2006.12.06: December 6, 2006: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Local Government: Monterey Herald: Philippines RPCV Dennis Alexander to be sworn in as Monterey's newest councilman
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2006.12.06: December 6, 2006: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Local Government: Monterey Herald: Philippines RPCV Dennis Alexander to be sworn in as Monterey's newest councilman
Philippines RPCV Dennis Alexander to be sworn in as Monterey's newest councilman
Alexander, 45, graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business administration. He intended to attend the Marine Corps officer candidate school after college, but joined the Peace Corps in 1985, serving in the Philippines. He taught math and started a program to build outhouses in the rural town where he lived. The two-year commitment allowed him to serve his country, he said. "I had a Pat Tillman moment," he said.
Philippines RPCV Dennis Alexander to be sworn in as Monterey's newest councilman
Alexander to join council Thursday
He will give up spot as police reserve
By ANDRE BRISCOE
Herald Staff Writer
Seaside High School math teacher Dennis Alexander, a former Peace Corps volunteer and reserve officer with the Seaside Police Department, will be sworn in as the city's newest councilman during Thursday's meeting.
Alexander, who has taught algebra and geometry at Seaside High School for 11 years, collected 36 percent of the votes cast in the November election. Councilman Tom Mancini and Mayor Ralph Rubio, who both won re-election in November, will also be sworn in.
Before his election to the council, Alexander chaired the Seaside Neighborhood Improvement Program Commission and served as president of the Monterey-Salinas chapter of Rebuilding Together, which renovates homes for the elderly. His experience will be helpful in steering the city during the next four years, he said.
Economic development in Seaside, most notably the city's mixed-use development at Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses, and the Maingate Shopping Center, which is expected to break ground next year, will be top priorities, he said.
"We have to stay focused on neighborhood improvement and development," Alexander said. "Those are assets that need to be protected."
Alexander, 45, graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business administration. He intended to attend the Marine Corps officer candidate school after college, but joined the Peace Corps in 1985, serving in the Philippines.
He taught math and started a program to build outhouses in the rural town where he lived. The two-year commitment allowed him to serve his country, he said.
"I had a Pat Tillman moment," he said.
Later, Alexander moved to the Monterey Bay area where he attended the Monterey Institute of International Studies and received a master's degree in international management.
In 1996, he married his wife, Laurel, and moved to Seaside.
For the past six years he served as a reserve police officer, a position he said he will give up to avoid a conflict of interest on issues involving the police. But he hasn't ruled out becoming a reserve in another city.
Alexander replaces 16-year councilman Darryl Choates, whose opinion he says he will seek from time to time.
Many in the community are confident in Alexander's ability to lead.
"He will do a great job because he knows what needs to be done for the beautification of the city," said Phil Malate, the liaison between the city and the Neighborhood Improvement Program.
montereyherald.com.
Andre Briscoe can be reached at 646-4436 or abriscoe@
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Headlines: December, 2006; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs
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Story Source: Monterey Herald
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