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New faces set history in P.A. City Council election

The Palo Alto City Council will have a historic change in make-up change soon, with two minority candidates receiving the most votes Tuesday in the city's most crowded election. Five candidates, including two incumbents, were elected out of a field of 13. Among those who lost was Mayor Sandy Eakins

Hillary Freeman, the first African American woman elected to the council, received the most votes 7,933, or 15.2 percent,of the total ballots. Yoriko Kishimoto, who finished second, got 6,345 of the votes and will become council's first Asian-American member.

"It was a wonderful victory," Kishimoto said.

Among the three incumbents seeking for a reelection, Jim Burch and Victor Ojakian retained their seats, but trailed Kishimoto by 253 and 501 votes, respectively. Jack Morton, a newcomer, also won, The election was noteworthy, not only because it was the first time in 40 years a sitting mayor has lost but also because it shook the city council's all-white tradition.

The city has not seen a nonwhite council member for at least 20 years, according to the city's Clerk Office.

Roy Clay, an African-American, who served in the city council from 1973 to 1979, was reportedly the only council member of color in the city's history, even though from time to time minorities have run for office in Palo. But both Freeman and Kishimoto downplayed the significance of their ethinic background.

"I didn't run based on race, but on my passion for the community," Freeman, a 44-yearold software company manager, said. "I am thrilled that people would not base the election on the color of my skin, but on the issue I presented.,"

Similarly, Kishimoto, a 46-year-old business consultant and longtime community activist, , said she had not run because she is an Asian American.

"But I would like to serve as a 'role model' and 'access point' for Asian communities," she said. "Most Japanese and Chinese are not very participant in politics…They may feel more comfortable talking to me."

Asked about their top priorities, , Kishimoto expressed concerns about transportation and environmental protection, while Freeman named budgets, schools, and communication channels between the city council and local communities.

"I believe that people need to be heard and treated professionally, and things should be put on the table to be discussed and examined," Freeman said.

The three newcomers - Freeman, Kishimoto, and Morton -- will be inaugurated in January.

Wei Wang, another Asian-American woman who challenged Palo Alto's tradition of all-white city councils, said she was surprised by the small number of votes she received - 1,292 votes. But she said was happy to see Freeman and Kishimoto elected.

Wang, who came in 10th, said that "It was so nice to see the new faces. Minorities in Palo Alto have long been underrepresented in politics. It's time to have some balance.".

"They (Freeman and Kishimoto) don't really have to speak loudly on race" Wang said. "They will make a difference only by sitting there in the decision-making process."

Wang, a software engineer, said she was not sure whether she will run again, but she said she will continue to push for self-awareness of her Chinese-American groups.

"We have many people, but most are lukewarm in political affairs" she said. "They were thrilled upon hearing my intention to run, but few took actions to help."

The number of Asian Americans in Palo Alto has doubled in 10 years, according to The San Jose Mercury News.

According to the 2000 census data, Asian Americans were the largest group other than white in Palo Alto, making up 17 percent of the total population. White people were dominant ethnic group in the city at 76 percent, while African-Americans made up only 2 percent.