Saratoga News
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Aileen Kao, Saratoga's newest mayor, waves to her crowd of supporters after unanimously being voted to the position by her fellow council members on Dec. 6.
Kao slides into mayor's chair in Saratoga
By Shannon Burkey
As she slides into her new role as the mayor of Saratoga, Aileen Kao said she hopes that the positive philosophy and attitude she plans on bringing to the city council will help to bring the community together--in fact, she feels it is her responsibility to see that it does.
"With the title comes leadership and responsibility," she said. "When I look at all the people who have supported me and helped me along the way, I think, 'I came from them and I am one of them,' so there is a big expectation for me to do well for the community."
After being voted in unanimously by her fellow council members on Dec. 6, Kao, the city's first Chinese-American mayor, took over the reins from Norman Kline.
In her position as vice mayor for the past year, she said she has watched and learned from Kline, but the gavel he held always seemed so heavy to her.
With the help and support of so many people, she said now that she is in the seat the weight has been lifted.
"I felt relieved knowing that so many people are supporting me," Kao said. "My supporters are there for me, and I can really count on them--that is why the gavel is now lighter."
In the upcoming year, she said she looks forward to working with the new council that includes two new members and two members that she has worked with since being elected to the council in 2004.
She said she knows that each of the council members had their own reasons for running for a volunteer job that requires a tremendous amount of time and energy, but in the end they all want to serve the same purpose.
"We may all be very different, but I know all us--from our hearts--just want to serve the community," she said. "I truly believe that there is a passion in each of us, and we will try to work together as a team to make the community proud of us and proud of the city."
During her term as mayor, Kao said she really wants to focus her attention on opening up communication between the council members and the residents of Saratoga. Before she became involved in city politics, she said she did not know about a lot of the issues taking place in the city that affected her and her neighbors, so she plans on making the council accessible to all Saratogans.
"We want to reach out to the community and let them know we are here for them," she said. "We are on the council for all of the people, and the people are there for us. I want us all to have an open dialogue."
One way she plans on beginning the dialogue is by making a promise to her constituents to respond to any questions they ask of her or the council within 48 hours.
"I may not always have an answer, but I will respond," she said. "Norman always took the lead and responded promptly to people on the council's behalf, and I will try to follow that lead."
Another issue Kao wants to work on during the coming year is bridging the cultural gaps in Saratoga.
"I thought about the cultural things because I come from another culture but have lived in the states for 30 years; therefore, I have an appreciation for and embrace both cultures. I want to introduce some of the values and cultural things I have experienced," she said.
Now that the election season is over and she and the new council are ready to begin their work for the community, she said she knows that their collective wisdom, experience, time and energy will take them far.
