| | Published November 9th, 2022
| Accolades for retiring Town Clerk Marty McInturf
| | | By Vera Kochan |  | | Marty McInturf when she joined the town in 2009. Photo Lamo archives |
In American culture 13 is considered to be an unlucky number. That tradition continues in Moraga, because after 13 years on the job, Town Clerk Marty McInturf has decided to retire.
No stranger to Lamorinda, McInturf is a graduate of Miramonte High School. Prior to joining the town staff she worked as the city clerk for Pleasant Hill. Her numerous tasks as town clerk and her fountain of knowledge have made her well known to residents who have come to rely on her help and direction over the years.
Although Moraga's status as a "town" may sound less daunting when it comes to daily responsibilities, as anyone on the staff knows there's a lot to do. McInturf's job is no exception. Some of her duties include: certifying and distributing ordinances and resolutions; conducting follow-up activities related to the agenda by processing agreements and recording official documents; indexing and filing town council actions; maintaining and updating the Municipal Code; maintaining permanent town records; managing and conducting town council member elections; preparing and posting agendas and council packet production/distribution; processing legal notices for council meetings and public hearings; recording proceedings of town council meetings; responding to requests for public record information; serving as filing officer for Fair Political Practices regulations; submitting measures to the electorate; and publishing the About Town Newsletter.
"Marty, as Town Clerk, is Moraga's own Mary Poppins," said Mayor Steve Woehleke. "She is the central point resource who keeps all reminded of deadlines, arrangements and all other key information critical to town operations. All are bemoaning her departure, while also wishing Marty a very enjoyable, well-deserved retirement."
Vice Mayor Renata Sos said, "Marty is the consummate public servant: dedicated, hard working, collegial, and community-focused. Her warmth and kindness have no bounds. It was a joy and a privilege to work with her."
Council Member Teresa Onoda described McInturf as "the wizard behind the curtain no matter who the elected leaders are," and Council Member Mike McCluer described her as "a fountain of information and is one of the most helpful people I ever met," noting that when he conducted his Community Engagement visits and asked for recommendations on how the town can improve, the best idea McCluer received was "Clone Marty!"
Council Member Sona Makker said, "She's always looking around corners to see how to advance staff's, council's, and the town's needs at large. She also brings a poignant, much needed sense of calmness to the room (and even managed to do this over Zoom!). I am grateful I had the opportunity to work with Marty and see her shine as a true public servant."
"Marty provides exceptional customer service to everyone - elected offices, residents, business owners and fellow Town employees," Town Manager Cynthia Battenberg stated. "She is collaborative and always willing to help. Marty is a friend to all and will be sorely missed."
Moraga-Orinda Fire District Chief Dave Winnacker said there is no substitute for the years of support Marty gave to the community. "Her pleasant attitude, patience, thoroughness, and high professional standards were always appreciated. I wish her the very best in her retirement." Moraga Police Chief Jon King described McInturf as "a mainstay of this Town, dedicated to ensuring that information gets out to people and that everyone has an opportunity to participate. She is such a good person and I feel honored to work with her and call her my friend."
"It has been a pleasure working with Marty," agreed Administrative Services Director Annie To. "She has the institutional knowledge and is dedicated to her town clerk role. I have enjoyed working with Marty as she is calm, cool, and collected! I am really going to miss working with her."
Director of Public Works/Town Engineer Shawn Knapp has known Marty since their days together working for the city of Pleasant Hill. "I joke with Marty that she is the only town clerk that I know. She has an incredible professional proof-reading ability. She tries to read all staff reports, resolutions, ordinances, proclamations and so on. It's a lot, to the point that she spends countless hours at home reading (after work and late into the night). She has high standards for quality of work."
"Marty's intellect takes on any beast of a topic," stated Planning Director Afshan Hamid. "When I introduced the upcoming Housing Element and the new laws to Moraga Town Council, Marty shared how she watched Pleasant Hill's meetings on the same topic, and how their community responded. Marty not only took on Moraga's Housing Element, but she went further and learned Pleasant Hill's. Marty cared and was invested in Moraga to learn how Moragans would be impacted."
Public Works/Parks Maintenance Manager Kyle Salvin described Marty as "very kind and intelligent; always willing to take on new challenges no matter how busy; never allowed fellow employees to fail - always looking out for others; and a true friend to the town. In my 27 years with Moraga she is hands-down the most steadfast and diligent worker I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She will be greatly missed."
Administrative Assistant Mary Jane Muller had powerful bullet points when describing McInturf: "the epitome of dedicated; thoughtful and understanding; helpful to all who request anything of her; calm and unflappable; always positive and respectful when interacting with anyone and everyone; her knowledge and recall is unmatched. Being that I have worked the most closely with her for eight years, it will be a challenging adjustment for me to go on without the rock that is Marty."
Retirement for McInturf means more time to spend with her husband, Steve, her two sons and their families (which includes grandkids), and whatever else she has in mind. She has earned it. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA