For the latest updates regarding COVID-19 for residents and businesses, please visit the County Public Health Department website. |
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Hello, District 4 Residents!
Let’s start with some great news. As of Aug. 23, 86.5% of County residents 12 and older have had at least one vaccine dose and 80.8% of residents 12 and older have completed their vaccination. Thank you for encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors to get their vaccinations. You are keeping our community safe with your efforts.
After the July hiatus from Board of Supervisors (BOS) and Board Policy committee meetings, the BOS Aug. 17 meeting ran for 14.5 hours. I’ll share a recap of the action taken at the Aug. 17 Board meeting here; You can watch the full meeting on YouTube.
Holding Sheriff Smith Accountable
The BOS unanimously directed Administration, the Office of County Counsel, the Office of Correction and Law Enforcement Monitoring (OCLEM) and other relevant County departments to make public specified information relating to jail operations under the auspices of Sheriff Smith to the State Attorney General, the Santa Clara Civil Grand Jury and the US Department of Justice. You can read more about the referral here.
This is one important step (though by no means a complete remedy) towards ensuring a higher level of accountability for those responsible for the individuals who come into custody of the County. This action is a stark reminder of our responsibility as a Board to ensure all residents of Santa Clara County, including those in county custody, are entitled to and offered care and support.
The position of the Sheriff is one of high profile and significant authority, but truly reforming our criminal-legal system will demand a much broader examination of who comes into County custody, who remains there and what efforts are made, when, and by whom from the very moment they are booked to maximize the likelihood of a successful, productive re-entry to the community. Stay tuned for much more to come on this broad subject from my office!
Moving Swiftly to Close Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV)
Following staff and expert presentations to the BOS on the results of a lead study in the neighborhoods surrounding RHV, we voted unanimously to “direct Administration and County Counsel to take such actions as may be necessary to expeditiously eliminate lead exposure from operations at Reid-Hillview Airport, consistent with all established federal, state, and local laws and all court orders. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, both prohibiting the sale or use of leaded fuel, and pursuing any and all available paths to early closure prior to 2031.” The vote included my direction to staff regarding next steps to offer further protections against lead exposure, whatever the source, including what funds may be available to remediate contamination caused by the presence of lead paint. We have an obligation to the residents of East San Jose, having determined that there is an ongoing health risk in their neighborhood, to eliminate that risk as swiftly as possible and, in the meantime, do everything we can to remediate the impact of that exposure, as well as the historic exposure to lead from other sources, including paint. You can read more here.
I appreciate everyone who stayed with us through the long meeting to make their voices heard. The Board’s unified commitment to moving forward simultaneously on dual fronts (prohibition of the use of leaded fuel and initiating actions necessary to expedite the closure of the airport) reflects the interests of a very wide swath of our community and I was proud of our unanimous support of this direction.
We have much work ahead of us. Addressing the needs of children and families in our County will always be my north star and it is through that lens that I will continue to identify equitable and healthy paths forward for all County residents.
The Board unanimously approved the purchase of property located at 2001 The Alameda (across from the 880 off-ramp). Our community has told us that their greatest collective priority is to create more affordable and supportive housing, and acquiring locations like this will help get us there. I’m particularly glad the County is working with First Community Housing, African American Community Services, and Momentum for Mental Health on this project. I commit to helping to connect my district’s neighborhood leaders, stakeholders and neighbors in a community engagement process as the project gets underway. Those community meetings will ensure a transparent and productive process going forward. You can find more details here.
As a result of a recent policy initiated by my office, and in partnership with the Silicon Valley and Hispanic Small Business Development Centers, the county recently launched the Small Business Grant Program for COVID-19 Protective Measures. I’m especially proud that our County can provide support in a way that recognizes and accounts for the inequities in access to capital, banking services, and other resources that cause some businesses and business owners to suffer more than others. Applications are due Sep. 7, so be sure to visit svsbdc.org/sc-covid-grant or call 408-256-2217 soon for more information on how to apply.
Should We Build a New Jail? Tell Us Your Thoughts
The Board is seeking your input on the future of public safety and justice, specifically your perspectives on whether the County should build a new jail or something entirely different. This upcoming Friday, Aug. 27 from 5:30-7:30 PM, the County is hosting the third community meeting and first in-person session as part of the larger Community Engagement Efforts. Facilitated by the Haywood Burns Institute, this will be a communal space to learn, discuss, and share your perspectives on this important issue. This session will be at the Mexican Heritage Plaza’s Chinampa Garden at 1700 Alum Rock Ave. San Jose.
Advisory Redistricting Commission
The Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara established the 2021 Advisory Redistricting Commission (Commission) to conduct public hearings to receive input regarding the drawing of supervisorial district boundaries in compliance with state and federal law. The Commission will provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the placement of the supervisorial district boundaries and serve until the completion of the 2021 supervisorial redistricting process.
Youth Volunteer Opportunity
The Santa Clara County Youth Task Force (YTF), founded in 1975, currently has an open seat in District 4 as well as several other throughout the County. The Santa Clara County Youth Task Force is composed of young people, from the ages of 12 to 18, that strive to make a difference. The Task Forces serves as an advisory body to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors as well as to other policymakers and decision-makers in Santa Clara County to address issues that face young people in the County. Each YTF member shall serve a term of two years, except that a member who is in or entering grade 12 at the time of his or her appointment shall serve a term of one year. A YTF member may serve up to three consecutive terms. A YTF term will start in September and end in August. The YTF meets twice a month on a Tuesday at 5 PM. More information can be found here and applications can be found here.
As we go back to in-person gatherings, please feel free to send an invitation to my office for me to attend your community events. I miss being out in the community with residents and look forward to seeing you all soon.
I and my team are here for you.
Be well,
Susan
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Westmont High School student, Aarushi Wadhwa is tackling water conservation and drought with her Aqua-Pods. These are 100% biodegradable sponges made from natural ingredients to reduce water waste associated with gardening and agriculture. Aarushi is producing and shipping as many units as possible to areas across the globe where water scarcity impacts food supply. The D4 Office spoke with Aarushi to learn more about her and her award-winning creation.
Q: Why did you create Aqua-Pods?
A: After seeing “Brown is the New Green” signs in every neighborhood during the 2017 California drought and learning about the global water crisis, I looked for ways that I could reduce water wastage in my community. As president of my middle school’s environmental club, I noticed that we would pour buckets of water for our trees, never knowing when we were overwatering. Not wanting this precious resource to go to waste nor wanting brown to replace green forever, I created Aqua-Pods to make a positive difference in my community.
Q: What other activity, cause, or pursuit is important to you, and why?
A: I care deeply about and support the Make-A-Wish cause of fulfilling the wishes of critically-ill children. As Chair of the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Youth Board, I have the honor to take an active role in fundraising to make these wishes possible and it is always fulfilling and heartwarming to know that we get to contribute to a child’s happiness and excitement. These humbling experiences have taught me the value of empathy and kind gestures - a lesson that will always stick with me.
Q: What is the best thing about the neighborhood or city where you live?
A: I love that the community I am part of is always willing to help one another. Whether that means supporting small local businesses during the pandemic or celebrating diversity, our city is there for its people when they need it most. In fact, I was fortunate to receive support and mentorship from UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara like Ms. Julie Reynolds-Grabbe for Aqua-Pods, and this just goes to show how the community is willing to support an effort as well as support one another.
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IN THE NEWS
You can keep track of D4-specific coverage and County news by visiting my newsroom on my website.
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Once a month I hold a virtual meeting with D4 residents. These calls are a chance to get updates on the work the County and my office are doing. We will feature a guest speaker from a County department at each meeting.
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Volunteer
You can find a variety of ways to participate as a volunteer or otherwise civically engaged by clicking the button below.
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HAVE A QUESTION?
The D4 team is made up of dynamic individuals who can answer your questions and assist you with information you may be searching for.
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