 | | | From left, standing: Lawrence Tam, Ella Samonsky; seated: Ellen Clark, Clinton Calkins, Laurie Sucgang. Photo Sophie Braccini
| | | | | | A couple of years ago Moraga recruited new department heads to consolidate the town's service framework. This year the town filled the middle management positions where big gaps were impacting service to residents. Five new staff have been hired in 2013: senior planner Ellen Clark and associate planner Ella Samonsky (Planning); senior civil engineer Laurie Sucgang and engineering technician/inspector Lawrence Tam (Public Works); and recreation assistant Clinton Calkins (Parks and Recreation).
"I came from a much bigger agency and chose Moraga for the diversity of the things I can take charge of," says Calkins. Sucgang, who was previously in a large public works group at the county level, agrees, saying that she enjoys the different aspects of public works in Moraga - the intimate setting and the contact with the public. Tam adds that he likes the direct contact with the hierarchy. "Here you can even talk to the town manager directly," notes Clark, who remarks that Moraga may be small but the projects are large and have a complexity she enjoys. Samonsky, who just arrived from San Jose, also appreciates the transparency and open atmosphere of the small staff where everyone knows everybody else.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA