Moraga has been the only jurisdiction in Lamorinda that does not ask individuals who seek to address the Council to complete a speaker card before doing so. This casual process will probably be put to an end soon. "It will make it easier for the Town Clerk, who will have the correct spelling of speakers' names, and it will help the Mayor gauge the number of people wishing to address the Council," explained Town Manager Mike Segrest during the April 28th Town Council meeting.
Council Member Dave Trotter was the only voice of resistance to the proposed change. "Traditionally this town has not required this," he said, "this would be a change that would overturn years of practice."
"I think such a procedure will merely slow down the meeting," commented long time Moraga resident Margaret DePriester after the meeting, "A show of hands can tell the Mayor who wishes to speak, and/or who wishes to speak pro or con. A good microphone at the speaker's stand would do wonders to help the timing and the information needed for the record."
Mayor Ken Chew supported the idea, as long as it didn't preclude anyone from speaking, and Vice-Mayor Karen Mendonca liked the idea of making staff's work easier. Chew told staff, "Bring it back to us and we will adopt it next time."
Council Member Dave Trotter was the only voice of resistance to the proposed change. "Traditionally this town has not required this," he said, "this would be a change that would overturn years of practice."
"I think such a procedure will merely slow down the meeting," commented long time Moraga resident Margaret DePriester after the meeting, "A show of hands can tell the Mayor who wishes to speak, and/or who wishes to speak pro or con. A good microphone at the speaker's stand would do wonders to help the timing and the information needed for the record."
Mayor Ken Chew supported the idea, as long as it didn't preclude anyone from speaking, and Vice-Mayor Karen Mendonca liked the idea of making staff's work easier. Chew told staff, "Bring it back to us and we will adopt it next time."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA