| | Published 10/16/2010
| Orinda’s Council Candidates Address the City’s Issues
| | By Andrea A. Firth | | |
About 150 residents filled the Orinda Library Auditorium to hear from the five candidates running for three seats on the City Council this November 2nd. Sponsored by the Orinda Association and led by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley, the decorum of the forum was exemplary and the atmosphere collegial. Like pros, the candidates, Amy Worth, Dean Orr, Sue Severson, Tom McCormick, and Scott Zeller, shared their views on a range of issues impacting Orinda without so much as an ‘um’ or a pause, and at times the audience laughed out loud at the humorous quips that McCormick and Zeller occasionally interspersed in their remarks.
Here’s an overview of what they brought to the debate and where they stand on specific issues.
Amy Worth
Amy Worth, who is completing her third term on the City Council, often shared a historical perspective on the issues, many of which she has worked on as Council member over the past 12 years. With crumbling roads and how to pay to fix them being one of the biggest challenges facing Orinda, Worth touted her experience as the Contra Costa County representative to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. In addition to continuing to pursue a fiscally conservative course and maintaining the city’s excellent schools, she believes the Council must be cognizant of Orinda’s position regionally.
Dean Orr
Employed as an architect and having served 5 ½ years on the Planning Commission with the last 2 ½ years as chair, Dean Orr displayed a depth of knowledge regarding urban planning and local development issues. He emphasized the need for community involvement, active listening on his part, and absolute transparency in the Council decision-making process. To facilitate community outreach, he proposed greater communication through Twitter, Facebook, and possibly televised Council meetings.
Sue Severson
Completing her first term on the Council, Sue Severson espoused a roll-up-your-sleeves and work together attitude with a community built on collaboration, consensus, and inclusiveness. She cited her organization of Orinda’s community service day and Community Foundation as recent examples the many volunteer leadership roles that she has held. “My approach has always been one of respect for people, open communication…and fiscal prudence,” said Severson.
Tom McCormick
Sporting a campaign button on his coat lapel and an open collar shirt, Tom McCormick, the current Mayor of Orinda, portrayed a more relaxed style in contrast to his male counterparts who wore suits and ties. “I want to do this job for another four years. It’s a great job,” said McCormick stressing that he had the time for the demands of the Council post. He emphasized the work he has done on the audit committee and his efforts to revise the budget process; he stressed the continued need for fiscal responsibility.
Scott Zeller, M.D.
A newcomer to Orinda’s civic environs, Scott Zeller stated that he is not new to government noting that as the Chief of Emergency Psychiatric Services for Alameda County, he oversees a much larger budget and staff than Orinda’s and that he regularly interacts with police and fire service agencies. While not overtly critical of the current Council, Zeller stated that many residents feel left out and without a voice. “I will listen to everyone in town,” stated Zeller. One area where Zeller clearly diverged from the group was his approach to downtown revitalization. He supports the current General Plan and retaining a 35-foot building height limit.
On revitalizing downtown…
The three incumbents supported the work of the Planning Process Review Task Force (PPRTF) and saw the upcoming community workshops as an important next step toward the community establishing a vision for downtown. Orr was also supportive of the workshops.
Zeller expressed concern about the PPRTF recommendations. “I love the way Orinda is,” said Zeller, and he questioned why building height should go beyond the current 35-foot limit.
Worth stressed that Orinda’s plans for downtown must be tailor-made and representative of a collective vision.
Orr advocated that the City and residents take a forward thinking outlook to downtown revitalization. He pointed out that Orinda’s downtown has changed little since it was built in the 1950’s, and in the meantime BART arrived, highway 24 was widened, the city’s population tripled, and Bay Area growth projections are expected to rise significantly over the next twenty years.
On the infusion of housing in downtown…
McCormick stated the creation of housing units in the downtown districts is an important option for older Orindans.
“I’m skeptical about the downtown housing being for seniors,” said Zeller, stating that he believed that sort of housing was more consistent with a transit-based community, which is a concept that he feels does not coincide with Orinda’s village-like character.
Worth supported the senior affordable housing project at the old library site noting the limited options available to seniors on a fixed income.
Severson supported some housing in downtown stressing Orinda’s obligation to meet state housing requirements.
Regarding the affordable senior housing development, Orr said, “I believe that is a project that we will all be proud of.” He added that Orinda will benefit from a variety of housing options and downtown market-rate residential units would likely serve groups other than seniors.
On Orinda’s deteriorating roads…all agreed it’s a huge problem.
Worth stated that it is probably not a good time to pursue a tax measure to fund road repairs.
McCormick noted the Council’s efforts to chip away at the $154 million problem with grants and a neighborhood partnership program.
Severson suggested additional workshops with the community to look for solutions.
Orr proposed exploring alternate ways of packaging and bidding roadworks projects to take advantage of the reduced costs currently associated with building projects.
Zeller mentioned benefit assessment districts and wants to solicit more ideas from the community.
On the Wilder development…
McCormick, Orr, and Worth focused on the positive aspects of the amenities that will be provided by Wilder, specifically increased property tax revenue, new ball fields, and trail and open space access.
Zeller wondered what the impact of an additional 1,000 plus residents will mean to traffic and expressed concern about the potential for new housing to go unsold. He bemoaned a City Council decision to allow electrical towers to be placed on some of the hillsides in the development.
Severson agreed that the amenities would be good assets but stated that the schools would have to deal with the increased student population.
On Orinda’s small business environment…
Zeller stated that there is no room for big retail, adding, “We’re still relatively antagonistic to small businesses.”
Orr felt that Orinda needed to more actively pursue small businesses that meet residents’ needs and that city staff could effectively do this.
Severson wants to change Orinda’s anti-development reputation.
McCormick described the zoning changes in Theater Square as an example of the kind of change that, along with recommendations outlined in the PPRTF report, will help support businesses in Orinda.
Worth wants to build on the synergies of Orinda’s existing businesses and not try to be Walnut Creek.
On dissolving the Moraga Orinda Fire District (MOFD)…none of the candidates felt this was a good idea.
McCormick stated, “I do think there are some issues of fiscal responsibility that the MOFD should be looking at.”
Zeller said he has spoken to many residents regarding the issues surrounding the fire district. He described the MOFD as the “Rolls Royce of fire service” and raised the question of whether that service could be delivered in another way.
Severson hoped MOFD would step up to address the issue of low-pressure fire flow.
Worth explained that she is part of a committee that is looking comprehensively at fire and paramedic service.
And on banning leaf blowers…
Severson supported better enforcement of the existing noise ordinance and promoted neighbors talking. She is willing to analyze other options or consider modifying the ordinance.
Worth stated that the existing ordinance was the product of much thoughtful discussion and strikes a good balance, but she added that she is willing to listen to residents concerns.
McCormick said the current noise ordinance should be adequate to address the issue, but if not, the Council would have to address it.
Zeller seemed most sympathetic to the concern presented by some residents and supports a healthy debate.
Orr does not support a complete ban on leaf blowers but does support reopening the discussion on the noise ordinance.
The California General Election, which includes the Orinda City Council race, will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010. Vote-by-mail ballots may be mailed to the county elections office or returned to any polling place and must be received by the time the polls close at 8:00 p.m. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA