 | | | Stepping down from Moraga Liaison duties, Susan and Sam Sperry Photo Susan Sperry | | | | | | One of the most informal yet informative meetings the town could possibly participate in is called the Moraga Liaison Meeting. Since 2005, resident Susan Sperry, joined by her husband Sam as "note taker" in 2012, have helmed the once a month, on a Friday at 8 a.m. sessions with the sole purpose to deliver a report to the community from the town's staff, organizations, and politicians with the objective of keeping everyone abreast of the status quo.
According to Susan, Moraga Liaison first began in 1976, when Geraldine (Jerry) Meyer ran the meetings out of Fire Station 41, and they were called The Firehouse Liaison Meetings. Community members have always been welcome to sit in on the proceedings. With mornings free before her teaching duties, Susan agreed to become the moderator in addition to serving as the representative from the Moraga Historical Society.
The meetings have since moved to the Community Meeting Room at the Moraga Library with an average of 24 presenters reporting on business that would interest the community. Each presenter is allowed a maximum of five minutes with typical participants being: Moraga Mayor, Moraga Town Manager, Moraga Planning Department/Commission, Moraga Public Works, Moraga Parks and Recreation/Park Foundation, Moraga Police Department, Moraga-Orinda Fire District, Moraga Chamber of Commerce, Moraga Citizens Network, Moraga Community Foundation, Moraga School District, Moraga Education Foundation, Acalanes Union High School District, Saint Mary's College, Moraga Valley Kiwanis, Moraga Rotary, Moraga Historical Society, Moraga Garden Club, Lamorinda Movers, RecycleSmart, County Board of Supervisors - District 2, California State Assembly - 16th Assembly District, California State Senate - 7th Senate District, and the United States House of Representatives - 11th California Congressional District.
During COVID's mandates, the Moraga Liaison Meetings were held via Zoom, which according to Sam "were a piece of cake," compared to the in-person meetings where a table and chairs have to be set up. Currently there are 92 residents signed up to receive email copies of his notes that are painstakingly transcribed from eight pages worth of presenter reports and additional pertinent research that Sam has compiled. Lafayette and Orinda offer their own versions of community status reporting.
The Sperrys have, for years, been involved in various aspects of community betterment, whether through established town organizations or on a personal level. In 2018, they were named Citizens of the Year as acknowledgment for their continual service to Moraga. Their decision to step down from Moraga Liaison duties was given much thought. "I told Susan, 'You decide for yourself,'" stated Sam. "'I don't see beyond 2022 in doing this'. Then we talked, and Susan decided to pull back as well."
"I would like us to get back to more ranch things," said Susan. "We are very involved in our children and grandchildren's lives; and I want to put more time into the Moraga Historical Society."
With all of the paperwork involved over the years, the Sperrys' attic has become quite crowded, admitted Sam. "We don't have room to store this s**t!!"
The decision has been mutually made to hand over the duties to the current sitting mayor of Moraga. Beginning in January 2023, Mayor Renata Sos will take the reins of the monthly Moraga Liaison Meetings.
Susan will look back on her experience as moderator fondly: "Having grown up in this town and raising the kids here, it was very rewarding for me."
For anyone interested in signing up to receive the monthly Moraga Liaison Meeting transcribed notes contact: ranchsusan@aol.com. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA