Every December in Moraga the town council goes through a reorganization process where a new mayor takes the reins of town leadership along with a new vice mayor.
During the Town Council's Dec. 13 meeting, Mayor Renata Sos was lauded by fellow members who sang her praises and gave her memorable gifts as a tribute to her successful tenure.
Vice Mayor Teresa Onoda got the ball rolling by presenting Sos with a plaque that sported a removable gavel. On a more personal level Onoda gifted Sos with one of her hand-painted pieces of a sunflower. Sos explained that sunflowers are her favorite, because they remind her of her Western-Ukrainian, immigrant mother who always spoke of the sunflowers back home.
Council Member Kerry Hillis presented Sos with a bottle of wine made from the grapes grown in his backyard.
Sos can expect a piece of pottery crafted by Council Member David Shapiro who, much to his chagrin, left it at home.
Council Member Steve Woehleke, whose hobby is wood working, made Sos a wind chime using reclaimed redwood and melodic metal tubing.
Sos replied that she was "deeply touched and honored by everybody's comments. It has been an absolute joy to serve as mayor this year, and the reason is because of the people sitting around me."
Next came the nominations for new mayor and vice mayor. With a unanimous vote, Moraga's new mayor is Onoda, and the new vice mayor is Woehleke.
In his acceptance speech, Woehleke sang the praises of the town staff. "A lot of times we get credit for things, and they really do the work, and we're there in many cases to affirm their decisions."? He added, "We represent all of the citizens of the town in making decisions on their behalf, and we focus on making high-quality decisions."
"I have a sense of gratitude and responsibility as your new elected mayor," stated Onoda. "I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me for our beautiful town. One thing that I have as a goal as a mayor is to sustain our precious habitat. Moraga is known for its natural beauty, and we are the stewards of a unique and diverse eco-system, and it is our duty to protect and preserve it for generations to come."
During the Town Council's Dec. 13 meeting, Mayor Renata Sos was lauded by fellow members who sang her praises and gave her memorable gifts as a tribute to her successful tenure.
Vice Mayor Teresa Onoda got the ball rolling by presenting Sos with a plaque that sported a removable gavel. On a more personal level Onoda gifted Sos with one of her hand-painted pieces of a sunflower. Sos explained that sunflowers are her favorite, because they remind her of her Western-Ukrainian, immigrant mother who always spoke of the sunflowers back home.
Council Member Kerry Hillis presented Sos with a bottle of wine made from the grapes grown in his backyard.
Sos can expect a piece of pottery crafted by Council Member David Shapiro who, much to his chagrin, left it at home.
Council Member Steve Woehleke, whose hobby is wood working, made Sos a wind chime using reclaimed redwood and melodic metal tubing.
Sos replied that she was "deeply touched and honored by everybody's comments. It has been an absolute joy to serve as mayor this year, and the reason is because of the people sitting around me."
Next came the nominations for new mayor and vice mayor. With a unanimous vote, Moraga's new mayor is Onoda, and the new vice mayor is Woehleke.
In his acceptance speech, Woehleke sang the praises of the town staff. "A lot of times we get credit for things, and they really do the work, and we're there in many cases to affirm their decisions."? He added, "We represent all of the citizens of the town in making decisions on their behalf, and we focus on making high-quality decisions."
"I have a sense of gratitude and responsibility as your new elected mayor," stated Onoda. "I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me for our beautiful town. One thing that I have as a goal as a mayor is to sustain our precious habitat. Moraga is known for its natural beauty, and we are the stewards of a unique and diverse eco-system, and it is our duty to protect and preserve it for generations to come."
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA