Greetings from Linda ...

County Budget
More cuts, and yet more to come ...

We have been at it again.  Addressing the $18 million structural deficit was the goal for the third budget hearing this year, held on October 26th.  The County Administrator hoped that we could cut another $6 million from the current budget and address the remaining $12 million in a future budget cycle.  The proposals called for more cuts to jobs and proposed some significant changes to programs that are included in next year's budget.  John Vasquez's statement that the process "made you feel like a sniper"-picking off one program at a time-was real.  No matter where the impact landed, the harm would be significant.

I continued to advocate that we start with those programs which do not affect workers jobs ... like funding for the State Fair display, unmandated travel and training, award ceremonies, new construction, capital equipment, fleet vehicles, for example, before we eliminate transportation programs for seniors or services for our kids in foster care.  And further, with the unemployment rates in our county so very high, and so many families impacted by any further layoffs, my sense is that we should do what we can to save jobs and services for the good of our staff and our economy. 

The only good news was that the county has over 100 vacant positions with some vacant for many months.  And so after a long afternoon, we cut some 28 vacant but funded positions and directed the CAO to come back in early December with further recommendations on other vacant positions.  In the meantime, I continue to keep my fingers crossed that agreements can be reached with our staff to assist in the solutions to our structural deficit.

Solano County prepared for emergencies 
 

District 2 Heroes

Recently I enjoyed attending the Solano County Heroes Breakfast, sponsored by the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter.  A number of Solano County heroes who have shown courage, dedication and character through acts of kindness and heroism were honored. Among them were District 2 residents:

• Stephen Schueler, Benicia (Act of Kindness and Philanthropy Heroes)
• Fighting Back Partnership, Vallejo and the Matt Garcia Foundation, Fairfield (Community Service Heroes, Organizations)
• Jonnie Liang, Vallejo (Community Inspiration Hero)

Also, I am proud that this year's Solano County Educator of the Year awards went to two Benicians again:

• Jan Rogenski, Teacher of the year 2011 Mary Farmar Elementary School K-5 Reading teacher, and
• Paul Salas, Educator of the Year 2011, Classified Employee, School Operations Worker at Robert Semple Elementary School

Child Welfare Services
State cuts having impact

Foster care, adoption services, supporting at-risk families, and programs that prevent child abuse have been among the areas that my office has focused during my first term.

Supervisor Kondylis and I conducted two forums after an alarming portrayal of the state of the county's child welfare services was presented during the 2010-11 budget hearings.  Over 25 representatives of the county's child welfare non-profit organizations, during testimony that day, told us that most of the system improvements that had been made in the last ten years are now beginning to reverse themselves.   Program funding has been reduced to not much more than staff and overhead costs with prevention programs - among those most valuable to families - reduced to virtually nothing.  Programs which helped youth transition out of foster care placements, parent visitation programs, transportation programs, and family reunification programs were hit the hardest.  This, in turn, has led to delayed court proceedings resulting in even more long-term cost to the state.

The conclusions from the hearings were presented to the Board of Supervisors in early October.  There was a clear consensus that children that benefit from Child Welfare Services are the most vulnerable in our communities and that we would do what we needed to do to assure that no child was harmed on our watch.  The Board also voted to add their voice to the thousands of other voices who have petitioned the Governor to restore the cuts made last year to this program which had created the current problem.

Incredibly, even though the Legislature had included funding for the program in this year's budget and there was intense public pressure, the Governor again vetoed the $80 million in State funding which triggered another $53 million Federal reduction.

I had the opportunity to address the Solano Mayors Conference on what I consider to be the role of the policymakers about this issue and urged the City leaders to continue prevention efforts aimed at  protecting  these children.  See my remarks here.

Transportation News

North Connector Road Opens

It's open!  After watching the road construction for nearly two years, the North Connector along Business Center Drive from Abernathy Road to Suisun Valley Road held its ribbon cutting on Wednesday, October 27.  The roadway, which will be known as the Suisun Parkway, should be open for travel by the time this newsletter arrives.  The project is the first major roadway project in Solano County in more than 30 years and is expected to ease the traffic transitioning from Interstate 80 West to Interstate 12 West.  Please let us know if you like it!!

Old Town Cordelia Road Improvements

The County recently completed improvements in old Town Cordelia including installation of historical markers, signage, lighting, paving stones, landscaping and other amenities.  These improvements were funded through Federal and State grants totaling $230,000.  Take a drive by Thompson Corner and see how great that area looks now.

Ag on the Brain

New local marketing initiative

• Have you seen the Solano Grown brand?  The colorful emblem will soon bring identity to Solano County/s great agro-tourism culture.  Check it out at www.solanogrown.org.
• The Middle Green Valley Specific Plan is getting more press and recognition.  The plan, which combines homes and agriculture, was the focus of a day-long seminar at the county offices last week attended by folks from all over the state.
• Check out Farmer D - hired by the GV Ag Conservancy.  FarmerD's mantra is "Growing Community through Agriculture."  You will be impressed and likely learn something!

Holiday Shopping this year
Shop Solano!

Looking for Christmas gifts for family and friends?  There is a wealth of products made and raised here in our county [many in District 2] and this would be a great year to support our local friends and neighbors by keeping our business dollars local.  I know that all my buying will be here in Solano County this holiday season!

Here is a quick list of great sources for local gifts items.  If you find others that you want to recommend, send them along....  We'd like to keep an active list of local opportunities...

Family Justice Center
New Center receives major federal funding

The US Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women (OVW) has awarded three grants totaling $900,000 that will address different aspects of the Solano Family Justice Center Project.

The County will receive $400,000 to establish the Solano Family Justice Center and $400,000 for planning and implementing a supervised visitation and exchange program for families of domestic violence.  The Solano County Superior Court will receive $100,000 from OVW to develop a specified domestic violence court calendar that will partner with the Family Justice Center.

In addition, Avon Foundation for Women has awarded a $50,000 one-year grant to help domestic violence survivors create better lives for themselves and their families.

Last year, Solano had two domestic violence related deaths.  This year so far, we have had six.  Last year, Solano had 439 domestic violence calls to which three staff responded.  This year, in four months, our offices have  received 384 calls and with cutbacks, only one staff has been available to respond.

Most all of the local newspapers recently ran this Op-Ed piece I submitted about domestic violence.

Appointments 

Where We've Been, What We're Doing

A picture is worth a "thousand" meetings?

Upcoming Events 
 

Getting to know your Solano County 
Solano County Named One of 100 Best Communities for Young People
 

Factoids...and Interesting Info

Odd stuff we come across in our work. Did you know ...

• Cigarette purchases in California plunged 8.1% last year, the largest decline since 2000.  Sales are down from 1.35 billion in 1999 to 972 million in 2009. (Source: State Board of Equalization)
• Check out the new website for Solano's Tri-City & County Cooperative Planning Group, Solano Open Space.
• Older adults in California need twice the federal poverty level to make ends meet.  (Source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research)
• Vallejo has some great parks - check out Blue Rock Springs.  More info can be found on Wikipedia and at LocalHikes.
• Six million adults are obese and an additional 9.3 million are overweight in California.  Obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes; more than 2 million adults have been diagnosed with diabetes in California.  (Source: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research)