| | Published September 29th, 2010
| Moraga Town Council Candidates Forum Coming Soon
| | By Sophie Braccini | | |
Questions, questions, Moraga has questions. The Moraga Citizens Network (MCN) is aiming to get some answers. To that end, MCN will sponsor a forum featuring the five candidates for Town Council on October 5, 7:30 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Serbian Church, 1700 School Street.
MCN recently polled its membership to see what questions residents would most like to ask the candidates; the responses included queries into such issues as the business climate, development, revenue enhancement, the Hacienda de las Flores, and police/fire/emergency services. Since we have limited space, and to avoid duplication with our introductory article on the candidates (www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0413/Council-Candidates-Address-the-Issues.html), we pounced on one of the many important questions that residents submitted and posed it to the candidates in advance of the forum: How do you envision our town 10 years from now?
Ken Chew (Incumbent)
Ten years hence, Moragans will continue to live in a highly desirable, semi-rural environment that remains a perfect place to raise our families. Our pristine open space, scenic landscapes, outstanding schools, and vibrant shopping centers will have made Moraga a regional jewel that is known for its sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Our Town will have established a solid general fund reserve and maintained balanced annual budgets. It will have successfully implemented an economic development plan that recaptured much of our sales tax leakage. Additionally, it will have created a long term infrastructure renewal program and financing plan.
Moraga's spirit of volunteerism will continue to complement and support an efficiently and effectively run Town government. It will offer an abundance of recreational opportunities for all ages and continue to be one of the safest places anywhere.
In 2020, we will be even prouder to say, "We are Moraga residents!"
Seth Freeman
Ten years from now:
- Moraga remains a highly desirable place to live and educate children.
- Home prices will be 50% higher.
- Parents will still dread summer swim meets
- The Moraga Country Club will have a long waiting list
- The "Rock" will still have kids' "messages"
- Safeway will still be the only grocery store
- BMW Electric cars and street-legal golf carts will be the norm
- The Bruzzones will still be the biggest property owner
- Kimco will have sold Rheem to a different REIT
Dave Trotter (Incumbent)
I hope to live in a Moraga that has:
Retained its semi-rural values, sense of community and excellent public schools.
Preserved and protected our remaining ridgelines and open space areas from inappropriate development, in compliance with the General Plan and MOSO.
Implemented the Moraga Revenue Enhancement Committee's roadmap, and developed stable funding sources for ongoing maintenance/repair of Town roads, storm drains and infrastructure.
A track record of balanced Town budgets, and a cohesive Town Council.
Opened up a refurbished and upgraded Hacienda de las Flores to enhanced public uses benefiting the Moraga community.
Taken steps to fully implement the Moraga Center Specific Plan, and extend and beautify School Street as the new "heart of Moraga."
Approved a Rheem Park Specific Plan with a positive, financially viable vision.
Retained the Town's tradition of concerned, effective and knowledgeable volunteers working for the betterment of Moraga.
Planned for and built a community gym.
Dennis Wanken
As a first priority, I would like to see a Moraga where the deferred infrastructure maintenance has been addressed. Given the time line legally required for the bid process and construction of such projects, a decade is not unreasonable time. Without completion of these projects, the quality of life could degrade significantly.
As a second priority, the Moraga Town Council must make every effort to improve its relationship with the Moraga School District. It is essential that a true collaborative partnership be developed with the MSD, as public education is one of the cornerstones of our community.
As a third priority, promotion of a wide variety of useful and viable businesses could make Moraga increasingly pleasant to shop. However, this can only be done with a trusting relationship between the MTC, property owners, business owners, and local citizens.
In ten years, I hope historians will look back and judge any public policy I have the privilege to assist with and say "he did the right thing."
Eleni Wanken
I would like the roads to be in drivable shape without potholes.
I would like to see our schools continue to be in the top 10% of schools in California.
I would like to see more grocery stores as well as more of a variety of businesses that meet the needs of local citizens.
I would like to see a moderate growth of single family homes within the guidelines of the MOSO and recommendations from the Moraga Planning Commission. I think that smart growth can be accomplished without compromising the rural atmosphere of Moraga.
Finally, I would like to see more of a police presence in our community as well as more women on the Moraga Police Department. Given the recent spate of petty crimes as well as an armed bank robbery, more police would act as a deterrent as well as increase response time. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA