| Supervisor Mitchoff's Committee and Board Assignments |
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Anne O, my new Chief of Staff
I would like to introduce my new Chief of Staff, Anne (
pronounced Annie) O. Anne is a graduate of UC Davis with a Bachelors in Human Development. She went on to complete her Masters in Social Work at the University of Southern California.
She joins my office from the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
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I had the pleasure and honor of officially welcoming JetSuiteX to Contra Costa during the ribbon cutting on April 19.
JetSuite has been a successful private jet operator for seven years and is the fourth largest charter operator in the country. Their fleet includes Phenom 100s, CJ3s, and the new JetSuiteX 30-seat Embraer 135 jets.
The introduction of JetSuiteX and the Embraer 135 have revolutionized the landscape of private air travel. JetSuite's vision of making this exhilarating form of transportation accessible to all is now a reality for the residents in Contra Costa County.
The County is proud to partner with JetSuiteX and we see this as a valuable alternative for people who don't have the time or desire to go to Oakland or Sacramento for their Southern California flights. JetSuiteX provides a unique high-quality experience in a more convenient and cost-effective manner. Click here for more information about the new service.
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Operation School Bell Celebrates 50,000 Children Served
On April 23, I joined Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla and other community leaders to celebrate a milestone for the Assistance League of Diablo Valley's Operation School Bell. Operation School Bell, the national philanthropic program of Assistance League, exists to assist families experiencing difficulty, by providing new clothes for their public school children. Operation School Bell serves students referred to Assistance League by the Walnut Creek, Mt. Diablo, Martinez and Pittsburg School Districts.
The April event, held at the Assistance League Way Side Inn Thrift Shop, recognized the clothing of 50,000 children since 1994. The organization clothed 4,250 children in 2014-2015 alone! I am proud to support the Assistance League of Diablo Valley and am thankful to their generous and gracious members.
For more information about the
Assistance League of Diablo Valley click here.
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Golf Club Road Bridge Ribbon Cutting
On April 12, Pleasant Hill City leaders, various elected officials and I celebrated the opening of the new Golf Club Road Bridge.
The bridge replacement project was completed in December 2015, which included reconstruction to withstand a 100-year flood event, meeting state seismic standards.
The bridge structure includes new concrete curb, gutter, and wider sidewalk; ADA compliant curb ramps, bike lanes, decorative LED street lighting and pedestrian level lighting; enhanced pedestrian crosswalks along Golf Club Road; and new drought tolerant landscaping and water efficient irrigation system.
This $5.6 million project was funded by the Federal Highway Bridge Program, administered by the California Department of Transportation; $496,000 in Measure J Transportation for Livable Community funds, administered by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority; and $604,000 in local City funds, for a total of $6.7 million dollars.
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National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the nation to confront and remove barriers to full justice for all victims of crime. Each year, communities across the country revisit the history of the victims' rights movement and recommit themselves to advancing the progress already achieved. Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson made a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on April 12 in honor of the National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 10th-16th). In his presentation, he recognized the courage and determination of victims and the significance of understanding how we can help victims become survivors. Awareness promoted through the acknowledgment of Victims' Rights Week helps the County in its effort to engage the entire community and further enabling advocates to reach more victims and expand their options for services.
The District Attorney's office also held a ceremony to thank local supporters and provide certificates to recognize the recipients of the National Crime Victims' Rights Week awards. These awards are given to individuals who go above and beyond in service to the victim community. In addition, the District Attorney recognized survivors of crime and shared their courageous stories. It was a very moving ceremony and I'm grateful that we were able to acknowledge their courage in the very difficult process of helping seek justice in our community. Their willingness to speak out so that others are not vulnerable to these same perpetrators is admirable and takes immense strength.
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2016 Bay Area Green Businesses
On April 19, the Board of Supervisors heard a presentation recognizing 16 new businesses that have received their certification as a Green Business in Contra Costa County. The Bay Area Green Business Program (Nine Counties) has more than 2,400 certified Green Businesses. We currently have 340 certified Green Businesses in Contra Costa County.
Certified Green Businesses must meet high standards of environmental excellence established by the Program's partnership. In addition, with the passage of AB 913, a Statewide Green Business Network has been established to assist the local government programs, support the development and maintenance of the statewide certification website, promote the establishment of new programs, and provide technical guidance.
To be certified, a business or public entity must:
- Fully comply with all environmental regulations including: Air Quality, Environmental Health, Fire, Hazardous Materials, Stormwater, Wastewater, and Water Quality
- Conserve energy, water and other natural resources
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Connie Anderson of Anderson Organizing with Supervisor Mitchoff.
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- Reduce or eliminate pollution from any hazardous and solid wastes generated
The Contra Costa Green Business
Program has 24 funding partners with representatives from public agencies, cities and the utility districts. Working together each year we achieve our vision of Contra Costa as a place where businesses contribute to the sustainability of our communities by being Green themselves.
I am proud to recognize the four new Green Businesses in District IV:
- D&D Security Resources in Concord
- Anderson Organizing in Pleasant Hill
- Lisa Lane Commons/Pleasant Hill Co-Housing in Pleasant Hill
- Green Sheds in Walnut Creek
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Week of the Young Child
On April 12, the Board of Supervisors celebrated the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child (April 10-16, 2016). NAEYC, the world's largest early childhood education association, sponsors this annual celebration to raise awareness about the importance of quality early education. Our presentation included a large coalition of early education providers, administrators and advocates in our County, including the Community Services Bureau which administers our Head Start program, the Local Planning Council for Child Care and Development, First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, and Contra Costa Child Care Council.
Contra Costa County Head Start has been serving children and families in Contra Costa County for 50 years. Community Services provides federal and state funded early care and education and comprehensive services to 2,200 children and families county-wide through 15 directly operated centers, a home visiting program and several childcare partnerships. Visiting with these very attentive teachers and happy and engaged early learners is proof of what an exceptional program they have. Though they are able to serve so many children, we still have 6,000 children on the wait list county-wide, which shows that the need for subsidized care still outweighs the supply.
Having previously served on the First 5 Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, I am very familiar with the research that shows us that children who attend high quality early care and education programs are better prepared for Kindergarten, have stronger language skills, and are less likely to repeat a grade or drop out of school. High quality care and education offers one of the highest returns of any public investment- more than $7 for every dollar spent- by reducing future expenditures on special education, public assistance, and the criminal justice system. Brain development research states that the most formative years are from birth to five years of age.
Head Start is one of the most rigorously measured social programs in the history of the country, and it continues to yield outstanding outcomes for children, families and the community at large. Head Start is not just about child care and early education either. It provides early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services on a year-round basis. The purpose of the program is to enhance children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; to support parents' efforts to fulfill their parental roles; and to help parents move toward self-sufficiency. The Community Services Bureau provides a broad range of additional services to low income children and families through their partnerships with other agencies. They assist in connecting families to resources that include health services, dental care, nutrition programs, mental health services, developmental interventions, employment and training, housing referral, child support services, special education services, public school transition services, parent intern/mentor program, male involvement, and many others.
We have an exemplary program in Contra Costa that provides high quality early learning and care for young children in our community that may not have access to an early learning environment otherwise. I'm confident that our expectations of high quality will ensure that these critical services will continue on for many, many years to come!
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Maddie's Fund Grant Received
At their March 29 meeting, the Board of Supervisors recognized Maddie's Fund for their grant of $130,000 to the Contra Costa County Animal Services Department.
Maddie's Fund is a family foundation founded in 1994 by Workday co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Since then, they have awarded more than $172 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie.
Maddie's Fund has consistently supported CCCASD over the past 15 years. CCCASD has been a Maddie's Fund grant recipient since 2005 and a participant in the Maddie's Fund Adopt-a-thon since 2010.
This grant, the largest award that CCCASD has received from Maddie's Fund, will support the Department in establishing a five-year strategic plan, improve animal housing and to support the Department's programming that increases live release rate outcomes.
As an avid animal lover, I look forward to the continued success of the Animal Services Department.
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Monument Crisis Center's 2016 Resource Fair
The Monument Crisis Center's annual Resource Fair will be held Friday, May 13 from 9:30AM to 11:30AM at their office located at 1990 Market Street in Concord.
The primary goal of the Resource Fair is to enhance public access to available resources and nurture a greater sense of community where agencies are able to network, build partnerships, and exchange information.
The Monument Crisis Center provides nutritious food, education, assistance and referrals, through dynamic service programs to low income families and individuals as well as provide a path to independence and stability.
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Alcohol and other drug addiction is a serious concern and Support4Recovery (S4R), which is a non-profit within Contra Costa, an organization that assesses the needs of the recovery community and develop action plans to educate and empower people towards their own success. Their goal is to break down the stigma and discrimination associated with recovery by developing programs that help people prepare for the job market and take ownership of their own recovery.
Some of the programs that S4R has developed includes the Healthy Bodies Dental Program, the Emergency Housing Fund, and the Support4Education Program. S4R even organizes events for those that are in recovery, their family members, and the community. S4R holds an annual recovery walk during the month of September and coming this May, S4R will be bring former NBA player Chris Herren to the Dean Lesher Center to speak about his NBA career, his drug addiction, and recovery.
Chris Herren realized his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1999 and was traded to the Boston Celtics after his rookie season, but lost it all to alcohol and other drug abuse. He has been alcohol and other drug-free since August 1, 2008, and has refocused his life to put his recovery and family above all else. He shares his harrowing story of abuse and recovery in his memoir, Basketball Junkie, as well as in numerous interviews throughout the Emmy nominated ESPN Films documentary Unguarded, of which he is the subject. This event will be held on Tuesday, May 24, at 7:00PM.
Please click here for more information about Support4Recovery's programs and events.
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The 27th Annual Bay Area KidFest
The 27th annual Bay Area KidFest is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, and is one of the Bay Area's longest-running family events. This year there are three days of jam-packed entertainment, activities, food and fun planned in Downtown Concord.
KidFest features free non-stop entertainment which includes: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Michelangelo & Raphael, Olaf from Frozen, Cirque Adventure aerial and acrobatic circus, Kid's Celebration which is America's number one family game show, BMX Bike Stunt Team plus skateboard and scooter demos, Bike Rodeo (Saturday and Sunday) and Spring Diversity Festival (Saturday Only). There are dozens of free kid's activities including Kid's Town America, face painting, balloon hats, spin art, keepsake handprints, inflatables, slides, crawls, fire truck, golf, flag football and much more included in the low admission price.
Thrilling rides including zip line, pony rides, Bobble Lagoon, Zippy Pet Cars, Zorbs, Euro-Bungy trampoline, Spider Mountain, Ferris wheel, giant slide, petting zoo, trains and more rides. There's an eclectic food court, arts and crafts and exhibitor booths.
For the sixth year
KidFest presents a special Memorial Day ceremony at noon on Monday, May 30, with the Concord Blue Devils C Corps, ROTC Jr. color guard and music honoring America's service people past and present sung by Janelle Feraro.
Admission is just $6 with a donation of canned food to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano or $7 without donation to the Food Bank. Babies under 24 months and seniors 65+ are free. On Saturday attendees can double the deal by bringing two canned goods to get $2 off an admission.
Proceeds from Bay Area KidFest benefit local educational, health and sports groups. KidFest continues for the 21st year as one of the major annual donor events for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
KidFest is open 10:00AM to 6:00PM on Saturday and Sunday and 10:00AM to 5:00PM on Memorial Day Monday. KidFest is held at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. in downtown Concord just off Highway 242. Bike Concord will provide free bike valet parking every day. On-site vehicle parking is $5 with plenty of free street parking around the site also available.
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Contra Costa Early Voting Starts May 31
Reducing barriers to voting is vital to ensuring a healthy and inclusive democracy.
That's why I'm pleased to announce that Contra Costa County residents will have more early voting options this June, thanks to the availability of seven Regional Early Voting sites throughout the county the week before Election Day.
The program will debut on May 31, a week ahead of the June 7 Primary Election. All registered Contra Costa voters will be able to vote at any of the locations, which will be open from 11:00AM to 6:00PM on Tuesday, May 31 through Friday, June 3, and 9:00AM to 3:00PM on Saturday, June 4.
Thanks to Contra Costa County's Election Division for adding this voting option, in addition to voting by mail and voting at the polls on Election Day.
Any registered Contra Costa County voter can vote at any of the Regional Early Voting sites.
The sites are:
- The Salvation Army Church, 3950 Clayton Road, Concord
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Prewett Water Park Multi-Purpose Room, 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch
- Lafayette Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
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San Ramon Community Center at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon
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Pittsburg City Hall, 65 Civic Ave., Pittsburg
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Bay Hills Community Church, 4100 Klose Way, Richmond
In addition to the Regional Voting Center sites, vote-by-mail voters can continue to drop off their ballots at "CoCo Vote-N-Go" drop-off boxes at all 19 city hall buildings, as well as the County Administration building on 651 Pine Street, Martinez.
For more information on Regional Early Voting click here or call (925) 335-7805.
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Task Force Applicants Needed
The Board of Supervisors is seeking residents interested in reviewing data and discussing issues regarding disproportionate minority contact within the local criminal justice system.
Following passage of Assembly Bill 109, commonly known as Public Safety Realignment, significant program infrastructure, both within the County and in the community, were put into place to support returning citizens with successful reentry into the community following incarceration; however, there remain factors that contribute to minority residents experiencing disproportionate levels of arrest, prosecution and incarceration. Cities and counties across the nation are grappling with the same issue, but precipitating factors and solutions are unique to each jurisdiction.
The Board is seeking applications for seven (7) of the seats above; five (5) community based organization seats, one (1) Mental Health representative seat and one (1) Public member At-Large seat at this time. Applicants for community-based organizations seats must be affiliated with a community based organization operating within the County. Applicants for the Mental Health representative seat must be involved in the mental health community within the County, but cannot be a County employee. Applicants for the Public Member At-Large seat may be any individual that resides or works within the County.
The application deadline is June 15. Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 335-1900, or by visiting the County webpage by clicking here. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Room 106, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Applications can also be faxed to (925) 335-1913.
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County Commission Vacancies
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has established many boards, committees, and commissions to which it appoints Contra Costa residents to serve, on a volunteer basis, to advise the Board on the myriad of programs and issues under the Board's jurisdiction. Contra Costa residents are encouraged to participate in their County government, and to put their expert knowledge and experience to work in their communities by applying to serve on a Board advisory body.
Supervisors appoint individuals to various boards within their district. Currently there are vacancies for District IV representatives on six different boards, as follows:
1. Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board
2. Contra Costa Centre Municipal Advisory Committee
3. Emergency Medical Care Committee, Alternate Seat
4. Fire Protection District, Alternate Seat
5. In Home Support Services
6. Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
7. Local Planning Council
If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for a seat on one of these commissions, please visit my website for further information or contact my office at (925) 521-7100.
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District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff
2
151 Salvio Street, Suite R
Concord, California 94520
(925) 521-7100
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