Danville's leadership shuffle has landed Karen Stepper at the helm as the town's mayor for 2024, with Dave Fong stepping in as vice mayor following a council vote this past Monday. Stepper, a veteran on the town council since 2002, is no stranger to the gig—it'll be her fifth stint in the top job. Fong, on the council since 2020 and a prior member of the Senior Advisory Commission, will be backing her up. Their tenure kicked off this Tuesday in a tradition of annual appointments by council peers, detailed in a release on the town's official website.
Having served as Vice Mayor this past year, Stepper's ascension was expected, a tried-and-tested shift in Danville's civic gear. Being first elected two decades ago, she knows the ceremonial ribbon cuttings from the budget battles. Fong, with a background in advising on senior issues, brings a comparatively fresh face to this high-ranking duo. They represent a rotation of power built on familiarity and service longevity, a nod to the local government's consistent beat.
The council meeting turned into a moment of accolades for various Danville contributors, with the spotlight thrown on those who've made "significant and lasting contributions" to the community. The Michael K. Shimansky Community Service Award landed in the hands of San Ramon Valley High School's own Graciela Kerr, who was praised for empowering youth through service. After nearly four decades at the town's administrative wheel, Joseph A. Calabrigo captured the prestigious Danville Award for his unwavering commitment, according to a Town of Danville news report.
The praise didn't end there. Danville's council also highlighted local heroes, from Michael and Sandra McDonald's greening of the Bounty Garden to Daniella Monge's translation services for the specially-abled. Add the Thrift Station's financial fillip to the Discovery Counseling Center and Mark and Leslie Graham's vision with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and it was a regular honor roll. These community pillars got a well-deserved pat on the back with a council hat tip for their landmark service years.
