Greetings!
Do you suffer from email inbox overload? My inbox has been filled lately with folks concerned about mask and vaccine mandates. During these challenging times, if you have questions about COVID and the Delta variant, things happening in your neighborhood or general concerns about county government, don’t hesitate to email me. I will do my best to research your questions and share a response.
In this August newsletter, I hope you find topics that are of interest to you. If you’d like to make suggestions for future content-shot me an email.
Best,
Warren Slocum
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This past month, we have seen the dramatic rise of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the COVID19 virus. It has become a pandemic of the unvaccinated across this state and the nation. The good news is that here in San Mateo County, 90% of those eligible have been vaccinated. And although our hospitalizations have increased substantially, the vast majority of those hospitalized with the virus are unvaccinated. That is the message: get vaccinated because the Delta variant is highly contagious and brings about hospitalization at a much quicker rate. You can see the data on this on our San Mateo County Health data dashboards.
In the last week, the country’s top health officials announced that those who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will need a booster shot as soon as six months after their last shot. This booster will be available starting September for all adults. We are closely monitoring federal and Center for Disease Control guidance to give our residents up-to-date information.
For now – if you enter a County building, either as a member of the public or as an employee, regardless of vaccination status, you are required to wear a mask or other face covering. For those who work in schools, the California Public Health Officer recently issued an order requiring vaccination verification or testing to continue working on campus. This is also true for workers in many health care settings, where they must receive their second dose of a vaccine by September 30, 2021. And visitors to hospitals, skilled nursing or immediate care facilities must be fully vaccinated or tested negative prior to 72 hours before indoor visits.
Many places have begun to require proof of vaccination status to enter their establishments. I encourage you to register through the State’s website to access your official vaccine record and obtain a QR code of this information.
Just this week, the Federal Drug Administration granted full approval of the Pfizer vaccine for those 16 years and older. This formal approval will hopeful move some of those still unvaccinated to get vaccinated. And again I ask: if you are unvaccinated, what are you waiting for?
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HOST A VACCINATION POP-UP
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
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Recently, on August 3rd, the Stambaugh-Heller Neighborhood Association held a vaccination pop-up event on National Night Out. It was a great success and something I would ask other neighborhood associations to follow! Held at Jardín de Niños Park in Redwood City, this Stambaugh-Heller partnered with San Mateo County Health, Redwood City, Redwood City Police Department, Redwood City School District, the Sobrato Organization and Greystar to encourage neighbors who were eligible, many of them youth, to get vaccinated. To schedule a vaccination pop-up clinic in your neighborhood, apply here.
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It’s hard to believe how quickly summer came and went, and that it’s now time for kids to return to the classroom. Many parents, who have been both working remotely and caring for their children at home, are now returning to work. Whether this work is remote or in-person, they are now in need of both childcare and after-school care. The Child Care Coordinating Council (4Cs) has resources on their website to help parents find childcare, and how to choose quality childcare, along with links to partners and programs that can help.
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Modernizing Redwood City School Facilities |
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Have you seen the construction projects going on at several Redwood City School District school sites? Facility improvements to modernize several school sites that will enhance the student experience are happening now throughout the district. Hoover School, for instance, has a new gymnasium that includes a rock-climbing wall and an interactive stage for school performances. Thank you to the voters for passing Measure T, which has funded these projects! You can read more about Measure T projects here.
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NEW MEASURE K INVESTMENTS
IN OUR COMMUNITY
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At the August 3rd Board of Supervisors meeting, my colleagues approved two District 4 Measure K grants to non-profits in our community. Let me tell you about them:
Fair Oaks Beautification Association (FOBA) is a 25-year-old neighborhood all-volunteer non-profit created to improve the quality of life for the residents of North Fair Oaks. FOBA contribution to the community has been in the creation and maintenance of two mini parks, one a playground and one a pocket park. Measure K funds were provided to this organization to cover the costs of maintenance of these parks, so important in the neighborhoods, over the next three years.
United through Education/Familias Unidas mission is to create a better community, one family at a time. They teach parents from underserved communities how to support and help their children achieve success, focusing on the academic, social, emotional and physical aspects of a healthy life. Familias Unidas witnessed that the pandemic created a new set of challenges for the distribution of services for the families they serve, including language barriers, food insecurity and technology issues. Incorporating virtual tools and working with other community partners, they created a program to meet these challenges, helping parents to assist their children to achieve success. Our Measure K grant will help Familias Unidas continue this important work.
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Center Yourself:
Poetry/Mindfulness Workshop
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I am a big fan of meditation and mindfulness – particularly during the stressful times of the last 18 months. I also love poetry – always have! It’s why I partnered with the San Mateo County Library System and Supervisor Carole Groom to bring a series of Poetry & Mindfulness virtual workshops. This month’s workshop on Tuesday, August 31st at 7pm will feature a guided meditation with Janet Stickmon, Professor of Humanities and Faculty Director of the Cultural Center at Napa Valley College. Afterwards we will be joined by San Mateo County Poets Laureate Emerita Caroline Goodwin and Lisa Rosenberg, who will discuss starting a poetry and mindfulness practice of your own. You can register for this workshop here.
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Making Family Memories:
Visit a San Mateo County Park
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San Mateo County has 24 parks that include redwood forests and curiosity-inspiring tide pools to family picnic sites and playgrounds – encompassing over 16,000 acres. Our parks are places to reconnect with what matters most. One of my personal favorites is Memorial Park. I’ve been camping there for over 25 years and enjoyed many outings with our two now-adult sons. Most recently, I had the opportunity to meet up with members of our family from Sacramento to enjoy a three-day family camping adventure. The children loved the experiences of sitting around the campfire telling stories, outdoor cooking including the roasting of marshmallows and exploring the park. I personally invite you to visit one of our outstanding parks.
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COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SELECTED |
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Every 10 years, based on the U.S. Census, we are asked to consider district lines.
At our August 3rd Board meeting, we approved the appointments of 14 Commissioners to the 2021 Supervisorial District Line Advisory Commission recommended by our local League of Women Voters, who were tasked to select the 15-person commission. The final member of the Commission, who will be the remaining representative from District 4, will be appointed at our September 14th Board meeting.
The Commission will hold a series of public meetings to study the boundaries of the County’s five supervisorial districts. There will be extensive community input and outreach, after which the Commission will recommend draft district boundaries to the Board of Supervisors, which approves and adopts a final map. This process is on a tight timeline and will be completed by the end of this year.
You can learn more about our 2021 Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Commission and follow their important work here.
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For small businesses who need help with past-due debt or revenue losses as a result of COVID19, and who have not received a grant in the last 12 months, grant applications are now be accepted. More information and the grant application can be found at the SMC Strong website. The deadline to apply is September 7, 2021. Questions can be emailed to sbgrant@smcgov.org.
Want to learn more about the inner workings of government, build relationships and identify different ways to engage with the County? Consider applying for the San Mateo County Fall 2021 Civics 101 Academy, a free, nine-week program that will meet Tuesday evenings from Aug. 31 – Oct. 26 at the County Government Center in Redwood City. I encourage you to apply!
Have you received your ballot for the September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election? Ballots have been mailed – and if you have not received yours, please go here. And remember to vote – it’s your civic duty!
County Parks Department has hired CMG Landscape Architecture to develop plans, specifications and cost estimates for the redesign of Flood Park. Construction could begin August 2023, and there will continue to be community engagement in the design. To learn more about the Reimage Flood Park project, go here.
Did you know that according to the data from the recent Census 2020, San Mateo County grew in population by 6.3% over the last 10 years? Population breakdown data and more information as it is released may be found here.
Follow the progress of the Middlefield Road Improvement Project going on now in the heart of North Fair Oaks. Updates and more information on the project can be found here.
The Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff’s Department will hold its annual Truth Act Forum on Wednesday, November 3rd at 6pm. This forum is mandated by state law to give residents the opportunity to ask county law enforcement officers about their enforcement activities related to immigration, as well as their interactions with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. You can participate via Zoom here.
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If you want to get more insight into what my staff and I are working on, please connect with us on social media. It’s also a great way to interact with the office and to get notifications on upcoming events. Click the icons and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Finally, if you would like to see back issues of this newsletter, they can be found on my website here. They certainly reflect the long way we have come!
Warren Slocum
District 4 Supervisor
San Mateo County
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