Happy Holidays! Last week many of us took a moment to spend time with family, friends and loved ones and express our thanks. There are many reasons to be thankful this holiday season and I wanted to take a moment to say, thank you. It is a blessing and honor to represent you on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
Although it has been a tough year for our economy and unemployment remains high, there are things to be encouraged about as well. This year I have voted to approve more than $51 million in county funds to over 60 programs in District Two. There are various county construction projects that began this year like the Sunol Main Street Improvement Project and the Highland Hospital Acute Tower Replacement Project. These projects are providing much needed jobs and support throughout Alameda County.
In the spirit of giving, please remember there are many folks in need this holiday season. In an effort to support two local shelters, I want to invite you all to attend the District Two office open house and ask you to bring a gift to donate. More information on the open house can be found further in this newsletter.
The economic downturn has had many impacts on our community. Alameda County is committed to doing all we can to support our communities and local economy.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have a happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Nadia Lockyer
Please join the District Two office for an afternoon of giving and light refreshments. This holiday season over 7,000 people will be homeless in Alameda County. With the continuing recession supporting our local shelters and families is critically needed. All donations will be distributed to Emergency Shelter Program and Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Please bring at least one gift to donate.
Gift ideas:
- Paper goods
- New children’s clothes, pajamas, coats
- New unwrapped toys
- Women’s pajamas & slippers
- Gift cards from local retailers
- Twin size sheets/blankets
- Towels & washcloths
- Dishes & small appliance
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As of November 1, 2011 Paramedics Plus became the new private 911 ambulance provider for Alameda County. Our Alameda County Fire Department, EMS, other county departments, hospitals, and stakeholders have been working together
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to ensure a seamless integration of Paramedics Plus into the existing pre-hospital care delivery system.
You may have already seen the new ambulances around the county, if you haven’t seen them yet, they won’t be hard to miss. Paramedics Plus ambulances have a nicely painted bright teal side doors and yellow and red backdoors.
Alameda County’s medical 911 response system is recognized as a high performance EMS system, with some of the best clinical care outcomes and innovative practices in the state of California. Paramedics Plus will be dispatched by the Alameda County Regional Communication Center, using the Medical Priority Dispatch System. Basically, it maps and color codes each ambulance. This allows dispatch to tell an ambulance exactly where to go – in addition every ambulance has a navigation system built in and will map the shortest route to locate the emergency.
Paramedics Plus has committed to support our local community programs. Specifically, they have agreed to offer employment opportunities to graduates of our Bay EMT Youth program, which is closely affiliated with our EMS Corps and Camp Sweeney programs. The programs recruit at risk-youth to offer alternatives to the juvenile system.
Welcome to Alameda County, Paramedics Plus!
On October 20, millions of Californians in businesses, government offices, organizations, neighborhoods, schools, and individuals participated in the largest earthquake drill ever – The Great California ShakeOut. This annual statewide event offers an opportunity for individuals and emergency responders to prepare now so we can survive and recover following the next major earthquake.
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Among the local jurisdictions that participated, the City of Hayward held an event and demonstration at city hall. I participated in the day’s activities and brought attention to the importance of integrated and coordinated services. It is imperative that the city, county and state work together to offer seamless services especially in times of emergencies.
Most jurisdictions in Alameda County are participating in the East Bay Regional Communications Systems Authority (EBRCSA). The EBRCSA is a compliant communications system that provides fully interoperable communications to all public agencies within Alameda & Contra Costa counties. Additionally, the system is designed and sized to offer participation to adjoining counties, as well as state and federal agencies. This is a prime example of integrated and coordinated collaboration.
Major earthquakes happen where we work, live, or travel throughout the Bay Area region and state. It is important to know what to do during and after the earthquake. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) provides tips for emergency preparedness kits, retrofitting your home, and other emergency planning resources at http://quake.abag.ca.gov/. Being prepared allows for safety planning and rehearsal needed in case of a disaster.
To get information on disaster preparedness in your community visit one of the sites below.
This edition's newsletter features the efforts of a young adult who experienced many of the issues we work to address and is now giving back and sharing his experience through his efforts.
Mario Bamberger grew up in Hayward and “ran the streets” as a youth. This led to Mario going through the juvenile justice system. Now, 27 years old, a college graduate and married with two children, he recently became a first-time homeowner. Mario credits his turnaround to the free boxing club he joined as a youth which helped him train, taught him discipline and other life lessons.
In Mario’s words, “The boxing club helped me because there was always someone there for me I can relate to and taught me if I can handle the pressures of being in the ring with a person coming at me, surrounded by judges, and hundreds in the crowd, then life’s pressures would not be an obstacle. I learned to believe I can accomplish anything in life.”
Today, Mario and others who were part of the boxing club in his youth, are working to open a similar free program to keep kids off the streets, give them another avenue and teach values that will last them into adult life. The program has a dedicated membership, is always welcoming new members, and looking for a permanent site for the club.
Energy Upgrade California in Alameda County helps you make home improvements that can save energy and make your home more comfortable. These Whole Home rebates reward you for addressing your home energy efficiency needs as a system instead of piece by piece.
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Energy Upgrade California, StopWaste.org and many local jurisdictions have programs for rebates for the following types of improvements: sealing air leaks, attic and wall insulation, air duct sealing, hot water pipe insulation, double-pane windows, and more.
Energy Upgrade California rebate program expires in March of 2012. To take advantage of this program, contact Energy Upgrade California Specialist Jeffery Liang at (415) 234-0579 or jliang@ecoact.org.
Over the next few months the prime contractor, Clark Design/ Build California, will be conducting outreach to identify interested small, local, minority, and women-owned business for the Highland project.
The first and most important step to participating on the Highland Hospital ATR Project is to be registered in Clark’s project database. Instructions for registering can be found under the Clark Survey Form at www.clarkhh.com/outreach.
Information provided in the database is used by Clark to send notifications for upcoming subcontract work to be purchased. These notifications will include a basic description of the work , the due date for proposals, and contact information for the Clark employee handling the procurement.
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Interested in serving Alameda County and your community?
Since 1853, the Board of Supervisors has encouraged citizen involvement and expertise to assist the Board in serving the community. Citizens who serve on commissions help the Board deal with the many and varied duties and responsibilities of local county government. The Board relies on these groups to advise them on a wide range of issues affecting their constituencies and to assure they are responsive to community needs.
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District Two currently has vacancies on the following Commissions:
Alameda County Art Commission
The Commission consists of 15 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Its purpose is to encourage the performing arts, artists, architects, landscape architect designers, art patrons, and institutions of art, so that our county may be developed and enriched by the performing arts and works of art. Terms are for four years, and regular meetings are held once a month, usually on the second Wednesday of the month.
Advisory Commission on Aging
The Commission includes 21 members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors or Alameda County Mayor's Conference. Commissioners consist of community representatives concerned about the needs and interests of elders in Alameda County. Its purpose is to work in concert with the staff of the Area Agency on Aging to develop, plan, and administer programs designed to assist elders and their caregivers in the county. Members may serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of each month in Oakland.
To Apply
To apply to serve as a District Two appointee, please submit a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position. Please include a copy of your resume. Email the information to district2@acgov.org, attention Michelle/Ruben.
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