Council candidate: Elaine R. Courey

Name: Elaine R. Courey

Age: 58

Occupation: Physical education teacher for Bonita Unified School District in La Verne since 1998. I teach fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade physical education. In addition to teaching physical education. I have worked weekends at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim for three and a half years. I am a table busser/kitchen steward and a food prep at the Pacific Wharf. I am a facilitator of Day 1 and Day 2 Food and Beverage instruction for new hires at the Disney University.

Lived in city: 36 years

Married: Divorced

Children: Two daughters, Jamie Nicole, 31 and Kellie Lynn, 22.

Education: Graduate of Ganesha High School in Pomona, Bachelor of Science in physical education with a minor in Health Education from Cal State Fullerton, associate degree from Chaffey College, teaching credential from Chapman University, California Teaching credential in Physical Education with a supplemental credential in Health Education.

Have you ever run for or held elected office before and if so when and what office?: No.

Appointed offices, community organizations: Pomona Parks and Recreation Committee member

Why you are running for this office: I am running for this office because I would like to get involved in my city government. When I was young, my parents and I would take Sunday drives to Upland and wish they could move to Upland. This carried over when I got married. The City of Gracious Living, as Upland is called, was our choice for buying and raising our children. I understand that the city has had some issues in the past, but it is time to move on and return Upland to the once great city that attracted people to want to move here. I am a new face and I feel I can bring a positive contribution to best serve our city. I am not going to make any promises that I can't keep, but I can promise that I will do the best job I possibly can to ensure that "honesty is the best policy" as we move on and into the future of Upland.