CLAYTON WATCH | October 11, 2026

Developer Contributions, Olivia Endorsements, and Clayton's Future: Questions Amy Callaghan Should Answer

Who Is Supporting the Candidates Who Want to Shape Clayton's Future?

A recent social media post has raised questions about Clayton City Council candidate Amy Callaghan's campaign contributions, political endorsements, and position on future housing development in Clayton.

These questions deserve public attention.

According to an October 2, 2026, Form 497 campaign disclosure shared publicly, Callaghan's campaign reported receiving contributions from three individuals identifying their occupations as developer or real estate development.

The reported contributions include:

• Philip Tagami — $1,562.81 

• Leonard Epstein — $2,000.00

• Grant Alvernaz — $1,041.98 (Oakhurst owner)

Total reported contributions: $4,604.79.

Accepting campaign contributions is not, in itself, evidence of wrongdoing. However, understanding who financially supports a candidate is an important part of making an informed voting decision.

The Olivia Connection

The same social media post also raises questions about Callaghan's endorsements from former Clayton Council Members Julie Pierce, Tuija Catalano, and CW Wolfe.

According to the post, all three voted in favor of the controversial Olivia development, the 81-unit, three-story apartment project currently under construction near downtown Clayton.

Their endorsements do not automatically establish that Callaghan shares every position they previously held. Nevertheless, given Clayton's continuing debate over housing density, traffic, infrastructure, and local control, voters have reason to ask where she stands.

Three Questions Amy Callaghan Should Answer

Clayton Watch believes residents deserve straightforward answers to three important questions:

1. Future Development: Would you support additional high-density housing projects similar in size and scope to Olivia?

2. Local Control: How would your proposed transportation policies affect Clayton's ability to maintain local control over future development decisions?

3. Developer Contributions: Will you commit to evaluating future development proposals independently, regardless of campaign contributions or political endorsements?

These are reasonable questions for anyone seeking a seat on the Clayton City Council.

Clayton's Future Belongs to Its Residents

Decisions made by the next City Council will influence Clayton's character, financial stability, infrastructure, and development for years to come.

Residents deserve to understand not only what candidates promise during an election but also who supports their campaigns and what policies they intend to pursue once elected.

Clayton Watch invites Amy Callaghan to address these questions publicly and welcomes her response for publication.

The election is approaching. The time for answers is now.

Clayton Watch — Keeping Our Community Informed.

Clayton Watch Candidate Questionnaires 

Important Note Before Reading the Candidates Answers

A few people around town, including a college professor and the leader of the “No on Measure M” campaign, have been challenging Clayton Watch’s credibility by suggesting that our flyer mailed to approximately 4,000 residents was somehow dishonest or intentionally misleading.

That accusation is false.

The flyer was created and printed days before the candidate questionnaire was sent to the candidates. Here’s another fact worth considering: the deadline to submit a flyer insert to the Diablo Gazette was September 18, 2026. So if their criticism is based on the timing or content of the Clayton Watch flyer, perhaps they should first get their facts, and their timeline, straight.

At the time the flyer was created, neither of the two candidates had publicly taken a position for or against Measure M or Measure N.

The questionnaire came later. When the candidates were directly asked where they stood on Measures M and N, the candidates stated that they supported both measures.

That raises a legitimate question: Why did the candidates wait until they were specifically asked before stating their positions publicly?

For those claiming the flyer was unfair or misleading, perhaps the focus should be on the actual timeline and why the candidates waited so long to tell Clayton voters where they stood on two of the most important measures on the November ballot.

Clayton Watch stands by its work. We believe residents deserve transparency, accountability, and the facts they need to make informed decisions.

Clayton Watch Candidate Questionnaires And Answers Are Now Available (See below.)

Clayton Watch is now publishing the candidate questionnaires submitted by the four candidates for Clayton City Council.

Each candidate was given the same seven questions, providing every candidate with an equal opportunity to explain their positions and priorities to Clayton voters.

The questions and answers are presented in the same order they were received from each candidate. The candidates’ responses are being published as submitted, without editing or commentary by Clayton Watch.

Click the link for each candidate to view the questions and their complete responses. We encourage Clayton residents to read all four questionnaires, compare the candidates’ answers, and make their own informed decisions before voting.

Kim Trupiano - Date response was received - September 23rd @ 12:36 PM

Maria Shulman -  Date response was received - September 24th @ 1:46 PM
 
Amy Callagham - Date response was received - September 25th @ 8:37 PM

Charlie Schmidt - Date response was received - September 26th @ 2:05 PM
__________________________________________________________________

The letter below was sent to each candidate.

September 20, 2026

Dear Clayton City Council Candidate,

Clayton Voters Want to Hear From You

The November election is approaching, and Clayton residents are beginning to make decisions about the future of our community.

Clayton Watch would like to give each City Council candidate an equal opportunity to communicate directly with Clayton voters — in their own words.

The seven questions below were developed from issues and concerns raised by members of the Clayton community.They are intended to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from each candidate about issues affecting Clayton and its residents.

Rather than asking candidates to download and complete a separate questionnaire, we have included the seven questions directly in this email.

To participate, simply click “Reply,” type your response directly beneath each question, and send the email back to us.

Your responses will be published exactly as submitted, without editing or commentary by Clayton Watch. Each candidate will receive the same questions and the same opportunity to respond.

Clayton Watch currently receives approximately 5,000 to 8,000 views each week, providing candidates with an opportunity to communicate directly with a substantial number of Clayton residents and voters.

We ask that responses be reasonably concise so that voters can easily read and understand each candidate's answers.

Please Respond By Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Candidate responses will be made publicly available on ClaytonWatch.org and may also be shared through Clayton Watch's other community outreach channels.

IMPORTANT UPDATE TO CLAYTON VOTERS REGARDING OUR 2026 ELECTION FLYER

At the time the flyer was produced, we were on deadline for it to be inserted into the Diablo Gazette, neither Amy Callaghan nor Charlie Schmidt had publicly stated a position on Measures M or N in the campaign information available to the Clayton Community. The flyer nevertheless identified their positions as shown. (See below.) 

We now have their direct, written responses. Both Amy Callaghan and Charlie Schmidt answered YES to Measure M and YES to Measure N in the questionnaire that was recently sent to all candidates.

We believe Clayton voters deserve the most current information available, so we are publishing this update along with the original flyer. The original flyer has not been changed. We are showing it as it was produced and distributed, along with the candidates' more recent responses, so voters can consider both.

Clayton Watch encourages voters to review the information and make their own decisions.

ORIGINAL CLAYTON WATCH ELECTION FLYER

The flyer below is the original version produced several weeks ago and is being provided for reference.

Clayton Watch will continue to provide updates when new

information becomes available.

Top Story!

ENOUGH OF THE POLITICAL GAMES.

CLAYTON DESERVES BETTER.

A Final Message from Clayton Watch Before Election Day

With Election Day approaching on November 3, Clayton voters have an important decision to make.

Beyond the campaign slogans, endorsements, and political disagreements, one question matters most:

Who is prepared to lead Clayton responsibly into the future?

Throughout this campaign, Clayton Watch has raised questions about city finances, campaign contributions, housing development, public safety, community involvement, and the qualifications of those seeking a seat on our City Council.

Some questions have received thoughtful responses. Others have been met with accusations, dismissive social media comments, or responses that leave the original concerns unresolved.

As voters, we deserve better.

---

PROMISES ARE EASY. RESULTS MATTER.

Clayton faces real challenges. Our city must manage its finances, maintain essential services, address development pressures, and protect the quality of life residents value.

Those responsibilities require more than campaign slogans or promises to bring people together.

They require preparation, sound judgment, financial understanding, and a willingness to make difficult decisions.

When candidates discuss additional revenue, voters deserve to know what they have in mind. When they criticize city operations, they should identify specific problems and realistic solutions. When they promise change, they should explain what that change would accomplish and how they intend to deliver it.

Recognizing a problem is not the same as knowing how to solve it.

POLITICAL ALLIANCES DON'T EQUAL QUALIFICATIONS.

One of the most disappointing aspects of this election has been the tendency to turn political disagreements into personal battles.

Endorsements, friendships, and affiliations may tell voters who supports a candidate. They do not establish whether that candidate is prepared to serve on the City Council.

Political disagreements should never become an excuse to divide neighbors into opposing camps.

It should never be “us against them” or “them against us.”

Clayton isn't a political battleground. It's our home.

Every candidate deserves to be evaluated on the same standards: experience, community involvement, understanding of city issues, integrity, and the ability to work constructively with others.

QUESTIONS DESERVE ANSWERS.

Clayton Watch provided all four City Council candidates an opportunity to answer the same seven questions, and their responses were published without editing.

We encourage residents to read those answers and compare them with each candidate's public statements, accomplishments, and proposals.

Look closely at what candidates say about Measures M and N, future taxes, development, city spending, and public safety.

• Are they offering specific solutions or general assurances?
• Do their positions remain consistent?
• Can their claims be supported by public records?

These are reasonable questions—not personal attacks.

And the same expectation of accuracy should apply to Clayton Watch and everyone else participating in the public discussion.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT.

On November 3, voters will decide who should help lead Clayton through the coming years.

That decision should not be based on who has the loudest supporters, the most endorsements, or the most effective social media campaign.

It should be based on who has demonstrated the knowledge, judgment, character, and commitment necessary to serve the entire community.

Enough of the political games. Enough of the accusations. Enough of the empty rhetoric.

Clayton deserves informed leadership, honest answers, and people willing to put the community ahead of political alliances.

The election is temporary. The consequences of our choices will last for years.

MAKE YOUR DECISION COUNT.

The Clayton Watch Team

 THE ELECTION IS ALMOST HERE

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