I’m running to listen first, respect the work already being done, protect what’s working, and help make H.A.R.D. work for every generation, while bringing new energy and focus to what comes next.
Our full campaign website is on the way. In the meantime, these are the priorities that will help guide this campaign and the conversations ahead as we listen, learn, and build toward H.A.R.D.’s next chapter.
The Hayward Area Recreation & Park District, nicknamed “H.A.R.D.,” is the public agency this campaign is seeking to help govern. H.A.R.D. is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, with each Director elected by area. Area 4, or “A4,” is the community I’m running to represent.
As a Fairview native, this is the community that raised me. For 19 years, Area 4 has had the same representative. I believe we can respect that history and the work H.A.R.D. is already doing while recognizing the value of a new perspective, new energy, and a new generation of leadership.
H.A.R.D. serves more than 309,000 residents through parks, trails, facilities, and recreation programs that bring our communities together. Behind them are dedicated staff who maintain these spaces, create programs, plan improvements, and serve residents every day.
As our communities grow and change, I want to listen before prescribing solutions, understand our parks and neighborhoods firsthand, protect our open spaces and the plants and wildlife that call them home, watch taxpayer dollars carefully, and help move good plans forward.
Five Canyons Park is part of the community where I grew up in Fairview. I spent my childhood playing baseball here and around Alameda County, from T-ball through high school varsity baseball, before leaving the Bay Area for college at UC San Diego.
Now I’m running to represent the community that helped raise me.
It means moving from planning to progress. The plans have been developed. The research has been done. The priorities have been identified. Now, it is about putting those plans into action, investing thoughtfully, following through on projects, and making sure Area 4 sees results from the plans and resources already in place.
Breaking ground is not about tearing down what came before. It is about taking the good ideas, thoughtful planning, and community priorities that have already been researched and developed, and helping turn them into results residents can actually see and experience.
Our communities are growing, bringing new housing, businesses, infrastructure, and development. Growth should strengthen our neighborhoods without sacrificing our parks, open spaces, natural resources, or quality of life.
Some developments simply are not the right fit for our community. I oppose data centers in, near, or around Area 4. Our land, natural resources, neighborhoods, and quality of life deserve better.
MORE INFO COMING SOON. CLICK FOR QUESTIONS.H.A.R.D. is one district made up of five elected areas. My responsibility would begin with listening to and representing Area 4, but every Director shares responsibility for the success of the entire district. Strong representation and collaboration can, and should, go together.
Area 4 includes Fairview, parts of Castro Valley, portions of Hayward, the surrounding hills, and nearby neighborhoods. It is a diverse community of neighborhoods, families, students, young professionals, veterans, first time home buyers, retirees, open spaces, and shared public places, each with its own character and priorities. Area 4 is home, whether you have lived here your entire life or only recently made it yours.
Help Build the Campaign
You can learn a lot from plans, reports, and maps. But you learn something different by actually showing up. Throughout this campaign, I’m going to visit every H.A.R.D. park and facility in Area 4. I want to walk the grounds, see how these spaces are being used, talk with the people who use them, listen to the staff who care for them, and understand firsthand what is working and where we can do better.
Follow along as we explore Area 4, meet the people who use these spaces, celebrate what is working, and listen for what could be better.
Sulphur Creek Nature Center is one of Area 4’s unique community resources, bringing together parks, wildlife, environmental education, and open space.
*Existing facility and concept imagery shown for informational purposes. Concept imagery reflects planning for the future Discovery Center and is subject to change.
There is already progress to build on. Improvements were completed in 2024, H.A.R.D. expanded the park with additional land in 2025, and planning is underway for what comes next.
What comes next? Listen to the community. Protect what makes Sulphur Creek special. Invest thoughtfully. Follow through on the plans and investments already made, and turn good planning into results residents can see and experience.
Measure F1 gave H.A.R.D. resources to invest in parks, facilities, and community spaces. As projects move forward, residents deserve to know what was promised, what has been completed, what comes next, and how those investments are improving their communities.
Good stewardship does not end when a plan is approved. It means following through, communicating clearly, and making sure public investments deliver lasting value for residents.
If elected, I want Area 4 residents to be able to easily understand what is happening with the projects, parks, and public investments that affect their community. My commitment is to provide clear, easy-to-read updates so residents can see what is planned, what has been funded, what is underway, and what has been completed.
Some residents will want every update. Others may only check in when a project affects their neighborhood. Either way, the information should be easy to find and easy to understand.
Be accessible, listen to residents, know our parks and neighborhoods, and make sure Area 4 has an active voice.
Bring independent judgment and new ideas while collaborating with fellow Directors, H.A.R.D. staff, community partners, and residents.
Protect what works, strengthen what can be improved, follow through on good plans, and make responsible decisions for H.A.R.D.’s long-term future.
A more in-depth look at my policy, governance priorities, and plans for Area 4 and H.A.R.D. will be released with the full campaign website.
We're building a team of neighbors who can help with lawn signs, events, outreach, social media, community conversations, fundraising, and Election Day.
Not ready to volunteer? You can also use the form to send the campaign a message.
Interested in contributing, volunteering, hosting an event, requesting a lawn sign, or helping the campaign in another way? Reach out directly.
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Contribution Notice: Contributions are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are subject to applicable federal, state, and local limits and prohibitions. For individual contributions totaling $100 or more, California reporting rules require the committee to obtain and report the contributor’s name, mailing address, occupation, and employer. Contributions from foreign nationals are prohibited. Please contact the Committee Treasurer at info@joegiltner.com or 808.970.2770 with contribution questions.
Alameda County’s official district lookup tool lets you enter your address to see the districts and jurisdictions that apply to your neighborhood, including your local representation and H.A.R.D. area.
It is also a quick way to learn which local offices, districts, jurisdictions, and elections apply to your current address. Informed participation starts with knowing who represents you.
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