Supervisor Richard Valle's January Newsletter

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Release Date: January 31, 2017

Supervisor's Message

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Sincere best wishes and Happy New Year to the District 2 community, your families and extended families. May the New Year bring you happiness!

As we open up the New Year it is important to move forward with optimism and conversation about our future. There is a lot of work to do in District 2. This year we aim to have a symbolic groundbreaking of the new Hayward Youth and Family center that will be located at Tennyson Park. 

District 2 is also working with the City of Union City on completing the Veterans Memorial Park. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Veterans Memorial Park is on schedule for Saturday, November 11, 2017 where we will honor our Nation's veterans for their sacrifice, dedication, and service. Our office is also continuing to work with Dig Deep Farms and Masonic Homes to bring farming and fresh food to Union City. 

The Niles Canyon Trail initiative continues to move earnestly forward to bring a class 1 trail through the canyon. As part of this initiative, District 2 is working with Supervisor Haggerty and other partners to coordinate another Stroll & Roll later this year. Stay tuned for more updates.

Please remember that our office is here to serve you and please do not hesitate to call us with your questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

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District 2 Spotlight

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This month's spotlight we highlight Shirley Kaminsky honoring her 25 years of dedication to organizations for suicide prevention.

Suicide is a major health concern with over 44,000 people dying by suicide each year in the United States. Suicide is complicated and tragic but it is often preventable. Here in Alameda County, we are grateful to Shirley Kaminsky for her enduring passion in helping others who are touched by suicide, efforts with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention bringing awareness and support for suicide prevention organizations, and for creating a support group for loss survivors in her community.

Shirley started her journey over 30 years ago when tragedy hit her family and she lost her son David Easley. After his death she decided that she would devote her life to helping others who had been affected by suicide. In 1991 she created a peer support group in her community where healing can begin, one can learn to grieve in positive ways and can process feelings associated with suicide in a non-judgmental space. 

In 2002, Shirley became involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, participating with her daughter Sharon in the first “Out of the Darkness” walk. Shirley went on to co-find the Northern California chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in 2004. She was appointed to the National Leadership Council for the AFSP in 2008 and elected to the National Board in 2014. She was presented with the 2013 AFSP National Leadership Award for “her tireless efforts to serve survivors of suicide loss and support of AFSP’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide."

Shirley is a retired registered nurse. She has devoted her retired life and spent countless hours over the years speaking to individuals and groups, networking and providing support to survivors of suicide loss. Additionally, she is active in her community starting a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program for disaster preparedness in her neighborhood. 

Shirley is retiring from her leadership roles with the Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter and National AFSP so that others may experience and contribute in the way she has. She now wants to have the opportunity to stop and smell the roses and do more of the activities she enjoys such as traveling, creating art, playing the piano, and making wine. She and her husband Barry live in Sunol, CA. They have five adult children and 9 grandchildren.

To learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention here in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area visit click here or contact Ryan Ayers at rayers@afsp.org (707)968-7563. If someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns or thinking about taking their life, take it seriously. For emergencies always call 911. For someone to talk to about this issue 24/7 call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255).

Ad Hoc Committee on Immigrant Rights

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In light of the recent executive orders on immigration, Alameda County continues to stand strong in our commitment to uphold the rights of all members of our community irrespective of immigration status.


We are one people on this earth. We have an obligation to each other and in this moment we are being called upon to come together and expand our imagination of what is possible.


SAVE THE DATE

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors' "Ad Hoc Committee on Immigrant Rights" will host a community meeting on: 

March 11, 2017
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ruggieri Senior Center | 33997 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City, CA 94587


This will be the first of a series of community meetings we hope to have to hear from our community about what Alameda County can do to become the "Welcoming County" we are aspiring to be.

For questions or to find out ways to be involved contact Cinthya Muñoz Ramos at Cinthya.MunozRamos@acgov.org or at (510) 891-8933.

Saturday Morning Coffee

Join Supervisor Valle for Saturday morning coffee!

February 18
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Suju's Coffee 3602 Thornton Ave, Fremont, CA 94536

Meet and chat with your County Supervisor to learn more about the initiatives he is undertaking. We encourage you to attend and talk about any issues, questions, or concerns related to District 2 or Alameda County as a whole. For more information or to RSVP, contact Gabriela Christy at (510)272-5081 or email gabriela.christy@acgov.org

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New Area Code for the East Bay

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will begin the process to introduce a new area code to the area now served by the 510 area code, as the 510 is expected to use up its available prefixes by June 2019.  The telecommunications service providers have proposed to introduce the new area code through the overlay method.  Adding a new area code to the area now served by the 510 area code will provide additional prefixes and new telephone numbers for the 510 customers.  The proposed overlay, pending CPUC approval, will allow all customers to keep their current phone numbers, including their area code.  Customers will not be required to change their phone numbers or their area code.  To avoid service disruption, the new area code will be added to the 510 area code by December 2017, six months before depletion of prefixes.  In December 2017, customers requesting new phone numbers in the 510 geographic area may be assigned a new area code.

The area served by the 510 area code includes the western portions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The 510 area code serves the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, San Leandro and Union City in Alameda County; and the cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo in Contra Costa County.

The CPUC will be holding local jurisdiction and public meetings on January 17 and February 15, 2017, to inform the local jurisdictions and the public, and to hear concerns about adding a new area code to the 510 area code. 

Public Hearing 
February 15, 2017- 2 p.m. 
Hayward City Council Chambers
777 B Street, 2nd Floor
Hayward, CA


Spectrum Senior Nutrition Program

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Spectrum’s Senior Nutrition Program is a healthy and convenient alternative to cooking, and offers freshly prepared, nutritious meals at nearly 30 Alameda County locations. Our dining sites ease the burden of cooking and provide seniors with the opportunity to enjoy tasty food, meet new people, and participate in a variety of activities. Click here for a link to the dining sites or call Spectrum at 510-881-0300 ext. 222.

 

What the Meal Plan Offers

  • 1/3 of senior's daily nutritional requirements
  • No excessive added salt
  • Homemade soups
  • Alternative options available daily, including a hearty chef’s salad (with meat or vegetarian), hamburger, or veggie burger *
  • Menu items that vary daily

Sample Menu

  • Baked Chicken Quarter with Gravy
  • Cornbread Stuffing
  • California Blend Vegetables
  • Pea Salad
  • Apple Turnover
  • 1% milk

Suggested Donation

  • $3.75 for seniors 60 years and older
  • $6.00 for guests under 60
  • No senior will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Recruiting for Americorps & HUSD

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AmeriCorps is now recruiting. Be a part of the Hayward Unified School District and the Youth Enrichment Program to help make a healthy change in the Hayward community by providing after school physical fitness and nutrition classes to students in grades K-6.

This program was designed to address the dangerously high rates of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity in Hayward. AmeriCorps members will work with elementary aged students in HUSD's After School Program (YEP) to promote physical fitness, nutrition, and overall health. 

Qualifications:

  • Must have high school diploma or GED
  • Must be available Monday- Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Benefits:

  • $650.00 a Month Living Stipend
  • $2,887.50 Education Award
  • 144 hours of professional development and training

Print an application at http://www.husd.us/americorpsFor more information or questions please call (510)723-3857 EXT. 34192 or (510)935-1092. You can also email tromano-ough@husd.us. 

Service Changes in Northern Alameda County and Contra Costa County

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AC Transit has rolled out the second phase of its most significant expansion of service in its history.  Named AC Go, this plan will put more buses on the street, which means faster service and shorter wait times.  These schedule updates are aimed at improving on-time performance and service reliability.  Please note that these improvements started in June 2016 and will continue through the end of 2017. 

 You can read more about these service improvements below or on their website HERE.  The information on our website has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Boards and Commissions

The Board of Supervisors encourage citizen involvement and expertise through a variety of boards and commissions, to advise them on a wide range of issues affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community needs. District 2 currently has a vacancy on the following Commission.

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Sunol Citizen's Advisory Council (SCAC)

The Sunol Citizen's Advisory Council (SCAC) was established to provide increased community involvement in decision making and governance. The Council will advise the Board of Supervisors on all matters concerning services which are or may be provided to Sunol by the County or other local governmental agencies, including but not limited to advice on matters of public safety, welfare, public works, and planning. Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of every month, 7:00 p.m. at Sunol Elementary School. Members must be residents of Sunol who live in District 2. 

To Apply:

To apply to serve on the Sunol Citizens Advisory Council click here 


Mental Health Advisory Board

The Mental Health Advisory Board reviews and evaluates the community's mental health needs, services, facilities and special problems. They advise and report directly to the governing body as to a program of community mental health services and facilities, submit an annual report to the governing body, and, when requested by such governing body, may make recommendations regarding the appointment of a local director of mental health services. It also reviews the county Short-Doyle plan. 

The Board meets on the second Monday of the month at Every Child Counts Conference Room, 1100 San Leandro Boulevard, Suite 130 San Leandro, CA 94578 @ 12:00 p.m.

To Apply:
To apply to serve as a District 2 appointee, please submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position, and include a copy of your resume.  Please forward the information to Ginny DeMartini at Ginny.DeMartini@acgov.org or call (510) 259-1097. 


Paratransit Advisory and Planning Committee (PAPCO)

The PAPCO advises Alameda CTC on the development and implementation of paratransit programs, including a grant program. The mission of the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is to plan, fund and deliver transportation programs and projects that expand access and improve mobility to foster a vibrant and livable Alameda County. Community advisory committees make recommendations to the Alameda CTC, keep a close eye on transportation improvements, engage project sponsors and community members. and make decisions on transportation funding for seniors and people with disabilities. 


The group meets on the fourth Monday of the month, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.


To Apply: 

Click Here to for a link to the application and for membership requirements.