I have the right combination of past community service, demonstrated leadership and communication skills, and legal training and talents to continue to be an effective Council member. I am a political centrist and moderate, not an ideologue. From that position, my focus has been (and will be) on getting things accomplished (such as the Moraga Center Specific Plan) and managing the Town’s affairs in a smart and cost-effective way. Over the past four years I have demonstrated an ability to work with the other members of the Town Council to develop sensible solutions to problems and put fractious issues to bed (for example, addressing the Camino Pablo speed bumps and off-leash dog hours at Rancho Laguna Park).

I would point to the following experience and qualifications: (1) my service to the Town as an elected Councilmember for the past four years, including serving as Mayor in 2009; (2) my service on the Moraga Planning Commission from 1991-1998, including two years as chairman from 1994-1996; (3) my volunteer service to the Moraga community in various capacities over the past two decades, including six years on the board of directors of the Moraga Historical Society (1996-2002), three years on the Moraga Park and Recreation Foundation board or directors (2003-2005), and as an LMYA and CYO youth basketball and soccer coach. These experiences have broadened my knowledge and understanding of the issues, needs and challenges facing the Town of Moraga and our community.

Finally, my background as an attorney with experience in land use, civil litigation, real estate and environmental law gives me a knowledge base that has proven beneficial in dealing with a variety of matters that come before the Town Council, such as land use and planning issues. For example, I was able to use this prior experience on behalf of the Town in shaping and developing the recently approved Moraga Center Specific Plan.

The financial condition of the Town is stable from an operating standpoint. This is due in large part to budget reductions that occurred during my tenure as mayor in 2009. I insisted the Town adopt a balanced budget and not dip into our General Fund reserves. That is precisely what has happened. Such fiscal discipline is vital and will continue to be my philosophy if I am re-elected. In 2009 the Town cut $1 million from its operating budget, which went from approximately $7 million to just under $6 million. We were able to preserve essential Town services and staffing and still generate a revenue surplus of approximately $300,000 in the midst of a severe economic downturn – a unique outcome among cities and counties in the Bay Area. Half of that surplus has now been allocated to the Town’s road maintenance fund, where it will be spent in the current fiscal year.

On the whole, I believe our Town staff are adequately compensated, and this is reflected in recent budget and labor agreements approved by the Town Council.

It is in the Town’s interests that the Council select and hire the best possible candidate as out new Town Manager, and that the Town offer a compensation package that will attract people with the requisite prior experience and qualifications that we need here in Moraga. Thus, while salary is a factor in the hiring decision, it is by no means the only consideration.

The process that the Town Council used in 2008-2009 was confidential, worked well, and resulted in the recruitment and hiring of an excellent Town Manager, Mike Segrest. The Town’s executive recruiter has advised the Council that in her substantial experience, the use of a non-confidential, public selection process will deter qualified candidates from even applying. I agree with her advice on this point, as do the other four Councilmembers at this time.

After my election in 2006, I worked hard to shape and approve the Moraga Center Specific Plan. The MCSP is an important first step in revitalizing our two commercial areas and creating new energy in the heart of Moraga. If re-elected, I will work to implement the Plan’s vision.

I have for many years been a member of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce, and an active supporter of the “Shop Moraga First” campaign and local business.

During my tenure as mayor (2009), the Town adopted a policy waiving use permit application fees for businesses seeking to relocate into existing empty retail buildings. This policy has been implemented on several occasions since that time – most notably to help Loard’s ice cream parlor move to a better location in the Moraga Center. The Town can and should do more to promote local (and locally owned) businesses with respect to possible reforms to streamline the planning process for non-controversial applications, revisions of the Town’s sign ordinance, etc.

I am concerned that a Dollar Tree store may not represent the right or best vision for Moraga’s business future. However, I will need to reserve judgment on this because it is likely to come before the Town Council in the future.