The end of October will mark my 300th day of serving the residents of Alameda County’s District Two. Representing you is truly an honor. During this time, my office has brought county department heads to town halls across the district, hosted Friday coffee hours and brought county resources and stakeholders together to collaborate on youth issues, regional planning, public protection challenges, access to health care and many other issues important to District Two.
My office will continue to be accessible to ensure that you and our community have access to county resources. Over the next 300 days, my office will continue my pledge to break down the disconnect between county government and constituents, to bring more resources to District Two, and to make government more efficient.
As fall and winter approach, it is ever more important to remember and consider our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others. The economic downturn has severely impacted our communities, and during these tough times, our county pulls together to help those in need. This holiday season, keep those less fortunate in mind and lend a helping hand. Donate to or volunteer for the Alameda County Food Bank, the South Hayward Parish, Tri-Cities Community Development Center or other community organizations in your community.
Thank you,
Nadia Lockyer
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Learn more about what the County does and how it affects you by attending the upcoming Sunol town hall meeting.
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“Breaking Down the Disconnect”
Sunol Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sunol Glen Elementary School - 11601 Main Street, Sunol
Topics will include:
- Update on the county budget and services
- Guide to the property tax reassessment process
- Alameda County Fire Department update and tips for
emergency preparedness
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Science in the Park is an annual event that provides Hayward and Union City children and youth with opportunities for exploring educational exhibits, informational booths, live performances, interactive demonstrations, and friendly competitions.
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The District Two office volunteered to partner with event host Tri-Ced, as well as the cities of Hayward and Union City and other community partners in planning the event. On Saturday, October 1, 2011, thousands of children participated in the various activities. Dream Courts and our office shared a booth during the day's festivities and encouraged kids to shoot some hoops and learn about county government. We look forward to continued partnerships with Science in the Park and its organizers to bring educational enrichment to the children of District Two.
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Alameda County is prepared for the Governor’s Public Safety Realignment Plan that became effective October 1, 2011. AB109 mandates a shift in responsibility from state parole to county probation of certain adult offenders that fall under the category of non-violent, non-serious, non sex-offenders. |
This shift in responsibility does not mean that our neighborhoods will see additional formerly state-incarcerated individuals than it would have in the past. All inmates are being released to their original county of residence. In addition, no inmates are being released early – all will be let out on their regularly scheduled date of release.
The key difference is that the county now has the responsibility to supervise these individuals, not the state. As required by AB109 and under the direction of the Probation Chief David Muhammad, a Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) and Executive Team were established to develop a realignment implementation plan for the county that includes a detailed inmate supervision program called Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS). The team includes Alameda County’s Probation Department, District Attorney, Sheriff and the Healthcare Services Agency. Governor Brown explicitly said that the state will build a coalition to pursue a constitutional amendment to ensure counties have the funding necessary to provide adequate services. Alameda County stands behind this effort and will support this proposal.
The Public Protection Committee is proud of the leadership and collaboration demonstrated by our public protection partners as we embark on one of the most significant changes to public protection in some time. To stay informed on the county’s plan to address realignment and other public protection matters please attend Public Protection Committee meetings. The committee meets on the second Thursday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the board chambers, 1221 Oak Street 5th floor, Oakland.
Last month, the East Bay was gripped by the pop band POPLYFE's advancement on the television series America's Got Talent. The kids in the band live in cities throughout Alameda County. Keyboardist and musical director Dylan Wiggins and his brother, bassist Jadan Wiggins, live in Hayward and attend the Oakland School for the Arts.
POPLYFE made it to the final round of the competition, where they ultimately came in fourth. Their rise was not without challenges, not only from tough competition, but from the judges. In their first challenge, when faced with a judge that wanted to split up the band, lead singer Kehlani Parrish responded, “I don’t go without my brothers." POPLYFE represented the East Bay proudly and are an inspiration for youth across the county.
The Board of Supervisors celebrated and congratulated these talented youths on Tuesday, October 11, with a commendation for their achievement. Congratulations Dylan, Jadan and all the members of POPLYFE. Always remember that as your star rises, dream big, speak up and give back.
Together with the City of Hayward, the District Two office hosted the 34th Annual Volunteer Dinner on October 4 at St. Rose Hospital’s Great White Tent. The dinner recognizes the outstanding volunteers who are dedicated to community service in Hayward. Numerous community groups and local businesses supported the event to express their appreciation for all the volunteers who help build community in Hayward.
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Evelyn Cormier was awarded the Gail Steele Lifetime Achievement Award. As a teacher, volunteer and advocate, Evelyn’s work has positively impacted Hayward for more than 50 years. She has worked passionately and tirelessly on social and environmental issues. There is no stopping Evelyn volunteering for the things she loves—the night of the dinner, she volunteered to work the registration table.
Congratulations Evelyn and all the award winners that evening. Thank you all for your commitment to community service.
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All of us were taken by surprise on August 31 when Solyndra, a company located in Fremont, abruptly ceased operations and immediately laid off all 900 of its workers. |
Although we weren’t given any notice of the closure, the county immediately jumped into action. That same day, our Alameda County Workforce Investment Board (ACWIB) contacted the City of Fremont and coordinated a response to the closure, dispatching staff to the plant site to distribute informational materials
Soon after, on September 9, ACWIB and other agencies scheduled a “Workforce Services Orientation” event at Ohlone College. About 160 Solyndra workers participated in the event and received information on a wide range of transitional resources, benefits, human and social services and individual/family counseling.
ACWIB also met with Solyndra to discuss the closure and to begin to ascertain the level of resources that the workforce agencies and its partners may need to address worker transition services, training options and employment. ACWIB staff has requested that Solyndra also provide information on subcontractors, vendors, temporary workers and suppliers who are also impacted by the closure. ACWIB will be submitting an application for a grant for additional resources to the state as soon as all the data is gathered from Solyndra.
County staff stepped up and mobilized to respond quickly to this sudden closure, and we hope that the Solyndra workers and others looking for work can find their next job quickly. For more information on these efforts and One-Stop Career centers, visit www.eastbayworks.org.
The “Federal Role in Pre-K to 12 Education—too little, just right, too much?” is the topic for a luncheon forum on Friday, October 21 at the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association, 377 Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo. |
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The forum is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Eden Area (LWVEA) and the American Association of University Women—Castro Valley-Hayward Branch (AAUW).
Three expert panelists will discuss what the federal role in education was and is now, common core standards and testing, and equity and financial Issues. The speakers are: Jo Loss, Castro Valley School District Board Member and former State PTA president; Dr. Dennis Byas, Superintendent of the San Lorenzo School District; and Fernando Yanez, Principal of Longwood Elementary, Hayward School District, who was recently commended for his school’s significant test score improvement.
Registration for the forum begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon. The panelists are scheduled to speak at 12:30 p.m. with the Q & A portion at 1:15 p.m.
Everyone is asked to RSVP to Suzanne at 538-9678 or by email to suzbarba@comcast.net. Information also at the League’s website: LWVEA.org.
Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Program (ACHCHP) is a federally-funded 330(h) Health Care for the Homeless program that has been providing medical care to homeless persons throughout Alameda County since 1988. In 2010, ACHCHP provided services to 8,458 homeless persons.
ACHCHP provides health services in two mobile medical clinics, shelter visits, meal sites and transitional and recovery housing programs. ACHCHP staff includes three nurse practitioners, medical assistants, a medical director, six community health workers, a mental health specialist, and administrative and van support staff. For information about mobile clinic sites, please phone 510-532-1930.
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