Emily Sabatte is quite distressed. For 8 years now the Lafayette mom has been buying her daughters’ birthday cakes at Toot Sweets in Lafayette and now that the shop is closing, she doesn’t know of another local bakery that would offer the same kind of quality and creative conceptions.
The bakery has been located at 3518 Mt. Diablo blvd. in the McCaulous shopping center, for 13 years. “We started our first business in Berkeley when we were very young,” remembers Marcy Wheeler the bakery’s owner, “our first place was The Edible Express on College Avenue, and the first Toot Sweets in Berkeley was supplying the café on College.” “We have been customers of theirs since the Edible Express days,” remembers Connie Chiba of Moraga, she used to take there her toddlers who are now adults, “and we were so delighted when they moved to Lafayette in the 90’s.”
Creating cakes was always Wheeler’s forte. “Marcy created a most delicious and beautiful cake for the baptism of my first daughter,” remembers Sabatte, “her decoration was delicate and dainty.” Wheeler’s ability to create unique decoration was one of the Sabatte’s favorite features. The family used to give her a picture that she reproduced on rice paper to decorate the cake. “Marcy always added something special and for my daughters the arrival of the pink box was the real beginning of the celebration.” For Chiba, the height of Wheeler’s talent was always shining at Easter time, “she created those Easter cakes, chocolates and cookies that were so unique.” She remembers how she continued to send Easter baskets to her children way into their college years.
“I’ve always been an artist and my husband is the business person of the group,” explains Wheeler, “I must have been a bit of a chemist too, because I always loved to experiment and create new concoctions.” When Wheeler’s son reached 6th grade, the family moved to Lafayette. “It was a perfect solution for me,” she explains, “I worked and lived here, the kids and their friends helped at the bakery during the Holidays, it was part of our identity.” Now both of their children have moved into their adult life and Marcy feels it’s time to retire from the bakery. “When you’re young you feel that you can do it all,” she says. But last year she hurt her shoulder transporting heavy trays and after she underwent surgery, she realized that choices had to be made.
Behind the bakery, she’s been renting a studio with the Lamorinda arts alliance where painters meet, work, interact and also offer art classes for adults. “I felt we needed a place to work together, not only a location to sell,” says Wheeler, “and this is why this studio came to life.” She adds that if she didn’t have her painting, leaving the bakery would have been much harder. “Art is my number one passion and I’ve had to make choices,” confesses Wheeler. “I’m glad Marcy will still be around,” says Sabatte, “we wish her well in her new endeavor.” Chiba, who took painting classes with Wheeler some years ago is also glad that she is not leaving the area and hopes to work again with her, “she is such an upbeat character in our community,” she says.
Wheeler and her husband have sold Toot Sweets’ lease to a frozen yogurt business, she thinks that this is a hard time for high-end bakeries and it might be the right time for her to retire anyway. “People go to Safeway or Costco because it is cheaper,” she acknowledges, “but by doing so they make choices that will kill the independent businesses that live in their community.” She believes that a movement like “Try Lafayette First” is a great initiative to raise people’s awareness about the importance of shopping locally.
Over the years, she created or modified hundreds of recipes. “I’d love to have the recipe of her pecan pie,” says Chiba, “and of her Boston cream cake, and of her tarts which were so excellent.” Her husband who indulged in the morning bear claws might want that recipe too. To respond to their demand, Wheeler will create a recipe book available for purchase on blurb.com. She would like her customers to send her emails indicating what recipes they are mostly interested in, her email address is: marcy@marcywheeler.com
Side bar for recipe:
Lafayette Police Officers were regularly spotted having their morning oatmeal at Toot Sweets. Wheeler says: “I know it sounds silly, but the recipe most people have asked for lately is how do we make our Oatmeal. Sometimes it is those little "tricks" that make the difference!”
Toot Sweets Oatmeal
Bring 2 cups water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and 1 cup Quaker Oats Old Fashioned Oatmeal.
Stir only briefly. Turn down heat to low.
Continue to cook 5 minutes, and then turn off heat and let sit for 3-5 more minutes.
Letting the water boil first and not over agitating the cooking oatmeal helps keep the structure of the individual rolled oat. You just can't get that texture with instant, or if you beat it up with a spoon as it's cooking. Having the water already boiling before adding the oats helps set the shape. Brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon, cream...that's all up to your preference.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Story Swap
It takes a particular set of abilities to make a good storyteller. Storytelling is an art that has much in common with stand-up comedy, but with a touch of poetry. Tellers of tales don’t always tell funny stories; in fact the audience often seems to be longing more for semi-sweet tales with a philosophical bent. But what makes a good story is definitely the punch line, that final sentence that summarizes the whole tale, gives it a slightly different twist, brings an unexpected ending, or is the prelude to yet another story to come. At the Orinda Library on Thursday, August 28, there were plenty of great endings delivered by excellent raconteurs, who had assembled to keep alive the ancient tradition of telling stories.
Every fourth Thursday of the month, adults are invited to meet at the Orinda Library, in a side room in the hallway, for two hours (7-9pm) and share their tales. There is a whole community of story swaps in the Bay Area, and according to Jeff Bayers, that night’s featured teller, Orinda has the best swap in the region.
The twenty or so people present last week all seemed to know each other. One might have felt, upon arrival, the self-conciousness embarrassment of having inadvertently crashed a private party. It soon became clear that there were many new comers, including people from out of the area, and that the group was very friendly and inclusive.
Sally Holzman and two friends started this group, which is supported by the Orinda Library, six years ago. As the evening began, she proposed a theme. All in attendance were invited to tell a brief story to illustrate the theme: a “Wow” moment. Some were clearly experienced storytellers, and every story had its own charm and flair of authenticity. There were a few Yosemite moments, trips abroad, Grand Canyon, and wild animal tales. No comments were made; it was just for the pleasure of sharing.
Then Bayers started to spin his tales. There is something very specific in the enjoyment of story telling. Maybe it reminds us of times gone by, when our parents read to us, and like children we do not resist being taken away to the world that is opened to us. Renown storytellers have a gift that is not given to everyone, the ability to create mental images and feelings in the minds of others.
Bayers made the listener hope his mother would find her true love again, fly with the parrot Viskovitz, fight with young Hamed in Egypt, and struggle with grief alongside widower Jonathan.
Bayers is a modest story teller, he does not use a lot of body language, but his expression is animated, his voice smooth and there is always a twinkle in his eye that tells you the story might be true, but maybe not.
Or as another storyteller, Jim, put it, “This is a true story, with embellishment.” Jim told a funny childhood story. He was one of six tellers who are regulars in Orinda and the community of storytelling.
Some are consummate actors and literally play their story, like Eileen, who took us on a hunting trip in the mountains of Virginia.
Others were more sober, nonetheless charming, like cowboy Billy who tells humorous poems about ranchers and wild life.
At the end of the evening, announcements were made of coming events from San Francisco to Pleasanton. In Orinda, the next free event will be on September 25, with the theme “remember when.” All listeners are welcome.
The Storytelling Association of Alta California has a web site: www.storySAAC.org
Every fourth Thursday of the month, adults are invited to meet at the Orinda Library, in a side room in the hallway, for two hours (7-9pm) and share their tales. There is a whole community of story swaps in the Bay Area, and according to Jeff Bayers, that night’s featured teller, Orinda has the best swap in the region.
The twenty or so people present last week all seemed to know each other. One might have felt, upon arrival, the self-conciousness embarrassment of having inadvertently crashed a private party. It soon became clear that there were many new comers, including people from out of the area, and that the group was very friendly and inclusive.
Sally Holzman and two friends started this group, which is supported by the Orinda Library, six years ago. As the evening began, she proposed a theme. All in attendance were invited to tell a brief story to illustrate the theme: a “Wow” moment. Some were clearly experienced storytellers, and every story had its own charm and flair of authenticity. There were a few Yosemite moments, trips abroad, Grand Canyon, and wild animal tales. No comments were made; it was just for the pleasure of sharing.
Then Bayers started to spin his tales. There is something very specific in the enjoyment of story telling. Maybe it reminds us of times gone by, when our parents read to us, and like children we do not resist being taken away to the world that is opened to us. Renown storytellers have a gift that is not given to everyone, the ability to create mental images and feelings in the minds of others.
Bayers made the listener hope his mother would find her true love again, fly with the parrot Viskovitz, fight with young Hamed in Egypt, and struggle with grief alongside widower Jonathan.
Bayers is a modest story teller, he does not use a lot of body language, but his expression is animated, his voice smooth and there is always a twinkle in his eye that tells you the story might be true, but maybe not.
Or as another storyteller, Jim, put it, “This is a true story, with embellishment.” Jim told a funny childhood story. He was one of six tellers who are regulars in Orinda and the community of storytelling.
Some are consummate actors and literally play their story, like Eileen, who took us on a hunting trip in the mountains of Virginia.
Others were more sober, nonetheless charming, like cowboy Billy who tells humorous poems about ranchers and wild life.
At the end of the evening, announcements were made of coming events from San Francisco to Pleasanton. In Orinda, the next free event will be on September 25, with the theme “remember when.” All listeners are welcome.
The Storytelling Association of Alta California has a web site: www.storySAAC.org
Paws To Read
As she comes into the special library room, Melyssa, a 3rd grader, is told that today she will read to Trevin. The dog is waiting for her with his handler/owner, Carol. He is one of the 3 canines present that day at the Orinda library to participate in “Paws to read”, a program where elementary school age children come to read to dogs.
The program has been running in Orinda for 3 years. “It was started in Salt Lake City many years ago,” says Lin Look the librarian in charge of children’s activities, “I heard about it at a conference and was immediately convinced of its value.” Research shows that kids who are learning to read can become nervous about looking dumb around their friends. But with a dog, they start to relax and reading becomes easier. Moraga librarian Linda Waldrup where the program is starting this August summarizes, “children enjoys reading to non-judgmental canines." “Dogs are not critical,” says Melyssa’s mother, “they take the children for who they are.” Paws to Read attracts children from the entire spectrum of reading levels. Martha, a 4th grader who was there that morning in Orinda, is a very avid reader, having completed 3 times the library summer program for her age. During the session she read 3 books to her dog. “She takes any opportunity to read,” says her mother. The little girl commented, “I love to read to dogs, you can see they really understand what you read.” Carol has a dog of her own in her house but it is not the case for every child who comes to paws to read.
The dogs involved in the program are family pets of many different breeds, and their owners who volunteer their time have been certified in pet therapy. In addition to reading improvement, “Paws” shows kids how to relate to dogs as pets. “Children are sometimes unsure,” says handler Ginger Wadsworth, “and within a few minutes of petting the dog they come closer and start reading.” This is why Look removed some of the restrictions other libraries have put on the program, she will allow kids with minor allergies to come to the program, as well as kids who are not used to interacting with pets and might be a bit nervous at first.
Wadsworth is on the Friends Orinda Library board, and has 2 trained therapy dogs with ARF. She comes to “Paws” with her golden retriever – Willa – who is so excited about going to see kids. She’s a big supporter of the program, and the Friends of the library have donated books, pillows, doggy treats, water for the handler, and little certificates. “It is still a lot of work for the librarian,” recognizes Wadsworth, “and Lin has done a fantastic job.”
Waldrup confirmed that all the dogs in her program are certified therapy dogs as well. Most of the people who bring their dogs do other things with them, like going to hospitals and convalescent homes. There are therapy cats too and both Look and Waldrup would like to find some of these for their programs. They both want to connect with the local schools and reading specialists. The program is over for the summer in Orinda and will start again in the fall. It is running in August in Moraga, where after an evaluation it will probably come back in the fall.
The program has been running in Orinda for 3 years. “It was started in Salt Lake City many years ago,” says Lin Look the librarian in charge of children’s activities, “I heard about it at a conference and was immediately convinced of its value.” Research shows that kids who are learning to read can become nervous about looking dumb around their friends. But with a dog, they start to relax and reading becomes easier. Moraga librarian Linda Waldrup where the program is starting this August summarizes, “children enjoys reading to non-judgmental canines." “Dogs are not critical,” says Melyssa’s mother, “they take the children for who they are.” Paws to Read attracts children from the entire spectrum of reading levels. Martha, a 4th grader who was there that morning in Orinda, is a very avid reader, having completed 3 times the library summer program for her age. During the session she read 3 books to her dog. “She takes any opportunity to read,” says her mother. The little girl commented, “I love to read to dogs, you can see they really understand what you read.” Carol has a dog of her own in her house but it is not the case for every child who comes to paws to read.
The dogs involved in the program are family pets of many different breeds, and their owners who volunteer their time have been certified in pet therapy. In addition to reading improvement, “Paws” shows kids how to relate to dogs as pets. “Children are sometimes unsure,” says handler Ginger Wadsworth, “and within a few minutes of petting the dog they come closer and start reading.” This is why Look removed some of the restrictions other libraries have put on the program, she will allow kids with minor allergies to come to the program, as well as kids who are not used to interacting with pets and might be a bit nervous at first.
Wadsworth is on the Friends Orinda Library board, and has 2 trained therapy dogs with ARF. She comes to “Paws” with her golden retriever – Willa – who is so excited about going to see kids. She’s a big supporter of the program, and the Friends of the library have donated books, pillows, doggy treats, water for the handler, and little certificates. “It is still a lot of work for the librarian,” recognizes Wadsworth, “and Lin has done a fantastic job.”
Waldrup confirmed that all the dogs in her program are certified therapy dogs as well. Most of the people who bring their dogs do other things with them, like going to hospitals and convalescent homes. There are therapy cats too and both Look and Waldrup would like to find some of these for their programs. They both want to connect with the local schools and reading specialists. The program is over for the summer in Orinda and will start again in the fall. It is running in August in Moraga, where after an evaluation it will probably come back in the fall.
How Country Clubs Address The Drought
Saving 19% on your water consumption is not an easy thing to do, but how about 30%? Whether they like it or not that’s the target for the “irrigation” customers of EBMUD, our water agency. No large fields in Lamorinda, no crops on the hills, but two country clubs, with acre of green grass consuming thousands of gallons a year, now with an objective of cutting the watering by 30%, in the middle of summer. May be soon the greens will be called the yellows.
The two clubs face a very different challenge. Orinda with Lake Cascade collects enough from rain and runoffs to water the golf course. The club has owned the lake since the 20s when it was created. Ebmud water is used for the club house, swimming pool, tennis, and fitness, which are commercial usage, submitted to “only” a 9% reduction. The Orinda Club has taken steps to meet that requirement by providing patrons with water on request only, by making time adjustments for cleaning golf carts and asking players to take shorter showers.
Last autumn, the Club had to exceptionally use EBMUD water for the grounds due to the weather conditions. “This year, we have adopted a conservative approach to our watering,” explains John Bether, Orinda Club’s Manager, “we have concerns for our lake that’s been stressed by two consecutive rainy seasons.” As a consequence, some of the grounds are let go brown. Bether doesn’t believe that the fareways and greens will be impacted, mostly the rough.
In Moraga, the ponds are used for irrigation, but the fraction is not very significant and most of the water comes from EBMUD. For Frank Melòn, MCC General Manager, the challenge is quite significant. “We have been proactive and have worked with EBMUD on water efficiency for years,” explains Melòn, “over the past 10 years, our consumption decreased by 38.9%.” This was achieved with, for example, the installation of a weather station that reads the evaporation rate of the grass and determines the amount a watering needed (testing the evapotranspiration). As a result, the club will be applying for an exemption. “Any irrigation customer who applies for an exemption needs to prove that they are already an efficient irrigator,” explains EBMUD Dave Langridge. Langridge is EBMUD’s conservation specialist, who works with Moraga Country Club and any large user who wishes to optimize their water usage techniques.
Even if the 30% objective is high, Melòn plans to try to reach it this year. For the future, he has even more ambitious plans. He is coming from hotter climates than Lamorinda, he worked golf courses in Southern California and in the Palm Spring desert for a combined 30 years. These more drastic water conditions gave him exposure to such techniques as tertiary treatment of wastewater. “This is a technique that’s been used for many years now and produces a water of superior quality,” explains the General Manager who is working with EBMUD and Central San on a tertiary water treatment plant for the Club. “We want to do the right thing for the community and the Bay Area,” explains Melòn. At this time, the project is in its feasibility phase. Linda Hu Supervisor of the Office of Water Recycling for EBMUD, is very interested in that possibility. She explains that other golf courses such as Gale Ranch in San Ramon Small use recycled water for their lawns. Their water comes from a near recycled water facility. There is not such thing for Moraga and the Country Club will have to build its own facility, the viability study will determine, among other aspects, if this is financially viable.
The two clubs face a very different challenge. Orinda with Lake Cascade collects enough from rain and runoffs to water the golf course. The club has owned the lake since the 20s when it was created. Ebmud water is used for the club house, swimming pool, tennis, and fitness, which are commercial usage, submitted to “only” a 9% reduction. The Orinda Club has taken steps to meet that requirement by providing patrons with water on request only, by making time adjustments for cleaning golf carts and asking players to take shorter showers.
Last autumn, the Club had to exceptionally use EBMUD water for the grounds due to the weather conditions. “This year, we have adopted a conservative approach to our watering,” explains John Bether, Orinda Club’s Manager, “we have concerns for our lake that’s been stressed by two consecutive rainy seasons.” As a consequence, some of the grounds are let go brown. Bether doesn’t believe that the fareways and greens will be impacted, mostly the rough.
In Moraga, the ponds are used for irrigation, but the fraction is not very significant and most of the water comes from EBMUD. For Frank Melòn, MCC General Manager, the challenge is quite significant. “We have been proactive and have worked with EBMUD on water efficiency for years,” explains Melòn, “over the past 10 years, our consumption decreased by 38.9%.” This was achieved with, for example, the installation of a weather station that reads the evaporation rate of the grass and determines the amount a watering needed (testing the evapotranspiration). As a result, the club will be applying for an exemption. “Any irrigation customer who applies for an exemption needs to prove that they are already an efficient irrigator,” explains EBMUD Dave Langridge. Langridge is EBMUD’s conservation specialist, who works with Moraga Country Club and any large user who wishes to optimize their water usage techniques.
Even if the 30% objective is high, Melòn plans to try to reach it this year. For the future, he has even more ambitious plans. He is coming from hotter climates than Lamorinda, he worked golf courses in Southern California and in the Palm Spring desert for a combined 30 years. These more drastic water conditions gave him exposure to such techniques as tertiary treatment of wastewater. “This is a technique that’s been used for many years now and produces a water of superior quality,” explains the General Manager who is working with EBMUD and Central San on a tertiary water treatment plant for the Club. “We want to do the right thing for the community and the Bay Area,” explains Melòn. At this time, the project is in its feasibility phase. Linda Hu Supervisor of the Office of Water Recycling for EBMUD, is very interested in that possibility. She explains that other golf courses such as Gale Ranch in San Ramon Small use recycled water for their lawns. Their water comes from a near recycled water facility. There is not such thing for Moraga and the Country Club will have to build its own facility, the viability study will determine, among other aspects, if this is financially viable.
Great Jazz Coming Our Way
On Dec 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Campolindo Performing Art Center, campo alumni Geoff Countryman (2001) will play with the school’s Jazz Ensemble as well as Joaquin Moraga Jazz Cats.
When Geoff Countryman played on Saturday Night Live last December, he didn’t know that the music teacher that had inspired him to become a professional musician, Harvey Benstein, would be watching. “One of Geoffrey's classmates told me to watch for him on TV last December,” says the music teacher, “and I got a glimpse of him.” Bernstein was immediately inspired to give his students the marvelous opportunity to meet and work with someone who is actually making a living as a musician in New York, someone who sat in the very chairs that they are in now.
“I Have never come back to play with the band,” says Countryman, “I thought it would be a lot of fun and I’m very indebted to Mr. Bernstein how gave a lot of leeway and that helped with my creative side.”
“I though having Geoffrey back on campus would be an inspiration for our students,” adds Benstein, “he can reinforce what they need to know in high school to be more successful in college. He was also an outstanding student in our Music Theory program and I think he can help those students as they progress.”
Adam Noel, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate Music Director, shares the same enthusiasm, “I am excited to play in this concert! It’s always fun for students to play with professionals, but even more so when the professional was educated in their home town! Moraga has more professional musician alumni than it realizes! I’m thrilled to be connecting with Campolindo in concert as well- it’s important for my music students to hear what their future can hold!”
On December 11th the musicians will present pieces by Benny Carter, Jimmy Giuffre, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Cootie Williams, Mark Taylor
and Benny Golson.
“Geoffrey was very accomplished as a student at Campolindo and his passion for music making allowed him to pursue his dream,” remembers his teacher, “It takes that kind of talent, drive and dedication to be able to make it as a musician.” Today Countryman still plays in the Saturday Night band, with “The Revelations”, he is involved in many gigs and writes his own music. A few years back he started his own recording company. He teaches music one day a week in a K-12 school in New Jersey.
When Geoff Countryman played on Saturday Night Live last December, he didn’t know that the music teacher that had inspired him to become a professional musician, Harvey Benstein, would be watching. “One of Geoffrey's classmates told me to watch for him on TV last December,” says the music teacher, “and I got a glimpse of him.” Bernstein was immediately inspired to give his students the marvelous opportunity to meet and work with someone who is actually making a living as a musician in New York, someone who sat in the very chairs that they are in now.
“I Have never come back to play with the band,” says Countryman, “I thought it would be a lot of fun and I’m very indebted to Mr. Bernstein how gave a lot of leeway and that helped with my creative side.”
“I though having Geoffrey back on campus would be an inspiration for our students,” adds Benstein, “he can reinforce what they need to know in high school to be more successful in college. He was also an outstanding student in our Music Theory program and I think he can help those students as they progress.”
Adam Noel, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate Music Director, shares the same enthusiasm, “I am excited to play in this concert! It’s always fun for students to play with professionals, but even more so when the professional was educated in their home town! Moraga has more professional musician alumni than it realizes! I’m thrilled to be connecting with Campolindo in concert as well- it’s important for my music students to hear what their future can hold!”
On December 11th the musicians will present pieces by Benny Carter, Jimmy Giuffre, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Cootie Williams, Mark Taylor
and Benny Golson.
“Geoffrey was very accomplished as a student at Campolindo and his passion for music making allowed him to pursue his dream,” remembers his teacher, “It takes that kind of talent, drive and dedication to be able to make it as a musician.” Today Countryman still plays in the Saturday Night band, with “The Revelations”, he is involved in many gigs and writes his own music. A few years back he started his own recording company. He teaches music one day a week in a K-12 school in New Jersey.
A Difficult Financial Situation
Moraga’s philosophy has always been minimal government. In the average Contra Costa town 3.4 employees serve 1000 residents. In Moraga the number is 2.5, resulting in management working 55 to 60 hours weeks. “People are stressed, but show an incredible amount of commitment to the town,” says Jay Tashiro, the interim Town Manager. The number of police officers in town follows the same trend. The average rate of police officers per resident is 1/1000. In Moraga, that would mandate 16 officers. The force has 13 with two officers currently on disability and receiving full pay and benefits for up to a year. “On average, our Officers have put 11 extra hours of patrol per week,” says Moraga Chief of Police Ruppenthal. “The security of our residents is a priority,” had said Council member Bird at the June 11th town council meeting, “we need to do what it takes to be able to add strength to our police force.” Council member Ken Chew commented, “I would like to emphasize that our town's need for adequate and effective public safety must be maintained and enhanced. My hope is that two more police officers be added over and above what we currently have.” Joan Streit, Moraga Finance Director was instructed to find funds in the years to come to cover the deficit and add 1 to 3 new officers to the Moraga force.
Streit believes that Moraga’s financial state is not catastrophic. Many towns in the Bay Area are suffering far greater circumstances than Moraga, the town has little debt, its bond rating is essentially AAA, and all bargaining units are covered in the budget. The worrisome part of the equation is the growth of expenses while resources languish. “The cost of labor, supply and materials keeps growing,” explains the Director, “while our revenue stream is more or less stagnant.” The projected deficit for 2009/2010 is about $130.000; it goes to $210.000 in 2010/2011, $460.000 in 2011/2012 and $550.000 in 2012/2013. That is, before Streit makes her recommendation and before hiring additional police force.
“One of the problems of our revenue stream is that we do not have a diversified revenue base and are very vulnerable to State take-away,” analyses the Director, 40% of the town’s revenue comes from property taxes. In fact, the Town gets 5cents of every dollar paid in property tax, meaning that this revenue stream depends on what the other administrations give up and the rate of increase of the tax itself is not in the hands of the town either. Same problem with Moraga second most important revenue stream, sales tax, where only 1c on a dollar stays local. “We need to look at sources of revenue that will allow us to control our income stream,” believes Streit. She mentions among other sources license tax or building permits, At this time, with only working on savings and trying to find money for additional police officers, she is pessimistic, “if no other income sources are found in the short term, the reality is that we will have to do lay offs.” This would necessarily mean a lower level of service for residents, with possibly longer periods of time to wait for permits, less maintenance in public grounds, less recreation…
The Council favors a dynamic approach, as Council member Chew puts it, “I support looking at ways to cut expenses and the possibility of a "Revenue Enhancement Task Force" to explore ways to increase revenue.” The city of Orinda recently launched such a task force. Mayor Lynda Deschambault proposed that such a body be formed in Moraga. “Rather than focusing on cutting programs and opportunities, it makes more sense to focus our energy on identifying ways to increase our revenue generation.” She would like to see a brainstorming process where different options would be studied. It could include bringing back permitting and processing in town, adding a business license fee, additional revenue from events and recreation, grants or selling of property. Town Manager Tashiro recently met with Orinda to discuss the project, the Town Council will have to vote on it.
Streit believes that Moraga’s financial state is not catastrophic. Many towns in the Bay Area are suffering far greater circumstances than Moraga, the town has little debt, its bond rating is essentially AAA, and all bargaining units are covered in the budget. The worrisome part of the equation is the growth of expenses while resources languish. “The cost of labor, supply and materials keeps growing,” explains the Director, “while our revenue stream is more or less stagnant.” The projected deficit for 2009/2010 is about $130.000; it goes to $210.000 in 2010/2011, $460.000 in 2011/2012 and $550.000 in 2012/2013. That is, before Streit makes her recommendation and before hiring additional police force.
“One of the problems of our revenue stream is that we do not have a diversified revenue base and are very vulnerable to State take-away,” analyses the Director, 40% of the town’s revenue comes from property taxes. In fact, the Town gets 5cents of every dollar paid in property tax, meaning that this revenue stream depends on what the other administrations give up and the rate of increase of the tax itself is not in the hands of the town either. Same problem with Moraga second most important revenue stream, sales tax, where only 1c on a dollar stays local. “We need to look at sources of revenue that will allow us to control our income stream,” believes Streit. She mentions among other sources license tax or building permits, At this time, with only working on savings and trying to find money for additional police officers, she is pessimistic, “if no other income sources are found in the short term, the reality is that we will have to do lay offs.” This would necessarily mean a lower level of service for residents, with possibly longer periods of time to wait for permits, less maintenance in public grounds, less recreation…
The Council favors a dynamic approach, as Council member Chew puts it, “I support looking at ways to cut expenses and the possibility of a "Revenue Enhancement Task Force" to explore ways to increase revenue.” The city of Orinda recently launched such a task force. Mayor Lynda Deschambault proposed that such a body be formed in Moraga. “Rather than focusing on cutting programs and opportunities, it makes more sense to focus our energy on identifying ways to increase our revenue generation.” She would like to see a brainstorming process where different options would be studied. It could include bringing back permitting and processing in town, adding a business license fee, additional revenue from events and recreation, grants or selling of property. Town Manager Tashiro recently met with Orinda to discuss the project, the Town Council will have to vote on it.
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