Campolindo Needs Our Support — Vote Yes on Measure W

    As president of the Campolindo Parents Club, I see every day what our school means to this community, and I also see, up close, what happens when funding doesn't keep pace with what our students need.

    Let me be clear about something: this is not a spending problem. It's a revenue problem. The Acalanes Union High School District has already tightened its budget significantly, cutting $4.2 million over the past two years. At Campolindo, that has meant reduced course offerings, a librarian now shared across all four district campuses instead of dedicated to our students, and thinner academic counseling at exactly the time our students need more guidance, not less. Even after absorbing those cuts, the district remains one of the lowest-funded in California per student. Our schools haven't been careless with money. They've been squeezed by a funding structure that simply doesn't provide enough to begin with.

    At $168 a year, Measure W is a modest price to pay for keeping our schools exceptional. All funds stay local, seniors can receive a full exemption, and independent audits are required.

    Our school has given so much to our families. Now it's our turn to give back.

    Please join me in voting Yes on Measure W.

Ann de Villiers
President, Campolindo Parents Club 
Moraga

Three Generations of Acalanes Dons support Measure W

    There aren't many places where three generations of one family can say they attended the same high school. In our family, five of us can.

    Katrina Neblett Silvani was a Don first. Years later, her daughter, Danielle Silvani Gallagher, walked the same halls, as did Danielle's future husband, Sean Gallagher. Today, their daughters, Grace and Lauren, are Dons themselves.

    Ask Katrina about Acalanes and you'll hear about teachers who saw something in their students before the students saw it themselves: Mr. Hansen in choral, Mr. Oberg in French, Mr. Dessler in English and Mr. Diehl in Spanish. She'll tell you about homecoming projects, four years of choral music and French, and counselors who helped her navigate college applications and find scholarships she didn't know existed.

    Ask Sean and he'll say electronics, architectural drafting and four years of soccer. Danielle remembers traveling to New York with Ms. Linford and the Acalanes choir, countless hours on the basketball court, and dissecting a cat in AP Biology alongside a lab partner who loved every minute and became a trauma surgeon. Danielle had the opposite reaction and quickly realized medicine wasn't for her.

    Grace will tell you about finding her place in drama and English teachers who encouraged her passion for writing. Lauren will tell you about Leadership and the incredible Ms. Walton, who has already made an impact on her high school experience.Katrina can look back on the teachers and experiences that shaped her more than fifty years ago. Danielle and Sean can now do the same. Grace and Lauren are still living it.

    Acalanes has changed, but much of what our family values has remained: great teachers, manageable class sizes, the arts, a wide range of courses and counselors who support individual students. Measure W would provide locally controlled funding for eight years to support teachers, manageable class sizes, academic programs, counseling and career services, technology and other instructional needs.

    For our family, those aren’t just items on a list. They’re woven into three generations of our Acalanes story.

    Our family is voting Yes on Measure W.

Katrina Neblett Silvani & Rick Silvani
Danielle Silvani Gallagher & Sean Gallagher
Grace & Lauren Gallagher
Lafayette

Measure W is for every student — including ours

    As special education parents and leaders from Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, and Moraga, we are proud to stand with our community in full support of Measure W.

Our four AUHSD high schools — Acalanes, Campolindo, Las Lomas, and Miramonte — are extraordinary places. They rank among the top schools in the nation because of the teachers who show up every day for every kind of learner, counselors who know our kids by name, and programs that range from AP Physics to woodshop to adaptive PE. We have watched our own children — some of whom learn differently, communicate differently, or need more support to thrive — be welcomed, included, and genuinely educated in these schools. That is not a small thing. It is the result of years of intentional investment by a community that believes every student belongs.

    Measure W protects the teachers, the class sizes, the counselors, and the programs that serve our highest-achieving students and our most vulnerable students alike. There is no "us and them" in a great public school district — there is only "our kids," and Measure W is how we keep showing up for all of them.
    We want to address something directly, because we believe our community deserves honesty, not spin. The opposition singled out the cost of a single special education student's placement - turning a child into a line item - and used it to cast doubt on this measure. Using a vulnerable child's education as a talking point in a political argument crosses a line.

    Following the law and ensuring that eligible students with disabilities receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education is not a drain on our schools — it is one of the clearest expressions of what makes AUHSD responsible, reliable, and excellent. 

    We are proud families of AUHSD. We have seen what these schools can do for a child who learns differently, and we have seen what they can do for a child heading to a top university. Measure W protects both of those futures.

    We are voting yes on Measure W, and we hope you will join us.

Alicia Keenan, Miramonte Special Education Parent   
Samantha Okazaki, Las Lomas Special Education Parent 
Anna Tague, Former Del Valle Special Education Parent  
Subadhra Seetharaman, Acalanes Special Education Parent
Suzie Souza, Campolindo Special Education Parent
Emily Waterbury, Orinda resident, co-Director POISE 
Julie Schindler, Walnut Creek resident
Hillary Sucker SEED Lafayette Vice President
Jen Ripley, Lafayette resident, SEED Lafayette board member
Samantha Okazaki, Las Lomas Special Education Parent
Kate Munding, Orinda resident, co-Director POISE

A dollars and sense case for Measure W 

    There is a moral imperative to invest in our public schools. Our children deserve an excellent education and many move to Lamorinda for that reason. But for homeowners considering Measure W, there is also an immensely compelling dollars-and-cents case.

    Consider an actual and representative Happy Valley home. Purchased in 2014 for $1.935 million, Zillow now estimates its value at approximately $2.974 million, an increase of more than $1 million.

    Of course, our schools did not cause the full appreciation. Many factors determine home values. But decades of economic research demonstrate that school quality is meaningfully capitalized into housing prices. Studies on school-boundary changes and changes in school ratings have found significant effects on home values. California research has likewise found substantial premiums associated with higher-performing schools. And research suggests that strong schools can also help sustain those premiums even during housing downturns.

The relevant question, then, isn't solely how much of that Happy Valley home's $1 million gain was created by our schools. It is how much of the nearly $3 million value today depends upon Lafayette continuing to be a community where families are willing to pay a premium for excellent public schools.

    Now consider the scale of the investment. Measure W would cost $168 per parcel annually for eight years, just $14 per month. That's $1,344 over the measure's entire life. For that $2.974 million home, a decline of just one-tenth of one percent in value equals nearly $3,000, more than twice the entire eight-year Measure W assessment. A 1% difference is almost $30,000.

    The comparison is striking. We insure our homes. We maintain them. We replace roofs and furnaces to protect their value. Excellent schools are also part of the infrastructure and investment supporting the value of every home in this community.

    Supporting our schools is fundamentally about our children. But preserving school excellence is also an investment in the community, and in the extraordinary value homeowners have accumulated by living here.

Rob Sturm
Lafayette 

Join me in voting Yes on Measure W 

    As the parent of three kids who've come through the Acalanes Union High School District, I've witnessed the difference great electives can make — and that's why I'm voting Yes on Measure W.

    Two of my kids graduated from Miramonte, and my youngest is now a junior at Campolindo. At Miramonte, my older kids took public speaking, Spanish, digital photography, anatomy and physiology, and psychology. At Campolindo, my daughter has taken choir, sports medicine, and an incredible biotechnology elective that genuinely shaped how she thinks about her future. These aren't just "extra" classes. They're often where kids discover what they're passionate about and what they might want to pursue after high school.

    It isn't just the electives; it's the great teachers and manageable class sizes as well. Because of that quality, my kids and their classmates are able to succeed in their classes, including a long list of available Advanced Placement classes. AUHSD students do well on AP exams, and walk into college with credits and core requirements already satisfied. These credits give students flexibility in college: the ability to advance into higher-level coursework sooner, explore other interests, take a lighter caseload while studying abroad, or even graduate early.

    That kind of opportunity exists because of sustained local investment. When budgets tighten, electives are often the first things cut, and class sizes grow. Measure W would provide locally controlled funding for eight years to support teachers, manageable class sizes, advanced academic programs including the arts and sciences, counseling and career services, and other instructional needs. For families like mine, that funding isn't abstract — it helps preserve the quality of education that draws us to this area to raise our children.

Hollie Hire
Orinda

Why Parents of Younger Kids Should Care About Measure W

    As a mom with a 4th grader and a 7th grader, I don't have a high schooler yet, but I'm voting Yes on Measure W because my kids absolutely will be affected by this election, maybe more than anyone else.

    It's easy for parents of younger kids to feel like Measure W is someone else's issue, something for high school parents to worry about. I'd push back on that. Measure W would provide eight years of locally controlled funding, which means it will still be in effect when my seventh-grader starts high school and well into my fifth-grader's high school years too. The decision we make this election is the decision that determines what high school looks like for our kids when they actually get there.

    That's what worries me most about this measure failing. The teachers, programs, and class sizes that make our high schools exceptional right now don't just bounce back once they're cut. Experienced teachers who are let go often don't come back. Programs that get eliminated take years, sometimes far longer, to rebuild, if they're rebuilt at all. If Measure W doesn't pass, our younger students won't be walking into the same high schools their older siblings and neighbors did. They'll be entering schools that look fundamentally different, with fewer electives, larger classes, and less support, right at the moment they need it most.

    My kids are still years away from high school, but their high school experience is being decided right now. I want my fourth- and seventh-graders to walk onto those campuses one day and find the same strong teachers, manageable class sizes, and breadth of programs that have made these schools what they are. That only happens if we fund it today.

Kelly Lathrop
Lafayette Resident
Springhill and Stanley Parent

Why Seniors Should Vote Yes on Measure W

    As two kindred community-minded souls, we've been privileged to wear a lot of different hats in Moraga — teacher, President of the Moraga Historical Society, founding Board member of the Moraga Education Foundation and the Moraga Community Foundation, and (together) former Moraga Citizens of the Year. As confirmed by this mix of community involvement, we firmly believe that the health of our schools and the health of our communities are inseparable. That's why we're voting Yes on Measure W, and why we urge our fellow seniors to join us.

    We understand why some longtime residents, especially those whose children and grandchildren have long since graduated, might wonder what a high school funding measure has to do with us seniors. We'd ask you to consider it from a different angle. Strong schools, including elementary, intermediate and high schools, are among the biggest reasons family-minded and community-oriented people choose to put down roots here in the first place; and those strong schools are a major reason property values in our Lamorinda communities have remained strong for decades. When our schools thrive, our communities thrive with them — our neighborhoods stay desirable, our cities and town remain vibrant, and the next generation of families continues to choose Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga the way we did many years ago.

    We've also seen, through decades of volunteer work in this community, that steady funding is vital to our valued local institutions. Measure W would provide eight years of needed and locally-controlled funding for our high schools to support teachers, manageable class sizes, advanced academic programs, and counseling and career services, controlled by us, not by Sacramento.

    As longtime residents of Lamorinda, we embrace the view that the best investments are the ones that strengthen whole communities by strengthening vital parts of them, such as our schools. Measure W is that kind of investment.

Susan and Sam Sperry
Moraga

Measure W is worth it

    I am a 16-year-old junior at Acalanes High School, and I have seen what budget cuts look like from a student's desk. That is why I urge Lamorinda voters to support Measure W this November.

    My classmates and I have felt the effects of tighter budgets in ways adults might not notice. Scheduling has become harder. With limited staffing and fewer course sections, students sometimes can't fit in the classes they want or need. Many students, myself included, have been placed in classes we aren't passionate about and have struggled to switch out.

    Over the past two years, our librarian gave practical presentations on AI use and research skills, and created resource guides for class projects. After recent budget cuts, Acalanes, Miramonte, Campolindo, and Las Lomas now share a single full-time librarian. That kind of hands-on support is much harder to offer, and students at every school feel the difference.

    Measure W is a local parcel tax that would give the Acalanes Union High School District dedicated funding to protect excellent teachers, exceptional academic programs, and the unique offerings that help students discover their passions. Because the money stays in our district, it goes directly to our classrooms. Measure W would cost $168 per parcel per year for 8 years, with exemptions for senior citizens. 

    Strong schools build strong communities and sustain home values for everyone, whether or not they have children enrolled. But great schools don't sustain themselves; they depend on a community willing to invest in them.

    I understand that no one loves new taxes, and I don't ask anyone to take this decision lightly. I ask you to consider what this investment means for a teenager who needs a schedule that works, a teacher with time to help, or a librarian to guide a project. Students like me can't vote yet, but you can.
    Please vote yes on Measure W.

Campbell Deane
Junior, Acalanes High School, Lafayette

Support Measure W 

    We both teach at Campolindo High School and live in Orinda, so we care about this community as teachers, parents, and neighbors. We've watched budget cuts reach our classrooms firsthand, and that's why we're urging you to vote Yes on Measure W.

    Every cut means a student misses out of an exciting course or sits in a more crowded classroom. Behind every cut are real kids, and we see their disappointment when they cannot take the classes they want.

    Teachers will always give their all, but we cannot do it alone. Great schools need the resources to back up the people in front of the classroom.

    We also know that voters want to be sure their money is spent wisely. From our perspective, our school district has done what it can to be responsible with limited dollars. It has made hard choices and kept spending disciplined. That discipline is reflected in the district's strong bond rating, an independent signal that outside financial experts see it as well managed and a sound steward of public funds.

    Measure W is not about waste or new bureaucracy. It's about protecting what already makes our schools exceptional: the courses students love, the teachers who make them come alive, and the opportunities that prepare kids for college and beyond. Local funding stays local, and it gives our schools stability when state funding falls short.
    Lamorinda has always invested in its young people, and it shows in our schools and in our community. Please join us in continuing that tradition. Vote Yes on Measure W!

Paul and Stephanie Verbanszky
Orinda

A student’s request for Measure W success

    I am currently in eighth grade and go to middle school in Lafayette. Next year, I will be going to a school in the AUHSD school district and I am looking forward to participating in Academic Decathlon, Band, and Theatre Tech. It has come to my attention that there is not enough funding for the high schools. 
Measure W will implement a parcel tax, to make Lamorinda have great high schools. In recent years. Measure T was a parcel tax that intended to provide funding to the AUHSD district, but unfortunately it didn't pass. If Measure W doesn't pass the district may be in a predicament in how to fund school programs like Academic Decathlon, Band, and Theatre. I hope Measure W passes so I can participate in these programs in high school. 

    Please Vote Yes for Measure W!

Kiran Shu
Student

Vote Yes on Measure W

    As a married couple who have spent a combined 48 years teaching in Lamorinda schools, we have had the privilege of seeing firsthand what makes a school community exceptional. We have also seen that great teaching requires more than dedicated teachers—it requires the resources to meet students' academic, social, and emotional needs. 

      Small class sizes, up-to-date instructional materials, timely intervention, and meaningful enrichment opportunities all make a difference in a child's education. These are not extras; they are tools that allow teachers to reach students more effectively and give every child the opportunity to thrive. 

      WaLamorinda's strong schools are one of the things that make this such a special place to live. That reputation did not happen by accident. It reflects decades of teachers, families, and community members choosing to invest in our children and in the schools they attend. 

    Measure W continues that commitment by providing stable, local funding for our high schools. It will help our schools attract and retain excellent educators and provide the resources teachers need to give their students the best possible education. 

    After nearly three decades in Lamorinda classrooms, we know how much a strong school system means—not only to our students, but to the entire community. We are proud to teach here, and we hope you will join us in supporting the students, teachers, and schools that make Walamorinda such a wonderful place to call home. 
    
Brett and Amanda Lorie  
Moraga 

Measure W matters

    I'm not usually one to step into the political arena or suggest where your hard-earned dollars should go. That said, it's boggling that a quality, well-rounded education in our community is yet again on the chopping block.

    Born and raised in Lamorinda, and now a Happy Valley resident, I'm raising my own four kids through these same schools. I'm voting Yes on Measure W, both as a parent and as a local business owner for the last 27 years.

    I currently have a seventh-grader at Stanley, a freshman at Campolindo, and a senior at Acalanes. I also have a student at De La Salle, which gives me a unique vantage point: I see our public high schools and a well-regarded private school side by side. Our public schools match that same quality and care, with outstanding, engaged teachers, extraordinary rigor, phenomenal counseling, and a wide range of offerings for all. That consistency requires sustained investment, which I know is a tough ask, but I assure you is worth it.

    As broker of Dudum Real Estate Group, I see this community through a dual lens, personal and professional. Families searching for homes here commonly ask about our schools before almost anything else. Strong schools are one of the biggest drivers of home values, whether you have kids in the district or not. Our district has been among the top rated for decades, a significant draw with huge value add well beyond the home itself.

    It would be detrimental to see that go away without Measure W.

    Measure W would provide local funding for eight years so to continue supporting our teachers, allow manageable class sizes, and provide advanced academic programs including the arts, science, music, counseling and career services, and other instructional needs.

    This isn't about politics. It's about community. It's about our children. It's about our property values, your property values. This is our future.

Julie Del Santo 
Lafayette 

Community comes together to slow down drivers 

    I wanted to share a story about how city government can really help a community.

    I live on a very busy street where there were always cars driving way too fast. This was not only dangerous for the drivers, but it also put people like me and my friends in danger. My dad started a petition asking the city to put a speed bump on the road where people were speeding. We got a lot of support from people in the neighborhood and brought the petition to the city. We explained how fast people were driving, how dangerous it was, and why something needed to be done.

    A few months later, the city put two speed bumps on our road. They significantly slowed down drivers and made the road safer for everyone. Later, the city also put speed bumps on another nearby road because people were using it as a shortcut to speed through the neighborhood.

    Thanks to the Lafayette city government and the people who supported our petition, our roads are now safer and less dangerous. This experience showed me how people in a community can work with their local government to make a real difference.

Luke Van Veen  
Lafayette

Flock Cameras and Other ALPRs

    I am writing to raise awareness about the Flock cameras present in both Moraga and Orinda. They are advertised as automated license plate readers (ALPRs), but they track more than just license plates, and their presence raises concerns over the privacy of everyday citizens.

    Unlike regular traffic cameras, Flock cameras can track numerous pieces of unique information – like bumper stickers, dents, and scratches – to create a “vehicle fingerprint” of a particular car and its movements. On top of this, many police departments that employ the use of Flock cameras, such as the Moraga Police Department, can share their data and access other agencies’ data through Flock’s network. Furthermore, WIRED has recently gained information regarding a new software Flock is testing called OS Investigate (originally called Nightwatch). 

The program comes with a list of prewritten prompts, but law enforcement are also able to create their own prompts entirely from scratch. This allows for broad, warrantless access to people’s movements and even routines, regardless of probable cause or whether they’ve committed a crime or not, ultimately undermining the privacy of the general public.

    A recent joint analysis by WIRED and 404 Media has also revealed that “software running on the [Flock] device explicitly detects people as well as vehicles, license plates, and bicycles.” https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-flock-camera-data-shows-how-system-works/

    The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a page dedicated to ALPRs and how to advocate against their implementation here: https://www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/get-the-flock-out

    Additionally, a Community Control Over Police Surveillance (CCOPS) ordinance is a legislative framework that can be adopted, if not already in place. CCOPS requires police departments to get broader public approval before purchasing and installing surveillance equipment, as well as requiring PDs to explain the equipment’s purpose and reason for adoption. This serves as an additional avenue for advocacy and community involvement.

    I encourage the residents of Lamorinda to do research into modern-day ALPRs (Flock, Axon, etc.) and to look into other Californian cities and towns that have successfully ended their contracts with Flock.

Trey Harkavy
Moraga

Steve Cohn for MOFD Director, Division 3

    I have known Steve Cohn for 37 years and have witnessed his longstanding commitment to Orinda and its community. He has consistently sought to improve the local environment and has developed a strong understanding of financial matters involving public tax dollars.

    I taught a graduate course at UC Berkeley focused on wildfires in the wildland-urban interface. Because of Steve’s interest in improving wildfire safety in Orinda, I invited him to participate. The course featured 15 experts discussing wildfire behavior, mitigation, planning, and community resilience.

    Steve immersed himself in the subject, engaged thoughtfully with the experts, asked probing questions, and expanded his understanding of wildfire preparedness. He connected the research and professional expertise presented in the course to issues facing Orinda, including questions surrounding the potential use of MOFD reserves for wildfire mitigation strategies supported by research and practical planning.

    What stands out to me is Steve’s willingness to listen, ask difficult questions, seek reliable information, learn from experts, and work toward practical solutions. In my experience, he approaches these responsibilities with intelligence, experience, common sense, and integrity.

    I believe these qualities are important considerations for anyone evaluating candidates for MOFD Director, Division 3.

John Radke
Orinda 

John Donnelly for MOFD

    It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) Director, Division 3 since 2018. I intended to run for reelection unless I could ensure there was a candidate who would represent the community with the commitment, dedication and understanding of the issues that I aspired to bring to this role every day.  With that said, I wholeheartedly endorse John Donnelly to succeed me as Director.  John is a retired Army Medical Corps Brigadier General, has a PhD in immunology, coordinated global vaccine programs, and has volunteer experience with Orinda Rotary.  He possesses the integrity, intelligence and leadership skills to support the men and women of MOFD while acting in the best interests of our community.

    I could not imagine a better candidate to be your next Director. I have full confidence that John hits the ground running, rises to challenges and continues to build upon the progress we have made.  With all my heart and hope I urge you to join me in electing John Donnelly to the MOFD Board. I promise, you will not be disappointed. For more info go to: johnd4mofd.com

Steven Michael Danziger
Orinda

Linda Stevens for MOFD District 4 Director

    Voters in MOFD District 4 have the opportunity to elect Linda Stevens as Director. Linda's experience and background will upend the status quo.  She has worked in geographic Information systems (GIS) for decades, predominantly providing support for Fire Agencies. She served not only as a CEO but as the only woman on various boards during her career in the male dominated technology industry. She will be the second woman to serve the MOFD Board in its 29-year existence. 
 
    Linda pledges to stay engaged, attend meetings in person and be responsive to the residents. Her priorities include: ensure financial accountability, monitoring of the new Station 41 in Moraga, comprehensive and fair policies supporting the state's Zone Zero regulations, oversight of the new single role EMS delivery service, working however possible to address the ongoing property insurance crisis,  strengthening outreach regarding defensible space and  home hardening programs and building stronger relationships with other public agencies.

    These are critical times for Fire agencies and high risk communities throughout the State. Linda will provide a new fresh and needed perspective to the Board. She is up to the challenges ahead. On Nov. 3 cast your vote for Linda Stevens, MOFD District 4.

Leesa A. Evans
Orinda

Endorsement for Steve Cohn, MOFD Director, Division 3
 
    Steve Cohn is the quintessential candidate for MOFD Director. Why? Steve has over 20 plus years of volunteer work experience with both the MOFD operational & administrative staff and the various MOFD Boards.  I have known Steve for 18 years primarily from his decades-long volunteer work with MOFD.  Practically speaking, Steve’s technical competence regarding EMT training, fire standards of service/experience, and fiscal analysis skills exceed that of most of the current MOFD Directors. 

    As MOFD Division 3 Director, Steve will be a refreshingly experienced, fiscally prudent, and forthright voice for his community. 
 
Stephen Anderson
Former MOFD Director, Div 3
Orinda

Vote for John Donnelly to MOFD Board

    This November, Division 3 voters in the Moraga-Orinda Fire District face an important choice. I urge my neighbors to elect John Donnelly to the Moraga-Orinda Fire District board of directors, Division 3. Given our wildfire risk, we need board members with real-world emergency operations experience. John has it.

    John has lived in Division 3, which straddles Orinda and Moraga, for 28 years. A retired Brigadier General of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps with 30 years of active and reserve service, he brings deep expertise in emergency operations and managing the essential resources a fire district depends on.

    John's priorities are on point: strengthen wildfire readiness; implement home hardening and local Zone Zero policies; improve coordination with Cal Fire, EBMUD, and PG&E; keep the district fully staffed with qualified personnel; and manage finances with accountability and transparency. He knows MOFD's strong position reflects years of hard work, and sustaining it requires continued commitment.

    If you want a board member who knows emergency operations, has his priorities straight, and will get the job done well, please join me in voting for John Donnelly for the MOFD Board of Directors, Division 3.

Jane Rutledge
Orinda

Elect John Donnelly to MOFD Board, District 3

    District 3 voters must elect John Donnelly to the MOFD Board. A retired Brigadier General, John served 30 years in the Army’s Medical Corps. He commanded major medical combat units in Iraq. John will bring his extraordinary expertise in emergency medical services to MOFD. He fully recognizes that Moraga- based paramedic ambulance service should never be cut back. Donnelly’s opponent is Orindan Steve Cohn. For years, Cohn has falsely claimed that Moragans are not paying their “fair share” of property and fire flow taxes to the MOFD. His claims were analyzed and rejected twice by a tri-agencies committee of Moraga Town Council, Orinda City Council and MOFD Board members.

    Every May, the MOFD Board rejects Cohn’s bogus claim when it sets equal Fire Flow Tax rates for both Moraga and Orinda. Cohn continually proposes a five time increase in the Fire Flow Tax for Moraga Zone residents. That translates to a tax hike of several hundred dollars per year for the typical Moraga family.

    Cohn’s election is contrary to the public interest. He would not be a reliable steward of the MOFD’s mission to protect and serve the Moraga–Orinda community.

    John Donnelly is the ONLY choice for MOFD District 3.

Dick Olsen, former MOFD Board Member
Dave Trotter, former Moraga Mayor and Councilmember

Elect Mike Roemer for MOFD Board

    As a 10-year MOFD Board member and current president, I believe Mike Roemer is the best MOFD Board candidate. As a 34-year Orinda resident, Mike served as an MOFD  Support Unit volunteer, licensed HAM radio operator, and logistics supporter to firefighters for 5 years before being elected to the MOFD Board.  As an MOFD Board member, Mike has voted to fund and expand all of MOFD’s fire prevention efforts including the free chipper program, free gutter guards and vent screens and expanding MODF’s preventative burning program. Mike has personally walked every block of his district to connect with residents and listen to their concerns and preferences. He thoroughly and thoughtfully reads the Board packets, vigorously participates in discussions and then votes for what he believes will be best for the community. His legal expertise has helped guide MOFD in its litigation and labor negotiations. He is fully dedicated to his Board job and consistently represents the best interest of the community. 
    .
Craig Jorgens
Orinda

Steve Cohn for MOFD board

    Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) elections are important and one candidate from Orinda for District 3 stands out. Steve Cohn is exceptionally qualified for the position and he deserves to be elected. I have worked with Steve for close to two decades and observed his dedication, analytical capability, and selfless commitment to making real improvements in our community. In particular, Steve has advocated and presented viable plans for realistic and effective solutions to our fire hazard risks and MOFD budgetary issues. There is no doubt in my mind that Steve can accelerate the needed programs to maintain the excellence of the services provided by MOFD and advance the programs to mitigate risk of catastrophic fire damage to our community. Orinda needs dedicated and capable public servants Like Steve.

Bill Abriel
Orinda

Vote for John Donnelly, MOFD, Division 3

    I enthusiastically endorse John Donnelly for Director, Division 3, MOFD (Moraga-Orinda Fire District). John understands the big picture when it comes to fire prevention, mitigation, life and property-saving concerns. He is also a compassionate leader who prioritizes community health and well-being. 

     John is past President of the Rotary Club of Orinda, currently serves as the Club's Treasurer and is the Assistant Governor for the five Rotary Clubs in our area. As a fellow Rotarian, I find John's dedication to community service unparalleled. John also served 30 years in the US Army Medical Service Corps, retiring as a Brigadier General. Additionally, he had a very successful career directing discovery and development of vaccines, both in the US and in developing countries. We are very fortunate to have a leader of John's caliber so committed to applying his skills and experience to delivering the highest level of services and responsiveness to our community.

    John's demonstrated leadership skills, his exceptional expertise in budget development and fiscal oversight, and his broad and deep experience in setting and managing strategic direction, as well as his profound integrity all combine to make John an exceptional choice for MOFD Director.  

Patricia Parke Hudson
Orinda

Steve Cohn for MOFD Director, Division 3 

    I strongly endorse Steve Cohn for Director, Division 3 of MOFD.

    I have known Steve for years and have seen how seriously he takes the safety of this community.

Steve brings integrity, independence, persistence and the courage to take unpopular positions when the facts support them. In 2020, he warned Orindans that Measure R was committing too little of its revenue to wildfire prevention. Subsequent City reports supported that concern by calling for more funds to support wildfire-risk reduction and emergency preparedness.

    Steve wants MOFD to take a stronger role in wildfire-risk modeling, fuel mitigation and coordinated evacuation planning across Orinda and Moraga. He also believes the district should preserve its strong emergency medical response while using more of its substantial reserves for wildfire prevention.

    Steve is an engineer by background and has decades of experience in financial analysis. He digs into budgets, plans and assumptions. He asks hard questions and pushes when needed to promote public safety.

    Steve has put enormous time and energy into making Orinda safer and more resilient. He cares deeply about this community and approaches public issues with independence, preparation and integrity. For Orindans concerned about losing fire insurance and protecting public safety, Steve deserves their support.

Chuck Brotman
Orinda

 Woehleke for Town Council

    For more than 30 years, Steve Woehleke has had an ongoing commitment and has done the work that keeps our town running while also building very broad volunteer experiences.  

    A partial list of his volunteer activities for our town includes a 6-year representative for Moraga Town Council on the Association of Bay Area Governments, participated in three comprehensive updates to the Moraga General Plan in 1990, 2002 and 2024, Town mayor twice, Planning Commission, Hacienda Foundation Board of Directors, including leadership roles in each organization. 

    What also sets Steve apart has been his approach in his volunteer roles – he shows up every time by reading the reports, asking the hard questions, and listening to residents and his fellow constituents before forming viewpoints and making decisions. 

    We need a Town Council who works together as a unit, who understands how the budget, infrastructure, the key governance issues and a town government that works, and who can get things done from day one. Steve is that person. We hope you'll join us in voting for Steve on Nov. 3rd.

Edward and Denise Silicani
Moraga

Re-elect Steve Woekleke

    I strongly recommend Steve Woehleke for reelection to Moraga’s Town Council. As a 39-year resident of Moraga, Steve has demonstrated a deep commitment to the community through nearly three decades of volunteer service, including leadership roles on the Design Review Board, Hacienda Foundation Board, Planning Commission, and Town Council.  And he is a strong supporter of our schools.

    Steve, quietly and competently, focuses on making quality decisions representing the citizens of Moraga. During his public service tenure, he has worked for significant community accomplishments, including improvements to road infrastructure, strengthening the Town’s financial position, updating land use plans and zoning, achieving timely approval of the Housing Element, and completing a comprehensive General Plan update.

    Professionally, Steve spent 33 years with Chevron in technical, project management, and organizational development roles, building expertise in leadership, mentoring, and decision making. His educational background in engineering and finance further complements his public service experience.

    Steve’s proven leadership, extensive experience, and longstanding dedication to all of Moraga’s citizens make him exceptionally well qualified to continue to serve the community. If you have any questions, just reach out and talk to Steve, as I have done many times.

Fred Weil
Moraga

Re-elect Kerry Hillis for Moraga Town Council

    As a gay man renting in a very affluent, traditional community, there have been times when I have wondered whether my voice and experience truly mattered. Kerry Hillis made me feel seen.

    During Pride Month, Kerry was extremely supportive and helpful in getting the city to fly the Pride flag. What stood out to me was not simply the flag itself, but the compassion and willingness to listen that Kerry demonstrated throughout the process. He understood that this gesture had meaning to members of the LGBTQ+ community and treated our concerns with respect and dignity.

    Kerry listened. He was compassionate. And he made me feel that I belonged in this community.

    I believe those qualities – listening to people, showing compassion, and making everyone feel included – are important qualities in a mayor. I am grateful for the way Kerry Hillis represented and supported our community, and I hope Moraga voters will support him for re-election.

Michael Gaffney
Moraga
 
Re-elect Steve Woehleke to the Moraga Town Council

    As a 30-year resident of Moraga, I understand what makes our community such a special place to live. This is why I am writing to strongly and enthusiastically recommend that all Moragans cast their vote to re-elect Steve Woehleke to the Moraga Town Council.

    Over the past decades Steve has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serve in the best interests of our community through his participation and leadership on the Design Review Board, Moraga Planning Commission, Kiwanis Club, and currently his service on the Town Council, including his years as Town Mayor.

    We can count on Steve to listen and represent all members of our community, always putting town interests and needs front and center. Steve uniquely understands what should remain unchanged in our community and how we need to evolve to address both the current and future challenges our town faces.

    As a past Trustee on the Moraga School District Board, I understand what it takes to be a successful public servant serving our unique community. Steve has shown he has the commitment, leadership, passion and skills needed of Town Council members.  Please join me in re-electing Steve to the Town Council.

Steve Hirsch
Moraga 

Re-elect Steve Woehleke for Moraga Town Council

    I strongly recommend Steve Woehleke for reelection to the Moraga Town Council.  I first worked with Steve during my tenure as president of the Moraga Park Foundation. He thoughtfully listened and spent time addressing my questions about Moraga Parks and open space.

    Steve brings a unique combination of sound judgment, extensive project management experience, and a proven commitment to serving the Moraga community. He just ended his second stint as President of Kiwanis of Moraga Valley, and I watched him work collaboratively with many of the other service organizations to the benefit of the local schools and agencies serving the children of the world.

    Throughout his almost 30 years of public service, Steve has consistently demonstrated thoughtful decision-making, focusing on solutions that serve the long-term interests of each Moraga resident. In 2019, due to a fiscal crisis in the town, the council voted down a $100k funding request from JMLT to Save Painted Rock. As an alternative to using town funds, Steve organized other town council members to knock on doors to raise the necessary funds to Save Painted Rock.

    Steve's experience, integrity, and dedication make him deserving of your vote.

John Greenblatt  
Moraga

Endorsing Alexis Mapel & Steve Woehleke for Moraga Town Council

    It is my pleasure to endorse these two very qualified leaders to represent our community, promote our values and realize our potential opportunities!
    Alexis Mapel brings a wealth of business talent, Town Planning Committee leadership experience including being the current Chairperson, and is deeply intertwined into our community and schools. She seeks to represent our community preserving its values and leading change for our residents. 

    Steve Woehleke, a two-time former Mayor, brings leadership experience, historical perspective, a balanced approach with a focus on making good decisions based on data and judgment. He has represented the community as a champion for listening and engaging all of our residents.

    While I feel there are four very good candidates, to me, these two provide the best leadership to protect/enhance the values of the community; represent, engage and listen to our residents while pioneering future improvements for this Town representing all generations of this wonderful community. 

    Please do your own research, review material, talk to others; then VOTE and please VOTE for whomever you choose, that’s our democratic process! 

Mike McCluer
Former Mayor of Moraga

Alexis Mapel and Steve Woehleke for Moraga Town Council

    As sitting members of the Town Council, we do not ordinarily endorse candidates for Council. We understand that our decision to do so now is unusual. Neither of us expected to take this step, but we believe we have a responsibility to share our judgment about what will best serve Moraga. We are speaking for ourselves, not on behalf of the Town or the Council.

    We endorse Council Member Steve Woehleke and Planning Commission Chair Alexis Mapel. Steve brings years of service on the Council and on Town commissions and committees. Alexis has led the Planning Commission with a people-first approach. Both have shown qualities that matter greatly in local government: they listen carefully, work constructively with others, treat staff with respect, and understand the distinct roles of the Council and the Town Manager.

    Moraga needs Council members who can exercise independent judgment, work with colleagues even when they disagree, and keep the Town’s interests ahead of personal or political ambitions. We believe Steve and Alexis will do that. Our decision to speak publicly reflects the importance we place on those qualities and on the Town’s future.

Brian Dolan, Moraga Vice-Mayor
Lisa Maglio, Moraga Town Councilmember

Steve Woehleke for Moraga Town Council

    I enthusiastically support Steve Woehleke for re-election to the Moraga Town Council.

    I have known Steve for more than 30 years. Throughout this time, he has demonstrated a deep and sincere commitment to the Moraga community. His involvement is broad ranging, as he has served with distinction as a leader on the Town Council, the Design Review Board, Planning Commission, the Hacienda Foundation, and other community organizations.    

    By working collaboratively with his other colleagues, Steve has had a positive impact in each of these roles. His knowledge of and experience with planned developments, the Town’s infrastructure, the new Housing Element, zoning issues, and the Town’s fiscal condition, among other issues, is unparalleled.
 
    Steve brings to his role a passion for preserving and enhancing Moraga’s treasured character.  Steve takes a disciplined approach to decision-making; he respectfully listens to others, considers all pertinent information, and makes informed decisions that genuinely reflect the best interests of all Moragans. 
 
    Acknowledging his long-standing leadership and many accomplishments, dozens of local, non-partisan Moraga citizen leaders, past and present, have endorsed his candidacy.  Along with them, I urge you to re-elect Steve.

Richard Severy
Moraga

Re-Elect Hillis for Moraga Town Council

    Wildfire safety isn't just about fighting fires; it's about whether families can get out and first responders can get in. Last year, a fast-moving grass fire burned half an acre of our 11-acre Rheem Boulevard farm. Fortunately, firefighters arrived in under five minutes.

    Mayor Kerry Hillis knows fire firsthand too. In 2017 and 2018, fires broke out beside his family's Painted Rock home while his wife was pregnant. And we all remember 2020's orange skies.

    As a planning commissioner in 2021, Kerry asked whether Lamorinda's roads could handle a worst-case evacuation. On the council, he prioritized emergency preparedness: vegetation management, returning cattle to Painted Rock, and partnering with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on the Countywide Evacuation Study.

    As mayor, he backed a $508,000 federally funded study of a Moraga Way path doubling as an evacuation route, and he alone on the council has lobbied regional allies to fund the projected $34 million project.

    A town our size can't solve evacuation alone, especially with the same risk factors as Pacific Palisades. That's one of many reasons I'm voting to reelect Kerry Hillis to the Moraga Town Council, and you should too.

Kevin Frankel
Moraga

Vote for Kerry Hillis 

    Kerry Hillis has been a solid supporter of our Town's parks, working to make them better for everyone: using land we already own and sharing facilities among stakeholders. He recently joined me at Rancho Laguna Park to hear from attendees about protecting and expanding dog hours that work for residents and their furry friends.

    That Moraga is engaging in an update our of Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan owes much to Kerry's advocacy throughout his first term to prioritize it and fund it. Now it needs to move toward action, and I respect his energy and passion to see it through. I'm voting to re-elect Kerry Hillis, and I encourage you to do the same.

Rob Pierson 
Moraga

Regional representation matters

    When local officials actively represent their constituents at regional meetings, their time and involvement are often called into question. Such criticisms are unwarranted. 

    In fact, without small town voices at the table, our needs can be easily overlooked. Low wealth cities like Moraga must leverage dollars and resources from regional, state and federal agencies. In the transportation sector alone, a service area vital for small suburban communities, many governmental agencies including Bay Area Rapid Transit, Central Contra Costa Transit Authority, Metropolitan Transit Commission, the California State Transportation Agency, and U.S. Department of Transportation Administrations, sit down with cities and counties to plan, finance and coordinate projects that improve the movement of people and goods within the region. 

    Thankfully, Moraga has a representative with professional knowledge of these systems and the relationships necessary to provide expanded options for our community. 

    With four more years on the Town Council, Kerry Hillis will prioritize Wildfire safety and improved evacuation routes; Transportation options into, around and out of town; and Maintaining Moraga’s semi-rural character while enhancing quality of life opportunities and meeting its housing, economic, infrastructure needs.

    For these reasons, let’s re-elect Kerry Hillis for Moraga Town Council.

Renee Zeimer
Moraga

Pam West for CCC Board of Education
 
    I’m voting for Pam West for the Contra Costa County Board of Education. Pam and I served on the Orinda Union School Board of trustees together, so I know her well.  Pam is diligent about researching issues and is good at finding new approaches to solve problems. Her highest priority is educating every child.  I know she will work to implement policies that will accomplish that goal. Pam works well with other board members, and would bring a clear, fresh perspective to the County board.

    Also, I’m voting for John Chabalko for the Orinda school board.  He’s been heavily involved as a parent volunteer, and is currently President of the Wagner Ranch Parents’ Club.  That’s a solid training ground for the school board.  Please join me in supporting these two great candidates.
 
Linda Landau
Orinda

Pam West for CCC Board of Education

   As long-term County residents, my wife and I heartily support Pam West for Contra Costa County Board of Education Area 2. Having known and worked with Pam for many years, we have observed her thoughtful leadership in action. 

    As a former Orinda School District trustee, longtime county resident, community volunteer and small business owner, Pam possesses a rare combination of intelligence and hands-on discipline. A hard worker who is collaborative and fair, Pam prepares well for meetings and makes decisions based on substantial research. Our students deserve Pam West’s commitment to excellence and responsible governance.

Tom Eggertsen
Miramonte graduate and retired Acalanes High School teacher
Orinda

Support Pam West for CCC Board of Education

    As residents of Lamorinda for 45 years, we support Pam West for County Board of Education. We are parents and grandparents of 24 children, and we recognize the imperative need for proactive and hard-working leadership in our educational system. Our decades of personal experience with Pam confirm that she is the best candidate and will bring the greatest benefits to our wonderful schools. We urge your readers to learn more about her candidacy and make their voices heard in the election. Please join us and the many residents, friends, and colleagues in voting for Pam.

Tom and Cheryln Hart
Lafayette

Chanukah in the Commons

    Late September and the start of the fall season always make me think of the coming holidays, and today I am remembering fondly the first menorah lighting that we had last year in the Commons. It felt amazing to be celebrating Chanukah in the park.  It gave me a sense of community that I had never before experienced in Moraga.  At that time, I assumed that it would be the first of an annual celebration, and could be tied to the annual “holiday” tree lighting event.  I hope that this will be true.

    Over the years I had made pleas to other mayors to recognize celebrating Chanukah in the Commons. That is why I would like to thank and recognize Mayor Hillis for his great efforts to finally make this happen. I’d like for this to be a Moraga tradition, and that the funds and donations set aside for the tree lighting can be shared for the menorah lighting as well. We need to have celebrations that recognize all Moragans, when possible. I wouldn’t want to think that this was a one and done event; the Jewish community was so delighted to be recognized, it would be a shame to have it be only that one joyous time.

Phyllis Bloom 
A 40-year Moraga resident

Vote for Riley, West, and Coleman

    I've had the distinct pleasure of working with several of the candidates running for local office: Janet Riley for City Council, Edda Coleman for Orinda school board, and Pamela West for Contra Costa County Board of Education Each brings experience and proven results to their roles. Serving on the Orinda school board alongside Pam, I saw someone who always puts the needs of children and families first. Moreover, she is a thoughtful, patient leader who listens with an open mind. And strives to build consensus. I have no doubt that her skills and experience will be an asset to the county board. Similarly, Janet Riley leads with conviction and a belief that Orinda is, and will continue to be, a great place to live. As the city faces a range of challenges, Janet has always married her concern for hearing all sides with a pragmatic approach to getting things done. Likewise, Edda Coleman, is a principled, hard-working mother of three with a long-standing record of working for the betterment of children and families. We’d be fortunate to be represented by these three women, which is why I urge people to vote for Riley, West, and Coleman.

Pat Rudebusch
Orinda