Greetings!

Every 10 years Alameda County analyzes Federal Census data and adjust the five supervisorial districts to account for population changes.  In early June, the Board of Supervisors held hearings throughout Alameda County to inform the public on the redistricting process and to solicit input on the proposed maps.  In our district, our office held hearings in both Hayward and Fremont to give residents the opportunity to submit maps and voice their opinions on proposed maps.

To review the proposed maps, visit www.acgov.org/redistricting/maps.htm.  The next step is for the Board of Supervisors Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee to provide recommendations on the submitted maps.  On June 28, the Board will hold a hearing on the Committee’s proposed plan.  The final vote will occur on July 12th.  I encourage all of you to participate and provide your input.

Town Hall Meetings

This month’s town hall meeting in Hayward will conclude the first series of town hall meetings held in District 2.  During the first three town hall meetings held this year, Fremont, Newark, and Union City residents learned about county services and shared their concerns and ideas with county staff.  Please join us at this month’s town hall meeting and learn more about what the County does and how it affects you.

“Breaking Down the Disconnect” 
Hayward Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, June 15, 2011
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Chabot College, Event Center – 25555 Hesperian Boulevard, Hayward

Topics will include:
Update on the county budget and services
Guide to the property tax reassessment process
District Attorney’s recommendations to protect yourself against real estate fraud  

Public Protection Committee

In April and May, the Public Protection Committee held two meetings.  The Committee received updates on the Re-Entry Court Program from Judge Baranco of the Alameda County Superior Court and heard from the Public Defender’s office regarding programs and funding at the Juvenile Justice Center.  Alameda County’s new Probation Chief, David Muhammad, spoke about the future of probation in the county, and the Sheriff’s Department briefed the Committee on its Gang Suppression Unit. The most pressing issue facing the county public protection agencies this year is the impact of the state’s realignment plans for the criminal justice system.

The proposed realignment would shift to the county the responsibility of certain adult and juvenile offenders, as well as court security and other public safety mandates.   Probation Department and public safety statistics show 50% of all probationers live in Oakland, with 15% living in Hayward; San Leandro and Fremont have 6% each, and the rest of the cities in the county have between 1-4% each. There are more than 15,000 adults and 2,000 youth on probation in the county, and 300 of the youth reside in Hayward.  Coordination between probation, re-entry programs, law enforcement, the community, and other stakeholders will be vital as we move forward to address the state’s shifting of responsibilities to the county.  As the state moves to pass a budget and enact realignment, the Committee will stress best practices for service delivery.

Call to Action and Collaboration

Although violence affects all of our communities, Alameda County youth are disproportionately affected by this violence.  Last year, Alameda County ranked second in youth homicide in the state.  In addition, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department, Hayward Unified School District reports a 17% dropout rate for high school students, and the vast majority of all school suspensions are reported to be violence or drug-related.

On June 15, the District 2 office will host a forum for elected officials, educators and providers that serve the City of Hayward to build upon existing efforts, strengthen collaberations, as well as provide an opportunity for input on Hayward youth issues.  Presenters include: Alameda County Probation, City of Hayward, Hayward Unified School District, and Hayward Police Department.  During this Call to Action and Collaboration, stakeholders will be invited to work together to prevent youth violence in Hayward, identify best practices and gaps in services.

Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS)

On Saturday, May 14, more than 80 elected officials, planning commissioners, and city and special district staff from east and south Alameda County attended the SCS Leadership Summit, hosted by the District 1 and 2 offices.  They came together to provide input on the Sustainable Communities Strategy, which integrates transportation and land-use planning on a regional level.  Representatives from regional agencies developing the plan, as well as the Alameda County Transportation Commission and the East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EDA), presented information on the plan.

At the Summit, many good ideas were shared on how Alameda County should be developed in the future, such as the need for an economic development strategy for the East Bay as a region.  Ideas generated at the Summit will be provided to the regional agencies for incorporation into the second release of the plan.

For more information on this process visit the District Two website at acgov.org/board/district2.  For press coverage of the SCS Leadership Summit, click here to visit the Livermore Independent.    

County Budget Public Hearings

All Budget Hearings will be held in the Board Chambers located at 1221 Oak Street, 5th Floor.