A Message From the Supervisor
Happy Spring! As we begin to enjoy the warming weather, beautiful greening of our hillsides and the blossoming landscape it reminds me of one thing: Baseball. In the spirit of the Oakland A’s 2013 season, which has just begun, I am offering a free pair of Oakland A’s tickets for the Friday, April 26th home game against the Baltimore Orioles! In order to submit your name into the running, please answer the “hidden” question from within this newsletter and you will be entered to win. Please submit your name, contact information, and the answer to the question any time between now and Friday, April 19th by 12pm. The drawing will be held at 12:30pm on the 19th, at which time the winner will be notified.
There has been a lot of activity in District 1 communities recently. Of special note is the upcoming celebration for the completion of the Stanley Boulevard Safety and Streetscape Improvement Project on Saturday, April 13th with a ribbon cutting ceremony and health & safety fair from 10am-1pm. Many of you have contacted my office regarding this 3-mile thoroughfare connecting the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton. I sincerely hope that you and your family will come out and join us for this fun event.
Please take a moment to read the articles in this newsletter for updates on the numerous activities going on in your communities. Your comments, submissions for the A’s tickets and your suggestions for future issues are welcomed by contacting district1@acgov.org.
Supervisor Haggerty Takes Oath of Office for New Term
On December 31st, Supervisor Haggerty was sworn in to serve his fifth four-year term on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley administered the oath of office that afternoon in Dublin. Haggerty was re-elected to his fifth term in June 2012 which became effective on January 1st.
“The voters have again expressed their confidence in my ability to effectively represent their interests and to continue to deliver important services and initiatives,” said Haggerty. “I am humbled and deeply honored by this belief in my leadership and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. I intend to continue to work towards meeting my early goals of extending BART to Livermore and advancing important regional transportation projects and programs that improve mobility and air quality for District 1 and Alameda County. I look forward to working with my colleagues at the Board of Supervisors as we continue to ensure the fiscal health of the County and the delivery of services to our constituents.”
The ceremony was held at McNamara’s Restaurant in Dublin. Joining Supervisor Haggerty for the ceremony were his family and staff. Guests also included political leaders from throughout District 1 and the County.
April 27th Drug Take Back Event
In conjunction with the Department of Justice National Drug Take Back Initiative, Supervisor Haggerty’s office will partner with the Fremont Police Department to host a prescription and over-the-counter drug take back event. The event will take place on National Drug Bring Back Day, April 27, 2013, at the Fremont Centerville Farmers' Market from 10am-2pm.
The goal of the program is to provide citizens of Alameda County the opportunity to safely rid of any unused, unwanted, or expired medications. Following drop off, law enforcement officials will properly dispose of the drugs in a manner that is safe, secure, and non-hazardous, potentially saving lives and protecting the ecosystem.
“Recent data indicates that prescription drugs are now the second-most abused category of drugs next to marijuana. This take back initiative is a necessary step in helping to ensure that unused and unwanted drugs do not find their way into the wrong hands or into the water supply with improper attempts of disposal,” said Supervisor Haggerty.
If you have unused prescription or over-the-counter medication, please do not throw it away or flush it down the toilet. Instead, visit here for a list of drop-off sites within Alameda County, and instructions for how to properly dispose of unused/unwanted drugs. If you have additional questions, you can also contact the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program at (800) 606-6606.
For more information on the April 27th Drug Take Back event in Fremont, please contact Leah Doyle-Stevens at (925) 551-6995.
Mountain House Elementary School Receives BIG Help for Needed Upgrades
Supervisor Haggerty donated $75,000 toward the upgrade of a 40-year-old septic system plus an additional $5,000 for safety radio equipment for the students of Mountain House Elementary School in February. Established in 1898, Mountain House Elementary School District is a single-site public school located in eastern Alameda County. The school serves kindergarten through 8th grade, with an average annual enrollment of approximately 50 students. During the February 13th presentation, the Supervisor was pleased to meet many of the students and staff who will benefit from the improvements.
Stanley Boulevard Safety & Streetscape Improvement Project
On Saturday, April 13th, we invite the public to celebrate the completion of this $15 million project. Scheduled from 10am to 1pm, the event will be held at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area located at 2500 Stanley Blvd in Pleasanton. The event includes a speaker program at 11am with local dignitaries followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony on the roadway. In conjunction with the celebration, a health & safety fair will be held from 10am to 1pm. The fair will highlight the Tri-Valley bicycle/pedestrian/trail network system and related safety measures and health benefits. With 2-way traffic routed along the westbound lanes, eastbound Stanley Blvd will be closed for the ribbon cutting ceremony after which guests and the public will be invited to walk or ride their bicycles a loop along the new multi-use path and roadway to the quarry intersection.
Stanley Boulevard, which serves as a major arterial roadway linking the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, carries 30,000 cars each day. The 3-mile roadway underwent a major facelift including the removal of utility poles and placement of cables underground; construction of a new multi-use trail on the south side; widening of shoulders for on-street bike lanes in both directions; installation of new guardrail system; new LED street lights and signals; removal of an unused rail crossing; new benches; addition of retainer wall and overlook at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation area; new disability accessible bus stop and shelters; bay friendly storm water runoff system; recycled water irrigation system; more than 10,000 native landscape plantings. Funding sources included the County’s Local Streets & Roads funds; local quarries CEMEX and Vulcan Materials; and grants from the Bay Area Air Quality and StopWaste.org.
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Transportation Documents Released
The much anticipated Draft Plan Bay Area and its companion Draft Environmental Impact Report were released on March 29th and April 2nd respectively, for public comment due May 16. Public meetings have been scheduled throughout the 9-county Bay Area region with the Alameda County public meeting set for May 1st, 6-9 pm at the Mirage Ballroom located at 4100 Peralta Blvd in Fremont. This important document sets out for the very first time the framework for an integrated long-range transportation and land use plan for the region. To view these documents and comment visit here. Residents are encouraged to comment on this important plan and attend the May 1st public meeting.
“Bike it- I Like it!” Essay Contest in District 1 Schools
Supervisor Haggerty teamed up with the Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools program last month to host a bicycle essay contest entitled “Bike it-I Like it!” in schools within his supervisorial district. During special presentation ceremonies, taking place the week of March 17th, winners from each individual school were announced and prizes were awarded. There were two top prizes (bicycles complete with helmets, lights and locks) awarded at each school, as well as, a handful of alternative prizes for runners-up and for general participation.
Supervisor Haggerty enjoyed his hands-on role in the program and judging process. “The essays were fun to read,” he said. “It was clear that many of the students put quite a bit of time and thought into their work. This made for no easy task on the part of the judging panel, that’s for sure!”
The goal of the contest was to promote bicycle use and safety, and to educate District 1 students on the many health and environmental benefits of bicycling as a means of transportation. Essay questions, which were assigned on a voluntary basis, instructed students to clearly demonstrate their need/want for a bicycle and if they already had one, students were asked to focus on their thoughts regarding the importance of bicycle riding, exhibiting bicycle safety and abiding by the rules of the road.
“It is just so rewarding to be able to give bikes to kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity. The looks on their faces made it all worth it,” said Supervisor Haggerty.
Contests were held at East Avenue Middle and Junction K-8 in Livermore, Dougherty Elementary in Dublin, and Brier Elementary in Fremont. Contests at Murray Elementary in Dublin and Parkmont Elementary in Fremont are scheduled for May.
New Facility for WHEELS Buses
On April 1st, Supervisor Haggerty and his fellow members of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) board of directors cut the ribbon on the completion of the new Atlantis Fuel and Wash Facility in Livermore. The new facility located on 9 acres on Atlantis Court, will accommodate LAVTA’s 101-vehicle WHEELS and Rapid Bus fleet. The fleet has outgrown its facility on Rutan Court designed for 43 vehicles. The new site has sufficient room for planned future operations and maintenance buildings which will occur as funding becomes available. The new facility increases operational flexibility, provides a back-up in case of equipment breakdowns at Rutan and offers improved opportunities to time fuel purchases in order to prepare for daily price changes.
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Arroyo Trail Ribbon Cutting
On January 31st, the City of Livermore celebrated the completion of the Livermore to Pleasanton Arroyo Trail Connection. This 1.5 mile trail, adjacent to Livermore’s new Jack London Blvd extension, connects to a trail Alameda County built in 2003 along the Las Positas and Mocho Arroyos that was part of creek realignment for bike and pedestrian access under El Charro Road to property at Staples Ranch, annexed into the City of Pleasanton. Pleasanton will complete and open its extension of Stoneridge Drive to El Charro Road closing the final gap in the trail. Then bicyclists and pedestrians will have a more direct link to the Pleasanton/Dublin BART station south of I-580.
Safety Studies for Tesla and Patterson Pass Roads
On March 27th, Alameda County Public Works staff and consultants held a public meeting to introduce two studies getting underway of local roadways, Tesla and Patterson Pass. Incorporating input from local residents, the purpose of the studies is to identify possible remedies to improve safety along the roadways; and to develop plans for the improvements in preparation for future funding opportunities to construct the improvements. For more information and to comment on the studies, click here. Under “Safety Studies” click on Tesla Road or Patterson Pass Road Safety Study. Due to chronic traffic congestion along the I-580 Corridor into the Alameda County and the Bay Area region, these roadways suffer major impacts as motorists seek alternate routes during peak commute hours.
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County Budget Activities
Even as we enjoy the amenities that living in the Bay Area brings, business continues at the County as efforts get underway to prepare the budget for fiscal year 2013-14. Meetings have already been held with County departments and agencies and stakeholder groups. While we are experiencing a slow, but improving economic recovery, we remain cautiously optimistic that this year’s budget shortfall will not be as deep as in recent years past. The County has successfully adopted a balanced budget on time in spite of absorbing almost $700 million in shortfalls since the beginning of the current recession in 2008. This has been done without closing County facilities including fire stations and with a minimal lay-off of personnel. To track the County’s budget activities visit here. How much did Supervisor Haggerty's office donate to Mountain House School?
Community Presents New Home to Family Following Devastating Fire
Supervisor Haggerty was proud to join forces with the many local businesses and city and County agencies who came together to raise enough money to buy local resident April Boag Martinez and her family a new (gently used) trailer, which was presented in a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, February 22, 2013. April Boag Martinez is a jockey and horse trainer, who works on the Alameda County Fairgrounds and also lives there in the R.V. South trailer park with her two young children. Due to a devastating fire, which took place the family’s trailer, Martinez and her children were left homeless, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
When asked what she thought of all of the people and organizations who came out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and those who made the new trailer possible, Martinez graciously said, “This is incredible! I am at a loss for words. The amount of support we have received from the community and the race track is amazing. We are just normal, everyday people, and after such a devastating turn of events, this is like winning the lottery.”
During the presentation, Supervisor Haggerty addressed Ms. Martinez and the crowd of contributors and supporters, “All that has taken place following this unfortunate event is a direct reflection of the strength of our great community. This has truly been a community effort, and one which I am beyond proud to be a part of. This is what happens when people get together to make things better.”
City of Dublin Celebrate's its 30th Saint Patrick's Day
Supervisor Haggerty was honored to take part in Dublin's 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on March 16th. Following the annual Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast, during which 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 15th annual Shamrock 5K Fun Run and Walk.
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City of Fremont Takes Part in National Make a Difference Day Competition, and Wins!
Congratulations to the City of Fremont for being recognized as a winner of USA Weekend magazine’s National Make a Difference Day Competition with an award of $10,000! Announced at the State of the City address on March 28th, Mayor Bill Harrison reported that more than 1300 volunteers took part in Fremont’s 10th Annual Make a Difference Day, a national day of volunteering last October. Residents volunteered 5200 hours of free time to make a difference in their city. Seventy-six projects were completed in one day including: 11 school beautification projects, numerous street and park clean-up projects, and a unique car oil change clinic for single moms. The City of Fremont will be featured in Parade magazine in its Sunday, April 21st issue.
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Alameda County Arts Commission Accepting Nominations for the 2013 Arts Leadership Awards
The Alameda County Arts Commission invites County residents to submit nominations for the 2013 Alameda County Arts Leadership Awards. This annual program enables the Alameda County Arts Commission to recognize five individuals, one from each of the five districts of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, for their outstanding achievements and contributions impacting the arts community and the residents of Alameda County. Award recipients will be presented to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors by the Arts Commission.
Nominees must be residents of Alameda County. Nominees can be involved in any arts discipline including, but not limited to, music, dance, visual arts, literature, theater, film and video, traditional crafts and folk arts, and new media. Nominees may participate in a wide range of activities with an Alameda County based arts organization such as an artist, staff or board member, volunteer, donor, supporter, advocate, etc. This award is open to all individuals, including youth, who live in Alameda County regardless of race, color, national origin, physical challenges, religious or political affiliations.
Nominations must be submitted by Alameda County residents. Each individual may submit one nomination, and must include a description of the nominee’s major achievements contributing to the arts in the community and the residents of Alameda County; the impact and results of the achievements; and other background information about the nominee’s contributions to the Alameda County arts community such as what distinguishes the nominee from his/her peers or colleagues. Nominations are due on Wednesday, May 29th and must be submitted online here.
The Members of the Alameda County Arts Commission will review the nominations in July. Award recipients will be recognized in early October in conjunction with the County’s celebration of California Arts Day and National Arts and Humanities Month.
For more information, or to request the official nomination instructions, contact the Office of the Arts Commission at artscommission@acgov.org or (510) 208-9646.
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