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Recent posts include the Board of Supervisors honoring the  4-H Youth Development Program of California on its 100-year anniversary and a poll by the San Mateo County Youth Commission asking if you support lowering the voting age. You can also tell us what’s on your mind.

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The San Mateo County Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Committee is meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Daly City War Memorial Community Center, 6655 Mission St. Daly City. View a Google map.

View the agenda.

The Board of Supervisors created the nine-member District Lines Advisory Committee after voters changed the County Charter in November. The change requires that only voters within a district can elect a supervisor who lives in that same district to represent them. Under the prior system voters countywide elected all five supervisors.

With heightened interest in district-based elections, the Board of Supervisors tasked the committee with hearing public comment, studying current and potential boundaries and recommending possible adjustments.

Tuesday’s meeting is the third in a series of five public meetings that are scheduled to wrap up July 11. Afterward, it is expected that the committee will meet an additional five times to review draft maps and proposals and then forward recommendations to the full Board.

Schedule of future meetings:

Tuesday, June 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., East Palo Alto Council Chambers, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto

Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Millbrae Community Center, 477 Lincoln Circle, Millbrae

View a printable flier.

The second series of five meetings are not yet scheduled. Subscribe to this blog for updates.

Under State election law, districts must be approximately equal in population. In establishing the boundaries of the districts the Board of Supervisors may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the districts.”

The committee members chosen by the Board are: Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Warren Slocum; Gonzalo “Sal” Torres, a Daly City Council Member; Laura Martinez, an East Palo Alto Council Member; and public members: Hayden Lee of Millbrae; Raymond Lee of San Mateo; Barbara Arietta of Pacifica; William Nack of Menlo Park; and Rebecca Ayson of Daly City.

Each public member resides in one of the five current districts.

If you cannot attend a public meeting, comments can be sent by email to: DistrictLines@smcgov.org

For more information, visit the committee’s website.

The San Mateo County Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Committee is meeting from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Cunha Intermediate School Library, 600 Church St., Half Moon Bay.

View the agenda.

The Board of Supervisors created the nine-member District Lines Advisory Committee after voters changed the County Charter in November. The change requires that only voters within a district can elect a supervisor who lives in that same district to represent them. Under the prior system voters countywide elected all five supervisors.

With heightened interest in district-based elections, the Board of Supervisors tasked the committee with hearing public comment, studying current and potential boundaries and recommending possible adjustments.

Schedule of future meetings:

Tuesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., War Memorial Community Center, 6655 Mission Street, Daly City

Tuesday, June 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., East Palo Alto Council Chambers, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto

Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Millbrae Community Center, 477 Lincoln Circle, Millbrae

Under State election law, districts must be approximately equal in population. In establishing the boundaries of the districts the Board of Supervisors may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the districts.”

The committee members chosen by the Board are: Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Warren Slocum; Gonzalo “Sal” Torres, a Daly City Council Member; Laura Martinez, an East Palo Alto Council Member; and public members: Hayden Lee of Millbrae; Raymond Lee of San Mateo; Barbara Arietta of Pacifica; William Nack of Menlo Park; and Rebecca Ayson of Daly City.

Each public member resides in one of the five current districts.

If you cannot attend a public meeting, comments can be sent by email to: DistrictLines@smcgov.org

For more information, visit the committee’s website.

The campaign aims to ensure the Health System has multiple communication channels in place for the community to access up-to-the minute information, guidance, resources, and social services support before, during and after a crisis. By building a large, strongly engaged social media audience now, the Health System will be better prepared to respond when disaster strikes.

As evidenced during and after Hurricane Sandy, as well as locally with the San Bruno fire, social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have significantly increased the speed by which information is shared during a disaster or emergency. Social media can also serve as a critical means to communicate if other systems are down, which was the case with Hurricane Sandy, where there was no phone or internet access.

The Health System is encouraging County residents and local media, to Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SMCHealth and Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SMCHealth now, before disaster strikes, giving the community access to information in the format they prefer.

“Social media has fundamentally shifted disaster response by offering the public real-time engagement and information,” said Robyn Thaw, Health System Public Information and Communications Officer. “The Health System is working together with other response agencies to integrate social media into preparedness efforts to respond to this critical shift, and to employ the public as additional eyes and ears during these significant events.”

The Health System’s social media campaign includes encouraging County residents to take an “Earthquake Preparedness Pledge” http://www.causes.com/earthquakepledge, which includes creating a personal disaster preparedness plan. Residents living in the Bay Area know an earthquake is not an “if”, but a “when” event, yet while people have good intentions, many continue to put off important, possibly life-saving preparations needed to survive and recover from an earthquake disaster.

“Providing the public with consistent, accurate and timely information during a crisis greatly alleviates public anxiety,” said Dr. Scott Morrow, Health Officer for San Mateo County. “The public is already using social media during a crisis, so leveraging these tools when disaster strikes can serve as a powerful and effective means to protect lives, the environment, and surrounding communities.”

As Facebook continues to grow, and with the newly launched Twitter platform, the Health System is well on its way to providing multiple, cutting-edge communication channels for the community, response teams, media and all County stakeholders to use when disaster strikes.

For more information visit http://smchealth.org/EarthquakeSafety

Media Contact: Robyn Thaw (650) 573-3935

The Board of Supervisors created the nine-member “Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Committee” after voters changed the County Charter in November. The change requires that only voters within a district can elect a supervisor who lives in that same district to represent them. Under the prior system voters countywide elected all five supervisors.

With heightened interest in district-based elections, the Board of Supervisors tasked the committee with hearing public comment, studying current and potential boundaries and recommending possible adjustments.

The kick-off meeting will be held Thursday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 725 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo.

The committee and public will receive a report from a demographer and then learn how to use an online mapping tool to review the current boundaries and draw possible districts. The committee will also receive public comment.

Four additional meetings will be held throughout the county. These are:

Saturday, June 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Cunha Intermediate School Library, 600 Church Street, Half Moon Bay

Tuesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., War Memorial Community Center, 6655 Mission Street, Daly City

Tuesday, June 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., East Palo Alto Council Chambers, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto

Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Millbrae Community Center, 477 Lincoln Circle, Millbrae

Under State election law, districts must be approximately equal in population. In establishing the boundaries of the districts the Board of Supervisors may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the districts.”

The committee members chosen by the Board are: Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Warren Slocum; Gonzalo “Sal” Torres, a Daly City Council Member; Laura Martinez, an East Palo Alto Council Member; and public members: Hayden Lee of Millbrae; Raymond Lee of San Mateo; Barbara Arietta of Pacifica; William Nack of Menlo Park; and Rebecca Ayson of Daly City.

Each public member resides in one of the five current districts.

Additional information about the process will be posted at www.smcgov.org/bos under “Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Committee.”

Media Contact:

Marshall Wilson, San Mateo County Communications Director

650-363-4153 or mwilson@smcgov.org

This Saturday, June 8, take one of two hikes guided by rangers and volunteers to learn all about Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve. The hikes are part of San Mateo County’s popular Take A Hike program.

Edgewood is known for a wonderful show of wildflowers throughout the spring and for great hiking and jogging all year long. The park’s 467 acres of woodland and grassland are home to the State rock (serpentine); the State flower (poppy); and the State bird (Quail).

The two hikes, one a little more challenging than the other, will leave from the main parking area off of Edgewood Road at approximately 9 a.m. Learn more about Take A Hike and get directions on the San Mateo County Parks website.

After the hike, plan on visiting the Bill and Jean Lane Education Center for information about the habitat restoration efforts that are contributing to the return of the Bay Checkerspot butterfly to the Park.

Bring water, dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. We supply the beauty and fresh air courtesy our San Mateo County parks.

Everyone is welcome. This event is a wonderful way to bring people together, tackle a problem, and strengthen that sense of community pride.

Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. at the Fair Oaks Community Center, 2600 Middlefield Road, to receive supplies, instructions, maps and assignments.

Among the participants will be the North Fair Oaks Youth Group, the Fair Oaks Beautification Association, the Peninsula Covenant Church, St. Anthony’s Church, the Bay Area Gardener’s Association, the Boys and Girls Club, the CARON (Community Alliance to Revitalize Our Neighborhood) Program, Taft Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Fair Oaks Elementary School and Hawes Elementary School students.  (Students have the opportunity to earn community service credits by participating. )

A special beautification project has been earmarked for the Fair Oaks Elementary School.  Two community gardens will be cleaned, the soil will be augmented and the Bay Area Gardeners will make a presentation on the seasonal gardening opportunities including helpful tips.  A week later, on Saturday, June 8, the volunteers from the Gardener’s Association and parents from Fair Oaks Elementary will come back and plant a summer garden.

El Grullense, a local tacqueria chain, has agreed to sponsor lunch for the active volunteers who participate in the clean-up event.   For information or to volunteer, contact Irving Torres at (650) 353-4570 or send an e-mail to him at itorres@smcgov.org

The Superior Court today announced the appointment of John T. Keene, Jr. as San Mateo County Chief Probation Officer.

John Keene, Jr.

Keene has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement and probation and since 1998 has served in the Alameda County Probation Department, most recently as Deputy Chief.

Robert D. Foiles, San Mateo County Chief Presiding Judge, announced the appointment following Keene’s selection by Superior Court judges.

“Chief Keene brings a wealth of experience to San Mateo County,” Judge Foiles said. “He has served as a police officer and a probation officer so he has that street-level knowledge. In addition he has proven himself as a skilled leader as a deputy chief. We believe he is the right fit for San Mateo County.”

Judge Foiles added, “His selection represents a collaborative process between the county and the court that included county input at all levels.”

Keene will succeed Calvin Remington, who has served as Acting Chief Probation Officer since January. His first day will be Monday, June 10.

Keene holds a law degree from the Southern University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern University. He worked as a police officer and investigator for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections from 1993 to 1996.

After completing his law degree, Keene began his service with Alameda County in 1998 as a probation officer. He has worked in juvenile and adult institutions, among other assignments, and has served as Deputy Chief since 2010.

As Chief in San Mateo County, Keene will play a lead role in Public Safety Realignment, the 2011 state law that shifted supervision responsibility over certain low-level offenders from the state to county probation departments.

Judge Foiles said Keene’s enthusiasm to tackle a tough challenge posed by reductions in state funding and support were among the key reasons why the Superior Court selected him.

“Where others see problems it’s clear that Chief Keene sees opportunities,” Judge Foiles said. “He has a true enthusiasm for how a probation department contributes to the safety of a community by providing proven programs so that probationers can get the assistance they need to succeed.”

Keene said he looks forward to working with the Court, Sheriff’s Office, Health System, Human Services Agency and community partners to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

“I believe in data-driving performance and that data can tell you when a program is working and when it is not,” he said. “My goal has always been to constantly look at what’s working based on the evidence and provide those services to the community.”

As Chief, Keene will oversee approximately 400 employees and a budget of $75 million. He will earn $170,456 annually and receive an automobile allowance of $12,012 annually as he is on call 24/7.

Media Contact: Marshall Wilson 650-363-4153 mwilson@smcgov.org

Four additional meetings are also scheduled: June 15 in Half Moon Bay; June 18 in Daly City; June 25 in East Palo Alto; and July 11 in Millbrae. Details are below.

The Board of Supervisors created the nine-member boundary adjustment committee after voters changed the County Charter in November. The change requires that only voters within a district can elect a supervisor who lives in that same district to represent them. Under the prior system voters countywide elected all five supervisors.

Print out a flier.

With heightened interest in district-based elections, the Board of Supervisors tasked the committee with hearing public comment, studying current and potential boundaries and recommending possible adjustments.

The kick-off meeting will be held Thursday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 725 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo.

The committee and public will receive a report from a demographer and then learn how to use an online mapping tool to review the current boundaries and draw possible districts. The committee will also receive public comment.

Four additional meetings will be held throughout the county. These are:

·         Saturday, June 15, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Cunha Intermediate School Library, 600 Church Street, Half Moon Bay

·         Tuesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., War Memorial Community Center, 6655 Mission Street, Daly City

·         Tuesday, June 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., East Palo Alto Council Chambers, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto

·         Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Millbrae Community Center, 477 Lincoln Circle, Millbrae

At the final meeting in Millbrae, it is anticipated the committee will consider possible draft boundary changes. An additional five meetings will be held in late summer to present possible draft changes to the public for comment before any recommendation is presented to the full Board of Supervisors.

Under State election law, districts must be approximately equal in population. In establishing the boundaries of the districts the Board of Supervisors may give consideration to the following factors: (a) topography, (b) geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d) community of interests of the districts.”

The committee members chosen by the Board are: Supervisors Adrienne J. Tissier and Warren Slocum; Gonzalo “Sal” Torres, a Daly City Council Member; Laura Martinez, an East Palo Alto Council Member; and public members: Hayden Lee of Millbrae; Raymond Lee of San Mateo; Barbara Arietta of Pacifica; William Nack of Menlo Park; and Rebecca Ayson of Daly City.

Each public member resides in one of the five current districts.

Additional information about the process will be posted at www.smcgov.org/bos under “Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Committee.”

Media Contact:

Marshall Wilson, San Mateo County Communications Director

650-363-4153 or mwilson@smcgov.org

The scenario involved a strong quake striking a few miles outside the Golden Gate, rupturing the San Andreas Fault for hundreds of miles.

Our Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Human Services Agency, Health System and numerous other departments came together in a command center near the Hall of Justice in Redwood City — the scenario called for the command center to be staged outdoors, away from buildings. The drill was part of a larger statewide drill called Golden Guardian.

In a major quake you and your family could be on your own for several days. Learn how to prepare at San Mateo County’s Disaster Preparedness Day on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Mateo Event Center. Arrive before 11 a.m. and get free parking and free admission to the San Mateo County Fair for your whole family.