Press Releases

Excerpts from News Stories:

"Tracy Weighs Sports Facilities" — Tri Valley Herald, April 2006

Evelyn Tolbert said one thing larger than the $40 million on the table, the land donations, the aquatics center and the sports complex was weighing heavily oh her mind. She said there is no doubt the athletic fields and pool have long been "on the top of the list of things we need to have" in Tracy. "We can and do have developers come up with creative ideas to get to the front of the line. (If approved, future councils) will have very little say over the next 20 years over the direction of growth in the city."

"Developers Offer Tracy Water Park, Sports Park" — The Record, April 2006

City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert believes developer agreements allow "people with deeper pockets to move to the front of the line." Nevertheless, residents have long sought the two proposed projects and this would be a way to achieve them without taxpayer money and perhaps get them built faster. "As long as the City Council retains its ability to have final authority over land use in Tracy, then, yeah, its a legitimate way to get the things we want." Tolbert said.

"Tracy City Council Gives Itself A Raise" — Tracy Press, April 2006

The Tracy City Council voted to give itself a 10 percent raise this week.

The council agreed in a 4-1 vote to raise the monthly salary for four council members to $585 per month, up from $532 per month. The mayor’s salary includes an additional $100 per month. Councilwoman Suzanne Tucker, who’s running for the state Assembly, voted “no.”

Under state law, the maximum monthly salary for a council member from a city between 75,000 and 150,000 people is $600. The council, which had last given itself a raise in June 2004, is allowed an increase of 5 percent per year.

The raise won’t take effect until January 2007, after the new council is sworn in following this November’s general election. Mayor Dan Bilbrey is up for re-election, as are councilwomen Tucker and Evelyn Tolbert.

Tolbert said she supports higher salaries for elected officials because they affirm that people who serve on the council are professionals who deserve a paycheck for their work.

“I’ve kept busy 10 to 12 hours a day, and most of that I hope will have a positive impact on our community,” she said.

"Councilwoman: Increase Work, Raise Salaries" — Tri Valley Herald, April 2006

It's often a political powder keg, but Tracy City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert asked about it anyway. She said the city has been blessed during its long history for having dedicated elected officials, but the amount of work the council is doing now is on a par with a large city. "In a city that's already built out, they're more concerned about how to deal with increased volume, said Tolbert, who attended four city-related meetings on Friday alone. "In

Tracy, we're not only dealing with increase volume, but you also have to construct infrastructure and a social system. We're trying to do it while holding full-time jobs doing something else. "I recognize its going to take a consensus of the community to change it in such a way that its in line with the amount of work, Tolbert said. I'll talk about it every time to keep the thought out there and make sure we're attracting the high-caliber (elected) officials.

"OPINION Page: "Tracy City Council Full Time?" — The Record, April 2006

Evelyn Tolbert, a creative, energetic, enthusiastic council member, works at the job 40 hours a week or more. She's right about public expectations of "full-time service." But Tracy isn't ready for a full-time City Council, as Tolbert has suggested. Nor is any other city in the region.

"Developers Already Getting In Line to Build In Tracy" — The Record, March 2006

"When we had 1,500 RGAs to give out, we had lots of takers," City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said. "Now, we are firmly in the driver's seat. We can hang up the list of what we want, and if developers don't want to give it to us, they don't get to playing our back yard." "I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I don't think you just sell to the highest bidder, Tolbert said. "I don't know where the line is, but I know there's a line>" Tolbert said she might favor a process that would appropriate approximately 400 annual allotments to developers now, but she said she believes the council should remain in control of at least the final 200 for smaller projects, infill opportunities and affordable housing. "There's no way I'm going to give away all 600, Tolbert said. "The city has to retain a sizable number so we can grow the right way."

"Park Cleanup May Go To Ballot" — Tri Valley Herald, March 2006

Councilwoman Eelyn Tolbert applauded the efforts of the Zone 17 residents and for "taking control of their own area". "The more control we as citizens take for ourselves, our community, and even requiring the accountability of our elected officials, the stronger we are, she said. Tracy Mayor Dan Bilbrey said he was intrigued by a proposal from Tucker to crate a landscape commission, an idea that a majority of the council was willing to explore. Tolbert said she was supportive of the idea, but had some reservations. "My hesitation in creating a separate commission is in many instances, the more layers of government you get, the harder it is for the citizens to get to the people making the decisions, Tolbert said "Various levels of government make me nervous."

"Park Vote Put Off For Now" — Tracy Press, February 2006

Mayor Dan Bilbrey endorsed the ballot plan and said the city should move ahead with a special election even if only in one neighborhood, which could be used as a "pilot program" to demonstrate how effective a fee increase could be. Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert also favored the idea, saying homeowners in some neighborhoods "recognize that unless they go to the ballot now the problems will get worse".

"Cabaret Crooners" — Tracy Press, February 2006

Audience members enjoyed jazz and some comical song performances as the Tracy High School students rehearsed on Thursday evening for the fifth annual Smokey Blues Jazz Cabaret and Dinner Theatre. Other high school students and some public audience members came to watch the act, including Tracy City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert. "I'm here to be surprised, I'm to be pleased, and to see (Netto's) creative genius through these kids", she said. "He's done fabulous things with the kids here at Tracy High."

"City's College Campus Quest Continues" — Tracy Press, February 2006

The city hasn't given up its quest to lure a college campus to Tracy. "The idea of having a campus in Tracy is really very exciting to me, " Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said. "I like campus towns, I like the atmosphere - really, and there are very few things about college campuses I don't like." Tolbert said she travels to Berkeley to see plays and concerts put on by university students there, and she said a campus would serve as an economic engine for the city. "Once a college gets here, certain businesses will just naturally spring up," she said.

"Park Plans Occurring In Secret?" — Tri Valley Herald, January 2006

Tracy councilwoman accuses staff of violating Brown Act....At Tuesdays council meeting, Councilwoman Irene Sundberg accused city officials of "negotiating for acreage that hasn't been brought to the council" in public or private sessions. "If we're doing business like that again, we're doing it behind closed doors and we need to perform our business in public," Sundberg said. Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert, who took umbrage at Sundberg's accusations, said if someone is guilty of doing something troubling and not appropriate, they should be revealed. "I really don't like that just being plopped out there," Tolbert said. "I think the people should have specific facts instead of hearing any allegations and generalizations without names and dates and places."

"Martin Luther King Jr. Honored" — Tri Valley Herald, January 2006

Keena Tuner was the keynote speaker for the 10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast in Tracy. Tracy City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said the students involved with this year's breakfast should be proud of their efforts. "This event gets better and stronger each year, and it's the kids that rally keep it going", she said. "In the beginning the adults were the glue, but it has gotten to the point now that the kids are providing the energy and the manpower. This program has turned into the central appreciation that is shown by the city for Martin Luther King and his legacy.".

"Helping All Ages Build Reading Skills" — The Record, November 2005

Mary Fehrenbacher provides one-on-one instruction in the Tracy Branch Library's adult literacy program. The avid reader and library patron started after spotting an ad seeking volunteer tutors about four months ago. City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert praised the efforts of those involved. "The literacy program is one of the most valuable assets of the library, even though it's quiet. Its impact is immeasurable," she said.

"Public Officials School Students For A Day" — Tracy Press, November 2005

(Picture caption) Suggestions: City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert explains her role in city government to students and others gathered for Teen Legislation Day on Monday. "Form some ideas on issues that are important for you and your family," Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said. "Whatever it is, you can do what you want to do in 2005 in Tracy: Six panelists - councilwomen Tolbert, Irene Sundberg and Suzanne Tucker, parks commissioners James Atkins and Gene Birk and Youth Commissioner Sona Makker - talked about why they entered public service. Juvenile court Judge Barbara Kronlund gave a speech on how to build character.

"Bowtie Development A Knotty Problem" — The Record, July 2005

City officials have long debated what to build in Tracy's vacant Bowtie section, but residents in the X-shaped district say no one has asked them. Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said she doesn't think a committee is necessary but does feel the city could do a better job of listening to the public's suggestions. Tolbert has compiled many of those suggestions into a composite proposal. The ideas include designating the area as a brown fields revitalization property - polluted land eligible for government grants to pay cleanup costs - and building three-story structures for residential and business use. Contamination issues have slowed development of the Bowtie. Tolbert's composite plan also includes a suggestion for building the city's proposed aquatics center there. "Why put a pool in where people already have pools? She said. "Why not do it where people's backyards are too small for pools."

"Shouting match Caps City Council Meeting" — The Tracy Press, July 2005

A shouting match erupted between a City Council member and a local activist Tuesday night that brought the long-winded council meeting to an intense and dramatic end. Mark Connolly, a slow-growth activist who is a regular at council meetings, called Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert's actions "disgusting"; while Tolbert said she was glad the city channel was recording Connolly's "rudeness". Connolly and his wife, Celeste Garamendi, said representatives of building interests influenced the position of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. They urged the city not to pursue certification at the expense of what they call "kowtowing" to builders' pressure. But Tolbert said she didn't believe the state could be swayed by building industry lobbyists and she wanted to have a state-certified housing plan. That touched off an angry outburst by Connolly, who said Tolbert spoke in favor of not seeking state approval. Weeks after Tolbert said at a council meeting that testing for contamination in the area would be premature, she started to circulate a plan for the city to work with developers to build there. Tuesday night, Tolbert asked Connolly to stop addressing her personally "for the rest of my life' and instead refer to her as "Councilperson Tolbert." Connolly said Tolbert should go to the public first to form a Bow-Tie plan instead of consulting a developer.

"Tracy Council Member Calls For Training" — The Record, July 2005

Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said she liked the idea of a group workshop, especially if Californians Aware would be willing to leave materials behind that would allow the city to conduct ongoing training. "I definitely like the idea of including commission members, board members and advisory members," she said.

"Women of Color Awards" — The Record, April 2005

Evelyn Tolbert, a Tracy city Councilwoman, formed two nonprofit groups, the Tracy Nonprofit Coalition and the Tracy Performing Arts Foundation. The groups helped fund scholarships to high school seniors.

"Chamber To Award 15 Women For Contributions" — The Record, April 2005

Tracy's Evelyn Tolbert admits to having a good year. And the San Joaquin County African-American Chamber of Commerce has noticed it. Tolbert will be among 10 women and five teens honored at the Chamber's annual Women of Color Awards on Saturday. Tolbert, a Tracy city councilwoman would seem to have enough on her plate with grueling City Council agendas. But in 2004, she formed two nonprofit groups, the Tracy Non-profit Coalition and the Tracy Performing Arts Foundation. The arts foundation was formed when the musical Tolbert writes each year, "Tracy, Our Town USA" mad a profit. "We were a success and made money, Tolbert said. So she formed a nonprofit to give out scholarships. "We gave away three $5,000 scholarships to performing arts seniors, " Tolbert said. "And we're going to do even better this year." In the rest of her free time, Tolbert manages to do even more. She's a trustee for the Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, a volunteer recruiter for Habitat for Humanity, an organizer of the Golden Agers seniors group, on of the originators of the annual Tracy Women's Forum and of the Star Quest youth talent competition coming up in May. "I'm retired," Tolbert said. "I'm blessed with good ideas and a background that lends itself to community service."

"Nomura, Tolbert Among 10 Honored" — Tri Valley Herald, April 2005

Former Stockton Vice Mayor Gloria Nomura and Tracy City Councilwoman Eelyn Tolbert are among the 10 adult honorees who will be given the Women of Color Award at a special banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Stockton Inn.

"City Punts Calvary Chapel's Downtown Storefront Plan" — Tracy Press, April 2005

The fate of Calvary Chapel Tracy's quest for a downtown home remains murky as a split City Council asked staff Tuesday night to do more work on the church's conditional use permit application before it's discussed again early next month. Councilman Brent Ives also said that he needed more information to make a decision, while his two female colleagues took the polar stands. Suzanne Tucker embraced the church plan, and Evelyn Tolbert made clear that her commitment to a revitalized downtown outweighed her sympathy with the congregation's pursuit. 

"New Growth Cap boundary Includes Slab Of Empty Land" — Tracy Press, April 2005

The Tracy City Council on Tuesday approved a compromise on the city's growth cap that will add land for nearly 170 new homes while clearing the way for building on smaller parcels scattered around town. Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said she is confident city officials will focus on developing vacant parcels in town rather than on the outskirts. "Measure A has some positive elements to it," she said. "It puts us in a position to more readily get what we want from builders in this town."

"Details Emerge On New City Manager" — The Record, March 2005

Tracy City Council members say they knew their new city manager was forced to resign from his job in Fresno, but they believe Daniel G. Hobbs is the right man at the right time for Tracy's top job. "Moving from one city to another is sort of the nature of the beast," Tracy City Council member Evelyn Tolbert said. In a resignation letter submitted to Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, Hobbs called his service in Fresno "the highlight of my career." "Essentially, the mayor forced him out, " said Jim Davis, the Fresno Bee reporter who covers city politics. Tolbert said she knows Autry through their mutual association in the League of California Cities. As a strong mayor who recently was elected to his second term, Autry is known to forcefully rule his city, Tolbert said. Autry, a former professional football player and actor known for his role as Bubba Skinner in the television series "In the Heat of the Night," hired Hobbs to oversee the city's 3,800 employees in 2001.From what I know of Autry, they may have had a clash over some policy, or Autry didn't think (Hobbs) was the right guy to carry out what he wanted to do," Tolbert said. Tolbert said Autry provided the Tracy City Council a glowing recommendation for Hobbs. She also said council members checked several other references, including those supplied by their consultant, Bob Murray of Sacrament. She said the council unanimously approved hiring Hobbs, who will be in charge of a staff that has grown to 400 employees over the past decade.

"Tracy Finds New City Manager" — Tri-Valley Herald, March, 2005

"It turns out the Tracy City Council may have hired its first choice for city manager after all. Tracy City councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert said Hobbs was an excellent candidate. She said he brings tools with him from a bigger city to a place where those tools are going to soon be needed. "I'm excited about this guy," Tolbert said. "He has a strong background in economic development and a strong position on economic diversity and how you go about getting that appreciated across the city>"

"Our Voice: Bouquet" — Tracy Press, January 17, 2005

 To entrepreneur Keena Turner and Tracy City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert for being named citizens of the year and recognized at Friday night's Tracy Chamber of Commerce gala. Both have given back to our community on numerous occasions through charity fund raising and civic involvement.

"Turner, Tolbert Top Citizens For '04" — Tracy Press, January 14, 2005

Both Keena Turner and Evelyn Tolbert came to Tracy about a decade ago after retiring from high profile, heavy-pressure careers, Turner from professional football and Tolbert from city government. Both could've settled here quietly. But because they didn't, both are being honored as the male and female citizens of the year by the Tracy Chamber of Commerce tonight.

A list of Tolbert's activities is also impressive. In addition to being a member of the Tracy City Council, Tolbert helped form and is a member of the Golden Agers senior activity group, helped to create and is a member of the Tracy Nonprofit Coalition, founded and still works on the Tracy Women's Forum to honor Tracy's female leaders and is a founding member of the Tracy Performing Arts Foundation. Then there's Habitat for Humanity, the city's library advisory board, an advisory board for Deuel Vocational Institution and the congregation at Good News Missionary Baptist Church. "I love doing things, and if I hear about something that sounds interesting, then I'm all over that," she said. Ben Rose, president of the Tracy Nonprofit Coalition, said Tolbert's faith and her commitment to the town drive her. " She's one of the most active community members we have, " he said, adding that Tolbert is good at enlisting other people in her causes as well. Both Tolbert and Turner said that the award is flattering, but also not something they sought out. Turner said that the best part is that, as a Citizen of the Year winner, he can now nominate others for the award in the future. For Tolbert, who worked for the city of San Jose in human resource, recreation, code enforcement and other departments before retiring, her first thought on getting the award was how to decline: "I initially thought 'how can I gracefully say no' she said, "But it is an honor in terms of the company I will be in.

"Preferential Treatment Aim of Proposal" — The Record, November 21, 2004

City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert is proposing to give local companies more preferential treatment when bidding for city contracts. The city now allows Tracy-based businesses a 1 percent advantage over outside companies. Few companies have succeeded in winning Tracy city bids within the small margin, Tolbert said, which is why she has recommended raising the advantage to 5 percent. "We need to be good stewards of the taxpayers' moneys, and such rules are designed to provide the public protection from a number of possibly untoward results, " she said. "But this rigid rule has resulted in a situation that is not in Tracy's best interest: Local businesses have been given a 5 percent advantage for the past 18 months in San Joaquin County.  "As long as we're not restricting free trade and commerce, we want to make it possible to give any possible edge for local vendors, ": San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Gutierrez said. "We want to keep our local dollars local and make sure our community is employed." Tolbert agreed. "Such a rule would strengthen our stated objectives of attracting and supporting Tracy business," she said. "It would be our collective way of saying "Thank you" for the support of our business community."

"Tolbert, Turner Named Tracy's Citizens of the Year" — The Record, November 20, 2004

Former San Francisco 49er Keena Turner and City Councilwoman Evelyn Tolbert were named Citizens of the Year to headline the Tracy Chamber of Commerce's annual community awards.

Tolbert was elected to the Tracy City Council in 1998 after serving on the Planning Commission. She is a trustee of Sutter Tracy Memorial Hospital, president of the Tracy Women's Forum Association, which she organized in 1999, and helped form the Tracy Youth Advisory Commission. She serves numerous other citywide committees and organizations, including the West Side Pioneers. Tolbert created the musical "Tracy, Our Town, USA" for which she wrote the book, lyrics, and music. Tolbert is a retired attorney and credentialed community college instructor. She worked for the City of San Jose for more than 20 years.

"Chamber Recognizes Local Leaders" — Tracy Press, November 19, 2004

PR Full Articles:

• Arts scholarships are now available—Annual musical production to support performing arts in Tracy
  Tri-Valley Herald
  By Aaron Swarts—San Joaquin Bureau
  Published Thursday, February 12, 2004

• Pictures to cherish—Tracy councilwoman wants to give foster kids their baby photos
  Stockton Record
  By Emil Guillermo—Record Staff Writer
  Published Friday, February 13, 2004

Page Updated: June 2006