My name is Gabe Teran (he/him/él), and I currently and proudly serve as the Oxnard City Councilmember for District 2.
I am a nearly life-long resident of the City of Oxnard - a town that I have called home for all of my adult life, and most of my childhood. My family has been in Oxnard for over 100 years, and my children are fourth generation Oxnard residents. This is a town that I know and love.
In my lifetime, I have seen many changes come to Oxnard - many are positive, many are ongoing challenges. Identifying and addressing the challenges while highlighting the positive has become a personal mission. In making this my mission, I recognize that I cannot do this alone. Engaging my fellow residents and our communities is a missing ingredient - one that our city desperately needs in order to reach its full potential.
The combination of my ability to engage people, my capacity to facilitate positive community change, and my relevant education and work experience make me the best choice to continue to represent our District.
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City
Involvement
Chair, Fremont South Neighborhood Council
Jun 2018 - Feb 2021
Elected by neighborhood residents
Engage residents and hold open and inclusive public meetings to allow communication between the neighborhood and the City of Oxnard
Act as liaison between neighborhood residents and City staff
Preside over all regular and special meetings of the General Membership and of the Executive Board
Appoint and dissolve committees
Respond to questions concerning procedures and business of the Neighborhood Council
Attend INCO General Membership meetings as a voting member
Vice Chair, Oxnard Inter Neighborhood Council Organization (INCO)
Nov 2018 - Nov 2020
Elected by peer-level Neighborhood Council Chairs
Facilitate meetings as Chair in Chairperson’s absence
Aid in development of INCO General
Membership meetings
Conduct special projects as assigned by INCO General Membership or INCO Chair
Present on special projects to General Membership and the public
Engage the public and neighborhoods for continuous improvement of the Neighborhood Council system
Commissioner,
Parks, Recreation, & Community Services Commission
2017 - 2021
Advise the Oxnard City Council on all matters pertaining to parks, recreation, and community services activity in the city
Serve as a liaison between City Council and the community in aforementioned jurisdictional areas
Advise city staff on future parks and recreation programming
Provide opportunities for public input on aforementioned jurisdictional areas
My Priority Areas
Continued Restoration of Our City Services
Perhaps you've noticed the recent improvements in maintenance of our city's parks, landscaping, roads, and our recreation services. This is is due to our City Council's dedication to restoring these services. So far, $5.6M of Measure E funding has been put toward the restoration of these vital services.
I am proud to have been part of the solution in bringing many of these services back to our city and improving quality of life for our residents. Our residents deserve a city they can truly be proud to call, "home."
Investing in Our Youth
The entirety of my nearly 20-year career has been dedicated to serving Ventura County youth - especially our youth who come from challenging life circumstances, and don't always get opportunities for positive support.
I have studied, researched, and developed programming locally and across the state to best serve young people. I know the science and best practices behind what opportunities can best serve Oxnard youth.
Investing in today's youth will prevent and reduce our need in the future for services such as juvenile probation, intervention programs, and drug treatment.
Equity for All Oxnard Residents
Much of my career has also been dedicated to working directly with challenged communities and underserved populations. I deeply understand the many complexities of the social and financial pressures they face.
I have also had the privilege to work hand-in-hand with many community-serving organizations who strive to provide equitable access and services for all residents. I have either provided direct services or been the connection to services for so many.
I see immense opportunity for our City in leveraging my knowledge and collaborative connections in enhancing our services for all residents.
Career
A key factor for my viability is one of experience - both professional and personal. I have spent much of my 18-year career working with our local school districts, municipalities, and our county government. Part of my work has charged me with working collaboratively with front line staff, administrators, and elected officials. I not only have a deep handle on the structure and function of local government, but I have also trained youth and adult educators from across the county in how to approach and work with these multiple levels of government. Additionally, through my work with our county school systems, I have had a key role in providing technical assistance and training to our county's educators to support health and wellness initiatives for Ventura County youth and families.
From a personal perspective, I have spent nearly all of my life living in the City of Oxnard, and in District 2. I also am a young man of Latin heritage and feel strongly that our many residents who communicate in languages other than English deserve to have information and provide input in their preferred language. I have also come to know every Neighborhood Council Chair in the District, and have positive working relationships with each of them. I have dedicated much of my spare time to serving the residents of our City and District 2.
2008 - 2022 - Ventura County Office of Education, Operations Specialist Comprehensive Health and Prevention Programs Department
2003 - 2008 - Pacifica High School, Youth Advocate (Contracted) Title IV Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Grant
2002-2008 - Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) of Ventura County, Inc.,
Counselor, Adolescent Substance Use Disorders Treatment
Education
2017 – 2018
Western Governor’s University
- Master of Science, Management and Leadership
2014 – 2016
Western Governor’s University
- Bachelor of Science, Information Technology
2007 – 2008
Oxnard College
- Associate’s Degree in Addictive Disorders Studies
- Completed Addictive Disorder Studies program 2002
- Dean’s List and consistent 3.73 GPA
1998 – 2002
Oxnard College
2000 – 2001
Oxnard High School
1998 – 2001
Adolfo Camarillo High School