Moraga-Orinda Fire District
Vote for Riley, West, Coleman
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with several of the candidates running for local office: Janet Riley for the City Council, Edda Coleman for the Orinda Union School Board and Pamela West for Contra Costa County Board of Education. Each brings experience and proven results to their roles.
Serving on the Orinda school board alongside Pam, I saw someone who always puts the needs of children and families first. Moreover, she is a thoughtful, patient leader who listens with an open mind. And she strives to build consensus. I have no doubt that her skills and experience will be an asset to the county board.
Similarly, Janet Riley leads with conviction and a belief that Orinda is, and will continue to be, a great place to live. As the city faces a range of challenges, Janet has always married her concern for hearing all sides with a pragmatic approach to getting things done.
Likewise, Edda Coleman, is a principled, hard-working mother of three with a long-standing record of working for the betterment of children and families. We’d be fortunate to be represented by these three women, which is why I urge people to vote for Riley, West and Coleman.
– Pat Rudebusch | Orinda
Vote for Pam West
We heartily support Pam West for Contra Costa County Board of Education, Area 2. Having known and worked with Pam for many years, we have observed her thoughtful leadership in action. I am a retired Acalanes High School teacher and Miramonte graduate. As a former Orinda Union School District trustee, longtime county resident, community volunteer and a small business owner, Pam possesses a rare combination of intelligence and hands-on discipline. A hard worker who is collaborative and fair, Pam prepares well for meetings and makes decisions based on substantial research. Our students deserve Pam West’s commitment to excellence and responsible governance.
– Tom and Mary Eggertsen | Orinda
Vote for West and Chabalko
I’m voting for Pam West for the Contra Costa County Board of Education. Pam and I served on the Orinda Union School Board of trustees together, so I know her well. She is diligent about researching issues and is good at finding new approaches to solve problems. Her highest priority is educating every child. I know she will work to implement policies that will accomplish that goal. Pam works well with other board members, and would bring a clear, fresh perspective to the county board.
Also, I’m voting for John Chabalko for the Orinda school board. He’s been heavily involved as a parent volunteer, and is currently president of the Wagner Ranch Parents’ Club. That’s a solid training ground for the school board.
Please join me in supporting these two great candidates.
– Linda Landau | Orinda
Orinda overpays for Ladris
Orinda City pays a tech company called Ladris $250,000 per year for the right to use the Ladris AI evacuation simulation modeling tool. See Orindaready.com. The City intends to use Ladris during a wildfire emergency evacuation to predict how a wildfire approaching or in Orinda will spread. It also has used, and intends to use again, the Ladris tool to determine where additional new housing can be allowed without unduly interfering with safe emergency evacuation. Orinda should no longer rely on Ladris.
Ladris admits that its product only models the spread of a vegetation fire and that it does not model the spread of a wildfire from structure to structure.
New information, however, shows that the failure to model the spread of a wildfire from structure to structure is a flaw that can have fatal consequences.
An official report issued Oct. 2 about the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires fires concluded that those fires “spread from structure to structure at sweeping scale.” See https://bit.ly/3Vwxqfb. The full 773-page report is here: https://bit.ly/4rTcfA4.
This flaw in Ladris may explain why Ladris paints a much rosier evacuation picture than the EIR, which relied on studies by traffic engineers. The City Council certified the EIR on March 18, 2025, and adopted language stating that “adding additional residents to already constrained evacuation routes … would substantially increase evacuation constraints.” (Page 49 of 76 https://bit.ly/4jKadjB).
Orinda should no longer rely on the Ladris tool.
– Nick Waranoff | Orinda
Mike Roemer for MOFD Director
As a 10 year Moraga Orinda Fire District (MOFD) Board member and current president, I believe Mike Roemer is the best MOFD Board candidate. As a 34-year Orinda resident, Mike served as an MOFD Support Unit volunteer, licensed ham radio operator, and logistics supporter to firefighters for five years before being elected to the MOFD Board.
As an MOFD Board member, Mike has voted to fund and expand all of MOFD’s fire prevention efforts, including the free chipper program, free gutter guards and vent screens, and expanding MOFD’s preventative burning program.
Mike has personally walked every block of his district to connect with residents and listen to their concerns and preferences. He thoroughly and thoughtfully reads the Board packets, vigorously participates in discussions and then votes for what he believes will be best for the community. His legal expertise has helped guide MOFD in its litigation and labor negotiations. He is fully dedicated to his Board job and consistently represents the best interest of the community.
Please vote for Mike Roemer for MOFD Board.
– Craig Jorgens | Orinda
Vote for Mike Roemer
As a 35-year resident of Orinda, Mike Roemer has demonstrated his deep care for our community volunteering, coaching and fundraising for our schools while he and his wife, Julie, raised their family here and sent them through our public schools.
Mike’s qualifications are built on several tenets: Mike is not afraid to ask the hard questions that we deserve. His decades as an attorney trained him to analyze facts objectively, communicate clearly and insist on fairness. With your support, he’ll continue working to accelerate the (Moraga Orinda Fire) District’s use of fire-propagation modeling and evacuation planning tools, wildfire preparedness and fiscal responsibility and pension oversight.
He is that rare person in today’s world that is altruistic and lives his values. He also doesn’t bend to special interests. Although he’s been outspent nearly 40 to 1 in this campaign, he’s declined all contributions to keep the focus where it should be – on the issues. Talk to Mike for five minutes and you will understand his commitment to our community and devotion to the environment. And you may get a chance to do that, because Mike continues to campaign door-to-door in Moraga and Orinda to personally engage with his neighbors, educate them on home-hardening and learn about our concerns about MOFD – so he can continue representing us with the care and honesty we deserve as citizens.
Please join me in voting to reelect Mike Roemer in November.
– Ariele Taylor | Orinda
County Board of Education
Vote for West
Pamela brings a strong commitment to students, families and quality public education. Her experience, thoughtful leadership and dedication to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed make her an excellent choice for the board.
Our schools need leaders who listen, collaborate and put students first. I believe Pamela West will bring exactly that kind of leadership to the County Board of Education. I encourage voters to support Pamela West for County Board of Education. She will get the job done.
– Bekah and James Evans | Orinda
Vote for West
I was fortunate enough to serve on the Orinda Union District board of trustees with Pam West. Pam stood out as a thoroughly prepared board member who ALWAYS put the interests of children first.
Pam worked closely with teachers, site administrators and district administration in support of their efforts to improve educational outcomes. I wholeheartedly endorse Pam West for our county board of education, as we need a trustee that will work with all stakeholders in putting the needs of our students first.
– Matt Moran | Orinda
Vote for West
As former mayor the City of Orinda, a retired and former Orinda Union School District Trustee, I strongly endorse Pam West for the County Board of Education, area 2.
Having worked alongside Pam for many years, I have seen her thoughtful leadership in action. As a former Orinda Union School District trustee, long-time county resident, community volunteer and small business owner, Pam brings a rare combination of intelligence, hands-on experience and fiscal discipline. She does the hard work – diligently studying the facts, listening to all stakeholders and bringing people together to solve complex problems.
Our students, schools and taxpayers deserve Pam West’s proven commitment to student success and responsible governance.
– Sue Severson | Orinda
Vote for West
As elementary school parents, we know how important it is to have strong, caring leadership to guide our schools. We want our children to feel safe, supported and inspired to learn every day. That’s why we’re supporting Pam West for the County Board of Education.
Pam understands that a strong education begins with listening to families, supporting teachers and always putting students first. We need leaders who understand the importance of giving every child the opportunity to succeed. We believe Pam will bring a caring and common-sense voice to the County Board of Education.
For our children and for the future of our schools, we encourage our fellow parents to vote for Pam West.
– Kellyn and Glen Gagon | Orinda
Measure W (AUHSD parcel tax)
Vote Yes on Measure W
As a 30-year resident and local business owner, I’ve spent years watching how this community thrives.
One thing is clear, our schools and our local economy are deeply connected. Families move to Orinda for our schools. That’s not a guess, it’s something I hear from customers every week. They come here because Miramonte and its sister schools offer something exceptional, and that reputation brings people through my doors too. Strong schools bring families who shop locally, eat at our restaurants and put down roots that last for decades.
When our schools struggle, that ripple effect touches all of us, whether or not we have kids enrolled. That’s why the cuts already underway concern me. Our high schools have lost librarians, counselors and course offerings, not because the district is spending carelessly, but because state funding doesn’t come close to covering what it costs to run a school well. In fact, our district spends less per student than 72% of high school districts in our state.
Measure W is how our community closes the gap. It’s a modest investment of $168 a year for eight years. All funds staying local, there are mandatory independent audits and a full exemption for seniors. Small businesses like mine thrive because this is a place families want to call home. Protecting our schools means protecting that.
Please join me in voting yes on Measure W, because strong schools are good for business.
– Pat Rudebusch | Orinda
Vote Yes on Measure W
I’ve lived in Orinda for 19 years, and in that time I’ve watched my grandchildren come up through our schools – a seventh grader at Orinda Intermediate and a ninth grader at Miramonte. Watching them, I’ve seen what a well-funded high school can do: small classes where teachers know their students by name, counselors with time for real conversations about the future and courses that let kids discover what they love.
That’s because our community used to step up to make sure our schools had what they needed. But we haven’t had any new local funding for our high schools in 16 years, and they are suffering.
I want my grandchildren and all Miramonte students to have that same experience. Our high schools are already absorbing real cuts – fewer counselors, thinner library coverage, fewer courses – because state funding doesn’t cover what it takes to run an excellent school. This isn’t overspending. The district has already cut $4.2 million from its budget in the last two years. To keep our schools exceptional, we must fund them at the level they need. It’s a community deciding, once again, whether to invest in what it has always valued. I’ve watched Orinda make this choice before, and I believe we’ll make it again. Measure W is a modest ask: $168 a year, all funds staying local, mandatory audits and a full exemption for seniors.
Please join me in voting yes on Measure W.
– Susan Banker | Orinda
Vote Yes on Measure W
I am voting yes on Measure W, the Acalanes Union High School District parcel tax. I urge you to vote yes as well.
Some of you may recall that I was a strong opponent of the prior parcel tax proposal, Measure T. I have changed my position because since that time, the district has made major cuts to its budget. I do not believe that any more cuts can reasonably be made and I believe that further cuts will only harm the students. Notably, the opponents of Measure W have not specified any specific cut that they desire.
– Nick Waranoff | Orinda
Vote for Coleman
I urge all to vote for Edda Collins Coleman on Nov. 3. I’m confident she’ll make a positive impact for our schools and work toward the betterment of our community. Her dedicated leadership and tireless service merits another term as a trustee of the Orinda Union School District.
Join me in voting Edda for our schools.
– Sue Severson | Orinda
