Those of us who live in West County have received a mail-in ballot asking us to vote on an annual parcel tax (Measure C) for Doctors Medical Center (DMC). I currently serve as Vice-Chair of the hospital's governing board.

DMC is a public community hospital located in San Pablo and serves as West County's largest emergency room. The hospital is facing a fiscal crisis. Without new revenue, it will close as early as July. [Read Supervisor Gioia's full message]

Preparing for an Emergency

April has special meaning as the anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake, which occurred on April 18, 1906. In the quake and related fire, 3000 people died, and much of the city was destroyed.[Read full article]

California's Cleaner Fuels Standards Under Attack

As a member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Supervisor Gioia is proud that California is leading the nation in requiring the development and use of cleaner-burning fuels to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. [Read full article]

California in Drought Mode: Save Water!

Even with the Spring rains, California is experiencing one of the driest years declare a in recorded history, prompting Gov. Jerry Brown in January to drought emergency. [Read full article]

Breakfasts with John!

Supervisor Gioia is bringing back his community breakfasts, held at rotating restaurants, cafes, and community locations throughout West County.

[Read full article]

Efforts to Expand and Improve Libraries in El Cerrito and North Richmond

Supervisor Gioia is working with the County Library and the City of Richmond Library to open a satellite library at the Shields Reid Community Center in North Richmond.

[Read full article]

More Trees for West County

Thanks to the great efforts of a non-profit organization called Richmond Trees, and the City of El Cerrito's Tree Committee, West County is becoming more green. [Read full article]

West County Reentry One-Stop Resource Center

West County will soon have a new One-Stop Reentry Center to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully move back into their community and become responsible citizens. [Read full article]

A Message from John...

The hospital has the only emergency room in West County which is specially certified as having the qualifications to treat acute heart attack and stroke victims. It also provides women's health services, cancer treatments, and respiratory care in the event of an industrial accident.

DMC is a safety net hospital. This means that most of its patients are covered by Medicare and MediCal, which does not reimburse the hospital for the full cost of providing medical services. The cost of care continues to increase and the rate of government reimbursements continues to decline. The hospital lost about $18 million in 2013 alone.

DMC cannot depend on county, state or federal subsidies to help close budget deficits. It depends on government and insurance reimbursements and property tax revenues to support it. Measure C would raise an estimated $20 million annually for the hospital, which would close the operating budget deficit and should make the hospital financially sustainable.

If the hospital closes, the tax would automatically end and no longer be collected.

An independent report by Contra Costa Health Services estimates that if the emergency room closes, wait times at other area hospitals would likely reach 10 to 12 hours.

DMC serves all of West County. It is the largest full-service acute care hospital in the area and has 40,000 emergency room visits annually. It receives two of every three ambulances in West County. Anyone who has a stroke or heart attack in West County usually will be taken to DMC, including Kaiser members.

Measure C is a mail-only election - there will not be any polling places. You should have received a ballot in the mail. The Elections Office must receive your ballot by May 6 and you must sign the back of the return envelope and place a stamp on the envelope.

If you didn't get a ballot or misplaced it, call (925) 335-7800 and a new one will be sent to you.

More information about Measure C is available on the Elections website at www.cocovote.us.

I urge you to exercise your right to vote in this election.

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- John

Preparing for an Emergency

Earthquake and natural disaster preparedness have come a long way over the last 100 years, as catastrophic events keep occurring, most recently the 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Mexico.

Preparation saves lives and minimizes property damage. With each new disaster, we learn more about the importance of preparedness. It's always a good time to review how to prepare.

A few helpful recommendations:

A home earthquake kit with water, battery-operated or hand crank radio, flashlight with extra batteries, whistle, emergency contact list, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and non-perishable food.

Family emergency communications plan, outlining what family members should do in an emergency; where they should go; who will be checking on whom; emergency contact numbers.

Brace and secure loose objects, wall hangings, furniture, and appliances. Check your local hardware store for instructions and supplies on doing this yourself.

Install automatic shut-off valves on your gas lines. Contra Costa County requires these valves on new construction, major remodels, and upon sale of property in unincorporated areas. For details contact the County Building Inspection Division at 925-646-7200 or search for the "shut-off valve ordinance" on the County Website www.co.contra-costa.ca.us.

Residents can also receive training on emergency preparedness by enrolling in CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) classes. West County cities have great local CERT programs. Check the website to find classes near you.

Additional excellent information is available on the Ready.gov website of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).

For more, email James Lyons or call 510-231-8692.

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California's Cleaner Fuels Standards Under Attack

Supervisor Gioia with Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Judy Mitchell (right) at their Senate Rules Committee Confirmation Hearing in Sacramento.

CARB adopted the landmark "Low Carbon Fuel Standard" in 2009, and a recent report by UC Davis concluded that over a two-year period, the standard has saved California drivers more than 2 billion gallons of gasoline, and reduced carbon emissions in an amount equal to taking half a million vehicles off the road.

However, oil and corn ethanol companies are challenging the regulation, and spending large amounts of money lobbying against it.

An article on the SFGate website is a good summary of the issue.

The California Air Resources Board is hearing from the public as it considers updates to the law.

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California in Drought Mode: Save Water!

Even with the Spring rains, California is experiencing one of the driest years in recorded history, prompting Gov. Jerry Brown in January to declare a drought emergency.

According to the state's most recent measurements, California's snowpack is at 32% of its normal average water content.

Agriculture has been impacted by water shortages, with the situation worsening as we enter the driest time of the year.

Residents are being asked to conserve water.

Supervisor Gioia has experience with water management during drought conditions as a former elected board member of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD).

He urges all residents to consider these water-saving steps:

Install water-efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, and low-flow toilets. (EBMUD usually provides free showerheads and aerators)
Fix household leaks.
Take showers instead of baths, which use more water.
Turn the faucet off while you brush your teeth or shave, or as you soap your hands or face.
Run the dishwasher or washing machine only on a full load.
Compost more; use the garbage disposal less.
Wash fruits and vegetables in a pot of water, rather than under a running faucet.
Water the lawn and garden in the early morning or at night, and for less time.
Don't overwater your trees. Most prefer infrequent deep watering. Ask at your local nursery for advice.
Plant drought-resistant landscaping whenever you get a chance.

For more details on these, and other advice:

EBMUD website - great water conservation information.
Save Our Water website - of the Association of California water agencies
Water Use it Wisely website - handy tips from the dry southwest.

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Breakfasts with John!

Supervisor Gioia is bringing back his community breakfasts, held at rotating restaurants, cafes, and community locations throughout West County.

The informal gatherings are a great opportunity to sit down with Supervisor Gioia and neighbors to discuss issues and ask questions. There is no requirement to purchase food, but free coffee is provided to those attending.

The breakfasts are held periodically on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

The next scheduled breakfasts are:

Saturday, June 7

El Mono (Formerly Caf� Kiks)

11740 San Pablo Ave, Suite B (near Cutting Blvd.)

El Cerrito, CA

Saturday, July 26

Location to be determined

El Sobrante, CA

For future dates check Supervisor Gioia's website or call his district office at (510) 231-8686.

Thanks in advance to the businesses and organizations who partner with Supervisor Gioia to provide locations for these events.

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Efforts to Expand and Improve Libraries in El Cerrito and North Richmond

Supervisor Gioia is working with the County Library and the City of Richmond Library to open a satellite library at the Shields Reid Community Center in North Richmond.

Renovations are underway for the new library space, which will provide reading materials as well as computers, free Internet access and other resources.

To check the program's progress email Luz Gomez or call 510-231-8689.

In El Cerrito, library supporters continue working to rebuild the County's aging and cramped El Cerrito Library which was built in 1949 and last renovated in 1960.

The grassroots effort, which is building momentum, is a hub of fundraising and support.

The El Cerrito City Council has identified the project as a top priority and has conducted an updated library needs assessment.

Supervisor Gioia strongly supports the effort, and is helping identify ways the County, City, and library supporters can work together.

For more information, including on how you can help, check the campaign's website or contact them by email.

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More Trees for West County

Thanks to the great efforts of a non-profit organization called Richmond Trees, and the City of El Cerrito's Tree Committee, West County is becoming more green.

Richmond Trees is bringing more trees to city streets, in an adopt-a-tree program in partnership with the city. Founded in 2011, and run by volunteers, the program has planted more than 150 new street trees in Richmond since it started.

Supervisor Gioia with members of Richmond Trees at a tree planting event in Richmond's

North & East Neighborhood

The volunteers of the El Cerrito Tree Committee organize tree planting days and make recommendations on how to best implement the city's Master Street Tree Plan.

Both organizations provide community education on the many benefits of urban forests, such as removing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the air, and replacing it with oxygen; softening noise; improving public safety, and increasing property values.

Residents can ask for trees, which are free, to be planted in front of their homes but are asked to maintain them.

Supervisor Gioia is working with Richmond Trees and the County's Public Works Department to expand tree planting to nearby unincorporated areas in West County. Stay tuned for more on this potential new "pilot" Adopt-a-Tree program.

To get involved with local tree planting efforts, check out Richmond Trees or the El Cerrito Tree Committee websites.

For more information, email Kate Rauch or call 510-231-8691.

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West County Reentry One-Stop Resource Center

West County will soon have a new One-Stop Reentry Center to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully move back into their community and become responsible citizens.

The Center will be funded by monies the county receives from the state under California's criminal justice realignment law. It will offer many services including assistance with employment, housing, education, and healthcare, as well as mentoring.

The goal is to support people as they leave prison to help them get jobs and to reduce the rates of recidivism.

Reentry Solutions Group worked with many community partners, including Supervisor Gioia's office, to develop a comprehensive West County plan, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors in March.

Core Design Team Members agreeing on plans to create a Reentry One-Stop in West County

The County has issued a Request for Proposals to select a permanent organization to operate the center and establish a physical home. It is expected that this selection will occur in May.

Similar reentry service programs are being developed in central and east Contra Costa, as well as throughout the state.

Contra Costa is considered a statewide leader in supporting individuals as they are released from state prison or county jail and returning to their communities.

Public planning meetings are held from Noon to 2 p.m. in the Bermuda Room of the Richmond Auditorium on the last Tuesday of each month. To learn more about these meetings, see the organization's webpage, or call at 510-243-0122.

For more information, email Terrance Cheung or call 510-231-8688.

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Picture This!
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John Gioia John_Gioia@bos.cccounty.us

11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D, El Cerrito, CA 94530

Office 510-231-8686 | Fax 510-374-3429