Orinda City Council Candidates Opine Tonight

Quiet Orinda October 11, 2012 at 09:37 pm

Pity that the Biden-Ryan debate conflicts with this.
We'd be remiss, however, if we didn't afford candidates Glazer and Smith a proper chance to respond to some reasonable questions, which are most assuredly forthcoming. Stay tuned....

Chris Nicholson October 12, 2012 at 11:53 am

Anybody go? Anything notable?

KFrances October 12, 2012 at 01:40 pm

I was in charge of the neighborhood kids carpool last night, and couldn't go...I'd like to hear how it went also.
I'm concerned that 47% of Steve Glazer's contributions come from outside Orinda, Victoria Smith 22%. Linda Delehunt is not accepting contributions at this time from what I understand. Glazer is a nice guy, but I'm it's also concerned he uses PR firm Stearns Consulting: http://www.stearnsconsulting.com Stearns Consulting markets candidates that want to dismantle the suburbs, redirect the majority of CA school funds to inner-city schools, where most of their students receive free and reduced lunches (this is how the state plans to disperse taxpayer money) This is all part of the machine to reduce water & property rights and redistribute wealth. It appears Glazer is part of this CA power structure that is destroying our state and yes freedom to live where you want with your hard earned dollars, and have your kids go to the school in the area you live. Orinda City Council Memebers vote....and are either - with 'The Agenda' -(which is an International back door take down of Orinda)......or against it.

Spencer October 12, 2012 at 08:16 pm

KFrances: Had you attended you would have been the 26th person there, a sign of citizen disinterest since most Orindans have made up there minds and will vote to re-elect Smith and Glazer. Maybe Delehunt is not accepting contributions because Save Orinda members don't have any funds.

Valerie Sloven October 12, 2012 at 11:00 pm

KFrances: Does Mr.Glazer know that you are on to him and his devious plan to destroy our way of life?

Steve Cohn October 13, 2012 at 03:34 pm

I am not knowledgeable about the above claims that Glazer is out to destroy our way of life nor was I at the debate but I am blessed to have actually spoken with real person who was there (25 out of 17,600). Their big impression was (1) Glazer and Smith were on the same page; almost acting as one, and (2) their major "claim to fame" was the proposed Measure L sales tax for our roads. These are something I do know about.
First of all, having interacted and observed Glazer and Smith for about six years now, they really are "on the same page." While the Council is non-partisan, if you like one you will like both and visa versa. Sort of like one person with two Council votes. The fact that Smith responded to none of the questions posed to her here on The Patch is irrelevant because Glazer did respond.

Steve Cohn October 13, 2012 at 03:37 pm

Second, if Measure L is their major selling point at least they are trying to follow through on their campaign promises of four years ago which was "roads, roads, roads." But as someone who has probably spent more time on this issue than they have, they have not come through for Orinda.
1) The money we have had to use for roads has been spent wisely; but most of the credit needs to go to Infrastructure Commission (CIOC) who has advised the Council. 2) $3.75 million in grants have been secured; but by the Public Works Department 3) The Measure L funding measure was generated out of the work of the Roads Subcommittee which was headed by Glazer but its total value; $6.7 million, will not touch Orinda's true $50 million problem plus the $2.5 million annual maintenance which a recent city report says is required just to maintain the status quo (45 miles of poor or failed residential streets). 4) A Ten Year Plan was approved by the Council but 85% of it counts on two bond measures which all indications say will never pass (which is why they are not being proposed now). If you want to know more about Measure L go to the official site www.fixourroadsnow.org or the critical review site www.RoadToNowhere.info

Steve Cohn October 13, 2012 at 03:38 pm

Finally, I hear that Delehunt brought up the Emergency Services issue. She wants Orinda to form its own task force to truly understand how Orinda's residents are being served. 220 residents requested this last year. Worth proposed it. Smith and Glazer knocked it down. I did not hear how Glazer and Smith responded at the debate to Delehunt's comments. However, when a citizen committee presented its 100 page review of emergency services to the Council, she held her ground that Orinda's emergency service issues were not the Council's concern by telling the press that the citizens should take their report to MOFD. Here, on The Patch, Glazer said he will keep an eye on MOFD but at this point will take no action including setting up a city review of exactly how Orinda residents are being served. The fact that the citizen report claimed 40% of Orinda's emergencies are responded to in over the 6 minute industry-standard response time, and apparently have been for 15 years since we have the same three stations we did when MOFD was formed with no plans for change, did not seem to impact his resolve to let MOFD do its own thing.

Janet Maiorana October 13, 2012 at 08:06 pm

I am usually up on time and location of city meetings, however, I had no idea this forum was on Thurs. Our local concerns are more important to me that the Vice-Presidential debates so I am really sorry I missed the meeting. Wish it had been advertised more.
How did those 25 people who attended find out about the time and place of the forum?

Valerie Sloven October 13, 2012 at 09:00 pm

I was aware of it but there were too many things going on that evening. The Orinda Association put it on.
There will be a forum on Monday for candidates running for Orinda school board.