Patterson’s newly appointed council member offers views of issues, Del Puerto Canyon
Alfred Parham began his second appointed term on the Patterson City Council two weeks ago, aiming to again bring his experience to the legislative body on a temporary basis.
Parham, 86, filled the vacancy for District B caused by voters electing Dennis McCord Mayor, but said he does not plan to run in the November 2022 election because of his age.
“Maybe there’s a purpose of my being around to serve out the terms of persons moving to mayor here,” Parham said. “This is the second time it has happened. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time to be of service.”
From February 2017 to December 2019, Parham finished then-Mayor Deborah Novelli’s term as a council member. The council selected Parham out of 12 applicants, but he could not run in 2018 because the seat shifted from at-large to District D only. Parham has lived in the same District B home in southeast Patterson from his first appointment to now.
On Jan. 26, the council voted 3-1 to appoint Parham, choosing him over former Mayor Luis Molina and political newcomer Jessica Romero. Council Member Shivaugn Alves cast the only dissenting vote and said she preferred Molina, who served as mayor from 2010 to 2016 and endorsed her in the 2020 election.
In the year since he last served on the council, Parham said he has been active in the Patterson Federated Church as a Bible studies teacher and lay and worship leader. Parham said he has also volunteered with the Patterson Hammon Senior Center. He previously served on the center’s Board of Directors before his first appointment to the council.
Now, Parham said he sees downtown revitalization and homelessness as two of the city’s most pressing issues. To meet residents’ needs, he said he intends to reach out and bring feedback for the council to discuss.
“Most of the issues that are important for the growth and development of a small municipality are on the table for consideration,” Parham said. “A need for a person like myself is just to be there to support that. It’s not necessary that I bring a groundswell of new ideas to the council agenda because the city is moving in a positive and progressive direction.”
As for the planned Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir in the hills west of Patterson, Parham said he is in favor of the project because it may benefit the area. The Del Puerto Water District approved the roughly $500 million reservoir in October, but environmental groups sued to stop it in November.
Parham, the only African American on the council, added he is proud to serve at his age and wants to help diverse residents participate in city discussions.
Before moving to Patterson in 2011, Parham’s career ranged from working for the city of Oakland and University of California, Berkeley, owning a business, to producing a cable TV show. Parham holds a graduate degree in public administration and a B.A. in social work from California State University, East Bay and San Francisco respectively.
The next regular Patterson City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. and members of the public can participate via teleconference.
This story was originally published February 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
