| | Published December 19th, 2012
| Anderson Focuses on MOFD Finances
| | By Nick Marnell | | |
Steve Anderson, newly sworn in as a member of the Moraga Orinda Fire District Board of Directors, is not one to mince words. "Details! You have to know and understand what is going on. You need to learn exactly how a business operates."
Anderson was born in Florida and is a Florida Gator through and through. He earned both his bachelor's degree and his MBA in Gainesville. He began his career in Texas, at EDS, working for Ross Perot. His wife, whom he met while he was in the service, is from California and 30 years ago they moved to Orinda. Anderson has formed and sold tech companies over the years, and continues to act as a consultant for four of them. "I'm their adult presence," he said.
"My first interaction with the MOFD was a positive one," Anderson recalled. He needed insurance work done for one of the properties he owned, and he was happy with the knowledge and professionalism of the department.
Why did he decide to seek a seat on the board? "I want my tax dollars managed frugally," Anderson replied. He remembers watching a presentation that was made to the Orinda City Council by a citizens' group claiming that if MOFD funds were properly assessed and allocated there might be money that could be used to fix Orinda roads. This idea made him curious about MOFD and motivated him to throw his hat in the ring. Like many in Orinda, "I want to fix our roads," he stated vehemently.
"I intend to find out exactly how this entity operates," Anderson continued. "I want to know how the first dollar is spent. I will insist on an explanation for every expenditure in the financial plan." He also intends to demand an explanation for every assumption used in formulating that financial plan. Including the actual amount of pension liability, which he said has been puzzlingly unavailable from Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association. "'I don't know' is not an acceptable answer," he said.
Anderson represents MOFD District Three, the seat vacated by Dick Olsen who resigned in February. Stepping down is not on his agenda. "I was a Ranger in the service, Nick. We're the first ones in. And we finish the job."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA