For 20 years, my family has proudly called Galt home, and we love our Great American Little Town. Galt is more than where we live—it is a community we care deeply about and are proud to be part of.
I have had the honor of serving our community as a member of the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District Board from 2018 to 2022, including two years as Board President. I am also a co-founder of Veterans of Galt, where I have worked to bring veterans together and strengthen the bonds within our community.
My commitment to service began more than 33 years ago when I raised my hand to serve our nation. Today, I believe that same spirit of service, leadership, and dedication can continue right here in Galt.
Serving our country was an honor. Serving the community my family calls home would be another.
LIST OF ISSUES
TRANSPARENCY
Transparency is the foundation of effective leadership. I believe our community deserves leaders who are accessible, responsive, and accountable to the people they serve.
During my time on the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District Board of Governance, I made it a priority to remain accessible to parents, educators, and members of our community. I welcomed questions, listened to concerns, and worked to ensure that community voices were heard.
As your councilman, I will continue that commitment. I will keep the lines of communication open, listen to our community, and be accountable for the decisions I make. Galt deserves leadership that is open, honest, and accessible.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Galt taxpayers deserve responsible, transparent, and accountable stewardship of every taxpayer dollar. A balanced budget should reflect the priorities of our community—not simply the status quo.
We need to take a hard look at how our city spends its resources, identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary or ineffective expenses, and ensure that essential services remain strong. At the same time, we should pursue responsible ways to increase revenue that align with Galt’s values and protect the quality of life that makes our community special.
Fiscal responsibility means making thoughtful decisions today so that Galt remains financially strong and sustainable for tomorrow. I will work to protect taxpayer dollars, prioritize essential services, and ensure that every expenditure has a clear purpose and benefit to our community.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Every resident of Galt deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, in their home, and throughout our community. Public safety must remain one of our highest priorities.
I am committed to supporting a professional, well-trained, and properly equipped police force that has the resources needed to protect our residents and keep our community safe. That commitment must extend to our schools, where students, teachers, and staff deserve safe and secure learning environments.
We must also address the challenges that affect public safety, including homelessness. This is not a problem that can be solved overnight or through short-term measures. We need practical, long-term solutions that address the underlying challenges while maintaining safe, clean, and welcoming neighborhoods.
Galt deserves leadership that takes public safety seriously, supports our law enforcement professionals, protects our schools, and works toward solutions that make our entire community safer.
ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS
As an Iraq War veteran who proudly served our nation for 33 years, I understand firsthand the challenges veterans and their families can face when trying to access the benefits, services, and resources they have earned.
Veterans answered the call to serve our country, and they deserve a community that stands ready to serve them in return. I will continue working to connect Galt’s veterans with the resources and opportunities available to them and to ensure their voices are heard.
As a co-founder of Veterans of Galt, I have already made advocating for veterans a part of my service to our community. I will bring that same commitment to City Hall—standing up for those who served, strengthening connections with veteran organizations, and working to bring more resources to Galt.
Service to our country should not end when a veteran comes home. I will continue to stand with Galt’s veterans and their families.
Tom Silva is a retired member of the US Army. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the US Army or the Department of Defense.