22 ORINDA WAY, ORINDA, CA 94563
Communications Received from Public
DECEMBER 6, 2022
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ITEM H.1 –BROOKWOOD ROAD MITIGATION
Name Pages
Staff Presentation 1-15
Steve Cohn 16-17
ITEM H.3 –HONORING OTIS MC CAIN
Name Pages
Norman and Janet Pease 18
Michael Gilson 19
Eve Phillips 20
Ed Katibah 21
Lucina Vernazza 22
Tom Sturges 23
Denny Weigand 24
Denis & Cathleen Huston 25
Duke Herrero 26
From: Thomas Sturges
To: Sheri Smith
Subject: Otis McCain Testimonial
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 11:57:05 AM
To Whom It May Concern:
I have known Odie as a friend for over thirty-five years and can say without reservation that he was extraordinary - kind, generous, warm, caring, attentive and wise to anyone that met him. He was a wonderful husband and father, a mentor and coach to hundreds of high school athletes who benefitted from his positive energy, a one-of-a kind Miramonte physiology teacher to generations of students (including my daughter and two sons) where he created an environment for curiosity and learning, a long-time runner and leader within the Orinda RoadRunners club, and a friend who will live in the hearts of all who knew him.
We all strive to be the best person we can be. For Otis McCain, there was no striving, he was the best. I am very grateful to have been his friend.
Tom Sturges
[email protected]
From: Denny Weigand
To: Sheri Smith
Subject: Odie McCain
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 12:24:23 PM
Hello Sheri,
I understand that the council is considering honoring my friend Odie McCain in some meaningful way. Odie has been my friend for over 50 years. He is taught my kids as well as my kids kids in a way that makes them better people. In addition, as a member of the Orinda roadrunners, he has been my personal friend and confidant. Whatever you might do to honor him cannot be enough to match his contribution to our community.
Denny Weigand
925 336-7994
[email protected]
www.digitalwhims.com
From: Huston Email
To: Sheri Smith
Subject: In Support of Resolution and naming event for Otis McCain Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 1:45:00 PM
Hello,
We fully support the naming event for Otis McCain as proposed this evening to the City of Orinda.
Otis McCain is a long time friend as well as an educational resource to our children. He was a humble person who contributed to the well being and good citizenship of the students he taught.
Otis was an outdoorsman who believed in conservation and appreciation of nature. He enjoyed the Orinda Roadrunner group, who in turn appreciated him.
Otis was a great role model on how to serve others without regard to any accolades or praise. Again, he was humble in spite of his enormous positive influence on those who knew him.
Our favorite story about Mr. McCain is when he was raising baby pheasant chicks at Miramonte. Our children were under 10 at the time but he took the time to allow us in and took great pride in showing the group of chicks to our kids. They loved seeing the little birds. Otis took time to show the various features of the birds and how these pheasant chicks differed from chickens. He took all opportunities to share his love of nature through his teaching.
We appreciate and applaud the effort of the Orinda City Council in taking action to recognize this great man.
Also, Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to Amy Worth on her service to Orinda. We will always remember how you showed on a Saturday (YOUR DAY!) to attend our son’s Boy Scout Eagle Scout ceremony. Thank you for all you do.
Regards,
Denis and Cathleen Huston
8 Tumbling Brook Road
Orinda, CA 94563
From: dukeherrero
To: Sheri Smith
Subject: Odie testimonial
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 2:50:28 PM
I first met Odie more than 30 years ago when I joined the Orinda Road Runners. Odie possessed a child like enthusiasm for whatever he was doing, whether it be teaching science by dissecting roadkill in his high school class or coaching his cross country team. I recall an important end of the year race where one of his athletes was expected to win. He went out a half mile before the finish line to cheer her in, only to now observe she was far behind in second place. He returned to the finish line to congratulate her on what he believed was her second place finish.
Someone who knew Odie could tell he did not express his usual enthusiasm. They said, “Odie she won!” With that he leaped in the air, raised his fists and yelled, ”YES!” Duke Herrero
Orinda, CA
Sent from my iPhone