Published February 1st, 2012
Moraga Residents Request Clarification on Selection Process
By Sophie Braccini
"There is a risk of lack of faith," said David Shapiro, referring to the way Moraga's Vice Mayor was chosen by the Town Council last December. The issue was raised by resident Ellen Beans at the Town's Goal Setting session on January 28. Beans said that she, and many residents, had been stunned when Howard Harpham was nominated and elected Vice Mayor. "This has nothing to do with that specific choice," clarified Beans, "but a 30-plus year tradition was broken with no discussion with the public or among Council members." Other residents indicated that they were also surprised when they heard the news.
According to an unwritten rule, those who sit in the mayor and vice mayor seats are those who receive the majority of the public votes in the election that sends them to the Council. Most agreed that changing a rule, even an unwritten one, is worth a public debate. The issue will be put on the agenda of an upcoming Council meeting and will then be discussed at length.

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