David Terrazas MBA ’01, J.D. ’06, has been re-elected to the Santa Cruz City Council. He is a manager with Valley Transit Authority.
Terrazas, 45, wants to strengthen connections with UC Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley, saying the city’s proximity to both communities provides ample opportunities for Santa Cruz to grow its reputation as a tech incubator. Terrazas wants to help create additional jobs so fewer people have to commute over the hill for higher-paying employment in the tech sector. He also plans to continue to work to make parks and beaches safer and cleaner, while replacing aging infrastructure.
As chair of the council’s public safety committee, Terrazas was instrumental in garnering support for a pilot program with county law enforcement and social services to identify repeat low-level offenders downtown and funnel them into treatment and supportive housing. The data from the Downtown Accountability Program’s first four months has showed promise in reducing recidivism on Pacific Avenue and nearby streets, and the council has extended the pilot to gather more data.
Terrazas also is chair of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries governing board, which has managed planning for a 2015 vote on a special tax to tackle $63 million in facilities improvements.
Terrazas has lived in Santa Cruz for 25 years after growing up in the San Lorenzo Valley and San Jose, where he earned his bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University in political science. He also earned law and business degrees from Santa Clara University.
Terrazas’ wife, Monica, works at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. They have three children.