Supervisor Richard Valle's October Newsletter

Banner

Release Date: October 21, 2014

Supervisor's Message

d2 letterhead

In July, my colleagues and I on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, voted unanimously to place the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s 2014 Transportation Expenditure Plan, and its authorizing measure, onto the November 2014 ballot for voter approval.
  
If approved by voters the Plan will generate nearly $8 billion for essential transportation improvements within every city throughout Alameda County over the next 30 years. This $8 billion investment will stimulate a total of $20 billion in economic activity in the region and create nearly 150,000 local jobs (full report: In the Fast Lane).
  
Here are a few highlights that will directly impact our cities in District 2 (Hayward, Fremont, Newark, and Union City), if the measure is approved:

  • BART:
    o   BART to Irvington: $120 million in funding to enable an infill station on the soon-to-be-open Warm Springs extension south of the existing Fremont Station
    o   Creating new accessibility to BART in the southern part of the county with BART expansion and modernization
    o   South Hayward BART Station area improvements and Bay Fair Connector

  • Reduced cost transit passes for students and youth, affordable shuttles for seniors, and inexpensive, reliable transportation for people with disabilities.
  • Traffic Relief:
    o   East and West Connectors in North Fremont and Union City I-680/I-880 cross connectors
    o   Widening of Fremont Boulevard from I-880 to Grimmer Boulevard
    o   I-880 interchange improvements at Winton Ave. and Industrial Parkway
    o   Upgrades to Route 84 in Fremont and Central Avenue overcrossing
    o   Improvements on major commute corridors such as Tennyson Road grade separation.

  • Local streets maintenance improvements for Thornton Avenue, Mowry Avenue, and Newark Boulevard.
  • More transit options connecting southern Alameda County and the Peninsula (Dumbarton Corridor Area) will support express bus services and improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
  • Bicycle and pedestrian path improvements on the Bay Trail and the Eastbay Greenway.  

This also means local funds will be spent locally. Revenue generated through this transportation sales tax will be spent exclusively on projects and programs in Alameda County. All of the projects and programs included in the Plan are considered essential for the transportation needs of Alameda County.
  
For more specific plan highlights and the breakdown of funding see, 2014 Alameda County Transportation Expenditure Plan or visit the Alameda CTC website.
  
Sincerely,

Supervisor Richard Valle
=============

District 2 Spotlight

Mike Bucci

This month's spotlight we highlight Mike Bucci of Newark for his years of service to the City and local non-profit organizations.
  
Mike has been involved for many years with the Relay for Life of Newark, and for the last three years, has chaired the event to help support the American Cancer Society in a 24 hour walk at Newark Memorial High School. The event has gained popularity and this year raised over $80,000 for Cancer research and patient service programs.
  
Earlier this year, Mike received the 2014 Viola Blythe Newark Volunteer of the Year award for his efforts in the City of Newark and his work with Relay for Life. In addition to chairing the main event, Mike organized fun, family-friendly events to encourage positive community relationships, while donating to a great cause. He hosted a Zumba-thon which raised money while participants learned a fun new way to work out. He also organized the Paint the Town People event which decorated Newark with purple ribbons for cancer awareness. He has also organized the Movies in the Park program presented by Relay for Life encouraging families and residents to come and enjoy outdoor movie screenings during the summer.
  
In addition to his dedication to the American Cancer Society, Mike is an active member of community organizations like the Newark Optimist Club and Meals on Wheels. He also helps with the Newark senior centers Mercy Brown Bag program, which distributes groceries of nutritional food to low income seniors, twice a month. Additionally, he participates in animal rescue fundraising events with his talented Frisbee loving dog, Gilroy. 
  
In 2011, Mike was appointed as the District 2 Commissioner to the Alameda County Transportation Commissions (CTC) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. As a member he oversaw complete street guidelines, funded bike and pedestrian projects all over the County and programs like Safe Routes to School, the Bike Mobile and Bike to Work Day. In December 2013, Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski selected Mike as the Newark Local Hero for his dedicated service to the public.
  
When he is not volunteering, Mike is a Project Manager for Millwrights Local 102. Earlier this year Mike and his wife Megan welcomed their first child, Kendra. 

=============

Information on Ebola

CDC

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization was notified of a rapidly evolving outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in four countries in West Africa. Ebola is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates, and is caused by a virus found in several African countries. The first known case of Ebola from this outbreak to be diagnosed in the United States occurred in Dallas, Texas last month in a traveler from Liberia. Although the risk of exposure to Ebola is considered to be very low in the United States, below are some important facts about Ebola to be aware of:

  • Persons are not contagious until they develop symptoms, which include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and abnormal bleeding.
  • Ebola is not spread through the air, food, or water. It can be spread from person-to-person through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola, or through exposure to objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated.
  • Persons at highest risk for the disease include healthcare workers and family and friends of infected patients.

The risk of the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in California is extremely low, and is very unlikely that Ebola poses a public health risk to Californians. To learn more about the Ebola Virus Disease, and what protocols are in place in California, check out the Alameda County Public Health Department’s website, the California Department of Public Health’s website, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website

=============

Crossover Community Forum

Alameda County Probation Department

The objective of the Crossover Community Forum is to provide information about the special needs of Crossover Youth and explore working together to support them. Alameda County is designing and implementing a series of juvenile justice policy and institutional reforms based on Trauma Informed Care and Positive Youth Development.
  
Crossover youth are young people who have:

  • Experienced trauma
  • A history in the foster care system
  • Involvement with the juvenile justice system

 Locally, crossover youth:

  • Become involved with juvenile probation at younger ages than other probation youth
  • African American youth are disproportionately represented
  • Spend longer time in juvenile hall than other probation youth

Community Forum on Crossover Youth:
When:
Wednesday, October 22. 2014
5:30 to 8 p.m.
Where:
Glad Tidings Church
27689 Tyrrell Avenue, Hayward
  
Child Care will be provided and walk-ins are welcomed. For more information or to RSVP please visit https://alcocommforum.eventbrite.com/.

The Community Forum is sponsored by the Positive Youth Justice Initiative of Alameda County and led by the Alameda County Probation Department.

=============

Mental Health Community Education Forum

Alameda County Behavioral Health

You are invited to join our office, the Alameda County Mental Health Board and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services for an educational forum on how to access mental health services in Alameda County.
  
Leaders will be on hand to present topics of interest and answer questions. Mental Health Providers will be available with information about their services.
  
Monday, November 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hayward City Hall (777 B Street, Hayward)
Light refreshments will be provided.
  
For more information about Alameda County Behavioral Health Care and mental health services visit http://www.acbhcs.org/.

=============

Trick or Treat on Safety Street

Happy Halloween

Come visit a trick or treat wonderland, where children can travel to miniature houses in Halloween Town gathering goodies without the worries of being out in the streets. Enjoy snacks at Alice’s Wonderland Tea Party, car crafts at the Radiator Springs Auto Repair shop, kids carnival booths at Super Hero City, and play in the Where the Wild Things Are pre-school rumpus room. Bring your camera for family photos throughout the building.
  
Location: Centerville Community Center
3355 Country Drive in Fremont
When: Friday, October 24 from 5 to 7 p.m.
  
Tickets are required for children (ages 0-9), two adults per family have free entry but must accompany children with paid admission. Additional non-participants are $2 each at the door tickets (if not sold out in advance) are $15 per child.
  
To purchase tickets visit www.RegeRec.com and enter the following code for the time slot you choose to attend:
$9- Child with 2 Adults
214332 for 5 p.m.
214333 for 5:30 p.m.
214334 for 6:30 p.m.
214335 for 7 p.m.
  
$2- Additional Non-Participants
214336 for 5 p.m.
214337 for 5:30 p.m.
214338 for 6:30 p.m.
214339 for 7 p.m.
  
For more information call (510) 494-4344.

=============

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 Two currently has a vacancy on the following Commission:

Mental Health Advisory Board

The Commission includes 16 members who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.  Alameda County Mental Health Board has a commitment to ensure that the County’s Behavioral Health Care Services provide quality care in treating members of the diverse community with dignity, courtesy and respect. The Board works to accomplish that mission through advocacy, education, review and evaluation of Alameda County’s mental health needs. Members may serve a maximum of three three-year appointed terms. Meetings are generally held on the second Monday of each month in San Leandro at 12 p.m.
  
To Apply:
To apply to serve as a District Two 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.