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The accident that incapacitated Mayor Dave Trotter just after his election led to his resignation as mayor - but not as council member - and to the election of a "new" new-mayor. Teresa Onoda was chosen unanimously, while Roger Wykle took the vice mayor chair.
Onoda's election as mayor was not a surprise to her, as she was already the vice mayor and next in line to be mayor according to Moraga's nonwritten tradition.
The new mayor says that in spite of the rapid change of the timeline for her mayorship she feels ready for the task.
"I study all of the issues, have kept track of our key committees over the past few years, and worked to build a strong working relationship with the town staff," she said, "I also have developed my relationships with local and state elected officials, the leadership of Saint Mary's College and many different civic groups in our town."
Onoda is by passion and profession a plein air painter who has been engaged in protecting open space for years and who was also very active in local schools as a parent. She joined the planning commission at the beginning of 2013 and was elected to the town council two years ago. She has a strong track record of being a hands-on type leader, working hard on issues, and going out and about to learn and engage residents. "I go out to neighborhoods when there are problems, check for myself on developments, and attend all kinds of meetings," she says. She knows that the mayor role carries a heavy workload, and she adds with a smile that she will control her productivity as an artist either by working smaller or simply starting fewer paintings.
She has, of course, a passion for public art and fought to establish an art committee in town that is credited for the first statues now installed in front of the library and the council chambers at 335 Rheem Blvd. She plans to continue to work with that committee and says that it should place several sculptures around town in 2017, at the Commons Park and at town hall. "I have a few sculptures in mind that will put a smile on many faces," she says.
Onoda says that she wants to encourage civic discourse, invite opinions and differing points of view, and then listen. "As mayor, I want to be someone who further channels the incredible talent and expertise of our residents into activities that continually improve the quality of life in our town," she says.
The new mayor wants the town's first priority to be making sure the sinkhole near the Rheem Valley Shopping Center will be fixed so that retail activity and traffic return to normal.
Her next priority is the update of the ridgeline and hillside regulation that has been in the works for over two years. "I want to put a clear structure and process in place that gives developers a strong set of rules that will reflect our semi-rural character," she says. "To me, ridgelines are sacred and hillsides need to be preserved as rigorously as possible. The cumulative impact of new development on our roads and schools needs to be taken into greater account."
During this year, it is also likely that Onoda will have to weigh in the implementation zoning of the Moraga Center Specific Plan. So far the position she has voiced on the committee that is discussing this future zoning leans toward making some changes. Going onsite and exploring, for example, what would become of the pear orchard located at the corner of Moraga Way and Camino Ricardo, she noted that the exact facts are a bit unsettled and that it looks likely that the density set in the MCSP could lead to a housing development more dense and urban in nature then Moragans would want.
She says that above everything else, as an artist she has trained herself to see things deeply and clearly. "My specialty happens to be in regard to landscapes, so I see our town's natural beauty everywhere I go," she explains. She also catches the things that are out of place or that diminish the overall affect, and she is trained to create mental images in her head. "This means when I look at the designs for a development, I see in my mind very clearly what will work and not work with the surroundings," she believes.
On Jan. 26 the council will meet to discuss the goals for the town for 2017. Trotter had prepared a list for his new function but Onoda is now in charge. "My list is not the same as Dave's list," she says, "although they are compatible." She wants 2017 priorities to reflect her vision of Moraga and where efforts should be concentrated. The goal-setting meeting will start at 6 p.m. at 335 Rheem Blvd.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA