Dear Marci,

As we get closer to the end of the year, I am reflecting on my goals for the New Year.

In January I will start my last year as a member of the Board of Supervisors and hopefully become President of the board. I look forward to making progress on several important projects and starting new ones.

I guess it’s fair to say that my number one priority is affordable housing. And that’s why at our October 17th meeting I asked for another $10 million for affordable housing to bring our total investment for the next fiscal year to $30 million.

I am also keenly interested in Emergency Preparedness, especially surrounding earthquakes. We need to create a comprehensive plan for this, and all cities need to be involved. Another topic I am thinking a great deal about is how to better coordinate our services for seniors.

I also want the county to do a better job at representing those individuals and families who are facing evictions. In short, more and more seniors are being evicted and many of those could end up homeless. This is not acceptable. And related to that topic is the situation with people living in RVs. Those folks struggle to find temporary parking for their vehicles, and we need to explore a better solution going forward.

Other issues I will be dealing with include Sheriff’s Oversight and the Broadmoor Police District. Also, the Middlefield Road construction should be completed by the end of the year, and we will turn our attentions to maintaining the beautiful streetscape that’s been created and how to bring more shoppers to the neighborhood.

As you can see, I am always thinking about how I can be of greater service. How can I help and what specifically can I do to help our community move forward. I am honored to have the opportunity to bring solutions forward.

And speaking of being of service, we are heading into the holiday season. This is the time of year where it is important to look beyond ourselves and see what we can do for others. Participate in toy drives or adopt-a-family or food drives. Help those in need during this special time of year.

Thank you for taking a moment to read our October newsletter. And if you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Warren Slocum

On October 24, the Board of Supervisors held a Study Session on Sheriff’s Oversight. The purpose of this special Board meeting was to update both the Board (with two new members this year) and the public on the work of the ad-hoc Subcommittee on Sheriff’s Oversight chaired by Supervisor Dave Pine and me. At this study session, we heard from speakers who set the stage and gave the context on this topic, including our County Attorney, Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center for Youth and their Communities, the National Association of Civilian Oversight for Law Enforcement, and from a former police chief of San Mateo and former interim police chief of Oakland, Susan Manheimer, who is nationally recognized for her work in law enforcement. We also heard from stakeholders including the advocacy group Coalition for a Safer San Mateo County, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the San Mateo County Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants, and Sheriff Christina Corpus. Many residents gave public comment, expressing opinions on all sides of this topic.

Last November 2022, we held our first study session to educate the Board on the models of oversight. My stated goals then ring true today: to create a Sheriff’s department for the 21st century; one that would include transparency, respect for the community and our changing demographics, one that builds trust with the community; an organization that people want to be a part of; and the find new ways to create more effective policing in San Mateo County. I firmly believe we are well on our way to meeting these goals.

It was a long meeting – and one of meaningful dialogue. In the end, and after much discussion, the Board of Supervisors gave direction to staff with their intention to create a civilian advisory body, create a Public Safety and Justice committee similar to the former Criminal Justice Committee that was part of the Board, and use an Inspector General on an as-needed basis. The Board stated their preference to retain subpoena power and no funding mechanism for these bodies were discussed. This item will be brought back to the Board as an action item later this year.

For more information, please watch the video from the Study Session or visit our Subcommittee’s website.

BAY AREA POLL:

WE CONTINUE TO BE IN A PESSAMISTIC MOOD

Some sobering findings in this year’s Joint Venture Silicon Valley poll.

According to the poll, Bay Area residents are dissatisfied with the overall quality of life. In fact, nearly 71% of residents polled believe that we are on the wrong track – and that is up 7 points from last year.

Here are some more findings. 52% say that they are likely to move out of the Bay Area in the next few years, down a bit from last year but up with younger people because of the high cost of housing. While 44% of residents consider themselves financially unstable, for both Hispanic/Latino and African Americans, it was 58%.

On the topic of homelessness – some interesting takeaways. It is no surprise that both housing affordability and homelessness are top of mind, with more than 90% ranking homelessness as the most serious problem in the Bay Area. 76% of those polled said they are willing to spend tax dollars on direct financial aid to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. And while there is strong support for measures to address homelessness, 72% of residents also feel that communities should prevent people from living in public places like parks and city sidewalks.

You can read the full findings of the poll here.

CELEBRATING OUR VETERANS!

Final Call: Register for the 8th Annual Veterans Recognition Luncheon: This is a final call to purchase tickets for the San Mateo County Veterans Commission 8th Annual Veterans Recognition Lunch. It will be held on Thursday, November 9th at the Westin SFO in Millbrae.

This year’s honorees are remarkable in their work as veterans and for veterans. We will honor as Veterans of the Year two very special individuals. For the first time, a World War II veteran Al Adreveno (U.S. Army) will be honored alongside his son-in-law, Vietnam veteran (U.S. Navy) John Muller, known as "Farmer John" to all. Both have served their community of Half Moon Bay as Mayors and on the City Council – and as decades-long tireless volunteers on the coast and beyond. Consummate volunteer Peggy Toye, president of the American Legion Auxiliary District 26, has been selected as the Patriot of the Year, and PGA HOPE Norcal, a non-profit that introduces golf to veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being is the Enterprise of the Year. Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, Pacific Area Commander of the United States Coast Guard, will deliver the keynote address. You can read more about our honorees here. There are still tickets available for purchase here.

As a proud U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, it’s important that we recognize the work and sacrifice of our veterans and their advocates. Equally important is how that spirit of service is so inspiring the rest of us.

Veterans Day Celebrations: the American Legion Post 105 will hold its annual Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 11 at Courthouse Square in Redwood City from 10:00 a.m. which will also include an unwrapped toy drive. Congressman Kevin Mullin will keynote this event.  

Constituent Spotlight - Nereyda Guzman: In 2016, I partnered with American Medical Response to sponsor the “Save A Life” scholarship program that provided two full-ride scholarships to attend the College of San Mateo’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Training Program to young adults in vulnerable communities. Nereyda Guzman, from North Fair Oaks, was the first recipient of this scholarship. Nereyda came to visit this month to let me know that she has now become a paramedic, after years of hard work and dedication. And that is very deserving of a “Constituent Spotlight” – congratulations Nereyda!

Equity Champion Award: Last month, the County held a celebration commemorating the second anniversary of our Core Equity Team. I was honored to receive the Equity Champion Award for the Board of Supervisors. And to stand with the other honorees, including Jasper Lamadora as the Core Equity Team Member Award, Natasha Claire-Espino as the Department Executive Award, the Controller’s Office as the Department Equity Team. I am so proud of the work that our County of San Mateo Racial and Social Equity Team has done in the past two years, under the leadership of Chief Equity Officer Shireen Malekafzali. And I look forward to many initiatives in the future.



New Big Lift Director: Katharine Sullivan has been selected as the new director of The Big Lift. She has ample experience – 20 years working to improve education opportunities and targeting resources to meet community needs. And this meets goals of The Big Lift to improve literacy with focused resources. Previously, Sullivan worked for the City of Berkeley where she helped to strengthen the social safety net during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also has worked in leadership roles at the San Francisco Unified and West Contra Costa Unified school districts. The Big Lift, which serves about 3,000 children a year in seven school districts with the greatest need for additional resources is housed within the County’s Human Services Agency. We look forward to working with you Katharine!

The City of Menlo Park will hold its Halloween Hoopla Parade and Carnival on Saturday, October 28 starting at 11 a.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue. On Sunday, October 29, the Pumpkin Splash will be held at Burgess Pool from 1-3 p.m. For more information, click here.

The Commission on Disabilities has vacancies! This commission works to promote the independence and full participation of people with disabilities in San Mateo County. And the members advise the Board of Supervisors on disabilities-related issues and create opportunities for people with disabilities. To learn more and apply, click here.

County Health is recommending that everyone who is eligible get the seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available from health care providers and local pharmacies. Use MyTurn to find a location near you.

Next month, East Palo Alto Library will temporarily adjust services for facility upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The library will close to prepare to move upstairs during the renovation. The library will close November 6 - 12. Meals will continue to be served from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. on the first floor in the community room at its regular location, 2415 University Ave., East Palo Alto.

The City of Menlo Park wants your input for a library book survey to inform them on ways to provide a library that reflects the interests and needs of the community. Additionally, Menlo Park and its partners are building a new multi-service center in the Belle Haven neighborhood that will include a new branch library, public gymnasium, senior center, school-age child care and aquatics center. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey online in English or Spanish, or pick up a paper copy at the library and return it by mail or by hand to Belle Haven Branch Library, 413 Ivy Drive or to Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma Street.

The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division is seeking seasonal Vote Center Trainers to assist in the upcoming March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary. Training is expected to begin January 3, 2024 and those hired can expect to work for about 9 weeks. Apply here.