 A message from District 1...
Although the economy and its
impacts on local government continue to be the focus of attention, you will be
proud to know that Alameda County has already begun looking into our Budget
deficit and we are optimistic that we can continue to weather the financial
storm by passing a balanced budget.
Early numbers for recovery are improving, and for the first time in 2 ½
years, unemployment in Alameda County dipped below 10% from a high in late 2010
of 11.2%.
The County’s property assessment
roll growth is less than half a percent, the third worst year on record. At its peak, in 2007 the median home value in
Alameda County was $619,000; late 2011 it was $328,000. However, property values are not expected to
continue to decrease as in past years.
Receiving 15 cents of every dollar of property tax, this remains the
County’s biggest discretionary source of revenue. Statewide there are some indications of a
slowly improving economy – new auto registrations are higher than one year ago;
single family home sales are increasing and foreclosures, while still high, are
decreasing. Not surprisingly, there is increased
demand for safety net services – healthcare, food stamps and shelter.
The County continues to monitor
actions taken at the State and Federal level and is developing strategies to
contend with additional impacts. The
Board of Supervisors has begun its efforts to develop its budget for the coming
2012-13 Fiscal Year which must be adopted by July 1. The County Board of Supervisors have already conducted budget workgroup
meetings and Budget Forums in Oakland and Fremont. For more information about the budget, visit
the County’s website at http://www.acgov.org/budget.htm
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Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center offers Free Tax Preparation
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For the 5th year, the
Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center will be providing FREE tax preparation
for qualified individuals and families with household income less than $49,000
annually. Tax returns are prepared by IRS certified VITA volunteer tax
preparers.
You may also be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
and other credits, which can result in MORE MONEY in your pocket!!! For
example, a married couple filing jointly with 3 qualifying children, who have
social security numbers, may qualify for up to $5,657 of ADDITIONAL Federal
Income Tax Refund $$$.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United Way of the Bay Area. Earn
It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition, is available for qualifying families and
individuals at the Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center.
Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center (The Center)
141 N Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550
Now until April 14, 2012
Tuesdays & Thursdays – 4 to 8 pm
Saturdays – 10 am to 2 pm
For an appointment call 925-373-3130 x305
Walk-ins Welcome too!
 Tri-Valley Spare the Air Resource Team rolls out-
Extreme Makeover - Commuter Edition!
Roughly 20,000 employers of all
sizes call the Tri-Valley home and collectively, employ almost 200,000
employees. Jobs and job growth is a
“good thing” but brings with it traffic congestion on local roads and highways
and poor air quality from car emissions.
And solo driving can be costly to employees. Effective commute programs can be an
attractive incentive for new or existing employees. Employers can get help with employee commute
programs by entering to win a free commute program “makeover.” Entries will be accepted through the month of
March. In April four winners – one each in the cities of Dublin, Livermore,
Pleasanton and San Ramon - will be selected for the makeover. For more information or to submit an entry
visit http://www.sparetheair.org/Get-Involved/Your-Community/Resource-Teams/Tri-Valley.aspx
. Openings in District One Boards and Commissions
The Supervisor is seeking qualified, motivated and dedicated candidates to serve on the following county boards and/or commissions that have current openings:
Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority’s Citizens Watchdog Committee (CWC):
The CWC scrutinizes all ACTIA expenditures and reports directly to the public on how Measure B funds are spent each year.
Meetings: on a quarterly basis on the 2nd Monday, 6:30p.m., in downtown Oakland
1 seat Closing Date: Open until filled
Alameda County Advisory Commission on Aging:
Provide for services to elderly and assist in allocation of funds as Advisor to the Area Agency on Aging.
Meetings: 2nd Monday, 9:30a.m.
1 seat Closing Date: Open until filled
Consumer Affairs Commission:
Promotes and protects the interest of Alameda County consumers. Meetings: 2nd Thursday of each month at 4:00p.m., 1221 Oak Street, Suite 536, BOS Conference Room, Oakland 94612.
1 seat Closing Date: Open until filled
Mental Health Advisory Commission:
Perform advisory functions in matters relating to mental health. Meetings: 2nd Monday, Every Child Counts Conference Room, 1100 San Leandro Blvd., Suite 130, San Leandro.
2 seats Closing Date: Open until filled
For more information contact: Send resumes via email to vener.bates@acgov.org or fax to 925-484-2809, Attn: Vener Bates.
District 1 Calendar of Events
Spring brings welcomed warm weather and increased
activities throughout our communities. Visit our District 1 website for
information at http://www.acgov.org/board/district1/
and click on the Calendar of Events
tab. Let us know if you have community
events scheduled in District 1 communities that you would like posted by
contacting joe.gordon@acgov.org
. This month the City of Dublin pulls
out all the stops to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a range of activities. WHEELS will run service to the festivities
from the East Dublin BART station.
Information is posted on the District 1 Calendar of Events.
Get Up to $5,000 in Rebates & Free Consulting Services to Help
Green Your Small Business!
Are you
passionate about making green upgrades to your business but not sure where to
begin? If so, check out StopWaste.Org’s Small
Commercial Green Materials Rebate Program. With over 20,000 small businesses in
Alameda County, StopWaste.Org is helping small commercials by offering up to
$5,000 in green materials rebates and free consulting services.
The rebate
money will help pay for recycled-content materials such
as salvaged and composite wood, carpet, tile, insulation and recycled paint for
building exteriors.
The free consulting service will help identify the best
ways to green your commercial space; navigate the various energy and
water-efficiency rebates available; and provide unbiased opinion on
cost-effective strategies to help lower operating costs.
To be eligible, commercial building
projects must be no more than 10,000 square feet and enrolled in the program by
June 2012. The total amount of funding available is $50,000, enough for
10 businesses to participate so act fast!
County Appoints Two Local Residents to the Oversight Board which serves as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency
The Supervisor nominated
Dr. Raj Salwan for the City of Fremont as the public member. He is a
Veterinarian specializing in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine and
Preventive Medicine. He is the owner of American Animal Hospital and American
Animal Care Center in Fremont. Dr.
Salwan is a resident of Fremont and currently serving on the Fremont Planning
Commission.
The Supervisor also appointed Todd Storti of Livermore for the City of Livermore as the public
member. Todd is President at Recycling Logistic Inc. in Livermore. He has been actively involved in his
community and currently serving on the Livermore Planning Commission.
After
every major disaster, it seems that everyone urges everyone else to
collaborate. It's the current buzzword that's sold as the magic bullet to cure
all past breakdowns in disasters. We are told to do it, that if we don't
do it we won't get funding, and legislation and lawsuits loom large if we fail.
With "Collaborating" being part of our name, we've developed a
different perspective on the word. Here's the real deal about
"collaborating" for disasters or anything else: Collaboration isn't
always the solution, it isn't free, and it isn't always easy.
Genuine
collaboration - where together we achieve a result that we could not have achieved
alone - is a very high form of relationship.
Laying
the groundwork for successful collaboration includes the following often
unheralded steps:
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Acknowledged Coexistence (strangers rarely collaborate)
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Commitment (preferably longer-term) to some shared goal
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Communication (honest and constructive please)
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Cooperation on some specific project or goal
And
then there is collaboration, where mutual dependence is necessary. Where we
actually create something -- a result, a solution, a tool, a product,
etc. -- that wouldn't have been possible without the partnership.
You'll
notice as you move from simply co-existing to real collaboration, more trust is
required, more vulnerabilities emerge -- hence the reason genuine collaboration
is much easier said than done.
Here
are some suggestions to help ensure your collaborations -- whether for disaster
services, or any other topic -- have a greater chance for success:
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Choose it – embrace what is possible, enter with eyes wide open.
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Be honest about what you can and cannot do – no relationship built on
falsehoods or dishonesty can reach its true potential.
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Celebrate your differences – leverage your unique strengths, honor
diversity of experience and perspectives.
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Stay focused on truly COMMON goals, values, needs – do not deviate!
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Embrace Social Media – so that your relationships can last and benefit from
mutual connections. (Social media also makes you more resilient and prepared
for emergencies.)
And
one really important piece, that most people overlook: Protect your
collaborators from your own bureaucracy and oddities. You don't seat your
guests on the chair with the wobbly leg, and you don't put them next to your
odd uncle for a holiday meal. Let them experience the best of what you have to
offer.
Go
forth and make your collaborations flourish!
Ana-Marie
Jones, Executive Director
CARD - Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters
1736 Franklin Street, Suite 450, Oakland, CA 94612
Helping Nonprofits Prepare to Prosper!
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