Mike Holmes announces candidacy for Auburn council council

By Erin Gallup-Main, Journal Staff WriterWhen residents cast their vote for the Auburn City Council on Nov. 5, J. Mike Holmes said his name will be on the ballot.The fifth-generation native of Auburn said he wanted to run for a four-year term to ?do his part? to meet the challenges of the future.?My family has established a tradition of public service to the local community starting with a great uncle, who served as a Placer County supervisor,? he said. ?Most of my professional life as a Naval officer, diplomat, educator and citizen has been dedicated to service to the country and my community. I attribute the successes I?ve had in my career to the values and education I received while growing up in this community. The quality of life in Auburn is important to all of us.?Holmes said, if he were elected, he would like the council to take another look at the master plan.?I think it?s important that we try to maintain as much as possible and keep the quality of life in Auburn,? he said. ?I?m not against progress, but it needs to be measured against why people move here in the first place.?The 1958 Placer High School graduate received an associates degree at Sierra Community College, a bachelor?s degree in history from the California State University in San Francisco, a master?s degree in political science and Asian studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a master?s degree in public administration at the Golden Gate University.?If I?m elected, I may be the only member of the city council that speaks Chinese,? he joked.Holmes served in the Navy for 24 years and taught at various schools for 15 years. He said he is now working as a freelance historical writer. Family friend Don Yamasaki said he?s been impressed with Holmes? integrity and honesty since high school.?Another important thing is his historical interest in Auburn and things that happened to make the community the way it is today,? Yamasaki said. ?I think he would be a great addition to the city council.?George Lay, president of the Historical Society, said he?s known Homes since the ?60s and has worked with him in the historical organization. ?He?s doing some interesting things in Auburn,? Lay said. ?He?s heading the Auburn War Memorial. He?s a very efficient person and he?s learning our history very well, even though he is part of history, with his family.? Holmes also serves as a trustee of the Auburn Cemetery District and is a member of the Placer County Historical Advisory Board. He is president of the Placer County Council of the Navy League, director of the Placer County Historical Society and a member of the Auburn Rotary Club.Holmes said he not only does a lot of research for historical pieces, but on city issues.?I?m in the process of examining a number of issues that may face the council in the next few years,? he said. ?I?m not running on a one-issue basis.? The 62-year-old Auburn resident spoke about one item, in which the council is currently collaborating with several community organizations and school districts to produce. Holmes said he is glad the groups are building a community park out of the 4.3 acres behind City Hall, formerly Lincoln Way School. ?I?m certainly in favor of the community park. When I went to the Auburn grammar school we had some outdoor activities in the Cooper Amphitheater,? he said. ?I think that project gives an opportunity to bring the downtown and Old Town together.? The Auburn Journal?s Erin Gallup-Main can be reached at ering@goldcountrymedia.com.