Town of Moraga submits letter for inclusion into county's Time Capsule
By Vera Kochan
About 60 years ago, Contra Costa County's then, newly constructed Administration Building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez had a time capsule placed in its tower. The time capsule was accepted during the Sept 26, 1964 dedication ceremony.
As the years marched on, the old building was deemed unsafe thanks to hazardous materials such as asbestos (making any renovations problematic and costly) and went through nearly a year of demolition beginning last November.
A replacement County Administration Building was built nearby at 1025 Escobar Street. A new time capsule will be placed in a previously constructed concrete receptacle area at the foot of the clock tower during the Oct. 4 Board of Supervisors meeting.
County Supervisor Candace Andersen has invited the town of Moraga to write a letter for inclusion into the new time capsule. Some suggested information might include town facts; current council members; population; top five issues of concern; and anything else deemed informationally significant.
"Greetings to Moraga's future citizens," begins the town's letter. "We are excited to share information regarding life in Moraga in 2022. The Town's population is currently 16,700. We are a Town that prides itself on its semi-rural feel, scenic vistas, close-knit community and excellent public schools."
The letter goes on to mention a multitude of bullet points that make Moraga special such as: its farming history (pears and walnuts); open spaces and hiking trails; public school system and parental volunteerism; safe-city ranking; youth sports along with cultural and community programs; the many volunteer and service organizations; multiple parks offering a variety of amusements; Saint Mary's College; close collaboration with Lafayette and Orinda; effectiveness of a small staff on a limited budget; recent completion of Canyon Road Bridge replacement; and the Moraga-Orinda Fire District.
Also mentioned in the letter are some of the town's current challenges with solutions in the works: multiple wildfire mitigation projects and evacuation planning; traffic congestion during peak hours and alternatives; aging storm drains and infrastructural improvements through federal funding; and working to provide economically feasible housing opportunities for a wider range of income levels.
An additional request from Andersen was a group photo of Moraga's current town council members, which will also be included with the letter.
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