Northern California Realtors Involved in Local Politics

Second in a Four Part Series

Realtor Juana Dement somehow juggles two fulltime jobs — as a Real Estate Agent for Century 21 M&M and Associates in Tracy and as tireless community volunteer.

With her “spare” time, Dement is running for city council.

“It’s just the way I live my life,” said Dement.  “I’ve always been involved with the community.”

It all started when she began volunteering to help at her children’s classroom.  From there her Tracy community service grew to include:

• Member of school site council
• Founding member of original DARE Parent Advisory Group
• Tracy Community Cultural Arts Commissioner
• Member of the Tracy 2000 Steering Committee
• Project assistant for Healthy Start grant
• Job developer for San Joaquin County Office of Education
• Founder of three youth TV shows
• Developer of “Downtown Tracy, A Great Place to Live” workshop series
• Member of the Tracy Chamber of Commerce
• Coordinator of the Tracy Dry Bean Festival Queen and Princess pageant
• And more…

“You see the need and create a program to meet the meet,” said Dement, who was voted the “Best Realtor in Tracy” for 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the Tracy Press Readers’ Choice Award.

She’s in November’s election to bring business sense, crucial in becoming a successful Realtor, to the city council.

“It’s time to get some business people up there to run the city,” said Dement.

If successful, Dement will join other Realtors that have brought their business sense, negotiation ability and organizational skills to serve the community.

Realtors doubling as elected officials have included: Andy Krotik, Atwater City Councilman from1994-2006 and Realtor and manager of Coldwell Banker Gonella Realty in Atwater; and John Lazar, Mayor of the City of Turlock and a broker associate at Coldwell Banker Endsley & Associates in Turlock.

Lazar said his success in real estate has made him a successful mayor.

“I’m an independent contractor,” he said.  “I don’t get paid unless I’m successful.”

Dement also said her background in real estate makes her perfect to serve on the Tracy City Council.

“Who else knows the community better than a real estate agent?” she said.

NEXT FRIDAY: Community service is good business

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