 | | | Al Dessayer and wife, Alice Photo provided | | | | | | The town council approved a proclamation honoring Al Dessayer for his decades of varying service to the Moraga community. During the Aug. 25 meeting, Mayor Mike McCluer stated, "I just want to say how much we value Al for 47 years. My God, Al, how did you do that?"
Dessayer played a part in the town's efforts to incorporate in 1974 and served as its first treasurer. He continued his service as a planning commissioner between 1980-81. One year later, he was elected to the town council, holding a seat for 12 years. In that period, he held the position of mayor in 1985, 1988 and 1993. He also found time to be a member of Friends of the Moraga Library and the Moraga Historical Society.
The proclamation notes, "One of Al's many accomplishments includes identifying the opportunity for the Town to purchase the excess State land when Caltrans' plan to create Gateway Boulevard through Moraga was thwarted. This vision resulted in the creation of the Commons Park, a centerpiece and main gathering place in Moraga; and the Town's acquisition of the land which is now nine holes at Moraga Country Club."
Overlapping his town council duties while also serving on the board of directors for Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) beginning in 1987, Dessayer represented Moraga for 34 years by ensuring that public transportation was available to residents in an economically conscientious manner.
In describing Dessayer's work ethic, Council Member Renata Sos said, "He was tenacious, he cared deeply for what he was doing and that when it came to fiscal responsibility, he was unparalleled and unrivaled." |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA