Gree tings from Linda ...

Dear Friends,

 
It's hard to believe how quickly the time passes.  The other day someone said to me that I have found my voice.  No compliment [if it was that] could be more appreciated.  Now in the second month of the second year of my term, Roger, Cathy and I can quite honestly say that we feel "settled in."
 
We continue to dream large.  Our hopes that a financial recovery will come sooner rather than later continue to be dashed with forecasts of reduced revenue projections that cause alarm and high unemployment.  Most internal programs have been so markedly slashed that only the most basic of services can be provided.  Nevertheless, our administrative staff is warning that cuts will have to be in the 20 per cent range in order to balance next year's budget.  The Board is attempting to work with the staff early to set priorities so that a workable budget can be presented in June.  I remain optimistic that we can reach accommodations and agreements that will serve all the members of our community in the coming years.  One thing that we do appear to agree upon is that public safety and public health should be our highest priority.
 
We have had a good year so far - working to make a difference in our District and in Solano County.  The Vallejo Veteran's building got a welcome and refreshing facelift through our efforts, I spoke out on behalf of First 5's in Solano County at an Assembly Hearing in Sacramento, traveled to Washington DC to meet with our Congressional delegation, and I also spoke at the Martin Luther King event in Vallejo just to name a few of the efforts made thus far. We are working on a number of initiatives that we hope will come before the board in the next few months and will have more to share on those later.  All in all, we have experienced overwhelming community support to help out in these tough times and that alone is a harbinger of hope for 2010.
 
I know that I promised "goals for 2010" in this issue.  They are done - but are not included because I am a little fearful that they are too ambitious...so please, can you wait another month so we can pare them some?
 
Hope to see you all out and about.  Never hesitate to say hello - where ever we find ourselves together.

Linda

Management Incentive Program

After nearly a year of talk, the Board will finally take up the MIP Program for what I hope will be the last time next month.  Since the campaign days and through the budget and labor negotiations, the county program that rewards about 140 management personnel with bonuses will be eliminated.  The program is estimated to cost $431,000 to $500,000 annually.   Supervisors Reagan and Vasquez serve on the Personnel Committee and will be reviewing the program.

We'd like your comments, so please contact our offices with your views on the program at cmritch@solanocounty.com .

State Budget

The ink had barely dried and the press briefing had hardly ended on the release of the Governor's 2010 Budget plan before a chorus of criticism started on the proposal.  Although Special Sessions are still planned, the interest and media attention is considerably less than same time last year.

The proposed budget, which seeks to fill a $20 billion shortfall through July 1, 2011, relies heavily on Federal Funding ($6.9 billion), cost shifts to counties, and cuts to social service programs.  These cuts range from eliminating in-home services to frail and elderly people, to reducing health insurance for children, to eliminating drugs for incarcerated AIDS patients.

In addition, more cuts in welfare-to-work programs would be triggered if the state did not receive the requested federal funds.  We know now that the chances of California receiving desired federal support to help address the state's deficit are "almost non-existent."
 
About the only positive thing that can be said about the current proposal is that it does not propose further cuts to education and it lowers the tax on gas by five percent (albeit at the expense of state and local transportation projects).
 
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee is chaired by Senator Denise Ducheny, and the Assembly Budget Committee is chaired by Assembly Member Noreen Evans.  If you have particular programs that you want to comment upon, you can email them (by clicking on their names above) and please send a copy of your comments to us as well.

New H&SS Buildings
Projects expand capacity for integrated, one-stop services

The County recently expanded its capacity for more integrated, one-stop services as well as enhanced its public safety efforts with the opening of new health and social services buildings in both Vallejo and Fairfield.
 
The County dedicated the opening of the Public Health Laboratory and Clinic and District Attorney Forensics Laboratory at 2101 Courage Drive in Fairfield and the new Health and Social Services building at 365 Tuolumne St. in Vallejo in January.
 
Since the projects broke ground in May 2008, demand for public health, public protection and social services have reached record levels, due in part to the economic downturn. The good news is that both campuses will be able to see nearly a third more patients than at the prior facilities.
 
The openings are a part of the Twin Campus project that represents 130,000 square feet of improvements across five buildings in Fairfield and Vallejo and a commitment of more than $58 million. The remaining aspect of the project renovates the existing Health and Social Services building in Vallejo, scheduled for completion in August of this year.

We also want to acknowledge the work of Gregg Valley, Benicia artist extraordinaire, whose 24 x 12 foot painting now graces the entry of the Courage Drive building.  It's worth a trip just to experience his vision as it hangs in its new home.  Gregg maintains a studio in the Arsenal area in Benicia.

Vallejo Veterans Facelift!

Our office helped raise funds and volunteered for Vallejo's Rebuilding Together in a day of volunteer repairs and upgrades at the Vallejo Veterans Hall on January 18.  And what a difference it makes!  Thanks to all the volunteers!

The day was marked by torrential rains, but over 190 volunteers turned out, more than double the number expected by Rebuilding Together's Executive Director, Elizabeth Hoffman.  Volunteers donated supplies and pitched in to landscape and paint the Vets Hall.  Many of them took the opportunity to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by giving their time and talent to this worthy cause.

Ouch: Bridge Tolls to Increase

Over the objections of many speakers, but with backing from the Solano Transportation Authority and Solano County Supervisor Jim Spering, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, acting as the Bay Area Toll Authority, voted on January 27 to increase bridge tolls throughout the Bay Area beginning July 1. 

Most tolls will increase by $1; it will now cost $5 to cross the Carquinez and Benicia bridges, and other spans.  Drivers will also pay a $6 toll to cross the Bay Bridge during weekday rush hours.

Carpools will for the first time be required to pay a $2.50 toll.

The Toll Authority approved the increases to help finance $750 million in seismic retrofits of the Antioch and Dumbarton bridges, and to offset higher financing costs and reduced toll revenues from declining bridge traffic.

Mothball Fleet cleanup plan back in court
 
After years of delays, last October the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration announced plans to begin a very slow process of removing the decaying hulls of the "Mothball Fleet" anchored off Benicia in the Suisun Bay.  Since then, two ships have been towed away, cleaned in San Francisco, and then towed to Texas for demolition and scrap.

Now, a legal challenge to the adequacy of the federal government's plan has been upheld in court.  On January 21, U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. ruled in favor of environmental groups and state regulators who sued to get the remaining 50 ships cleaned up more quickly.

Michael Wall, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said environmentalists would press for a rapid, enforceable cleanup schedule when a trial on remedies begins in June.

Volunteers Needed for Youth Ag Day
Thursday, March 18, 2010

District 2 will be sponsoring a booth at the annual Youth Ag Day at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo on March 18, 2010 and we could use some help.

On that day, approximately 1500 third-graders from all parts of the County will travel to the Fairgrounds to learn about food production through interactive activities and educational presentations.  Our county Farm Bureau is assisting with volunteers and supplies for the kids to use.  We plan to have the kids recreate the County Seal using agricultural products.  It should be a lot of fun!

To volunteer for a 2-3 hour shift please call Cathy at (707) 784-2974 or (707) 803-3485.  We'd love to have your help!!

The 2010 Census - Please Participate

Next month, more than 130 million addresses across the nation will receive a census form. One of the shortest census forms in history, the 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes only 10 minutes to complete. Completing your census form is easy, important and safe. Your participation is essential to ensuring a brighter tomorrow for our community.

Required once every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution, the census will count everyone in the United States, both citizens and noncitizens. Census data are used to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives, re-district each state and determine the distribution of the Electoral College. Census data also directly affect how federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments. Census data are critical in determining locations for new hospitals, improving schools, building new roads, expanding public transportation options, creating new maps for emergency responders and much more.

By participating in the census, you can help create a better future for you and those important to you. Complete and return your form when it arrives. To learn more, visit 2010census.gov and check out the Census 2010 Fact Sheet.

Please make sure that you and your family are counted.

Tutor.com 24/7

Did you know ... Live Homework Help, the educational resource link offered on the Solano County Library website, has been improved.  It's not just for kids!  Adults will want to take advantage of this resource, too.

Both County Library cardholders and Benicia Library cardholders have full access to this revamped website which has added educational and career resources.  It now supports a 24/7 Skills Center.  Look for GED tutorials, sample citizenship tests, resumés, cover letters, and career information.

Old Town Cordelia Improvement Project

Solano County has been working with Fairfield for several years on a project to enhance Old Town Cordelia between Lopes Road and Pittman Road. The project consists of constructing a multi-use concrete path on the north side of Cordelia Road and installing traffic calming intersection features (dyed, stamped concrete intersections), drainage improvements, signing and landscaping.  

The contractor, Lister Construction, Inc., recently submitted a bid well below the anticipated cost, which will allow for additional enhancements.  Construction work is anticipated to be complete by May, 2010.

MyVallejoWaterfront Needs You!
Saturday, March 20, 2010

DID LINDA DELETE THIS ARTICLE?  Vallejo residents will come together on Saturday, March 20 to revitalize the Vallejo waterfront.  MyVallejoWaterfront, an outgrowth of Leadership Vallejo, and in conjunction with Fighting Back partnership and a number of other community organizations, is sponsoring the clean-up event and needs volunteers.  Interested?

Meet in front of the Vallejo Ferry building at 9 AM and you will be assigned to help with painting, trash pick-up, and other needed beautification projects along the waterfront.  More info: http://myvallejowaterfront.com.

Latest Unemployment Figures
Solano County in Tough Times

The Daily Republic reported in January that Solano County's unemployment fell by more than a quarter point in December 2009, to 11.9 percent.  Note easy to think of that as good news.  District 2 includes the areas in Solano County with both the highest and the lowest number unemployed: Benicia on the low end at 7.5% and Fairfield and Vallejo at 13.1 and 14.6 percent respectively.

Appointments & Volunteers
Citizens Serving Solano District 2

I am pleased to announce several appointments as follows:

Green Valley resident Donna Fields, MSW, has been appointed to the Senior Coalition.  Ms. Fields, recently retired Health and Social Services Deputy Director in charge of the Older Disabled Adult Services unit, has been involved with the Senior Coalition and its predecessor since 1998.  She was also part of the initial group that founded FAST, the Solano Financial Abuse Specialty Team, which investigates reported abuses of seniors' finances. She has an MSW and has spent her entire career in the area of social services.  The mission of the Senior Coalition is to advocate for and support efforts that improve and enrich the lives of seniors living and working in Solano County.

Benicia resident Dan Healy has been appointed to the Civil Service Commission.  Mr. Healy practices law practice in Vallejo, CA.  His general practice includes criminal & civil litigation; real estate & land use, business transactions and litigation; juvenile and elder law.  He is also an Adjunct Professor at the UC Davis School of Law. He has served on the Benicia Planning Commission since 2006, and is currently its Chair.  He serves as Pro-tem judge on the Solano County Superior Court, and is a past president of the Solano County Bar Association.  The Civil Service Commission oversees the County's Civil Service System, ensuring that it operates according to established rules and regulations.

Benicia resident John Metzler has been appointed to the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Committee.  Mr. Metzler is a resident of Benicia and longtime advocate for those who live with physical disabilities.  A Benicia High grad, he has a B.A. in accounting from University of Phoenix in 2006.  Mr. Metzler helped establish the IHSS Public Authority back in 2000, and served as its chair.  He understands the needs of recipients of IHSS services as he has lived with a physical disability since birth and operates a motorized wheelchair with use of only one hand.  The role of the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee is to advise the County Board of Supervisors on issues concerning in-home care.

Benicia resident Margaret Vestal has been appointed to the Solano County Maternal Child Adolescent Health Advisory Board.  Ms. Vestal has an extensive background in nutrition, including over 18 years of experience working with Head Start and WIC programs in Solano County as a registered dietician.  She currently works at Child Start, Inc., serving Napa and Solano Counties as their Program Services Manager with oversight of health, nutrition, and family services.  Child Start provides comprehensive early childhood services and support so children enter school ready to learn.  The MCAH Advisory Board advises the Board on significant and important issues affecting mothers, infants, children, and adolescents throughout the county.

Appointments pending: Animal Care Advisory Committee, Rockville Suisun Cemetery District, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Council.

Additional vacancies:  Alcohol & Drug Advisory Board, Arts Council, Solano Partnership Against Violence.  If you are interested, we invite you to contact us.  I ask that applicants for District 2 seats live in the district, which includes Benicia, approximately half of Vallejo (area south of Tennessee Street to Oakwood Street and south of Georgia Street as well as the waterfront including Mare Island), the Cordelia and Green Valley area of Fairfield, and the unincorporated areas of Green Valley and Home Acres.  If interested, please call or send an email or letter to us addressed to Supervisor Linda Seifert, Solano Board of Supervisors, 675 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA  94533.  Applications will be received continuously until the vacancies are filled.

Get to know your Solano County
Solano County Annual Report

Did you know that Solano County is one of 17 counties implementing a pilot child abuse prevention program? Using a $1.4 million federal grant and a proven Nurse Family Partnership model, Health and Social Services nurses and child welfare workers will be visiting first-time mothers to ensure they have a healthy pregnancy, develop a strong and positive parent-child relationship, and are capable to raise a baby who is physically, emotionally, and socially healthy. Solano's proposal is unique because it targets services to former foster youth and their partners who become young parents.

You can learn about this and much more in Solano County's Annual Report.  This year's 2009 edition is a 24-page full color presentation, available online here.  Check out Digital Storytelling (p. 8) and Fruit Sniffing Dogs (p. 13).

Where We've Been, What We're Doing

You may all be noticing that our newsletter is getting longer and longer - and so we decided to dispense with this feature in the future.  If you enjoyed the information that we provided in our activities listing, let us know....

Factoids and Interesting Information
Stuff we come across in our work ...