MOFD Board Elects 2010 Officers, New Public Information Campaign Outlined
By Lucy Amaral
Frank Sperling will serve as President for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District's (MOFD) Board of Directors in 2010. The nomination and election of officers was held at the December 16 board meeting, and the new term will begin on January 1, 2010. Sperling held the position of Vice-President for the 2009 Board year.
Along with Sperling, the new line-up includes: John Wyro, Vice-President; Fred Weil, Secretary; Brook Mancinelli, Treasurer; and, Pete Wilson, the former President, will return to a general Board Member position. Wilson was presented with a plaque from the Board commemorating his year of service as President.
During the meeting, Wyro outlined his conceptual plan for the Board's public information strategy. Among the actions, Wyro said he would like to schedule public sessions throughout the year to gather public input, especially around the areas of mid-year budget review, strategic plan review, long range financial forecasting, budget presentation review and the final budget review and adoption.
"We would like to hold our work sessions in larger spaces and possibly move them around the district," said Wyro. "These are meetings we normally have, but we want to make a greater effort to reach out and encourage participation."
Wyro also said that he would like to see a larger-scope public information campaign be implemented including mailers, newsletters, press releases, public presentations, and increased web site information.
"On MOFD's web site, we want to have a Frequently Asked Question section with specific information related to district operations so that the public can be better informed on the hows and whys of the district," said Wyro. "We want to explain the facts and issues to anyone interested. The questions will come from a list we are developing and any submitted by the public, so it will be a dynamic section."
Wyro said he hopes that this effort will address the public's concern for more transparency.
"I feel that in light of what has happened over the last year, we have not done a good enough job of getting our message out and hearing if community needs have changed," said Wyro. "We are striving to continue our work to maintain the MOFD as the provider of the highest level of emergency and public service to our community. I believe an enhanced public information campaign will make sure we are doing just that."
Along with Sperling, the new line-up includes: John Wyro, Vice-President; Fred Weil, Secretary; Brook Mancinelli, Treasurer; and, Pete Wilson, the former President, will return to a general Board Member position. Wilson was presented with a plaque from the Board commemorating his year of service as President.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA