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Hello -
March is National Reading Month, and it was a joy to kick off the month reading to students at Olive Elementary School in celebration of Read Across America Day - a nationwide effort that encourages schools, families, and communities to make reading part of daily life. Thank you, Olive Elementary, for inviting me to participate!
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This month I also had the opportunity to visit the Marin Book Exchange, a volunteer-run organization grounded in the belief that literacy can change lives. Their work helps ensure that children, especially those in under-resourced communities, have access to books, whether through classroom field trips, free book distributions, or support for teachers, families, and nonprofits. This is a truly impressive organization. Check out their website for volunteer and donation opportunities.
We are turning the page at the South Novato Library, which is temporarily closed through April 20 for an exciting refresh. From new outdoor seating to updated children’s furniture, fresh paint, and new carpet, this next chapter is all about creating an even more welcoming space for our community. We look forward to welcoming you back to an improved space on April 21.
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Beginning April 12, 2026, transit operators across Marin and Sonoma will implement coordinated service changes through the MASCOTS Plan, a collaboration among nine transit and funding agencies to grow ridership and improve public transportation along the Highway 101 corridor. This level of regional coordination marks a significant step forward for transit in the North Bay. For riders, the benefits are clear: more service, better-timed connections, and a simpler network designed around how people travel, with stronger transfers and more options throughout the day. Service improvements include:
- A 19% increase in SMART service, expanding to 48 weekday trips and 24 weekend trips, with trains running earlier and later to close midday gaps and strengthen first and last mile connections.
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Golden Gate Transit Route 101 will run more frequently between the San Rafael Transit Center and San Francisco, operating every 30 minutes all day and every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods.
- Marin Transit is implementing service changes as well to improve connections and coordination with other transit providers.
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Marin Transit is committed to making bus stops accessible for everyone. After a systemwide assessment, Marin Transit upgraded high ridership stops across Marin County, and construction is now largely complete. Improvements include:
- Two new bus stops serving the Marin Community Clinic Novato Campus.
- The installation of new shelters at 14 Marin Transit bus stops across the county.
- A new bus stop serving the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael at East Francisco Boulevard and Medway Road.
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It was an honor to welcome Make It Home to its new permanent location in Novato! This is an exciting milestone for an organization that is making a meaningful difference in our community.
Make It Home is a nonprofit “furniture bank” that collects, repurposes, and distributes gently used furnishings and household goods to individuals in need. For many newly housed foster youth, individuals, and families transitioning out of homelessness or crisis, moving into housing is only the first step, furnishing that space can be an overwhelming and often unattainable challenge. Make It Home partners with local social service providers to supply clients with essential items like beds, tables, and kitchenware, helping create safe, comfortable, and dignified living environments.
By addressing “furniture poverty,” Make It Home supports long-term stability and well-being for some of our most vulnerable community members while also diverting furniture items from landfills. Their work is a powerful reminder that a home is more than just four walls, it’s a foundation for stability and hope.
To learn more about Make It Home, donate gently used items, or find ways to get involved, visit their website and see how you can help turn a house into a home for neighbors in need.
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The County of Marin is updating the County’s Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) for the management and regulation of onsite wastewater treatment systems – more commonly referred to as septic systems.
This LAMP update provides an opportunity to address longstanding community concerns about confusing rules, inconsistent application, costs, and complexity in current septic policies and processes.
We want to hear from you. Attend an upcoming meeting or stop by open office hours. See flyer below for upcoming Novato opportunities.
Visit our website for updates on additional community meeting opportunities, FAQs, and additional information about the program.
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In partnership with AARP, the County of Marin is hosting a free half-day scam prevention event. I’ll be kicking off the program, followed by presentations from several experts on how to identify, avoid and report scams before they happen. I hope to see you there! Registration is not required but encouraged: learn more and register.
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As your Supervisor, I welcome and encourage you to connect, share your concerns, and your ideas. We want to hear from you! Please use the contact information below to reach out to the District 5 Team. A reply to this email will not be received by my office. |
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