Economic Development & A Vibrant Downtown
We have made great strides in creating a downtown that showcases Orinda’s natural beauty while offering modern amenities. I’ve worked closely with downtown businesses to ensure our city core gets the attention it needs to be successful by nurturing current businesses and helping attract new ones. We have seen exciting progress recently: we launched DowntownOrinda.com, created a Façade Improvement Program, and are thrilled to have new restaurants opening in 2026! We’ve also improved our summer concerts and movies, and we are supporting new senior and multifamily housing. I support moving forward sensibly but promptly with smart, sustainable growth that builds on Orinda’s existing splendor to foster economic development.
Emergency Preparedness & Wildfire Resilience
Protecting our community from wildfires has been a top priority of mine. Over the past four years, I have led Orinda to become a model city for evacuation and safety planning, fire prevention, and regional coordination. We successfully launched OrindaReady.com, provided community education nights and incentives, and initiated a feasibility study for an additional evacuation lane on Moraga Way. Furthermore, I’ve worked closely with our state and federal legislators to bring millions in resources to Orinda for fuel reduction and wildfire safety. We have accomplished much, but we are not done. Engaging residents to plan for emergencies must be a collaborative, year-round priority.
Infrastructure, Roads, and Public Spaces
I have tackled our critical infrastructure needs head-on while protecting our fiscal reserves. We have successfully maintained excellent road conditions across our public streets and completed the mapping of all storm drains. I don't run away from the tough problems; knowing that 20% of our roads and drains are privately maintained, we are developing a long-term strategy to address and solve this historical community concern while maintaining adequate fiscal reserves. We've also promoted upgrades like sidewalks to ensure families have safer routes to school. Beyond infrastructure, I’ve championed improving our public spaces to boost our quality of life. We opened a new dog park, established dedicated pickleball hours, refurbished the Welcome to Orinda Entrance Park, and are redesigning playground and picnic areas. Through our downtown beautification efforts. including flowers, lighting, landscaping, murals, and community art – we are proudly lifting up Orinda.
Public Safety
Keeping Orinda safe and secure remains a paramount focus. I am incredibly proud that recent statistics prove a reduction in crime in our city. We have added more community police officers, enhanced e-bike safety programs, and focused heavily on keeping our neighborhoods secure.
Community, Equity, and Inclusion
For me, Orinda has been a caring, welcoming home, and I am committed to taking concrete steps to broadly share that spirit of inclusion. As Mayor, I prioritized honoring our diversity by working to bring new traditions to our city, including celebrating Pride alongside PFLAG. I continue to support promoting cultural diversity with the Lamorinda Arts Council, am initiating a Menorah lighting, am prioritizing equality of rights for our LGBTQ+ communities, and am championing gun violence prevention through the Lamorinda Moms Demand Action group I helped organize.
I would be honored to receive your vote.
