Dear Marci,

As we get closer to the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on the past 12 months and look forward to 2024.

This past year has been a busy for District 4 and the Board of Supervisors. Working together, we have accomplished a great deal. I wanted to share with you some of our accomplishments and while this list is not comprehensive, I think you will agree that there are many important projects that make a difference in the lives of our residents.

The list:

• Opened the Navigation Center and we have reduced the number of homeless people by a consideration amount.
• We launched the new electronic health records system that will make all of our medical records automated and thereby providing better accessibility and health outcomes for our most vulnerable clients.
• Established the 1st in California Gun Violence Prevention Program with the District Attorney.
• Held the groundbreaking of the County’s first beach park at Tunitas Creek.
• We revamped Memorial Park with new showers, bathrooms, ADA sites and dog friendly camp sites.
• We celebrated the grand opening of the Administration and Coroner wing of the hospital.
• We expanded the Community Wellness and Crisis Reponse Team. The program now operates in San Mateo, Daly City, Redwood City, South San Francisco and Foster City with East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Pacifica and San Bruno to join shortly.
• We awarded $7.4 million for renovations of the Event Center facilities to make it more resilient for emergency operations.
• We hired a new Health Officer, Human Services Agency Director and a Department of Emergency Services Director. All those appointments are accomplished women of diverse backgrounds.
• Completed a massive storm repose and repair of roads, parks and county infrastructure.
• And finally, we are close to completing the Middlefield Road Improvement Project.

And looking forward to 2024, we will open two new hotels for formerly homeless residents. We will start construction of the new South San Francisco Wellness Center. Continuing progress will be made on Flood Park and we plan to open new Farm Worker housing in Half Moon Bay.

I can’t help but to eagerly look to the future. One thing for sure is that this coming year will regrettably be my last year as a County Supervisor. San Mateo County has term limits for supervisors, and I’ll be retiring from county service in January 2025.

It’s been an honor serving San Mateo County and especially District 4.

Regards,

Warren Slocum

DON HORSLEY – A FRIEND AND A MENTOR

Don Horsley passed away the day after Thanksgiving. He was a close friend for over 30 years and his loss is felt countywide by all because he leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion, and helping our most vulnerable throughout his career in public service.

Don and I started our careers at the County around the same time – decades ago. We both served in departments – Don in the Sheriff’s Office and I in the Assessor’s Office. And later in life, we both were elected County Supervisors – Don representing District 3 and I representing District 4. In this role, we collaborated on many projects together.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Elaine, and his children and granddaughter. So many are grieving with you the loss on this incredible man.

You can read more about Don Horsley’s legacy here.



This past September, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to purchase the La Quinta Inn in Millbrae to combat homelessness under the Homekey program. Specifically, this purchase was to house homeless seniors and families in the 100 units.

Unfortunately – much of the public comment we heard, impassioned on both sides, was really about “not in my backyard” and move them elsewhere. Many of these comments were divisive, derisive and skirted the boundaries of racism. It was not the “San Mateo County way.”

Now the City of Millbrae has filed a lawsuit against the County. Their claim is that the County needed to take the purchase of the hotel to a vote of the city residents. And on the heels of this lawsuit, there is a movement to recall the two city councilmembers who supported the purchase and had compassion when it came to caring about unhoused seniors. This, in my opinion, is dangerous – to recall an elected because they voice an opinion differing from others.

It is interesting to note that no other city where hotels have been purchased to house our homeless and break the cycle have had anything but compassion towards those less fortunate. Not a one.

I will continue to update you on this topic.

Coming to the Board of Supervisors in the New Year: The Board will consider an item in the first quarter of the New Year that also deals with our homelessness goal of getting to functional zero. This item, known now as “Hopeful Horizons” would essentially ban homeless encampments on public property if we are able to offer housing (interim or permanent) to individuals living in the encampment.  

LET’S CELEBRATE THE SEASON

North Fair Oaks Community Holiday Celebration: As we are nearing completion of the Middlefield Road Improvement Project, we are having a celebration. Come join us on Saturday, December 9 from 12 noon until 3 pm at the mural parking lot on Middlefield Road and 2nd Avenue in North Fair Oaks.

 “Photos with Santa” in Menlo Park:    The City of Menlo Park will host the “Photos with Santa” community event at Arrillaga Family Recreation Center on Saturday, December 16. Tickets are $5 per person. Bring your camera and friends and family for a morning full of holiday cheer, including a continental breakfast, holiday crafts and a photo with Santa. Advanced registration is required here.

“Winter Wonderland” in Redwood City: The City of Redwood City will host its “Winter Wonderland” on Saturday, December 16 at Red Morton Community Center. There will be photos with Santa, cookie decorating, a candy cane hunt, hot cocoa and more. Tickets are $10 per child (parents and guardians are free) and must be purchased in advance here.



STAY HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS!

As 2023 draws to a close and people are spending more time indoors for the holiday season, levels of respiratory viruses are increasing. San Mateo County Health recommends that everyone who is eligible get the seasonal flu and the updated COVID-19 vaccine. With COVID-19, RSV and flu (the “tridemic”) circulating in our area, and the holidays being a time to gather, please take steps to prevent these respiratory infections by wearing a high-quality mask indoors, staying up to date on vaccinations, washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, covering coughs, and cleaning surfaces. For the County Health’s guidance for these three diseases, click here.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are widely available from health care providers and pharmacies, such as CVS, Safeway and Walgreens or go to MyTurn to schedule appointments. Flu vaccines are also available from health care providers and from County Health. You can also find flu vaccine locations and schedules on MyTurn and County Health’s pop-up flu clinics here.

Be careful, continue to take precautions and have a safe holiday season!

REFLECTING ON VETERANS DAY

This year’s Veterans Day celebrations were special. On Thursday, November 9, the San Mateo County Veterans Commission held its 8th annual Veteran Recognition Luncheon with over 250 in attendance. For the first time, a World War II veteran Al Adreveno (U.S. Army) was honored alongside his son-in-law, Vietnam veteran (U.S. Navy) John Muller, known as "Farmer John" to all. Both have served their community of Half Moon Bay as Mayors and on the City Council – and as decades-long tireless volunteers on the coast and beyond. Consummate volunteer Peggy Toye, president of the American Legion Auxiliary District 26, was honored as the Patriot of the Year, and PGA HOPE Norcal, a non-profit that introduces golf to veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being was honored as the Enterprise of the Year. Even more special is that there were five World War II veterans at the event! I encourage you to watch the videos about these remarkable honorees here.

I also wanted to call attention to an event on December 14 for post-9/11 veterans being held at the San Mateo Elks Lodge – “How Veterans Continue Public Service in the Civilian Sector.” This speaker series is being sponsored by the Hoover Institute and Judge Michael Wendler of the County’s Veteran Service Court. Register for this event here. 

I am proud to be a Vietnam veteran – and also so proud of the work being done on behalf of veterans here in this County. If you are a veteran and would like to know more about benefits, contact our exceptional staff at the County Veteran Services Office here – they are here to help.

United Against Hate Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance: At our November 14 Board meeting, we proclaimed the week of November 12-18 “United Against Hate Week” and November 20, 2023 as “Transgender Day of Remembrance.” Both of these marks important reminders to support welcoming and inclusive practices within our community. Everyone belongs and should feel welcome. We celebrate and embrace diversity here in San Mateo County.

We also held a flag raising on November 15th to honor those who have lost their lives or experienced violence because of their gender identity or gender expression. The transgender flag will fly at Veterans Boulevard at the gateway to County Center in Redwood City.

The Commission on Disabilities has vacancies! This commission works to promote the independence and full participation of people with disabilities in San Mateo County. And the members advise the Board of Supervisors on disabilities-related issues and create opportunities for people with disabilities. To learn more and apply, click here.

A new diaper distribution program is being offered at the Belmont and Pacifica Sharp Park Libraries. At each of the scheduled events (see here), families can receive kits containing 80 diapers and 200 wipes per child, up to two kits total. Diapers will be distributed on a first come, first served basis and are available in sizes one through six while supplies last.

The County and partners will hold a Gun Buyback on December 9 at 400 Harbor Boulevard in Belmont from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Law enforcement officers will accept all guns, not questions asked, in exchange for cash. $50 for non-functioning firearms; $100 for handguns, shotguns or rifles; and $200 for assault weapons as classified by the state of California. For those planning to attend, please transport any firearms unloaded and in the trunk of your vehicle.

The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division is seeking seasonal Vote Center Trainers to assist in the upcoming March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary. Training is expected to begin January 3, 2024 and those hired can expect to work for about 9 weeks. Apply here.