Measure Q

By Robert Jungbluth

Endorsement of Measure Q

Most concerning to me, is what seems to be a lack of planning in case, God forbid, Q fails. Does this mean nothing happens? A position Orinda's leaders cannot afford to take. But a position that one could conclude they have taken in the past. Instead, we must repair as many roads as we can with whatever financial resources we can obtain small as those resources may be, in order to rebuild the lost confidence in the council. To prove to the voter that we have what it takes to make repairs a priority. To show them we have the focus, the commitment, and the leadership to accomplish the goals.

I have said to those who have asked, wouldn't it be nice if the voters were to approve a bond measure to complete road repairs rather than to begin them.

In general, we're a community of limited resources. We have to be creative with how those resources are allocated. I have asked why we did not incorporate city offices into the new library? Thereby reducing the expenses and the need of a new city hall. At the very least, why didn't we convert the old library to city offices like we were told? It is precisely this kind of decision making that lies at the forefront of the opposition to Q.

Now, with the opportunity to obtain resources from non-traditional means becoming scarcer, we must be certain that this pattern of decision making comes to an end.

As the founder of a public relations practice, I have had the opportunity to work with many candidates, elected official, and governing bodies. This experience has given me an understanding of how to work with the people in this field. It has helped me to develop the leadership skills necessary to focus a diverse organization toward achieving a goal. It has made me appreciate the importance of reaching agreement when prioritizing a group's objectives. It has also instilled a commitment to fiscal responsibility and a budget. Orinda faces some daunting tasks over the next four years; infrastructure repairs, downtown revitalization, development of the Pine Grove site, the Gateway project, and others. But this election is about more than issues. It's about leadership, focus, and commitment.