| | Published December 10th, 2008
| Severson and McCormick Next to Lead in Orinda
| | By Andrea A. Firth |  | | Sue Severson, Orinda's new Mayor for 2009
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Orindans came out en masse and packed the Library Auditorium for the City Council meeting last Tuesday. Good news and celebration were the order of business as the Council recognized and thanked several worthy citizens for their services, awarded grants to seven valuable community groups, and selected the next Mayor and Vice Mayor to lead Orinda through 2009 and 2010.
Orinda Chamber of Commerce President Keith Miller kicked off the evening with a brief Chamber update followed by the introduction of the new and improved Shop Orinda bag, the "gold version", which is deeper and has a hard bottom. The message was clear-spend more and spend it in Orinda.
The City Council then moved on to recognize some of the City's finest volunteer worker bees and fundraisers. The Council thanked Chip Herman, the founder of the Orinda Classic Car Show, for the fun community event that he coordinates each year and the money that he raises in support of the Seniors Around Town volunteer transportation program. Council Member Amy Worth noted the growth and success of the Car Show, which raised $16,000 for the cause this year.
Amy Worth noted the growth and success of the Car Show, which raised $16,000 for the cause this year. The Council also recognized and thanked the ladies of the Orinda Community Center Auxiliary, which fundraises for the Center and runs several programs throughout the year. Founded over 25 years ago by longtime Orinda activist Bobbie Landers, the Auxiliary coordinated the Easter Fair, the Concerts in the Park, the Halloween Parade, and the recent Holiday Bazaar, which raised $11,000 for the Community Center.
Although typically tight with the purse strings and focused on diverting what ever funding possible to the City's infrastructure needs, the Council unanimously approved to provide just over $14,100 in community grants to seven local organizations including the Orinda's Art's Council, Historical Society, Junior Women's Club, and Starlight Village Players, the California Shakespeare Theater, the Lamorinda Senior Transportation Program, and Haley's 4th of July Run.
Next on the agenda was the certification of the election results, which confirmed the reappointment of Council Members Victoria Smith (6,355 votes) and Steve Glazer (6,102 votes) to four more years of volunteer service to the City. (Both accepted their oath of office willing and with a smile.) Council member Smith was then subjected to a "soft roast" by her colleagues in thanks for her year leading as Mayor. Smith was ribbed for her passion for venti-sized coffees and Cal Bears football, and complimented for her efficient leadership, sharp legal analysis, and support for all things Orinda.
The final two Council votes of the evening were unanimous. Council member Tom McCormick was selected as Orinda's Vice Mayor. And, Sue Severson was selected to serve as Orinda's new Mayor for 2009.
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 | | Tom McCormick , Orinda's new Vice Mayor for 2009
Photos Andy Scheckk
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA