| Supervisor Mitchoff's Committee and Board Assignments |
|
|
|
|
_____________________________________________
Supervisor Mitchoff & Advocacy on
Delta Water Issues
From left clockwise: Supervisor Bob Elliott, San Joaquin; Congressmen Jerry McNerney, Mike Thompson, and Mark DeSaulnier; Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho, Contra Costa; Supervisor John Vasquez, Solano County; Don Thomas, Sacramento County; Congressman John Garamendi; and Supervisor Karen Mitchoff in Washington DC recently representing Delta water issues
I just returned from Washington DC where I joined with the other supervisors representing the Delta counties to advocate and share our concerns about the Delta Water Fix (formerly the Bay Delta Conservation Plan). We met with congressional representatives throughout the State, Senators Boxer and Feinstein, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers. We conveyed our reasons that the twin tunnels will not produce one more drop of water and will only more readily convey water to the Central Valley while causing further degradation to the Delta. We told them we support storage, through-Delta conveyance (which includes strengthening the Delta levees so water can naturally flow to the Central Valley, and better forest management.
I am very disappointed in the Governor's statement this past Friday that those who oppose his plan (Water Fix, which I refer to as Water Folly) are disgraceful and shameful and are not considering California's future. I take great exception to this description of our activities since I believe we are very concerned about California's future; and it is the continued and repeated criticism of us and others who believe there are more legitimate, fiscally-responsible and better ways to meet our State's water needs that is disgraceful and shameful. Such rhetoric by the Governor does not get us to a solution of this critical problem.
|
|
Time of Year...
For many of the homeless or hungry, Thanksgiving Day is just another day without food or shelter. Without programs and volunteers, the wonderful taste of a turkey dinner wouldn't be possible for these members of our communities
You can help feed the hungry on Thanksgiving Day in many different ways including donating to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano County, checking with a neighborhood faith-based organization, buying a bag of food at a local grocery store (participation may vary) or volunteering to help feed the hungry on Thanksgiving. No gift is too small as we pull together to give thanks within our communities.
Additionally, if you, or someone you know is having a hard time putting food on their table and are in need of assistance, the CalFresh Program might be an option. The CalFresh program helps to improve the health and well being of qualified households and individuals by providing them
with a means to meet their nutritional needs. To find out if you qualify, please
click here
.
Here are a few ideas on how you can give back during this holiday:
- Volunteer at a food back or soup kitchen
- Donate food to a local food drive
- Give a donation to a charity serving those in need during the holidays
- Invite someone who doesn't have a place to go to join your Thanksgiving celebration
- Send a meal to a homebound individual: check out the County Meals on Wheels webpage for more information.
I look forwarding to sharing a meal with my loved ones and hope that everyone has an opportunity to do the same. Happy Thanksgi
ving!
Listed below are links to
a few local organizations where you can find out more about volunteer opportunities:
|
50th Anniversary of Head Start
This year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Head Start program. When President Lyndon B. Johnson first announced Head Start in May 1965, he anticipated that the program would serve about 500,000 children over the course of that summer. Since that time, Head Start and its services have reached about 32 million children nationwide.
On Tuesday October 20th, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors participated in a presentation recognizing this historical milestone. 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 2200 children and families county-wide through 15 directly operated centers, a home visiting program and several childcare partnerships. 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.
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 another 50 years and more!
|
Alcohol & Other Drugs Celebrates
Red Ribbon Week
On October 13, 2015, local high school students throughout the County gave a presentation to the Board of Supervisor about Red Ribbon Week. In honor of the celebration
, the Board proclaimed October 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week in Contra Costa County. The presentation was organized by the County's Alcohol and Other Drugs Services with the help of Friday Night Live and Youth Leadership for a Healthier Richmond. These students informed the Board of the important work they are doing to prevent underage drinking and drug use and why the recognition of Red Ribbon Week is important to youth in the County.
The County's Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Services are aimed at preventing underage drinking and drug abuse, and are also focused on helping those that suffer with substance abuse issues. The mission of AOD Services is to advocate for alcohol and drug free communities by promoting individual and family responsibility, hope, and self-sufficiency. The County's AOD Services engages with community partnerships in order to achieve alcohol and drug free communities. Friday Night Live and Youth Leadership for a Healthier Richmond are two community partners that work with the County on advocacy around drug abuse in our communities.
Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign organized by the National Family Partnership. The National Family Partnership seeks to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. The red ribbon is a symbol of commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.
|
|
| Students from Friday Night Light and Youth Leadership for a Healthier Richmond proudly display their red ribbons. |
|
On Wednesday, September 30, the Contra Costa County Veterans Services Office held a dedication ceremony for the newly constructed flagpole outside of their office in Martinez. This flagpole dedication ceremony was a tribute to and in honor of our County veterans and a way to celebrate the sacrifices of those that have given and are currently giving so much to our Country.
Dale Cook, a WWII Iwo Jima Marine, Kevin Graves, a Gold Star Dad and Zak Bass, an Iraq War Veteran, where given the district honor of raising the flag during the ceremony.
The rifle detail was performed by the Martinez American
Legion and the Martinez Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The American Legion is the nations largest wartime veterans service organization committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities aimed at continuing our devotion to our fellow service members and
veterans. The Goal of the VFW is to preserve and support the common bond that exists between the men and women who have shared the military experience in battle.
Those that helped with the ceremony also included: the Blue Star Moms organization that is made up of
mothers who have children serving in the military or children who are veterans, the Gold Star Moms organization which is comprised of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country, the Gold Star Dads organization that is made up of fathers who have children that have lost their live in military service, and the U.S. Volunteers organization that provides final honor guard detail for those that have fallen.
The flagpole dedication ceremony was beautifully orchestrated by Nathan Johnson, the County's Veterans Service Officer, and the County Veterans Service Office.
Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office is focused on serving veterans by helping them secure maximum benefits. The office provides a representative, who is accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, to assist veterans with any veteran benefit claims.
The Veterans Service Office will assist with information and applications for compensation for service related disabilities, home loan benefits, medical benefits and vocational rehabilitation, and many more. If you are interested in viewing what other benefits the Veterans Service Office helps with, please visit their webpage, www.contracosta.ca.gov/vets, or contact them at (925) 313-1481 or visit them at 10 Douglas Dr., Suite 100, Martinez, CA 94553.
|
|
|
Reentry Success Center Opens in Contra Costa
There is a new storefront on MacDonald Ave in Richmond, a bright open space with encouraging words like "opportunity" and "support" plastered on the large windows out front. This is not the average retail space you're used to in a downtown location; it's the newly opened Reentry Success Center, a safe-space for those re-entering society after incarceration.
Inside the center, clients will be able to access computers, enroll in GED or college courses, get job-training or placement assistance and meet with a counselor to come up with a re-entry plan. More important, they will have access to a support network and mentors. The Center was designed through a participatory, community-based process and is intended to feel welcoming and warm.
A ribbon cutting was held October 13th and included tours and a short program.
Nicholas Alexander, the new Center Director, welcomed honored guests with words of hope and encouragement. The event program also included numerous formally incarcerated speakers, who gave voice to the need for reliable services and safe spaces.
The Center is funded through AB 109, also known as public safety realignment, a state bill passed in 2011 meant to reduce recidivism
in California prisons and transfer nonviolent offenders to local jails to serve out the remainder of their sentences. Thanks to leadership in our County, this funding has also been used for innovate community programs such as this.
|
|
County Introduces New Logo for Electric Vehicles
Contra Costa County, Fleet Services, continues to improve the sustainability of its fleet by purchasing 9 of all-electric cars with the addition of 6 Nissan LEAF and 3 Ford Focus all electric plug-in vehicles (PEV) for official use.
The Ford Focus and Nissan LEAF sedans each utilize lithium-ion batteries to power the vehicles and use regenerative braking to recover energy while driving. The Focus is assembled in Wayne, Michigan, and has an EPA-estimated rating of 110 in the city, 99 on the highway, and a 105 combined MPG equivalent. It also has an EPA-estimated range of 76 miles on a fully-charged battery. The LEAF, assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, has estimated driving range of 84 miles and MPG equivalent ratings of 126 in the city, 101 on the highway, and 114 combined. Using these more efficient vehicles.
The fleet is gradually transitioning its gas vehicles to all-electric, plug-in hybrids, and renewable diesel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve its sustainability goals. All fleet sedans that are not yet electric or hybrid are compatible with up to 85 percent ethanol flexible fuel. If you happen to see this new logo, while your driving on the road or walking down the street, you will then know that those County cars are either plug-in hybrids or electrical.
|
|
Around the District
________________
_________
Contra Costa Cares Support
On October 7th, a group of supporters of Contra Costa Cares came into my office offering their appreciation for my support of the program and presenting our office with a picture signed by the numerous community organizations supporting Contra Costa Cares.
I appreciate that the individuals that Contra Costa Cares impacts are members of our communities. Some have lived here for years, and many of them perform jobs that help keep our economy going.
Assuring the public's health to extent I can and doing that in the most fiscally-responsible way possible are just a few of the reasons why I voted in support of Contra Costa Cares which I highlighted in last month's newsletter (you can view by clicking here).
|
My staff recently participated
in
the Stay Out, Stay Alive activities organized by Contra Costa Flood Control District and Walnut Creek Intermediate School (WCI). The students at WCI initiated the first ever Flood Awareness Week, as an opportunity to educate students on the dangers of waterways that can flood in the wet winter months.
The flood channels and creeks can be deceiving when they often appear to be so calm, but when it rains the Walnut Creek Canal can swell by as much as 10 feet in a
matter of hours. The frigid, fast moving water can be deadly. With the possibility of heavy rains predicted for the coming winter, the goal now is to make sure kids in the area don't try anything risky. We really want to get the message out to our community that it is important that you stay out and stay alive.
The Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Program that is organized by Contra Costa County Flood Control inspired students at WCI. Students participated in a sign-making contest, and they held lunchtime trivia activities where they quizzed each other on their creek and channel safety knowledge. This was a wonderful event and I hope to see more opportunities like this in which to educate our community with the life-saving message: Stay Out, Stay Alive!
|
|
60 Years of the Lindsay Wildlife Experience
This year we celebrate 60 years of the Lindsay Wildlife Experience creating positive
and inspiring interactions
between Bay Area residents and native wildlife. My staff attended "Fall into the Wild," a free community open house and festival held on October 11th at Lindsay Wildlife as well as Larkey Park. This featured live wild animal exhibitions, falcon flights, crafts, face painting, food from Taste of the World Food Trucks, and the Olympic champion synchronized swim club, the Walnut Creek Aquanuts held performances at the pool at Larkey Park to cel ebrate this momentous occasion. It was a great event for people of all ages.
To learn more about the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, please click here.
|
Monument Impact Breakfast Celebrates Community
Monument Impact
, a treasured community organization in Concord, hosted their 2nd annual Monument Community Awards Breakfast on October 27th. Thanks to the
kind donation of Sunrise Bistro, the Monument Impact breakfast was a delicious start to the morning.
The ev
ent included three awards; the
Michael Chaves Leadership Award given to Assemblymember Bonilla, the Business Partner Award given to Las MontaƱas Supermarket and the Community Champion Award given to the Central County Regional Group sponso red by First 5. These are much-deserved honors and I am grateful for each awardees contribution to the monument community.
The Monument Impact Community Awards Breakfast helps to support Monument Impact programs that increase community engagement, heath and economic development. In 2014, Monument Impact assisted over 7,000 people with an array of services. From technology classes for adults to the Junior Giants baseball league for kids, Monument Impact is a valuable asset to the monument community.
|
STAND! Rebuilding Lives Luncheon
I attended the
23rd annual STAND! Rebuilding Lives Luncheon,
a celebration of the non-profit's important work in our community. The event, included touching stories from STAND! Client Schylon Stewart and keynote speaker Leslie Morgan Steiner. A long-time advocate for survivors, Leslie Morgan Steiner is a frequent speaker about family violence and is a regular guest on leading national television and radio programs. Her TED Talk about surviving domestic violence has been viewed by over two million people. While heartbreaking, both speakers inspired the room with their resiliency and dedication to helping others .
STAND! For Families Free of Violence is a main provider of comprehensive domestic violence and child abuse services in Contra Costa County, offering prevention, intervention, and treatment programs.
STAND! delivers children's therapy, childcare, and children's educational programs to abused children and those affected by domestic violence. STAND! also trains legal and law enforcement personnel, human services professionals, educators and health care providers.
|
Community
Announcements
____________________
_____________________
Celebrate Veterans Day with Us
Each year the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors hosts a Veteran's Day celebration to honor county veterans and their service to our county. This
year, we are focusing in particular on Vietnam War era veterans, as the country marks 50 years since the beginning of the conflict and 40 years since the end. Our keynote speaker, author and photographer Steve Burchik, will share memories of his tour of duty in Vietnam where, as an infantryman, he captured more than 4,000 photos of his surroundings during that difficult time. This first-hand account of service in Vietnam from a Contra Costa resident is sure to be enlightening.
I invite all of you to join us, November 10th at 11am at the Board Chambers 651 Pine St. Room 107 Martinez, CA 94553.
The event will also be televised live on CCTV and available after the event on our county website. CCTV is available to subscribers of AT&T U-verse on Channel 99. Comcast subscribers can watch CCTV on Channel 27. On Astound, CCTV is Channel 32.
|
Community Violence Solutions
Founded in 1974, Community Violence Solutions, the umbrella organization for the Rape Crisis Center of Contra Costa and Marin Counties, is one of the oldest rape crisis centers in California, and one of the oldest in the country.
Community Violence Solutions provides support services to child and adult victims of sexual assault and their families through various programs such as the Anti-Human Trafficking Project, Children's Interview Center, Rape Crisis Center and Sexual Assault Response Team.
On November 12th the Contra Costa County District Attorneys' Association will host their 4th Annual Partners for Justice Fundraiser to support Community Violence Solutions. This event is open to the public and will be held at 1515 Restaurant in Walnut Creek at 5:30 p.m.
Click here to email your RSVP to attend.
For more information on their services please click here.
|
Holiday Volunteer Opportunity -
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa currently delivers nearly 800 meals every day to home bound seniors. Their
48 meal delivery routes are a product of their volunteer drivers.
With the holidays fast approaching they are in need of regular drivers to fill their 10 open routes, as well as substitute drivers. Routes take approximately two hours to complete.
For more information, please contact Carol Louisell at 925-954-8736 or click here to email her.
|
|
Women's Hall of Fame - Call for Nominations
In March 2016 the Contra Costa County Commission for Women will hold their 13th biennial Hall of Fame. The event honors outstanding women throughout the county and highlights the integral role women play in our community.
The Hall of Fame recognizes nominees who have shown excellence as:
- Women Demonstrating Leadership
- Women Creating Community
- Women Working for Justice
- Women Preserving the Environment
- Women Improving Health Care
- Women Contributing to the Arts
- Women Innovating in Science/Technology
If you would like to nominate a woman who lives and/or work in Contra Costa County please click here.
|
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 five 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. 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.
|
|
District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff
2
151 Salvio Street, Suite R
Concord, California 94520
(925) 521-7100
|
|
|
