A Message From the Supervisor
Greetings! With the arrival of Spring and the welcomed and long-awaited arrival of rain, I am reminded of 2 things – baseball and the fact that the rain is “too little too late”!
Baseball
We welcomed the return of our beloved Oakland Athletics at a Home Opener at the O.co Coliseum on March 31. To help kick off the 2014 season, I am offering a FREE pair of Oakland A’s tickets to the Saturday, May 10 game: A’s vs. Washington Nationals. In order to be entered into the running for the tickets, you must answer the “hidden” question from within this newsletter. Please submit your name, contact information and the answer to the question anytime between now and Friday, April 18 by 12pm to district1@acgov.org. The drawing will be held at 12:30pm on the 18th, at which time the winner will be notified. Good luck! And, let’s go A’s!
Drought 2014
On January 17, Governor Brown issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency due to current drought conditions. California’s rivers and reservoirs are below their record lows and the snowpack’s statewide water content is about 20 percent of normal average for this time of year. The Governor called upon all Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent. Residents, businesses and agriculture throughout the state are affected.
Since many water agencies and utilities derive their water supply from various sources – local groundwater wells or reservoirs, remote reservoirs, the State Water Project Aqueduct, the Central Valley Water Project – or a combination of sources – after evaluating the conditions of this supply, each made a determination as to the level of conservation required of its customers. Regardless of the source of water supply for your utility, everyone has been asked to do their part to conserve water. Check with your water utility for information on conservation goals and programs established for your community:
Board Actions
Ever wonder what your Supervisor does during the weekly Tuesday Board of Supervisors Meeting? Here are some of the board actions from the last quarter which impact the residents of District 1:
- Accepted $388,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services, and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Dating Matters Initiative award to support the development of healthy relationships and prevent adolescent dating abuse
- Approved a master contract with Alameda County Community Food Bank for outreach and training efforts countywide
-
Approved the $849,037 master contract with Alameda Health Consortium for additional Medi-Cal outreach, retention and training services to community health clinics
- Approved a $100,000 standard agreement with Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District to provide Youth and Family Opportunity Program services to students and families in the Eastern Alameda County Cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton
- Approved a $100,000 standard agreement with Fremont Unified School District to provide Youth and Family Opportunity Program services to students and families of the Fremont Unified School District
-
Accepted a $100,000 grant from the Sierra Health Foundation’s Positive Youth Justice Initiative to complete the Positive Youth Justice Initiative Implementation Plan and begin to implement the plan to improve social and health outcomes
 Board Proclaims “Agricultural Week” in Alameda County
Presented by Board Vice-President, Supervisor Scott Haggerty, the five-member County Board of Supervisors declared the week of March 16 - 22, 2014 as “Alameda County Agricultural Week” during the Tuesday, March 18 Board meeting.
“Agriculture is an integral part of our life system,” said Supervisor Haggerty. “The Board recognizes that the citizens of Alameda County benefit from the many agricultural activities available here. These activities and opportunities contribute to the values of the County, making it a better place to live, play and work.”
In 2012, agriculture in Alameda County produced $40,000,000 of gross receipts on approximately 192,000 acres through the production and sales of wine grapes, nursery products, field crops, cattle and related agricultural products.
Representing some of the County’s largest players in terms of agricultural contribution and vitality, Supervisor Haggerty knows first-hand the importance of agriculture and agriculture awareness. “All residents should be sensitive to the continued existence and growth of agriculture in Alameda County,” Supervisor Haggerty said.
Over 200 school and community gardens have been established throughout Alameda County. These gardens provide healthy food in underserved urban areas, and provide the opportunity to teach youth the importance of agriculture in their daily lives, the benefits of environmental stewardship, the risks of invasive non-native pests, and the value of neighborhood green spaces.
With 225 active members, Livermore High School has the last remaining agriculture department in Alameda County. Supervisor Haggerty offered his strong support and admiration for the students who participate and the program itself. In conjunction with National Agricultural Week, proclaiming “Alameda County Agriculture Week” is a way of honoring local citizens engaged in the production, trade, distribution, processing and farming of agricultural products necessary for existence.
|
 ACE Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary & New Maintenance Facility
On March 22 Supervisor Haggerty joined guests and dignitaries to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Altamont Corridor Express, known as ACE, and the completion of its new permanent maintenance facility in Stockton. “It was extremely satisfying to celebrate this milestone for ACE. Over the years ACE has delivered service to thousands of passengers, removing an equal number of automobiles from major highways in Alameda County. This is good for traffic, air quality and the economy,” said Haggerty who serves as a representative on the ACE commission.
Started on October 19, 1998 with 714 passengers, ACE now carries 4000 passengers per day on 4 daily weekday trains that travel from San Joaquin County (3 stations) through Alameda County (4 stations) to the end of the line in Santa Clara County (3 stations). The new $85.6 million, 121,000 square foot maintenance facility allows improved access for equipment inspection and faster and less expensive repairs. Formerly a time-consuming task, moving train equipment across Union Pacific Railroad tracks is improved, minimizing delays to freight and passenger trains. Alameda County’s half-cent sales tax designated for transportation contributes towards the operations and maintenance of ACE. For more information visit www.acerail.com .
 2014 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory-Alameda County Science Fair
Nearly 650 students from 72 schools participated in the 2014 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory-Alameda County Science and Engineering Fair. In the photo above, Congressman Eric Swallwel (CA-15) and Supervisor Haggerty took a moment to congratulate Kumaran Ratnam of Dublin High School for taking home a 2nd place overall finish for his project entitled “A Novel Energy Harvesting System with a Piezo Element to Power a Visual Prosthesis System”.
A total of 480 separate projects were submitted by high school and middle school students from across Alameda County. Of those 650 participants, 337 came from District 1!
There were several honorable mentions and awards given in many categories, but three of the top four overall finishers (all of whom, will go on to represent the County at the State Fair) came from District 1— One from Dublin High School and two from Mission San Jose High School. These students are the scientific leaders of our future. Supervisor Haggerty extends his sincerest congratulations to all.
 2014.1 Apps Challenge to take Place in Dublin
Alameda County will continue its push for greater community participation and government transparency on Saturday, May 3, at the Alameda County Apps Challenge 2014.1, a unique day-long event designed to challenge the public to create web and mobile applications using Alameda County open data sets. The Challenge will run from 8:30am - 7:00pm at Dublin High School, 8151 Village Parkway, Dublin.
Alameda County Apps Challenge 2014.1 is the third hackathon sponsored by Alameda County. The Dublin event is expected to bring together more than 100 software developers, community members, activists and entrepreneurs for a full day of creativity, collaboration and innovation.
“These events are a great way to highlight the many services offered by the County, and it allows the opportunity to tap into the vast pool of talent and creativity available right here in our own community,’’ said Supervisor Haggerty. “It is my honor to host this year’s Apps Challenge in District 1.”
A Grand Prize of $3000 will be awarded to the most inventive and user-friendly app or concept that benefits Alameda County residents, businesses and visitors. A second prize of $1500, a third prize of $500 and honorable mentions will also be awarded.
At the Apps Challenge, Alameda County invites participation from residents of all skill levels and age groups: professional and novice developers, high school and college students, seniors, and residents with no technical background but a passion for civic engagement. Each team at the hackathon will include a mixture of coders and “idea” people working together to create functional apps or develop app concepts.
For complete information on the Apps challenge, visit the Alameda County website.
|
 TVTC Money
As Chair of the Tri-Valley Transportation Council (TVTC) Supervisor Haggerty was proud to sign a
$5 million TVTC check made out to the City of Livermore this month. The funds will go toward the SR 84 corridor improvement project phase 2A – Concannon Blvd to Ruby Hills Drive. Phase 2 completes the planned improvements to the northern segments of SR 84.
 Community Recognition of the Quarter
Avni Barman has a mission in mind; she wants nothing more than to bring smiles to the faces of sick children.
The 16-year-old Fremont resident is both passionate and compassionate, and might I say remarkably driven! She spends her free time teaching art at Bay Area hospitals. Barman says she does it solely to “give children an artistic escape.”
The self-professed "doodler" volunteers her time, energy and resources teaching art and leading several service projects benefitting patients at Oakland Children’s Hospital and the residents of several local senior homes.
See the complete story here.
|
 Bay Area Lawn Mower Exchange Program
Trade in an old gas mower for a significantly discounted new electric model !
To reduce air pollution, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is providing a rebate toward the purchase of a new, cordless, zero-emission, electric lawn mower in exchange for an operable gasoline lawn mower which will be recycled.
Advanced event registration is required online or by calling the Black & Decker hotline at (844) 262-3495, Monday through Friday, between 5am and 2pm.
Upcoming lawn mower exchange events:
South Bay- April 5 / 8am – 2pm
West Valley College, Saratoga
East Bay- April 26 / 8am – 2pm
Oakland International Airport, Oakland
Additional information about the exchange events, including specific locations and lawn mower specifications is available here.
 Bike Valet Service during Livermore Wine Country Festival
On the weekend of May 3-4, Supervisor Haggerty will again co-sponsor a FREE bike valet service during the Annual Livermore Wine Country Festival. Last year, the event drew an estimated 150,000 visitors and the bike valet service provided a safe and convenient option to the automobile. The service was equipped to accommodate 188 bicycles at a single time, and more than 300 were served throughout the two-day event. Scooters and skate boards were also checked into the “bike corral”.
Response from festival-goers ranged from “this is an awesome service” to “this should be a standard for all community events.” With all the hassle of finding available parking during such a widely attended event, festival goers may want to think twice before driving to this year's event. Instead, consider biking and let your friendly District 1 staff park your bike for free!
How will you get to this year's festival?
|
 Dedication of Pete Snyder Plaza
On March 31, the City of Dublin hosted a ceremony at its (east) Dublin BART station to dedicate a new plaza to former Dublin Mayor and BART Director Peter Snyder. Supervisor Haggerty joined local dignitaries to recognize Mr. Snyder who served as Dublin’s first mayor in 1982 and who played a key role in extending BART service to the Tri-Valley. The plaza serves as a gateway and pedestrian entrance into Dublin from the BART station. It was developed by AvalonBay, and is located adjacent to its newest apartment building, Dublin Station.
|
 St. Patrick's Day in Dublin
Supervisor Haggerty was honored to take part in Dublin's 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 15. Following the annual Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast, where thousands of Green pancakes were served up hot, a parade marched off featuring over 100 entries including marching bands, colorful floats, bagpipes, equestrian riders and more. At the close of the parade, festivities moved to the Dublin Civic Center for two fun-filled days of Irish food and entertainment, craft and commercial vendors, carnival rides, and an Irish tea cottage. Sunday began with the 16th annual Shamrock 5K Fun Run and Walk.
|
|
