On May 19th, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted the Mini-Parks Policy amending the Parks Department Strategic Plan. It was a policy change that Supervisor Horsley and I asked our Parks Director Marlene Finley to develop, if it were feasible. With the help of the Parks Commission Subcommittee and community members, this new policy was created and unanimously approved by both the Parks Commission and our Board.
The Community Choice Aggregation initiative is being led by my colleagues, Supervisor Dave Pine and President of the Board of Supervisors Carole Groom. It is a local energy model that allows cities and counties to pool the electricity load of their residents, businesses and municipal facilities with teh goal of offering consumer choice, affordable rates, and cleaner energy. Read here...
Please join me in congratulating Dr. John Baker who will become the new Superintendent for the Redwood City School District (RCSD) on July 1st! He currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for RCSD. He works with every school in the district to ensure that all students are prepared for success in high school and beyond. He's well-qualified, speaks Spanish and cares deeply about the district. Having known Dr. Baker for years, I am looking forward to his leadership. Warm congratulations, Dr. Baker!
On April 7th and April 29th, I hosted Tenant & Landlord Informational Forums in North Fair Oaks. The purpose was to provide reliable information on the rights, roles, responsiblities for tenants and landlords and introduce the resources and organizations that offer assistance. Read details here...
Second Harvest Food Bank opened a permanent food pantry at Fair Oaks Community School on May 6th to support the nutritional needs of students and families. At the ribbon-cutting, Principal Josh Griffith of Fair Oaks School talked about how important this on-site pantry will be for many families.
On Sat., May 2nd, we celebrated the 1st Anniversary of the County's newest park, Friendship Park in North Fair Oaks as part of the Streets Alive! Parks Alive! festival! Friendship Park has become what we all hoped it would be – thriving, blooming, and in full swing!
On May 2nd, Ravenswood Family Health Center in East Palo Alto opened the doors on its new facility! It was bustling with patients, staff and visitors. This three-story facility is designed to support patient health while honoring the dignity and diversity of all who seek care within. Congratulations to Ravenswood Executive Director Luisa Buada and to the members of her Board who have dedicated their lives to realize this dream for more than a decade. The Center is providing excellent patient helath care in a facility that is second to none!
Description: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/766e3ce930/images/a3dd036a-7111-4aec-bd20-cc71fb6d266b.png It's time to say thanks and goodbye to two key staff members from the Sheriff's Office who've served the North Fair Oaks community and to extend a hearty welcome to two new faces.
Calling all poets and poetry enthusiasts! "Poetry is Heritage" begins April 1st. No fooling! What is it? It's an opportunity to showcase the diversity of our heritage through the written word - through poetry! San Mateo County Poet Laureate Caroline Goodwin is inviting all poets to submit a poem featuring your culture or heritage. Share your cultural experience in 40 lines or less! (more)
The East Palo Alto community turned out to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the stunning new, 38,000 s.f. healthcare facility on Saturday, March 28th. It is designed to transform the health care experience by unifying the services it offers to patients. It is the product of 10 years of believing in a dream and working against all odds to make that dream come true! (more)
Sister Christina Heltsley of the St. Francis Center was inducted to the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame event on March 20th at Canada College! I was proud to nominate her, knowing that the work she does everyday in North Fair Oaks makes the community stronger, safer, and more hospitable. Since she became Executive Director of the St.
The Fair Oaks Health Center celebrated its one-year anniversary with a community open house, speeches from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Supervisors Groom and Slocum, and the CEO of San Mateo Medical Center, Dr. Susan Ehrlich. Parents, children, doctors, nurses, and members of the community gathered for this grand-opening. (more)