Clayton mayor reflects on year serving his community
CLAYTON, CA (Nov. 14, 2022) — My fellow Claytonians: As autumn deepens and the holidays are upon us, what better way to finish my term as your mayor than to say, “Thank you.”
I am so filled with gratitude for the opportunities to represent you and serve Clayton this past year. To say the least, it has been humbling and a learning experience that I will remember for the rest of my days.
There have been so many moments where I have witnessed acts of incredible giving of time and resources for the betterment of our town. There is no better time than Thanksgiving to offer gratitude to those who came before us and made this town the amazing place we all love and call home. My thanks to past mayors Julie Pierce, Pete Laurence, Keith Haydon, Howard Geller, Dave Shuey and Tuija Catalano, who have been great sounding boards this past year.
I give thanks to past mayor Hank Stratford, who was the inspiration for starting the “Do The Right Thing” program with our local schools and the Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA) in 2010. His legacy lives on as Principal Sanchez from Mt. Diablo Elementary and Principal Fong from Diablo View Middle School continue to observe our character traits in worthy students throughout the year.
I look forward to these important and uplifting moments in our meetings as we recognize both those students and their teachers for their efforts. Our future is in good hands.
Thank you to Councilmember and past Mayor CW Wolfe, who did an amazing job collaborating with our schools and for his positive energy and friendship.
It is tough making all engagements as mayor when you own and run your own company. That said, I am incredibly grateful for Vice Mayor Holly Tillman being at my side and picking up the slack when it was needed. She is an amazing woman and a quality human who is a great leader for Clayton.
I am grateful, too, for the efforts of the CBCA and its volunteers who put on the most successful Art & Wine Festival, BBQ Cook-off and Oktoberfest yet. This, and CBCA’s sponsorship of our bocce leagues and more, makes them a shining beacon of light in our community.
The Concerts in The Grove are a staple of our summertime entertainment. Howard Geller and team deserve our gratitude as they transform Clayton every other Saturday, from May to September, into the envy of every other summer concert series.
It was amazing to have not just one but two parades this year. Thank you to Sandy Johnson, Julie Pierce and CW Wolfe for producing the 4th of July Parade. It was a spirit-filled day that was one for the books. I was also fortunate to participate in the inaugural Clayton Pride Parade in June. This citizen-sponsored parade was funded entirely by private donations at no cost to the city. The atmosphere was filled with pure joy and light as people greeted each other with kindness and acceptance. I look forward to this becoming an annual Clayton tradition.
I am filled with gratitude for our small but mighty city staff. Thanks to Reina Schwartz, our city manager. I am thankful for your and the staff’s continuing effort to work with a smile and be the public face of our community. Know that you are appreciated.
Lastly, I am grateful for my wife and daughters, who have supported me through this past year. For someone who is used to “being liked,” it has been different to find that others who have never met me have such contrary perspectives on who I am and what I believe. It is always comforting to have the consistent love of your family to prop you up when the going gets tough.
Clayton, I am grateful to have been of service to you as mayor for 2022. I look forward to serving on the City Council for the next two years with the same consistent presence. I will continue to focus on our vast commonalities, rather than our limited differences. Consensus will happen if there is honest dialogue.
Together, I hope we will continue to build on the bright future that prior mayors and council members have made for this city that we all love.
With gratitude,
Peter Cloven
As always, you can reach me at peterc@claytonca.gov or 925-673-7320.