Moraga's First Election Controversy: Wankens Protest $200 Donation Request

A day into the long run to the Nov. 2 General Election, Moraga cemented its reputation for contentious politics when a husband and wife team running for Town Council challenged a $200 fee they say they were asked to come up with before their appearance at an upcoming candidate's forum.

Dennis and Eleni Wanken said they were contacted by the Moraga Citizens Network and invited to participate in a candidate forum being hosted by the Lamorinda Weekly and Moraga Citizens Network on Tuesday, October 5th. The Wankens say MCN's Larry Beans also "promptly demanded that each candidate write a check for $200 payable to the Moraga Citizens Network."

"We find it truly disappointing the Moraga Citizens Network is turning an event
meant to inform the public into a private fundraiser for their group," the Wankens said Saturday. "This completely runs counter to what they claim to stand for and is hardly 'Promoting Participation in the Moraga Community.' Unfortunately it would appear the only thing being promoted is the Moraga Citizens Network."

But Larry Beans said Saturday that the requested monies are and always have been known as a voluntary thing, with some candidates - including Dennis Wanken during an earlier council bid - making a donation while others choose not to.

"Dennis knows this because he chose not to donate and still participated in our forum when he ran for council two years ago," Beans said, explaining that whatever money is taken in is used to defray printing costs, marquee fee and other expenses incurred in promoting the forum.

"All we want to do is be able to get the issues before the people of our town," Larry said. On his web site, Bean describes MCN as "a grassroots organization dedicated to providing information on issues,  to working collaboratively with the Town Council and other civic bodies, and to promoting participation in issues and events affecting Moraga."

Town Council incumbent Dave Trotter called the fee request a "non-issue." 

"It's a purely voluntary thing," he said Saturday.  "I chose to make a donation when I last participated and I probably will again. It was clear from the start the money is used to help with expenses the Beans' incur."

Incumbent Ken Chew agreed.

"I donated in 2006 and I have agreed to donate again this year even before anyone filed the papers to run," he said Saturday. "It's the least I can do to help in ensuring residents of Moraga get to participate in a public forum.  I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with it and I am thankful for what MCN is doing for our community."

The Wankens remain dubious.

"Candidate forums are traditionally hosted by a Chamber of Commerce or service
groups at no expense to the participants," they said Saturday.  "It (the fee) was not presented as optional.  And Larry specifically requested the check be made payable to MCN."