Supervisor Valle and the Board of Supervisors adjourned the Board of Supervisor’s meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in memory of Jim Forsyth. Jim was a long time community activist, and the conscience and voice for social, economic, and political fairness in the City of Hayward.
  
Jim could be counted on to bring to the forefront issues that faced the local community. This included standing in rush hour traffic on a busy downtown corner in Hayward, holding a banner that read “No Room for Racism” in all weather conditions.  Jim believed in public service and helping others. He was a terrific community leader who was passionate about the things he thought were unfair and unjust. He took on many issues such as, single-payer health care, labor rights, a free Palestine, voter rights, ending the Middle East war, eliminating the death penalty, affordable childcare, immigration reform, farm workers’ rights, and a nuclear freeze.
  
Jim’s memory will be cherished by those lives he touched, but most especially by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Silvia, his sons, David and Timothy, his daughter, Susan, and his six grandchildren. Jim’s spirit will live forever in the hearts and memories of all his loved ones.

On June 26, the United States Supreme Court overturned Proposition 8, a voter-approved measure passed in 2008 banning gay marriage in California. The ruling cleared the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California, which began on June 28.
  
The Alameda County Clerk-Recorder’s Office has been handling the increase in licenses effectively and efficiently. The office estimates a double in licenses from the month of June to July, and already reported 299 marriage licenses in the first week of July.
  
If you, or someone you know, needs information regarding marriage licenses, please visit the Clerk-Recorder’s website at http://acgov.org/auditor/clerk/.

Access to the County just got as easy as a visit to the App Store on your mobile device. Two new apps have been developed to help bring Alameda County services to your finger tips.
  
CityGovApp published an app allowing users to view the Board of Supervisors meetings live, receive agendas and upcoming meeting notices from the iPhone (currently only available on Apple products). Visit the iTunes App Store to download: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alameda-county-access/id640001469?mt=8
  
The Alameda County Public Works Agency has developed the app, Mobile Citizen, available for iPhone and Android phones. Mobile Citizen allows citizens to take a photo of a problem or issue and report it instantly to the Public Works Agency, with GPS coordinates. Citizens will receive automatic notifications throughout the process including confirming the request was received and when the order is complete. For more information about how the app works visit:
http://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/new-smart-phone-app-in-alameda-county-matches-technology-with-civic-engagem
  

Last month the Board of Supervisors established a Blue-Ribbon Task Force to advise the Board about options for obtaining voter approval for the renewal of Measure A. Measure A is one-half of one percent (0.5%) transactions and use tax for Essential Health Care Services and was approved by 71% of County voters in March 2004 and will sunset in June 2019.
  
The funds collected support emergency medical, hospital inpatient/outpatient, public health and mental health care services to indigent, low-income and uninsured adults, children, families and seniors of Alameda County. In District 2, these funds support St. Rose Hospital, The Silva Pediatric Clinic, and Tri-City Health Center. among other services and providers. 
  
This ad-hoc Blue Ribbon Task Force will be composed of 32 members including 5 from each Supervisorial District and 7 designated seats. This Task Force will be advisory to the Board of Supervisors and remain operational until the Board decides to place a measure to renew the existing Measure A sales tax on the ballot.  All the meetings will be open and subject to the Brown Act. The potential target dates for placing the matter before the voters include the June 2014 Primary Election and the November 2014 General Election. 
  
I am happy to announce the 5 appointees from District 2 that have been selected to this Task Force are Patricia Danielson, Gail Steele, Charles Plummer, Pamela Russo, and Michael Mahoney. I believe they will be a great asset to ensuring that Measure A is reauthorized and that equitable shares of services are funded in District 2.

It is estimated by the Alameda County Public Health Department, that more than 87% of children’s car seats are used or installed incorrectly. Come to a free car seat check up to have trained technicians teach you how to properly install your child’s car seat.
   
Car seat inspections are available by appointment only, on the dates provided below:
August 8
September 12
October 10
November 14
December 12
    
Location:
Alameda County Health Care Agency
1000 San Leandro Boulevard in San Leandro
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: FREE
  
Certified child passenger safety technicians will assist to ensure that your children ride safely. Inspections are by appointment only. Please call (510) 618-2050 to schedule an appointment for an upcoming date.
  
Free car seat inspections are provided by the following groups:
Alameda County EMS Child Passenger Safety Workgroup, Golden Gate Child Passenger Safety Alliance, Safe Kids Coalition Alameda County, and Child Injury Prevention Network for the Bay Area

On Tuesday, August 6, 2013 neighborhoods throughout District 2 are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “30th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.
 
National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate.
  
National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participate in, local anti-crime efforts; and (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Here are some ways to participate throughout District 2:  

Union City
Union City Police Department will be hosting events from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:

• Kennedy Park - 1333 Decoto Road
• Town Estates Park - 2438 Andover Drive
• Veterans Memorial Park - 4525 Dyer Street
• Accinelli Park - 33104 Navarro Drive

Hayward
As a pre-National Night Out event, join the Hayward Police Department on Monday, July 29 at the Hayward Neighborhood Alert’s Car-A-Van. Click here for a flyer.
  
City of Hayward officials, along with members of the Hayward Police Department, will be participating throughout the city visiting neighborhood block parties starting at 6 p.m. To organize your own Block Party - click here to register.
  
In addition to the block parties, the City is asking residents to display their support through the “Light’s On Campaign”. The Light’s On Campaign, asks residents to keep their porch and outdoor lights on between 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
  
For more information for the City of Hayward, please contact:
Crime Prevention Specialist North - Mary Fabian at (510) 293-1043
Crime Prevention Specialist South - Gale Bleth at (510) 293-7151
  
Newark
The City of Newark is encouraging all citizens, neighborhoods, apartment complexes, townhomes, businesses, and shopping centers to participate. To organize your neighborhood National Night Out party, register your event online through the City of Newark page.
  
Additional information regarding Street Closures/Block Parties can be located on the City of Newark website at permits. Deadline for permit filing is July 19, 2013.
  
Contact the Community Engagement Division at (510) 578-4209 or (510) 578-4379 if you have any questions or need any information on making your event successful and fun.

Alameda County Long Term Care Ombudsmen advocate for the dignity, quality of life, and quality of care for residents of Long-Term Care Facilities throughout Alameda County. Ombudsmen ensure that the residents’ rights are always respected and report violations to appropriate government authorities.
  
There will be an informal Ombudsman Orientation held on Wednesday, July 31 at 10 a.m. at 6955 Foothill Boulevard, at Suite 300 in Oakland.
  
The Alameda County Long Term Care Ombudsman program is holding volunteer training classes during the dates of August 21 – September 6, 2013. These classes provide an opportunity for volunteers to join the Ombudsman program, receive training, and become certified through the State of California. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, training dates are as followed:
  
Training for Ombudsman volunteering is six days (total of 36 hours) from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21
Friday, August 23
Wednesday, August 28
Friday, August 30
Wednesday, September 4
Friday, September 6
If you are unable to attend the orientation, please call the number below for further information and instruction.
  
Contact Denyse McCowan at (510) 638-6878 (dmccowan@acgov.org) at Alameda County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to schedule a time for an interview prior to training. 
  
This is a great opportunity for individuals to serve in their local community. Contact the Alameda County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and make a difference today!

Local commissions are a productive way to serve and engage your local community. These groups assist in advising local elected on a wide range of issues, affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community needs. For those interested in serving Alameda County and your community, here are some opportunities: 
  
Child Care Planning Council
The Alameda County Child Care Planning Council advises and makes recommendations to policymakers, to ensure that all children and families have access to quality child care that educates children and enriches their lives.
  
The vision of the Alameda County Child Care Planning Council is to be a guiding force for excellence in the care and education of all children and to be regularly sought out for our expertise by local, state and national decision makers.
  
The deadline to apply is September 6, 2013. More information and applications can be found by visiting http://www.acgov.org/childcare/index.htm.
  
Alameda County Public Health Commission
The Alameda County Public Health Commission is looking for residents that are interested in positively impacting the lives of the community, by serving as At-Large Commissioners.
  
The Alameda County Public Health Commission provides health and policy advocacy, related to disease prevention and health promotion. The commission advises and supports the Public Health Department and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, in efforts to address the issues affecting the health of residents. The commission seeks to appoint candidates who possess a wide range of skills and expertise, particularly those with knowledge of health policy and advocacy, health systems and with links to communities most impacted by health inequities.
  
The commission meetings are held bi-monthly for a total of six (6) monthly meetings per calendar year. Currently, Public Health Commission meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of every other month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the San Leandro Public Library.  All Alameda County residents with a desire to serve the public and ability to commit to the above mentioned meeting dates and times are strongly encouraged to apply.
  
The commission currently has several vacancies that will be filled as soon as possible, from applications received by July 31, 2013.  For more information or to return a completed application, please contact: PHCommission@gmail.com or Commissioner Julie Williamson, Nominating Committee Chair, 510-823-7201.