Clayton Watch · Candidate Record Review · No. 2
Maria Shulman for Clayton
City Council
An update on the Clayton City Council election. Seven residents have pulled papers to run. As of today, four have submitted the completed paperwork required to qualify for the November ballot.
Those who have pulled papers: Peter Cloven, Councilmember Kim Trupiano, Mayor Jeff Wan, Planning Commissioner Maria Shulman, Amy Callaghan, Jim Killoran, and Charlie Schmidt.
Over the coming months, Clayton Watch will examine the public record of each of these candidates and publish what we find, from City records, our own files, and other background material. We will do this for every name on the list.
Throughout her career, Maria Shulman has dedicated herself to caring for individuals, and she has spent her years in Clayton serving this community.
Four credentials at three universities, every one of them earned while working.
She started at Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and a minor in Mental Health. She trained at the Germantown Hospital and Medical Center School of Nursing for her nursing diploma, the working nurse’s route into the profession rather than the academic one. From the University of Texas at Arlington she added a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Public Health, then a Master’s in Healthcare Administration.
Criminal justice, mental health, public health, nursing, administration. Every one of those disciplines turns up in a Clayton council packet sooner or later.
She has already put Clayton’s missing evacuation plan in writing.
In her filed application to the City, Maria Shulman noted the Commission had been made aware that Clayton has no evacuation plan. She also drew the line correctly: evacuation planning is not the Planning Commission’s job, but road width, secondary access points, and proposed density in high fire zones and at the wildland-urban interface are. Those are the conditions that bottleneck an evacuation route during a fire.
She has taken coursework from the Institute for Local Government on CEQA and its impact on wildfire risk reduction. Clayton sits against open hillside. This is the rare candidate statement that names a specific hazard and the specific lever a commission actually controls.
Chair of the Clayton Planning Commission in 2025, Vice Chair in 2024.
In these roles, she helped guide thoughtful growth that preserves Clayton’s small-town character.
Her filed statement of philosophy sets out three principles: decisions grounded in data, staff expertise, and applicable codes rather than personal preference; a transparent process where residents and applicants are both heard before a vote; and long-term thinking that weighs a project’s cumulative effect on infrastructure, housing affordability, and community identity. She calls the seat a public trust.
A nurse and healthcare leader recognized for patient advocacy.
As a nurse and healthcare leader, Maria Shulman has held management, supervisory, pediatric special-needs, and care-management positions, earning recognition from Today’s Nurse for her advocacy and leadership in patient care. That work taught her to listen attentively, ask tough questions, and make considered decisions when the stakes are high.
Experience managing budgets, ensuring compliance, and owning decisions.
She brings extensive experience in managing budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and being accountable for her decisions.
Those are the three things a Council member is actually asked to do, and she has done all three in a field where getting them wrong has immediate consequences.
Serving Clayton beyond City Hall, for seventeen years.
She also serves on the Clayton Community Library Foundation Board and volunteers at events such as Clayton Cleans Up, the Art & Wine Festival, the Fourth of July parade, and Oktoberfest.
Add Holidays in the Grove and decorating the Police Department 4x4. None of it carries a vote or a title.
In her own words
“I’m a wife, mother, and a nurse who reads the fine print and asks the hard questions, and I’ll do that for every Clayton resident.”
Keep Clayton moving forward.
Clayton Watch is reviewing the record of each 2026 Council candidate.
By Clayton Watch, FPPC ID #1471612. Biographical and Commission details are drawn from Ms. Shulman’s application for appointment on file with the City of Clayton; quoted passages are her own statement. Conclusions are the opinions of the committee.
This is a breath of fresh air compared to Cloven. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteagree
DeleteGo Maria!
DeleteWe moved to Clayton just about a year ago, and Maria seems to be a breath of fresh air compared to all the drama I've heard about. She has my vote!
ReplyDeleteFinally, we have an adult in the room. Good luck, Maria
ReplyDeleteThat’s quite a résumé. My vote is for her all the way. Kathy and Rob
ReplyDeleteShe sounds solid. I’d vote for her. - Sandy
ReplyDeleteI live in Oakhurst, Isn’t she pro growth?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteI dont think so. She just follows the law. No games and all business.
DeleteThey all follow the law. For example, the Olivia project was viewed lawful by the court system.
DeleteNo doubt a resident of Peacock Creek upset over some town homes. But odds are also someone who voted for Holly Tilman also known as high density Holly who supported the Olivia. Back in 2020, where were all the Peacock Creek people when most were fighting the Olivia? It didn’t affect them so most didn’t care. How many voted for the two pro growth candidates Cloven and Tillman. If you watched or attended those meetings, those votes were done according to the law. Maria brought up the issue of more exits so she is looking ahead as a good planning commissioner. Meanwhile Olivia is on its way to becoming a drug rehab facility. I’ll take townhomes over that!
DeleteShe "follows the law" ? No, she supports the lawless which is why she is on record supporting the "it checks all the boxes" 30 Townhome Project being developed by the Oakhurst convicted felons. - I used to support her now NOT as she is turned to been a "sheep" as someone described for feckless get nothing done but look good discussing Wann and Trupiano - sure to listen to them some might disagree, but are your eyes lying to you look at the condition of the fountain, the landscaping the botched street paving projects, the painted sidewalks downtown in anticipation of some un-need grant project (could have asked for and received a historic district exemption) my point is present incompetence and now Schulman would just add to that mix.
DeleteOlivia had many backroom deals with local realtors and council members. Let that sit and marinate.
DeleteThis is Maria’s husband. She is a sheep? I can’t stop laughing so hard. Thanks for making my day.
DeleteHere you go husband. This should really make your day.
DeleteShe’s:
S — Steady (or Straight-talking)
H — Honest
E — Engaged (or Effective)
E — Ethical (or Experienced)
P — Principled (or Prepared)
So there you go. - Al & Becky, lower Easley
Like in Cloven:
DeleteC — Checkbook. Went unreconciled for more than 18 months.
L — Ledger. Roughly $50,000 the City Manager reported unaccounted for.
O — Olivia on Marsh Creek. 81 units, limited parking. Voted yes. Twice.
V — Voted no. On the City budget that funds police, roads, and services.
E — Explain. Asked on the record what Clayton held in accounts and investments, he couldn’t.
N — New taxes. A $30,000 survey to ask again, then a $400-a-year parcel tax.
Pretty funny.
DeleteI don’t know how to say it nicely, but Peter is a loser all the way around.
DeleteHey Glenn, why do you resort to calling people names? Wait, is that reserved only for women? You called Maria a sheep, and Al & Becky turned your insult back on you. Try being a kinda human, thanks.
DeleteSo, husband - you objected to the term sheep. I get it. How about this ... a fraud...you know when she screws us, I have to wonder. She claimed to be one thing and voted another. But hey what the hell I will let you define it ... siding with felons instead of my neighbors because Jeff Wan (oh the primp) told her so. Go ahead, you figure out a new description, and fill in the blank She's a hypocrite fraud and deserves what she gets.
DeleteYour neighbor here. Where is the proof that Maria has done what someone told her to do (Wan)? You are making wild accusations. I want proof; show it. I'm tired of the name-calling and baseless accusations. From what I saw at the planning meeting, she said what she meant and was clear about adding more evacuation routes. You like to complain. Oh, and hypothetically, if she had done your bidding, she would definitely be a lamb to the slaughter. I believe she will do what is right and not give in to your kind of pressure. Can you say misogynistic!
DeleteDoes your name calling extend to men as well? Or do you reserve name calling for women only? The only fraud is an insecure man posting anonymously to be misogynistic. If Maria Shulman was a man, would you still claim she makes her decisions based off of what Jeff Wan wants? I highly doubt you would, it seems you don’t see women as beings capable of having their own thoughts and actions outside of a man.
DeleteMaria’s husband here again.
DeleteGlen if that’s you saying I objected to the word sheep in describing my wife, you are telling an outrageous lie. I laughed at that comment. How you made it into an objection tells us that your mind is a twisted mess.
There’s a pill for that….
So one sided as opposed to the Peter Cloven review. Cloven's do es not come from his filed application to the City and on his own candidate statement as does the info for Shulman.
ReplyDeleteCloven has a four year documented history of his activities, his voting record and his lack of leadership on serious issues facing this city. His previous record of public service does not go away by re-writing history.
DeleteMaria was never on the city council, Peter was.
DeletePeter was a complete failure.
DeleteThat is the opinion of CW. You let Shulman speak for herself. Why not Cloven? Answer because you are a PAC and, by definition, a supporter of candidates of your choice.
DeleteAgree
DeletePeter’s public record speaks volumes. It is all documented clearly—on video and in his own words. He is Mr. Do-Nothing. I, for one, never want to see him in office again. His actions have been only to admonish and vindictively target anyone who opposed him. He is entirely inauthentic.
DeleteI would not ask Cloven to even care for my dog! That is how much I distrust him.
DeleteIf she is in...who gets voted out...Wan or Trupiano
ReplyDeleteI can only vote once, and it won't be for either Wan or Trupiano. He supports his narrative, and she is a sheep.
DeleteYou decide. Please vote. All three are great people. Vote early and vote often.
DeleteWell judging
DeleteI voted for her two years ago and I am certainly going to vote for her again in November.
ReplyDeleteSame here.
DeleteShe received 3,459 votes last election, which is quite the feat for her first rodeo! You have my family's votes, Maria, and thank you for running.
DeleteI’m voting for Maria because she tells it like it is. The CBCA doesn’t back her, and, in fact, I kinda think people like Steiner, Tillman, Cloven, and Wolfe don’t like her. That says so much about them. They can’t bully her into submission!
DeleteAmazing, the long sought after Clayton evacuation plan.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Maria! Thank you for running.
I can’t wait to see what Amy is all about. I watched her video and she was reading from a script. She didn’t know the information. It was terrible. Time will tell. -Jane
ReplyDeleteOne of her claims is about being an expert reviewing contracts and that city needs to do that. I’m not sure where she’s been the last 12 to 18 months but staff, Budget & Audit and Citizen Financial Sustainability committees have all been doing that. She should know this. Not sure how a realtor would bring any real expertise here. She seems nice but not sure she has a grasp of the finances. Of course Jim Killoran who has not filed yet wants Clayton to surrender to Concord and he’s an expert in finance because he worked at Chevron. Never mind the city was founded specifically because we didn’t want to be Concord. It takes all kinds to run for office!
DeleteIf I wanted to live in Concord, I would’ve moved to Concord. Maybe Killeran should move there and leave our small town alone.
DeleteAgreed!
DeleteHe did live in Concord and tried to run there and lost. So he moved here to try to ruin us since he failed to wreck Concord. No thanks, we are all stocked up on crazy already!
Deletehe has some very strange views and opinions and thinks everyone is stupid except him.
DeleteI wasn't impressed with Amy on the outset. She came to a council meeting talking about transparency with older videos not being on the website. Apparently not paying attention to the changing of systems and it takes time to transfer everything. Then she talked about the erroneous civil grand jury report. She is not up to date on anything.
DeleteAmy is 1000% backed by the CBCA, which is supposed to be non-political. They are funding her; Wolfe is providing her with real-time instruction, helping her campaign at the police department's National Night Out. Can we say it's a violation of 501(c)(3)? Remember, Wolfe is president of the CBCA and knows better!
DeleteI have firsthand knowledge that the CBCA and Carl Wolfe are backing Amy and trying to capture a city council seat by pulling dirty tricks behind the scenes. Don’t be fooled; she is the CBCA puppet
DeleteWolfe wants Amy on the council to bring back discounts and freebies for the CBCA bullies!
DeleteMaria has our vote.
ReplyDeletemine too
DeleteAnd mine.
DeleteCW should just post information for the candidates they wish to support, and leave the rest alone. The silence will send a message.
ReplyDeleteSo just to be clear, you oppose freedom of speech, especially political speech?
DeleteI oppose negative campaigning.
DeleteFunny. Where were you with the Tillman #voteonlyme campaign and Cloven promoting it continuously?
DeleteI oppose negative campaigning from anyone. I prefer candidates to talk about what they have/can do for those they represent.
DeleteAnd on top of that, hold them accountable for their actions. Most candidates tell you what you wanna hear, if you haven’t noticed.
DeleteHysterical! No one has ever held Tillman accountable for the chaos and lies she has caused in Clayton. She blatantly lied about attending a vote at the League of California Cities—she should have been censured. That’s just one example; there are many more.
DeleteTo the commenter who opposes negative campaigning, all you want to hear is about how much a candidate volunteers for CBCA and how much they love Clayton. That's enough to get your vote. That's been the method for so long, a pre-selected candidate (pre-selected by the CBCA of course) runs a positive campaign while CBCA folks go around speaking badly about anyone else. The Pioneer made it easier! But a candidate's record needs to be looked at. Volunteering is not what it takes to run a city. And if you look at all the CBCA flunkies we've had over the years, no wonder crony projects live the Olivia happen. Those days are over.
DeleteCampaining is a popularity contest, why one person is better than the other. That's a two sided question. You have to understand both to make an informed choice. Highlighting why one is better than the other isn't negative if it's accurate. Pointing out a candidate's shortcomings or what you disagree with them about isn't negative.
DeleteCheck out Peter Cloven's post on Nextdoor. He got blasted by one of the Clayton Watch people. In other words, he got his ass had to him. Great work Clayton Watch don’t let him bully you
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, he took it down. Interesting
DeleteLooks like he is out of Nextdoor completely. Likely tired of listening to Hoods nonsense.
DeletePeople are tired of him pontificating.
DeleteI’m sure you mean Cloven, not Hood. It’s obvious Peter got caught bullying on Nextdoor and was taken down. He needs to face the facts and answer some serious questions.
DeleteDefinitely cloven!
DeleteHe did no bullying, just told people to be aware of the opinions here and do your own research on candidates.
DeleteCloven is a huge bully and just as much of a liar as Tillman.
DeletePeter is a huge bully, and if you think otherwise, may I suggest glasses.
DeleteI am definitely voting for Maria. She is not associated with the nonprofit here that wants to run the town and sounds like a reasonable, grounded person.
ReplyDeleteVoting Maria and Kim, not CBCA punch drinkers!
DeleteWan has today and tomorrow to file his papers. Maybe he is not running?
ReplyDeleteHi Mr K! Guess you are dying to know? So you can file your papers? What will you campaign on again, that we should surrender to Concord? Can't wait to see how much the voters jump up and down for that! Remember, we all saw you posted that. You want us to be Concord. I bet in 1776, you would have surrendered to the crown. Before you file, think about this, we are all stocked up on crazy already in Clayton. We've got a lot of progressives that also want to defund our cops like you do.
DeleteWithout this site many of us would be lost. Thank you Clayton Watch Team
ReplyDeleteDuring his term, what were Cloven's deliverables? Tillman, too, to date, what are her deliverables for the City?
ReplyDeleteDeliverables come from the council as a whole.
DeleteYou will never see any deliverables from Tillman. Tillman only wants the titles and for everyone else to do the hard work. What a fraud she is!
DeleteLooks like Wan, Kiloran and Cloven are not running
ReplyDeleteThank God Kiloran and Cloven bowed, two bloviating idiots!
DeleteMaria is a very kind person who always strives to do what is right. I am her neighbor, and what you might not know about her is that she is always willing to lend a helping hand. To her, it doesn’t matter who you are; she helps and, during the holidays, gives out homemade treats to her neighbors. She is very knowledgeable and quite funny once you get to know her. I am voting for her, and I encourage others to give her a chance.
ReplyDelete