Berlant named State Fire Marshal, steps down from Auburn City Council

As you may have read in Wednesday's Auburn Journal, I was appointed earlier this month as California's next State Fire Marshal. This is the state's highest-ranking fire prevention official, working to keep all Californians safe from fire. Sadly, I must step down from my seat on the Auburn City Council. Serving my hometown for nearly a decade has been such an honor and truly a privilege. When I ran for City Council, I was laser focused on addressing fire department staffing concerns, along with increasing wildfire risk to our entire community. I am pleased to look back and know that not only did we make major expansions in Auburn's public safety, but we tackled a long list of varying important issues. In 2020, I was voted unanimously by the council to serve as mayor during the pandemic. This was one of the most challenging times in our nation, not only politically but economically. We worked hard to keep our residents safe, informed and open for business. This was, and is, only accomplished thanks to the hard work of our residents, city employees, business owners, Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood groups, service clubs, non-profits and the countless organizations that give their time to make Auburn a better place to live. In my nearly 10 years on the council, I've worked with so many hardworking council members, including my friend Sandy Amara. Many don't realize the huge time commitment, while practically volunteering, it takes to lead a small city. That commitment extends to our hardworking Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson, who has always been so responsive to addressing Auburn's concerns. She is always there to discuss how the county can better partner with the city. When you add her along with many of her fellow supervisors like Bonnie Gore, plus our own City Planning Commissioners, and the myriad of other local electeds serving our community, amazing work gets done! When I reflect on growing up in Auburn, a lot has changed from our once sleepy town. As a child, my father would bring me along to all the various Auburn community events and meetings. He instilled community service into me at an impressionable age. While at Placer High, I had the opportunity to job-shadow Alice Dowdin Calvillo during her first term on the City Council. She toured me around the State Capitol and provided an inside view on local and state politics. Fast forward about 15 years later, and it's been an honor to now serve side-by-side with her on the council. I truly wouldn't have been able to manage a full-time career, sitting on the council and attending as many events as possible if it wasn't for my wife, Kristen. With a full-time job of her own while raising our son, she has always sacrificed to pick up the slack at home to allow me to be successful. It's true that next to every elected leader is an equally hardworking spouse. In my new position, I will still represent Auburn on fire-related issues, but now I expand my support to all Californians. From wildfire prevention to fire codes, I will work to keep Auburn, Placer County and California protected against fire. Sunday, Oct. 15, will sadly be my last day on the City Council, but I will continue to support my fellow councilmembers, city staff and all of you with anything you need. I'm not going away, so I hope to still see you at our popular parades, amazing events or local businesses. I know my good friend Jackie Weston will wrangle me into volunteering at plenty of events, and you can bet I'll have my little guy Jackson with me. Thank you, Auburn, for allowing me to serve you on the City Council for all these years.