report cards and more, as he emphasizes his support for youth. Kathrani is also the startup company owner of Enterprise Mobility Inc, and as a runner for mayor, he also believes in supporting small businesses and hopes to improve job opportunities provided within San Ramon.
“Many people have moved in and out of the city due to the lack of businesses to work for,” Kathrani explained, adding, “With townhomes selling for $1.2 million – $1.4 million or more, and it leads to not attracting the talent we need .”
As a densely populated city with mostly families, the need for shops has increased over time. Some residents go to other cities such as Dublin or Walnut Creek for shopping, taking away opportunities from local San Ramon businesses.
“Bishop Ranch should have a marketplace too so that people don’t have to leave the area to get what they want, and there would also be less traffic going to other places as well,” Kathrani proposed.
With these things in mind, sees himself as a candidate who values a sense of community and connection with others and strives to be someone who people can depend on.
“Democracy is about different voices, and I will stand by citizens and support them along the way,” Kathrani concluded.
