Getting to Know You

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Napa City Council member Liz Alessio

Favorite hike? Skyline Wilderness Park

Camping or skiing? I grew up camping as a kid and have wonderful memories, but now I prefer a nice hotel with a comfortable bed, shower and bathroom.

Favorite cookie to eat? You can’t beat chocolate chip, but I’m also a fan of peanut butter cookies.

Favorite cookie to bake? Again, you can’t beat chocolate chip cookie! I started baking as a kid using up the sugar, butter and flour in the house to perfect the oversized chocolatey gooey chocolate chip cookie. I passed this down to my three kids, who each claim their cookie best! Why politics? This is a great question. It was never my original plan, but overtime starting with volunteering at my kids schools and sports then into the community for the American Cancer Society, for our deployed troops and veterans, feeding the hungry at The Table, advocating for improved homeless solutions and working with public health, I saw our community become more disenfranchised, more vulnerable, even with our dedicated non-profits, hardworking elected officials and the generosity of many residents. I wanted someone to bridge the gap between population health and city policy and planning. As I was looking for someone I could support to run for Napa City Council but unexpectedly the question was turned on me to run. Once that seed was planted and the support was there from our former Mayor Ed Henderson and then current Mayor Jill Techel, along with others I deeply respected, I took the leap of faith and followed my heart.

Why history? My parents were very influential here. They both served on the board and volunteered for the Napa County Historical Society since the early 1980s. My dad was a local historian and loved to share the history of George C. Yount in the first person. I was immersed in the love and fascination for Napa Valley history though I admit it has only been the last few years I’ve really started to study it for myself. The more I learn, the more I want to know. It is a treasure trove.

Guilty pleasure? Watching movies, which includes buttered popcorn, peanut M&Ms and licorice (black preferred).

How did you start on veteran/military issues? Life can take you down some unexpected paths that really tug at your heart strings. This is one of them. In 2008, I started a new position at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Community Outreach as their Community Benefit Coordinator. I was approached by two Queen employees who had a quick and very successful donation drive the winter before for one of their sons, who was then deployed to Iraq during the war. This was the first time I met someone who had a son at war, he was 19 years old, and the first time I heard our deployed men and women needed basic items and often felt alone and forgotten. I immediately jumped in to help and expanded the program into the community from local businesses to local schools. It’s been my honor to be involved ever since. I didn’t know when I started that my older son,

Steven, would enlist a few years later in the Marine Corps, be deployed three times and be a recipient of our care packages. This program developed into a 501 C 3 non-profit and is appropriately named “Operation: With LOVE from HOME.” We are currently preparing for a donation drive to support 500 summer care packages.