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Celebrate, Commemorate, Congratulate!
June is a month of celebrations, commemorations, and opportunities to reflect on who we are, where we've come from, and what lies ahead. Among the many events and milestones, I want to highlight a few that were acknowledged with resolutions and presentations at this month's Board of Supervisor meetings.
With summer on the horizon, the Marin County Fairis set to return with the theme of “Make A Splash.” Prepare for five days of art, rides, concerts, fair food, shopping– and of course fireworks on July 4th.
Tickets are now on sale. Mark your calendars for July 3rd, a special day where ages 12 and under, seniors 65 and older, and Veterans with ID can enjoy free admission.
On July 4th, please join me at the San Rafael Pacifics baseball game where I will be making the ceremonial first pitch. The game starts at 6pm at Albert Park. Learn more and get tickets here.
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On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that the 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. This day became known as "Juneteenth" and is now recognized across the United States as a special day to observe and celebrate African American heritage.
At our June 4th meeting, the Board of Supervisors commemorated Juneteenth with a resolution proclaiming June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth Independence Day in Marin County. In recognizing Juneteenth, we acknowledge the through-line from the institution of slavery, upon which our country was built, through government-sanctioned racism of the 20th century that segregated schools and neighborhoods, to the persistent legacy of racism embedded in our institutions and society. This legacy continues to manifest in ongoing disparities in physical and mental health, wealth, and education between white and Black Americans.
As our resolution states: “Juneteenth provides an opportunity for the nation and the County of Marin to celebrate African American heritage as American history and to honor the lives, sacrifices, strength, and contributions that are woven into the American Fabric.”
Federal and County offices will be closed on June 19th in recognition of Juneteenth. Numerous events are being held across the county, including the 8th annual Marin City Juneteenth Festival on Saturday June 22 at Rocky Graham Park in Marin City.
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Have you noticed? Rainbow flags are flying across Marin County in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and County flagpoles are no exception. The Board of Supervisors first called for the raising of the Pride Flag the Civic Center in June of 2019. That year, it was one of just a few rainbow flags flying at civic buildings across Marin. Today, the Pride Flag flies from all County buildings as a physical and symbolic expression of the County’s commitment to supporting visibility, dignity, and equity for all people.
I invite you to join us at the June 25th Board of Supervisors meeting for our formal adoption of Pride Month resolution, written by members of the Marin County Youth Commission’s LGBTQ+ subcommittee. There are many other opportunities to celebrate our vibrant LGBTQ+ community happening throughout the month. Among them:
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BHRS is hosting a Pride event on June 25th, featuring drag performances by Margo and an opportunity to discuss the best ways the County can provide mental health and substance use services to the community. The event will take place on June 25th from 5:00-8:30pm, at the College of Marin Academic Center in Kentfield. |
Additionally, Marin 9-25will be hosting Queer Prom on June 21st at the Falkirk Cultural Center from 7:30-10pm. This is a space for LGBTQ+ teens to celebrate and build community, featuring games, a movie screening, dancing! Learn more and get a ticket at www.marin9to25.org/queer-prom. |
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Great news coming out of the Ross Valley! The Seiderman Legacy Children’s Fund - a newly formed non-profit – is now the proud owner of the Deer Park School property in Fairfax where the Fairfax San Anselmo Children’s Centerhas been serving children and families for the past 50 years. The Seiderman Fund will lease the site back to The Center and oversee future improvements to the campus.
The Center is one of the few state-subsidized childcare operations in Marin County, providing 110 affordable childcare slots. The Center was founded by Ethel and Stan Seiderman over 50 years ago. Ethel and Stan were fierce advocates for low-income children and families. In establishing the Center, they were responding to the broader needs of working families -- providing before and after school programs for school age children, infant and toddler care, preschool, and more. Over the course of its half-century of operations, the Center has served thousands of families, and thanks to the many community members and organizations involved in securing its future, it will serve thousands more.
The County contributed $500,000 towards the purchase of the property. Contributions also came from The Towns of San Anselmo and Fairfax as well as the Marin Community Foundation. The Center was also recommended by Congressman Huffman and U.S. Senators Butler and Padilla for a $2.4 million grant from the Congressional Community Project Funding program to help with future campus improvements. We will know more when the federal budget for 2025 is released later this year.
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In 2017, widespread power outages caused by the North Bay fires disrupted both cellular and electricity-dependent landline service throughout much of the county. Since then, the County has urged the legislature and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to require telecommunication providers to incorporate backup power for emergencies.
However, another challenge to basic telecommunications service has emerged. In February, AT&T requested the CPUC release it from its legal obligation to provide landline service as “Carrier of Last Resort” (COLR). As COLR, AT&T must offer basic landline telephone services to all customers within its service area, including all of Marin County, and much of California. While most Marin County residents use Wi-Fi, broadband, and cellular services, over 28,000 Marin households rely on landlines. Many of these residents are older adults, low-income individuals, or people living in rural areas without other service options.
In response, our Board formally objected to AT&T’s proposal and joined a coalition of counties lobbying the CPUC, arguing that landline service availability is both an equity and emergency services issue. Last month, the CPUC issued a draft ruling rejecting AT&T’s application. The decision will be up for a formal vote on June 20th.
We encourage readers of this newsletter to visit the CPUC webpage for information and to add your voice urging the CPUC Commissioners to adopt the ruling. For more information about the June 20th meeting, follow this link: CPUC Voting Meeting. For more details about the AT&T COLR process, visit CPUC News and Updates.
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What will you do if your home insurance gets canceled or is not renewed? This is a worry that looms over too many of us in Marin. It’s a real problem that has drawn attention in the media, bringing into focus the increased vulnerabilities of California homes to wildfires, floods and other climate-driven disasters.
Fire Safe Marin will be hosting a special Wildfire Watch focusing on home insurance. Don't miss tuning into this show on June 17th at 6pm. You can watch on Comcast Channel 30, Facebook, or join live on Zoom.
Hosted by Rich Shortall, Executive Officer of Fire Safe Marin, featuring special guests Amy Bach, Co-founder of United Policyholders, Eric Henerlau, Independent Insurance Broker/Agent, and Mark Brown, Executive Officer of Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority.
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As a County resident, you have the power to make a significant impact on your community by actively participating on a Marin County board or commission. With a diverse range of boards and commissions covering various programs and policies, there are several exciting opportunities for you to consider. Click here for a complete list of openings. If you have any questions, my staff is more than happy to provide answers and assistance. Your involvement can truly make a difference, so we eagerly await your participation!
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