COUNTY CONNECTION: MARIN RECOGNIZES HEROES AT RECENT EVENTS
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- June 30, 2010
"It has been said that heroes are no braver than ordinary people, but they are braver five minutes longer. The past month honored some of our local heroes here in Marin County that gave more than five minutes for all of us..." Read on...
MARIN VOICE: E-VERIFY BAD POLICY FOR NOVATO
Marin I.J., June 22, 2010
"Tonight, the Novato City Council will make an important decision; whether to adopt an E-Verify initiative, go to a vote in 2011, or reject the ordinance due to legal issues. This decision has been forced on them by residents angry at the federal government for not adequately addressing immigration. It would force Novato to take on a task that will burden our businesses with increased costs and complexity at a time when they are struggling. It would cost the city tax dollars through loss of businesses, increased staff work and enforcement it cannot afford -- and, I believe, impact Novato's reputation..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: ODDS AND ENDS THAT I WANT TO SHARE
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- May 19, 2010
"...Every year, the Board of Supervisors honors many of the volunteers who make a huge difference in the amount of work and service that county staff is able to accomplish. The County's Volunteer Coordinator, Joan Brown, does an impressive job managing this program. In 2009, the County had 7,504 volunteers scattered among our departments that served 245,810 hours, and if you can believe it, contributed $10,923,960 worth of services to the county..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: MARIN ECONOMIC FORUM MAKES PROGRESS
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- April 14, 2010
The Marin Economic Forum (MEF) has made great progress in the past several months since its launch in January. The MEF is a public-private partnership that works to enhance Marin's economic vitality with a focus on targeted industries as the key to achieving our local civic, environmental and social goals"..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: MARIN REPS SEEK FUNDING ON TRIP TO D.C.
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- March 24, 2010
Every year Marin county sends representatives to Washington D.C. to advocate for Marin's legislative priorities. This trip plays a major part in the county's annual legislative process by giving members of the Board of Supervisors the opportunity to personally meet with Marin's Congressional delegationto advocate for a range of projects of importance to the county"..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: LOOK WHO'S GETTING IT DONE - PATTY BENNETT
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- February 17, 2010
I am delighted to announce that the 2009 Look Who’s Getting It Done award goes to Patty Bennett. Patty has been described as a quiet presence and an unsung hero. I think it is time to sing the praises of this hero and make a loud noise to celebrate her commitment to the Novato community..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: UPDATE ON MARIN ENERGY AUTHORITY
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- January 20, 2010
At its January 12 meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted to remain in the Marin Energy Authority. From the very beginning of this venture, I have looked at Community Choice Aggregation (also known as the Marin Clean Energy project of the Marin Energy Authority JPA) through one lens: "What is the most fiscally responsible path to meet the mandates imposed on local governments by AB 32?"..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: NOVATANS SHARE IDEAS FOR COUNTY BUDGET FIX
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- December 18, 2009
"As part of the County of Marin’s long-term restructuring process, the county conducted a first-ever community forum on the county budget on Nov. 9 in Novato, held from 7-9 p.m. at Homeward Bound’s Next Key Room. This forum was hosted by myself and Supervisor Steve Kinsey and provided an opportunity for the public to learn more about county government and share constructive ideas and solutions to help the county adapt to these challenging times...." Read on...
THREE WHO STOOD OUT IN 2009
Paul Mamalakis column, Novato Advance -- December 16, 2009
"Every year at this time, it’s my custom to single out the standout elected official, public servant and private citizen who were featured in this column over the past 12 months. Judy Arnold didn’t let any grass grow under her feet, during her third year as Marin’s District 5 Supervisor. ...." Read on...
MARIN VOICE: ECONOMY KEY TO LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY
Marin I.J., November 29, 2009
"In the latest county community survey, one of the two top concerns was the economy and lack of jobs. For those of us who saw the economy as a vital part of Marin's sustainability, this provided added impetus for the Board of Supervisors to take the next step..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: MARIN ECONOMIC FORUM LAUNCHED
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- November 18, 2009
"In the latest County Community Survey, one of the two top concerns was the economy and lack of jobs. This highlights the importance of an effort that has been one of my top priorities since taking office: Launching the Marin Economic Forum. Last week marked the completion of Phase I of the startup activities, and at last we are poised to have the third E of Sustainability, Economy, join with Social Equity and Environment to maintain a sustainable Marin...." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON COUNTY BUDGET
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- November 4, 2009
"Engaging the public is an important part of the county’s budget restructuring efforts. To help get input from District 5, I am hosting a community forum along with Supervisor Steve Kinsey. This is truly an effort to bring your county government to you as part of the long-term budget process. We will be joined by county staff, including County Administrator Matthew Hymel, to provide information and answer your questions.
...." Read on...
MARIN VOICE: NOVATO NARROWS LANES A GREEN SOLUTION
Marin I.J., September 28, 2009
"It is not surprising that traffic is always ranked the No. 1 concern for Marin residents. With only one major thoroughfare through the county, tackling and alleviating traffic issues is not an easy task. Combining those challenges with the rise in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change makes this an even more challenging and pressing issue..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: GNOSS FIELD CELEBRATES 50th
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- September 23, 2009
"Marin County is fortunate to have a County-owned airport, Gnoss Field, located in Novato. Gnoss Field supports many infrastructure needs of the County: medical air transfers, law enforcement flights, fire-fighting helicopter support, as well as business and traveling needs of many residents..." Read on...
ROTARY PRESENTS ARNOLD WITH HARRIS AWARD
Novato Advance, September 23, 2009
"Rotary Club of Novato President Russ Ketron presented Marin County 5th District Supervisor Judy Arnold with the prestigious Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award in recognition of her contributions to Marin County. Arnold, in turn, awarded Novato Rotary member Dr. John Elloway a plaque from the Marin County Board of Supervisors commending him for his work in helping eradicate polio in the Ukraine..." Read on...
MARIN CENTER MEMORIAL TO HONOR NOVATAN
Novato Advance, September 17, 2009
"The Avenue of the Flags outside the Marin County Fairgrounds in San Rafael is host to memorials honoring local servicemen killed in 20th century conflicts from World War I to Vietnam. Soon, a new $25,000 memorial will be installed by the Marin County United Veterans Council with the permission of the county, to honor two soldiers, Nicholas Olsen of Novato and Jake Velloza of West Marin, both killed in Iraq..." Read on...
ARNOLD ANNOUNCES 2010 RE-ELECTION RUN
Paul Mamalakis, Novato Advance, September 2, 2009
"Is serving as a Marin County supervisor all it's cracked up to be? That was the question put to Judy Arnold, whose first term on the board is winding down. Three years ago, Arnold pulled off an upset victory over the prohibitive favorite..." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: NOVATO DIAL-A-RIDE LAUNCHED AUGUST 1
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- August 19, 2009
"I have heard from many residents in Novato about the need for additional public transportation options and/or links to existing transit service. I have been working wih the Marin County Transit District for more than a year to try and meet that need...." Read on...
MARIN VOICE: MY SMART RAILCAR VOTE
Marin I.J. -- July 31, 2009 -- co-authored with Novato Councilmember Madeline Kellner
"...A recent IJ article summarized our vote in favor of the light DMUs as based on design. However, as this does not capture the primary concerns stated before the vote, we'd like to offer a recap. As stated in the staff report to the board, the heavy DMUs emit five tons emit five tons of additional greenhouse gases per day per vehicle...." Read on...
MARIN VOICE: COUNTY BUDGET REFLECTS THESE HARD TIMES
Marin I.J. -- July 19, 2009 -- co-authored with Supervisor Steve Kinsey
"On the eve of our annual budget hearings, the county of Marin has much to appreciate, but also much to do. While Marin is relatively better off than other areas as a result of our real estate stability and long tradition of prudent fiscal management, we still anticipate a heavy impact from the national recession, less property taxes, and the state's dramatic reduction in support for local government...." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: SAN MARIN DRAMA HONORED IN 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- June 17, 2009
"You might remember that last year I began the tradition of honoring a local group as part of my parade entry. This year I am delighted to honor the San Marin High School drama department. They were chosen as one of 90 schools out of 1,600 from around the United States to be part of the U.S. team at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in August...." Read on...
COUNTY CONNECTION: TRAFFIC CONGESTION, ECONOMY ARE TOP CONCERNS
Monthly column, Novato Advance -- May 20, 2009
"The county conducted telephone surveys in 2005 and 2007 and most recently in 2009 to monitor key issues and perceptions in the community as well as areas of strengths and potential improvements in county services. This year's survey also gathered input on funding prioirities, and whether, in light of declining county revenues, specific services should be reduced, eliminated, maintained, or even expanded...." Read on...
SUPERVISORS TO SHED MORE LIGHT ON 'COMMUNITY SERVICE' FUNDING
All About Marin, Marin I.J., April 21, 2009
"IN A VICTORY for more open and transparent government, Marin supervisors are rewriting their policy so that their "community service" grants get the board's public approval before the checks are written. Supervisor Judy Arnold quickly and quietly advanced the change..." Read on...
County connection: SMART board trips to evaluate light and heavy dmus
Monthly column, Novato Advance—March 18, 2009
“The SMART commuter train vehicle selection process in underway. Last month, the SMART Board of Directors received initial presentations from six potential vehicle suppliers. Recently, some members of the SMART Board took two “day trips” to assess light and heavy DMUs (diesel multiple units) currently operation on tracks that share freight and passenger service…” Read on...
Marin Voice: a forward-thinking traffic idea
“If there ever was a time we needed to think outside the box, it is today in 2009. Given the mandate to achieve significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, we need to explore all options for improved transit. We were intrigued by Unimodal’s SkyTran during their initial public presentation in Marin in 2007. Over the past two years, SkyTran has progressed to the point where we asked…” Read on...
County Connection: county budget better than most
Monthly column, Novato Advance—Feburary 18, 2009
“There is no doubt that the economy is first and foremost in everyone’s mind. In the midst of the current uncertainty, we are all concerned with our personal situations, and also rightly devoting additional scrutiny to how our public funds are being spent. The County of Marin …" Read on...
County Connection: best of times, worst of times for marin
Monthly column, Novato Advance—January 21, 2009
“Happy New Year! As I said at our first board of supervisors meeting of 2009, what comes to mind regarding 2009 is the Charles Dickens quote: ’It was the best of times; it was the worst of times...We had everything before us, we had nothing before us…” We accomplished a lot in 2008. Some of the highlights include …” Read on...
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