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Sam Ochi named new finance commissioner
Sam Ochi, an engineer who designs and researches semiconductor chips, was sworn in as finance commissioner Dec. 1. Commissioners Ernest Brookfield, Al Roten and Chuck Swan were reappointed.
Ochi, 53, has lived in Saratoga since 1995. He is a trustee of Cupertino Union Church and serves on the board of directors of the Good Government Group of Saratoga.
Ochi works as the director of integrated circuits, research and development at Ixys Corp. in Santa Clara. Much of his job involves meeting schedules and budgetary requirements for projects, which will help him on the finance commission, he said.
"I would like to learn more about the day-to-day workings of the city and also the politics and personalities behind the city," Ochi said. He said he also decided to become involved in local government because he wants to make sure Saratoga is maintained the way it is now.
As a commissioner, Ochi wants to research whether Saratoga can retain a greater portion of its property taxes. He said he believes a disproportionate amount goes to the county and the state.
"I'd like to do my part to see possibly a larger part [of that money] coming back," Ochi said. "I think everybody in Saratoga is trying to figure out how we can do that."
Ochi said that, more than anything else, curiosity led him to apply for the commission seat. The next meeting of the Finance Commission is scheduled for Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
