| | Published September 17, 2008
| Candidates Speak Out on Civic Pride
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | |
Candidates for the upcoming City Council election were asked to comment on how residents, businesses or government contribute to civic pride in Lafayette. The question was posed via e-mail for fairness. The candidates touched on a range of answers, but a recurring theme was volunteerism.
Current City Council Member Carl Anduri noted that, "What sets Lafayette apart is the volunteer spirit of its residents. An incredible number of people volunteer their time, energy and expertise to help others and to make Lafayette a better place in which to live." He goes on to note the beneficial impact of parents supporting schools, youth programs, drivers for seniors, the faith community and service clubs. "One example - without the years of service of members of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Commission, we would not have the trail system and recreational facilities we have now."
To summarize, Anduri notes, "When we look around our city and consider the many disparate elements, large and small, that come together to give us our sense of community and civic pride, the essential ingredient is clear - residents who have cared enough to contribute their time."
Challenger Gabriel Froymovich noted that it's easy to be proud of Lafayette. "We are a vibrant city, but still know our neighbors and local merchants. Our residents volunteer with the city and run organizations like the Rotary Club. Our businesspeople, through the Chamber of Commerce sustain a vibrant, friendly business community."
He sees room for improvement in city services, "We must ensure that we can be proud of our infrastructure. Right now 15% of our residents live on failed roads." Froymovich would like to see a different approach to City planning, "When the Council pushes ABAG recommendations on us, we are jeopardizing our unique character. We do not need to forcibly cram more and more residents into our already congested downtown area." Froymovich sees Lafayette as a special community, "That's why we live here and why we take such pride in our small city. We should start planning it that way, instead of deferring to cookie-cutter planning from a regional organization."
Incumbent Carol Federighi opines that "together we make a difference," referring to the many individuals that help make the city vibrant. "Bumper stickers all over town proclaim 'Love Lafayette.' Lafayette is a volunteer community, whose residents, businesses and government all contribute to City pride." She believes a variety of dedicated individuals who donate their time to school boards, parent clubs, the Arts and Science Foundation, play a part. In addition, "A tireless corps of community volunteers raised over $13 million dollars for our new Lafayette Library and Learning Center."
Federighi sees two other components, civic organizations and business leaders actively promoting civic pride. Those include the Rotary, the Community Foundation and the League of Women Voters. "Our hardworking Chamber of Commerce...has contributed immeasurably to the downtown's vitality." Finally, "Volunteers work many hours for no pay on the City Council, commissions, committees, and task forces to support downtown revitalization, protection of our hillsides and ridgelines, road maintenance and repair, public safety and more."
Mayor Mike Anderson also has a multi-faceted view of the factors that contribute to civic pride. He believes that, "Civic pride in Lafayette comes from residents who have found a place that supports their lifestyles, has people compassionate and concerned for the needs of others, and provides an interesting, stimulating, yet safe place for children and adults to learn and grow. Our governmental agencies provide the 'stage set' that encourages and protects this healthy community. This 'infrastructure for living' includes our outstanding schools, parks, open and undeveloped ridgelines, living creeks and public safety. This 'stage' is reliable but flexible, accommodating the routine and usual and allowing for the spontaneous and unusual. Upon this stage, businesses and residents can freely express themselves, making our City vibrant and alive."
Lastly, "Our residents are the stars of the show, living well, caring for others, volunteering to assist civic processes and supporting the less fortunate." When all of the above noted interests work together they make a city where residents feel joyful and proud.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA