User:Sarsh262/Karen Goh

Karen K. Goh (born 1955) is an American politician and non-profit organization executive born in India. Goh is the 26th and current mayor of Bakersfield, California. Before becoming mayor of Bakersfield, Goh was a non profit executive at Garden Pathways which aided in provided aid to families in need. Goh is Bakersfield's first mayor of Asian decent. Goh defeated her opponent Kyle Carter with 52.75% of the votes. Goh was elected into office during November 2016, and was re-elected to an additional four-year term in March 2020, operating under a council manager form of government. She dedicates her time to improving jobs, public safety, and education for the citizens of Bakersfield. Goh is Bakersfield's first minority mayor and second woman to hold the position (after Mary K. Shell) Mayor Goh continues her work by working on the boards of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield, Bakersfield Arts District Foundation, and Kern Leadership Alliance. Working as an advisor for the Bakersfield Safe Streets Partnership

Early Life and Education
Goh was born to missionary parents Harry and Kathleen that came to British Colonial India. Goh has a brother, David Goh. In June 1962, at seven years old, Goh and her family moved to Bakersfield, California. Goh's parent provided ministry leadership for the Bakersfield Chinese Church, where Goh's older brother, David, currently works as a senior pastor. Goh's family founded Garden Community Church in Bakersfield, California.

[1]At age 12, Goh became a naturalized American citizen. Goh graduated from Bakersfield High School.[2][3][4][5]In 1978, Goh earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from USC. In 1981, Goh completed all courses in Master of Music Education from USC. During university, Goh showed passion in playing the clarinet, and directed her efforts on music education. In 1991, after graduating, Goh found a position with The McGraw-Hill Companies in New York City.

== Career == Music Instructor

Goh was a music instructor at Bakersfield Christian Life Schools and then moved to New York City to work at the McGraw-Hill Companies in 1989. She was promoted from Executive Editor to Editorial Director during her seven years working with the company.

Administrator/ Vice President (1989-2002)

In 1996, Goh moved from an instructor towards managing editor of The McGraw-Hill Companies in New York, and was then promoted as the Vice president of the publishing operations. The company was responsible for printed and technological planning, allocating resources for educational development. Under this position, Goh was responsible for managing administrative operations such as trademarks, finances, human resources, and any facilities for the company. Goh worked as the vice president for two years from 2002-2004 for the McGraw Hill Company. Goh worked for the McGraw-Hill company for eight years, ending her position with the company in 2004.

Executive Director (2005-2010)

After returning to Bakersfield in 2005, Goh volunteered at Garden Pathways for five years. The operation was a non profit that focused on providing tutoring, training and guidance for children, adult youth and adults alike. The company also focused on gathering resources for childhood education, emancipated foster children, pregnant youth, and families impacted by gang violence. During her years in Garden Pathways, Goh was charged as the executive director and worked on projects in collaboration with UNICEF. . The program for at risk youth focused on developing opportunities in the arts for the children it was aiding. While Goh also moved on to other companies, in 2013, Goh became the President and CEO of Garden Pathways, in Bakersfield.

County Supervisor (2010-2013)

On December 10, 2010, Goh became the fifth district supervisor of Kern County in Bakersfield she was appointed by the former governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. In her position, Goh became a member of the Board of supervisors, which was in charge of the executive and legislative matters involving Kern Country and it's special districts. She was also responsible for adopting an annual Kern County budget of $2.5 billion Mayor Of Bakersfield (2016-)

On November 8, 2016, at age 60, Goh won the runoff election and became the 26th mayor of Bakersfield, California. Goh defeated Kyle Carter with 52.75% of the votes. Goh became the first mayor of Asian descent and second woman mayor in Bakersfield, California.

Goh was reelected to a second term following the March 3, 2020 primary election.

The Bakersfield city council, and mayor Karen Goh are in favor of environmentally friendly policies. Bakersfield has a “climate goal” and wishes to reduce money and pollution coming from Bakersfield's energy usage. Goh was a part of the decision to have solar panels installed across the city of Bakersfield, as well as the building of the energy innovation center. These were both enacted in hopes of having a more environmentally friendly way of energy consumption, and as a way to save taxpayers money. This was one of the main points that Goh spoke on at the event of introducing the solar panels. Goh let the members of Bakersfield know that this would be saving them money as taxpayers. The energy innovation center was possible through $83 million in state funding.

Goh’s decisions regarding police are based on the goal of increasing public safety. In the summer of 2020, members of Bakersfield were protesting for the police to be defunded, as police brutality was becoming an issue .Goh, and the other 7 members of the city council have the police a 119.9 million dollar budget anyways despite what the protestors of Bakersfield were asking for. This creates 44 new jobs at the Bakersfield police station and 97 jobs in other public safety related fields. The costly budget was intended to increase public safety. Goh did address the concerns of community members however, and agreed to review police policies. Following the death of George Floyd, community members were very concerned about racially motivated police brutality and Goh recognized this issue and responded to it. She decided to review police policies and communicate with the people of Bakersfield what these changing policies would entail.

Housing

The city of Bakersfield and Goh also work towards preventing homelessness with their housing policies and programs. They have implemented an Affordable Housing program which provides funds for developing housing for low income families, as well as the HOME-ARP (American Rescue Plan) program which also provided funding to give those who experience homelessness, or the vulnerable, a home or shelter. This act of 2021 had gathered up to $5 billion to provide these services.

Transportation

The city of Bakersfield has done many things throughout the city to make transportation easier as well as promote more active ways of transport. They promote biking by building a bicycle transportation network that connects throughout the city so that bicyclists can explore new parts of the city. They also have lots of events to encourage and promote biking, such as bike to work day or the sunday city bike ride. They also designed the Thomas Roads Improvement Program (TRIP) to relieve stress on outdated infrastructure to create a reduction in travel time throughout the city. TRIP has completed many different projects which have either provided widening of roads, interchanges, or new parkways, all to make transportation easier.

Charity

Goh had an extensive history of charity and nonprofit work before focusing on mayoral work. Goh has remarked a duty to give back to the residents of her community and to be able to contribute in any way possible,

Every year since 2012 Goh has generated 204,477 pounds of food for the citizens of Kern county. On March 23, 2017, Hoh was honored top humanitarian and volunteer of the year by the Kern Country Fair board of trustees.

== 2016 Mayoral Campaign == On February 18, 2016, Karen Goh announced an interest in considering running for mayor. After former Bakersfield mayor Harvey L. Hall issued a statement that he would not be running for a fifth term for the ceremonial mayoral position. On February 25, 2016, the number of mayoral candidates for Bakersfield grew to reach 25; the busiest race in Bakersfield since 2000. Goh was against four other female candidates, a phenomenon unseen in sixteen years.

Karen Goh announced her formal candidacy on February 29, 2016.Kyle Carter and Karen Goh faced off for the 2016 mayoral runoff in November of that year. Goh pulled ahead with 33.31% of the votes (18,825) against Carter with 32.54% of the votes (18,389). Proceeding the runoff, Goh raised nearly $23,000 through contributions from fundraisers and donors such as Bakersfield and Kent residents.

On August 30, Goh made an appearance at Bakersfield High School to students to introduce herself and her campaign. Commenting on her multiple appearances and events as another part of her collaborative efforts. Defining the work as mayor to help to foster opportunities and a work-friendly environment for others. When commenting on what she would accomplish in her role as mayor, she mentions creating more job opportunities, fostering a safe community, and implementing education programs for the youth of Bakersfield.

Personal life
In March 2004, Goh's mother died in Bakersfield. In 2005, Goh moved from the East Coast back to Bakersfield. Goh is unmarried.

Awards

 * 2013 Carrie Catt Award. Presented by the League of Women Voters in Kern County for outstanding community service.
 * 2014 Community Service Award. Presented by Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
 * 2014 Darrel Hildebrand Distinguished Leadership Award. Presented by Kern Council of Governments.
 * 2014 Women Inspiring Girls Award. Presented by Girl Scouts for exemplary achievement in the community and as a role model for girls.
 * 2015 California Woman of Excellence. Presented by Distinguished Young Women of California.
 * 2015 International Women’s Day Award. Presented by International Women’s Day Inc.
 * 2016 Wendy Wayne Award. Presented by Cal State Bakersfield/Kegley Institute of Ethics.
 * 2017 Humanitarian of the Year. Presented by Community Action Partnership of Kern.