AMY
CALLAGHAN
for CLAYTON CITY COUNCIL
Fresh Voice, Solid Choice
I have been a proud Clayton resident and homeowner since 2002, raising two children alongside my husband, Chris.
With a degree in Business Management, I am a Senior Commercial Property Manager with over 30 years’ experience working with large property and facility budgets, project management, planning, development, and redevelopment. I have extensive experience working with city governments and local agencies throughout the Bay Area. I have held a real estate license since 1998 and am certified with the Building Owners and Managers Association as a Real Property Administrator. I write, review, and operate contracts every day while mentoring staff and helping to grow companies and portfolios.
My pledge is to bring back civility, accountability, and accessibility to the Council and to use my work-life experience, together with my love of Clayton, to champion safety, education, and infrastructure enhancements throughout the city, and to build revenue to keep Clayton prosperous. I would be honored to have your vote.
- Amy Callaghan
Why I'm Running
It started with the sidewalks.
Chris and I walk our dogs through Clayton's neighborhoods and trails regularly, and over the years we've watched the condition of sidewalks and trails deteriorate. The busy intersection near our home has needed attention for years, with promised sidewalk improvements long overdue. When that project finally showed signs of life, I started attending City Council meetings to follow its progress, and what I learned there changed everything.
Clayton is facing a serious budget challenge. City reserves have been steadily depleted, and Federal and State grant funds have been held, missed, or not yet used due to gaps in staffing continuity and institutional knowledge. These are funds our fellow residents have already paid for through their Federal and State taxes. Clayton deserves to have every dollar it's entitled to sought aggressively, managed carefully, and put to work keeping our city safe, beautiful, and well-maintained.
The sales tax measure now on the ballot reflects the Council's effort to address this, but before we ask our neighbors to pay more, we owe it to them to make sure we're making the most of what we already have. A thorough review of the City's financial history, contracts, and assessed needs is long overdue. That's exactly the kind of work I do professionally, and I'm ready to bring it home to Clayton.
On Safety & Infrastructure
Maintaining safe streets, sidewalks, trails, and public spaces isn't a luxury; it's a basic obligation to our residents. Not only is it part of neighborhood beautification, but it is also part of solid risk management strategy. I will prioritize clearing the backlog of deferred maintenance and ensuring that infrastructure projects don't stall due to administrative gaps. Our city is small, but our standards shouldn't be.
Housing is one of the most uncomfortable topics in Clayton, and one of the most important. I understand the concerns: traffic, infrastructure strain, and the deep desire to protect what makes this city special. Those concerns are valid and I share them. But ignoring the challenge won’t make it go away. Additionally, leaving it to the state to decide for us isn’t what we need, either. It should be something we thoughtfully plan on our own.
Clayton should lead this conversation, collaborating with neighboring cities and the County to develop housing and transportation solutions that meet our obligations while preserving our character. Hard conversations are worth having when the alternative is losing control of our own future.
On Housing
Community Trust & Well-Being
Safety: Ensuring Clayton remains one of the safest communities in California. I will actively support our local law enforcement, improve emergency preparedness, and promote neighborhood safety programs.
Accessibility: Staying deeply connected and reachable to every single resident. I will hold regular community hours, provide multiple channels for feedback, and ensure city halls and public spaces are inclusive for all.
Fiscal/Financial Responsibility: Protecting your tax dollars through disciplined budgeting. I will focus on maintaining a balanced budget, maintaining healthy reserves, and avoiding unnecessary debt.
Effective Allocation of Resources: Directing city funds to where they are needed most. I will prioritize funding for critical infrastructure, public safety, and essential community services that directly impact your quality of life.
Efficient City Management: Streamlining city operations to eliminate waste and bureaucracy. I will work closely with city staff to modernize services, cut red tape, and optimize everyday processes.
Fiscal & Operational Management:
Governance & Leadership
Stable and Strong Leadership: Delivering consistent, reliable direction for Clayton. I will make decisive choices based on long-term community benefits rather than short-term political pressures.
Accountability: Taking full ownership of all council decisions and city outcomes. I will ensure that the city council remains answerable to the residents for every policy enacted.
Transparency: Providing open, easy access to all city proceedings, voting records, and decision-making processes. Residents will never have to guess how or why a decision was made.
Honesty: Communicating with absolute truthfulness and clarity about the challenges and opportunities facing our city. I promise authentic dialogue without political spin.
"I'm proud to endorse Amy for Clayton City Council. I've seen firsthand her commitment to our community, her strong leadership, and her willingness to listen. I believe Amy will work hard, lead with integrity, and represent Clayton well. I encourage you to join me in supporting Amy in the upcoming election." - Christine Sinclair
A Final Word
Now that my children are grown and nearly out the door, I'm ready to give back to the city that gave so much to our family. I bring professional expertise in exactly the areas where Clayton needs help the most: budgets, financial analysis, capital planning, and getting results from complex systems.
But more than my résumé, I bring my thirty years of loving this place. I know these streets. I know these neighbors. And I am committed to making sure Clayton remains the remarkable community it has always been.
I would be honored to earn your vote.
Amy Callaghan