| | Published November 14th, 2018
| McCluer and Woehleke secure two slots on Moraga Town Council
| | | By Vera Kochan | | |
The three town council candidates, incumbent Mayor Dave Trotter, current Moraga Planning Commissioner Mike McCluer and former Planning Commissioner Steve Woehleke, found themselves running in a tight race on Nov. 6. Election Day results put McCluer in the top slot, with 3,544 votes, Woehleke second with 3,018 votes, and Trotter following at a close third with 2,832votes.
The candidates ran on similar platforms that addressed the feedback of concerns from Moraga residents. The General Plan and open space, public safety, balanced budgets, healthy local business, attracting new retail, infrastructure and schools were all hot topics on the campaign for office.
After the election, all three candidates were asked if they had any observations or comments regarding the election, as well as go-forward plans for Moraga or for themselves personally.
McCluer stated, "I would like to thank the residents of Moraga for all of their support, and I am truly humbled and grateful to serve this wonderful town. I look forward to working with my town council and staff colleagues, and pursuing my campaign goals of protecting open space, improving financial management (especially infrastructure/pension costs), bringing in new retail, and finally, improving relationships/collaborations, better communication and more transparency in all that we do throughout the town."
Woehleke's post-election thoughts took him back to the campaign trail, and the time he spent canvassing Moraga's neighborhoods, engaging the residents in conversation about issues that were important to them. Two issues that seemed to reverberate were Moraga's ability to safely evacuate in the event of a fire and increasing traffic congestion within the town via Canyon Road. He also acknowledged the significant role social media played in election-related dialog.
Woehleke said, "Moraga's town council, supported by the town commissions and boards, represents the practice of democratic governance as intended for our great nation. I am honored and humbled to have been elected. I thank all voters for participating in this important process. I will strive to listen to, represent and serve all Moraga citizens." He added, "While a theme of the election may have been 'time for change,' the town council is definitely going to miss Dave Trotter, including his extensive institutional knowledge. The town owes a debt of gratitude to Dave."
Trotter acknowledged, "While I'm disappointed, I'm also at peace regarding the result of the election. It's been a rare and true privilege to serve on the town council and represent the people of Moraga for three full terms. I'm so grateful to have had that opportunity. I had a very good run. During my 12 years on the council we accomplished many good things, both great and small, that benefited the Moraga community. I congratulate Mike and Steve and wish them, and the entire council, good luck and best wishes moving forward."
The Contra Costa County Elections Division has until Dec. 4 to certify the final election results, which could include absentee, mail-in or provisional ballots.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA