Mission Statement: Our purpose is to enhance the quality of life of all Turlock residents through actively serving, pursuing excellence, and reflecting our four core values: Service, Accountability, Compassion, Respect
Mayor John Lazar
jlazar@turlock.ca.us Term Seated: 12/12/06 Expires: 2014*
John Lazar, elected Mayor of Turlock in 2006, served on the Turlock City Council from 1992 – 2006. He held the position of Vice Mayor in 2000, 2005 and 2006.
Lazar also served as a City representative to the Stanislaus County Local Agency Formation Commission from 2000 – 2006 and was the agency’s chairman in 2003.
He was appointed by the Turlock City Council to serve on the Stanislaus County Council of Governments from 1999 – 2000.
In 2000, former California Governor Gray Davis appointed Lazar as local government representative to the California State Mandates Commission. His Term ended in 2005.
In 1976, John Lazar served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Congressional Page for the late B.F. Sisk. He was employed from 1979 – 1982 by former Congressman Tony Coelho and also had worked as a legislative assistant in Sacramento to the former State assembly Members Gary Condit and Jack O’Connell.
Born and raised in Turlock, Lazar attended Keyes Elementary School, Brown Junior High School, and Turlock High School. He graduated from California State University, Stanislaus in 1981 and is employed as a real estate broker for Century 21, M & M and Associates of Turlock. Lazar resides in Turlock with his wife, Nellie, and their three sons.
Amy Bublak
abublak@yahoo.com Term Seated: 12/09/08 Expires: 2012*
Turlock City Council Member Amy Bublak has a long history of community involvement. Bublak attended Cal State Stanislaus earning a B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice, she also holds a Masters in Public Administration and Urban Government. A former Student Body President at Cal State Stanislaus, Bublak has an enduring passion for public service. As a student Bublak took the lead on innovative projects and created Good Neighbor Day, a collaborative effort between students and the City of Turlock concentrating on the restoration of public parks, painting of the Tything Place and planting trees throughout the community. In the fall of 2007, Turlock Mayor John Lazar appointed Bublak to the City Planning Commission where she has worked to ensure responsible growth.
Amy Bublak believes in a cost effective and efficient government that meets the needs of Turlock residents. It is imperative for our city that we focus on planned growth. As a member of the City Council, Bublak she places a great emphasis on public safety and quality of life issues and brings her sense of dedication, integrity and spirit of innovation to city hall.
A career police officer, Bublak and husband Dr. Milton Richards, Cal State Stanislaus Director of Athletics, have established deep roots in Turlock. She is Board member for the Modesto Red Cross and has a passion for activities which help young people become productive members of society.
Bill DeHart Jr.
wdehart@turlock.ca.us Term Seated: 12/14/10 Expires: 2014*
Bill DeHart was elected to Turlock City Council in the November 2010 General Election. His family relocated to Turlock in 2002, which has been home since. His election to the Council was another step in his lifelong commitment to service by “giving back” to country and community.
Bill completed his undergraduate work with a B.A. in History and a minor in Elementary Education from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. Upon graduation, he reported to active duty and served with the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned officer for nearly twenty years – 8 active and 12 reserve - as a helicopter pilot and airborne Marine.
Following his active duty military experience, Bill joined his father’s printing business and held roles in management, ownership and direct sales from September 1978 through March of 2008.
Bill has enjoyed countless hours in youth activities with Church Youth Groups from elementary school children through high school youth, coaching youth sports from Little League through Junior High aged teams and wherever he has lived, served his local church in leadership positions.
Bill joined the staff of Covenant Village of Turlock team in April of 2008. He has served as the Director of Marketing, and most recently as the Director of Church Relations and Community Outreach (Development).
Bill and Cheryl, his wife of nearly 43 years, have two adult children and six grandchildren.
Forrest White
fwhite@turlock.ca.us Term Seated: 12/14/10 Expires: 2014*
Forrest White was elected to the Turlock City Council in November of 2010. He has been a resident of Turlock for over 25 years and retired from the workforce in 2008. Forrest is a graduate of California State University, San Jose and attended California State University, Stanislaus as a graduate student.
Councilmember White spent over 35 years working for the public; five of those as a Turlock City Recreation Supervisor, and the last 20 years as C.E.O. of the San Joaquin County Fair. His primary duties as C.E.O. consisted of budgeting, public relations, and governmental advocacy which included working with legislators and statewide boards.
His goals for the City of Turlock are prioritizing business development, setting smart growth policies and making quality City services a priority. With these goals in place, the City would be in a position to take advantage of the next economic growth cycle while enhancing the quality of life in the community.
Forrest and his wife, Colleen, a lifelong resident of Turlock, are committed to the betterment of Turlock and don’t be surprised if you see one or both of them at your community event.
Mary Jackson was born and raised on a farm, west of Turlock. She graduated from Turlock High School and completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in journalism and political science. Mary spent a year working on her master’s degree in management and political science as a Rotary Foundation Scholar in Wellington, New Zealand.
Mary Jackson spent 12 years as a T.V. journalist in five states, and covered our State Capitol and legislature. She taught vocational education for 4 years in Merced County and currently is an instructor at Merced College. Mary served as the executive director for Lodi Grape Growers Association for 2 ˝ years.
Mary and her husband Kurt, a computer consultant, have been married 12 years and are the proud parents of twin daughters. Mary serves as the Turlock representative to Stanislaus Council of Governments, participates in the League of California Cities, and volunteers at United Samaritans Foundation. Mary is a former Turlock City Arts Commissioner, a member of the Carnegie Building Committee, and has served as a member of the Turlock Educational Summit and State Highway 165 Task Force.
*Term will expire following the City Council’s confirmation of the official results of the November election.
