Calling her smart, dedicated and visionary, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors bid farewell to outgoing District Five Supervisor Adrienne Tissier who today ended a three-term tenure forging a path on issues of transportation, public safety and senior needs.
“This has been an amazing 12 years,” Tissier said during the Board’s Dec. 13th meeting. “I couldn’t have imagined how fulfilling it could be.”
Tissier represents portions of the North County, including Daly City where she served twice as mayor. She joined the Board of Supervisors in 2005 and was twice elected president.
During her three supervisorial terms, Tissier championed a wide range of topics, often spurred by needs that personally drew her attention. In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, Tissier partnered with the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services to create the successful annual Disaster Preparedness Day now held in conjunction with opening day of the San Mateo County Fair.
In 2013, Tissier collaborated with U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier after the Sandy Hook school shootings to develop what is now the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities initiative to address youth behavioral health issues. Thanks to Tissier, more than 3,000 county seniors have attended free, half-day Age Well-Drive Smart classes to help older drivers stay safety on the road as long as possible.
“You’ve been a tremendous force for good … and we’re all going to miss your character,” Board President Warren Slocum said while joining numerous others at the meeting praising Tissier and ticking off her lengthy record of accomplishments.
Tissier sat on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Board of Directors for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans). She also served on the San Mateo Medical Center Board of Directors and in 2006 worked with the Sheriff’s Office and 14 municipal police departments to create the nation’s first-ever, permanent program for proper disposal of household pharmaceuticals. The program received prestigious awards and has helped divert tons of unwanted medicines from landfills and avoid potential misuse.
Tissier was described as the driving force behind the electrification of Caltrain, the maintenance of Seton Medical Center in Daly City as a medical resource for North County residents, the realization of a new correctional center to replace the antiquated women’s jail and foreclosure workshops during the Great Recession that helped numerous local families remain in their homes.
“The County and all the citizens of this county have been well served,” said County Manager John Maltbie.
Speier, California Assemblyman Kevin Mullin and state Sen. Jerry Hill joined the Board and County staff in saluting Tissier’s contributions to public service. Like many in attendance, each have a long history with Tissier and recalled her both as a colleague and a friend.
“I don’t think there’s been a more effective supervisor on the Board of Supervisors than Adrienne Tisser,” said Speier, who said her friend of more than 30 years was a “reluctant politician” with an “uncanny ability to bring people together.”
She is a life-long San Mateo County resident and holds a degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley. Even before entering politics, Speier recalled her key role in helping secure a new homeless shelter in Daly City and was a founding director of Shelter Network (now LifeMoves).
Tissier’s dedication to the County didn’t stop at developing policy or directing others. Former Sheriff Greg Munks recalled Tissier wanting to learn first-hand about the state of corrections in local jails. Tissier donned a uniform to personally work a shift at the Maguire Correctional Facility.
Tissier, who told Tuesday’s audience she was fighting back tears at the honors, thanked her staff, the Board and all who she said were integral to success.
“None of the things I’ve done, I’ve done alone,” Tissier said before joking — with the trademark humor often noted by speakers at the event — that it was time to wrap up and enjoy the waiting reception. “Thank you. It’s been a great ride.”