| | Published September 25th, 2024
| Letters to the editor
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Lafayette City Council race
Editor,
Lafayette has an actual City Council election on Nov. 5. I state this because over the past 10 years, it has sometimes been the case that no competition existed for the seats. Also, we have witnessed frequent appointments over this period, stemming from resignations.
This year, we have a competitive election. That means the voter can consider voices that are independent of the long-established local hierarchy ... such voices bring different ideas, experience and perspective.
Why should a voter consider such voices? Consider where we find ourselves as a city. Our fiscal situation is challenging, if on a much smaller scale than that of our state, let alone the disaster that is the U.S. debt/deficit (neighbors: your federal taxes are going to have to go up).
Our City Council has spent over $5.5 million in the past 15 years acquiring three properties. These properties sit empty, with virtually zero revenue being generated, and little current usefulness. This amount of money would cover almost three years of projected deficits.
And our city is a serial hirer of expensive consultants. For example, the consultant ($100,000 paid) who urged the Council to push for a full 1% sales tax increase. The Council was set to vote on that, until one Councilperson expressed fear that it would lose at the ballot box. Why would the Council have debated approval of a tax increase that would have generated another $5 million in revenue, when the "need" is $2 million?
Your tax dollars are simply not respected, at almost any level of government in this country.
There are only two candidates on the ballot who fit the description of being independent, and outside the established hierarchy. Those two are Lauren Herpich and Mario DiPrisco. Please consider these individuals for your vote. They are both willing to work very hard for all residents of Lafayette.
Bill Fraser
2022 Co-Citizen of the Year
Lafayette
Lafayette City Council Election
As a member of the Lafayette Public Arts Committee, I have had the pleasure of working closely with former Mayor and current City Council member, Carl Anduri. He has demonstrated over the years, a deep understanding of our city's needs and challenges. He has been instrumental in building an inviting and vibrant downtown Lafayette. A proactive and thoughtful collaborator, he worked tirelessly to get the utility box wrap project and the city mural arts project off the ground. I have often watched him listen intently through an entire meeting and only at the end, gently reveal his depth of knowledge around systems, procedures and orderly compliance. His willingness to listen to the voices of concerned citizens have made a tangible difference in our community's quality of life. He has shown a genuine commitment to inclusivity by advocating for our marginalized families. A dedicated leader with integrity and passion, his years of experience and vision will be vital for our city's progress. Please re-elect City Council member, Carl Anduri.
Yukie Fujimoto
Lafayette
Lafayette City Council Endorsements
Although I will not be running for re-election to the Lafayette City Council, I endorse the following individuals whose diverse expertise will combine into an effective governing body for our city:
Mayor Gina Dawson has been a strong and caring leader, constantly thinking about what is best for residents of Lafayette. Open-minded, thoughtful and collaborative, she has championed community safety and the financial sustainability of our city.
Carl Anduri is our most experienced legislator, serving three times as Mayor during 14 years on Council since 2002. A retired attorney, Councilmember Anduri has been a role model in his professionalism, preparation & ability to listen carefully and synthesize complex issues.
John McCormick owns a local music store, is past President of the Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers for several non-profits. Lafayette recognized him as one of our shining stars in 2022 as Businessperson of the Year. He brings strong analytical ability and a deep interest in Lafayette's history and its future.
Jim Cervantes brings a 34-year career in helping California cities with their public financing programs. He has volunteered in city, county & statewide roles, most recently chairing our General Plan Advisory Committee to chart Lafayette's future.
Wei-Tai Kwok (he/him)
Lafayette
Carl Anduri for City Council
Lafayette thrives on civic engagement, and Carl Anduri's dedication to our community has been exemplary. His continued leadership is vital for ensuring that Lafayette remains a supportive and inclusive city for all residents.
Carl has been a staunch advocate for programs and services that help older adults remain in their homes. His involvement in the task force that planned, secured approvals, and obtained financing for our most recent independent, affordable, senior housing is a testament to his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our senior community. This initiative has provided a crucial housing option for seniors who wish to live in Lafayette, and many lives have been improved considerably as a result.
Carl played a key role in fostering collaboration between the City, Senior Services Commission, and Lamorinda Village, resulting in a partnership that has significantly bolstered the support network available to older residents. Bridging gaps and creating synergies between these organizations, Carl helped to ensure that Lafayette's seniors have access to a comprehensive range of services, from social activities to essential support resources.
Re-elect Carl Anduri for Lafayette City Council and support his ongoing efforts to make Lafayette a better place for everyone, especially our valued seniors.
Suzy Pak
Lafayette
Re-elect Carl Anduri to Lafayette's City Council!
Four years ago I wrote, "As a former Planning Commissioner and City Councilperson, Carl has been a highly respected member of our community for years. In brief, he sets the standard for the ethics, attention, knowledge, and outlook required to be effective." At the time, none of us knew how difficult conditions would become.
Local government is paradoxically the most complex level of government. It has to comply with Federal and State laws while satisfying citizen requirements and demands in the most open and publicly accessible environment.
Substantial changes in State zoning laws required a fundamental reversal in how our city has been planned and developed. Carl's leadership and experience in this highly pressured and controversial environment proved essential. Now it has to be implemented.
Please see www.anduriforlafayette.com/
Will Lovitt, former Lafayette Planning Commissioner and Chair
Lafayette
Elect Jim Cervantes to Lafayette City Council
Dear Editor,
I urge Lafayette voters to elect Jim Cervantes to the Lafayette City Council for the open two-year term, this November. As Chair of the Planning Commission, I served as our liaison to the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) when Jim served as the GPAC's Vice-Chair and Chair. During those two years, he came consistently prepared for every meeting and was an active participant in the Committee's work. He was active in organizing outreach to the community during the GPAC's work on the Housing Element. As Chair, he led the group through an intense stretch of weekly meetings, always engaging respectfully with members of the public, City staff, and Committee members. He was an active listener and took an even-handed approach throughout our work.
Jim has decades of experience in municipal finance, but as importantly, an approach that is thoughtful, balanced, and open to all. I believe Jim can provide a valuable contribution to the work of the City Council.
Sincerely,
Anna Radonich
Vice Chair, Lafayette Planning Commission
Lafayette
Carl Anduri Endorsement
I support Carl Anduri for City Council because he has given Lafayette decades of calm, intelligent, visionary leadership. A few highlights of his many community service roles include ten years (2002-2012) and then another recent four years on City Council, twice as Mayor. He served for five years as Commissioner and twice Chair of the Planning Commission. His early service years include several crucial task forces...Open Space, Hillside, Environmental, and Senior Housing. His career as Partner in a leading SF law firm focused on national and international finance, a key knowledge base for managing our City's balanced budget. What an incredible background to lead our City.
In these times of change and sometimes tense conversations, Carl's skills as a careful and inclusive listener, and his steadfast focus on understanding diverse perspectives, careful study of the history and facts behind an issue have always grounded his decision making. After decades as a Lafayette resident, Carl's optimism about our community will provide a healthy foundation for the next decade. Yes on Carl!
Kathy Merchant
Orinda
EBRPD board election
Science Matters for EBRPD Lynda4parks
Our 75 beloved East Bay Regional Parks, including nearby Briones, Redwood, and new Pt. Molate, face big challenges. There are 1,500 acres of dead trees and water bodies too toxic for swimmers and animals. Excessive heat closed parks this year and last, endangering visitors and staff, as well as plant and animal life. Park fires endanger everyone. New urban lands like Pt. Molate come with contamination.
Lynda Deschambault is an environmental scientist running for the Board of EBRPD in Ward 2, which includes much of Oakland, Orinda and Moraga. She has a deep commitment to and long involvement with our Parks. Lynda's experience includes land management, massive clean-ups and matters of policy, administration and equity. Environmental scientist Lynda will bring a necessary and unique perspective to governance of EBRPD. Knowledgeable public servant like Lynda will help guide EBRPD into its upcoming second century.
Kirk E. Peterson
Lyndad4parks
Oakland
Vote Lauren McCabe Herpich for Lafayette City Council
We are writing to express our support for Lafayette City Council candidate Lauren McCabe Herpich.
According to the US Census Bureau, children make up a quarter of the population of Lafayette. As a member of the Lafayette City Council and as someone with a family of her own, Lauren will serve as a voice for young families in Lafayette. Having fully committed to Lafayette, Lauren understands the importance of making thoughtful, pragmatic, and fiscally responsible choices that will ensure a brighter future for Lafayette's younger generations (including those currently toddling their way around Brook Street Park, a park Lauren played an integral role in facilitating).
We've seen Lauren in action as a Cub Scout Den Leader for our children. She currently spearheads a popcorn sales program that teaches them public speaking skills, how to graciously accept rejection, and learn money management - all skills they will deploy in life. She also brought to fruition a yearly overnight camping experience at local science museums that continues to create lasting memories.
As evidenced by her extensive and successful civic engagement, Lauren is hard-working, sensible, and fair-minded. We hope you join us in voting for Lauren McCabe Herpich for Lafayette City Council.
Megan Nemeh, Lafayette
Rahul Agrawal, Lafayette
Tyler Heithoff, Lafayette
Martina Heithoff, Lafayette
Donya Ladunga, Lafayette
Nick Ladunga, Lafayette
Lafayette city council candidate endorsement
It is critically important to select political candidates who respect and adequately represent Lafayette as a growing, diverse community. We need elected officials who understand and embrace our diversity, ensuring that all community members feel safe, seen, heard, and valued.
As a queer, Jewish woman, I have deeply and painfully experienced antisemitism and anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment here in Lamorinda over the past year. Hateful messages have been brandished on El Curtola overpass, cruel words about children displayed and shouted outside Lafayette Elementary School, and antisemitic flyers thrown onto residents' properties.
Lafayette's vision of being a "welcoming, inclusive, safe, family-friendly city", as the city's website states, requires that our City Council stands against these behaviors and acknowledges their harm.
After looking into each candidate, I am deeply concerned that one of them will not foster and uphold this vision. I encourage fellow residents to review school board and city council meeting records and decide which candidates will lead Lafayette as an inclusive and accepting community.
Based on my research, I am confident that Gina Dawson, Carl Anduri and John McCormick are the only four-year term candidates capable of this essential governance. I plan to cast my vote and re-elect them in November.
Nikki Cowger
Lafayette
Carl Anduri for Lafayette City Council
Lafayette's Carl Anduri grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, attended Stanford, went to Yale Law School, taught school for a year and then.
Well then he married Sharon Woodnutt Anduri, a Lafayette resident who attended K-12 schools here. Nice move Carl! But he became even smarter after that-he moved to Lafayette with Sharon and they raised their two girls here.
Besides working at a San Francisco law firm, he decided to volunteer in town, including our Planning Commission and the City Council. Carl has a gift for understanding how our City works and is governed. He understands how California's Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) works with respect to projects brought before the City Council. Carl carefully studies both sides of an issue whether it be a local permit application or something coming down from our State and helps guide it to a fair conclusion.
Over the past four years we have had several "matters" coming from the State regarding housing. Many of you have been gathering and studying the issues and presenting your results to the City Council. Carl has been a knowledgeable, important and constant figure on our City Council. We need to maintain our downtown and neighborhoods while complying with these new State mandates.
I have been a teacher and am a lawyer. Carl is someone I would have liked to have worked with in both areas. His performance on the Planning Commission and on the City Council have been a true gift to our City. Carl Anduri should continue to serve on the City Council.
He definitely has my vote and I urge you to vote for Carl Anduri for City Council.
Sincerely,
Susan Price Callister
Lafayette
Orinda City Council
It's time for a fresh new perspective on the Orinda City Council and that is why I am supporting Candace Evans for City Council. As a long term volunteer in our community I appreciate the efforts of all the Council members but I feel it is time for a change and Candace is the dynamo that can do that. Candace has a long history of political activism and practical experience as she currently is Council Liaison in the Oakland City Clerk's Office. She is a dynamo from Generation X and will be the first Afro-American and member of the LBGTQ Community to serve. Candace will be a strong advocate for seniors, recreational programs( including the creeks, Orinda Nature Area and development of a dog park), supports the MCE energy alternative, creating a more vibrant downtown, expansion of fire prevention and infrastructure under Measure R, and I guarantee you she will fight racism, discrimination and for social justice. If you are tired of the status quo and want someone who will give her all, I urge you to vote Candace Evans for City Council! Come to Candidate Night in Orinda on Oct. 7 and find out for yourself or visit http://www.voteevans.net.
Steven Danziger
Orinda
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA