Rebecca Saltzman: From BART’s Financial Cliff to El Cerrito City Council

Rebecca Saltzman has decided not to seek re-election to the BART Board, instead filing to run for the El Cerrito City Council. This move raises eyebrows, as some might argue she’s jumping from one challenging situation to another. After all, Saltzman played a role in steering BART towards its current financial cliff, and now she’s setting her sights on El Cerrito, a city teetering on the brink of bankruptcy since the City Manager took office.

Saltzman has described her time as a BART Director as one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life. She’s expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve her community for three terms, working to improve BART and Bay Area public transportation. But why is she choosing not to run again?

Since her election in 2012, Saltzman has managed to balance a near-full-time job while serving on the BART Board, a challenging endeavor. In 2019, she and her wife welcomed a baby, and balancing motherhood with her two demanding roles became nearly impossible.

Initially, Saltzman planned not to run for re-election in 2020. However, the pandemic changed everything. As BART faced a major crisis, she couldn’t sleep at night, feeling compelled to stay and help. Driven by a sense of responsibility, she decided to run again, leaving a job she loved to focus on being a mom and a BART director for a year and a half.

Looking back, Saltzman is glad she ran for re-election in 2020, as she was able to help BART navigate through its toughest times. However, despite her efforts, BART still faces a financial cliff in fiscal year 2027. Now, she’s aiming to bring her experience to the El Cerrito City Council.

But the question remains: why is she running for El Cerrito City Council instead of the BART Board? Saltzman cites the challenges of balancing her near-full-time job with her responsibilities on the BART Board, particularly after becoming a mother in 2019. The demanding schedule made it increasingly difficult to juggle her roles effectively. However, one might wonder if the financial turmoil BART faces also influenced her decision. Is it possible that she wants to distance herself from the fiscal challenges BART is facing, or is she genuinely motivated to bring about positive change in El Cerrito?

Saltzman’s track record with BART raises questions about her ability to help El Cerrito avoid financial disaster. Is this a wise move? Only time will tell if her commitment to public service can make a positive impact on El Cerrito’s future.