Friday, May 18, 2012
In the wake of Gov. Jerry Brown's May revise of the state budget crisis, the state senator blames much of the problem on the previous administration.
Sen. Mark Leno, San Rafael's representative in the state Senate, said unavoidable budget cuts — prompted by the Schwarzenegger administration's leftover deficit — will have to be handled with sensitivity to prevent further harm to the economy and local budgets. Leno, D-San Francisco and chaird of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, released his remarks Monday after hearing of Gov. Jerry Brown's revised budget proposal – one that estimated the state's structural deficit at $16 billion rather than the $9 billion mentioned a few months earlier. On Monday, Brown proposed more than $8 billion in cuts on a wide array of state services plus a 5 percent pay cut for state workers, which would save $402 million in the coming fiscal year, …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Marin Energy Authority has signed a 20-year agreement with the San Rafael Airport for 972 kilowatts of rooftop solar power.
The Marin Energy Authority has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with the San Rafael Airport for 972 kilowatts of rooftop solar power, the largest solar project in Marin County. “We believe in renewable energy and in the importance of renewable practices in every aspect of our lives and businesses,” said Bob Herbst of the San Rafael Airport. “This solar project will be a needed example and the first step to promoting and providing locally generated and consumed renewable energy." The power is purchased for Marin Clean Energy customers through MEA’s feed-in tariff program, which is designed to provide local residents and property owners who build small‐scale renewable generation systems, like solar or wind, with an opportunity to …
In their latest report, the Marin Grand Jury said that the red-light cameras reduce intersection accidents and are worth the price.
Do you think San Rafael should have more red-light cameras? A new report from the Marin Civil Grand Jury finds that San Rafael's red-light cameras reduce intersection accidents and are worth cost. Released on Monday, the report titled "Red Light Cameras: Big Money, Big Brother or Big Safety?" stated that the rate of intersection accidents in San Rafael decreased by 12 percent in the first year of their operation, and that the cameras work best when “used in conjunction with creative city planning, constant reviews or traffic flow and continued use of other innovative traffic distribution options.” {Find the Grand Jury report on the right.} The report also states that opponents’ claims that the red-light cameras violate their rights to …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Marin Board of Supervisors will submit a letter to San Rafael city staff regarding their concerns about the proposed soccer complex at the San Rafael airport.
Although final say is with San Rafael city officials, the Marin Board of Supervisors will be submitting a letter to the city’s planning staff about their concerns regarding the proposed sports complex at the San Rafael airport. The proposed 38-foot tall recreational building stirred lots of controversy in the past months among neighbors worried about the possible effects the facility would have on the Santa Venetia area. The Supervisors’ letter urges San Rafael planners and Council members to address issues with storm water run off, noise and light impacts due late hours of operation, maintenance of the nearby levees, environmental concerns with the nearby Las Gallinas Creek and the safety of soccer players in close proximity to the …
Need help keeping track of the candidates and their issues?
Having difficult keeping track of people to vote for in the June 5, 2012 Primary Election? The Marin County Elections Department wants to help out by offering a free smart phone app of the County’s Voter Information Pamphlet. Voters can use the Marin Voter Guide app on Android Phones (see QR Code) or iPhone/iPads (see QR Code) to look up the candidates and measures on their ballot, the candidates statements and arguments for and against ballot measures. The app also allows voters to opt out of receiving a paper pamphlet through the mail for future elections. Marin is one of three counties in California using the phone app in a pilot program which was developed by Elizabeth Bergman, Political Science Professor at Cal State East Bay. Other…
Friends of China Camp has a goal of raising $250,000 and has collected $180,000 to date, the Marin IJ reports.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Check here for what's on the Marin Board of Supervisors' Tuesday agenda.
Previews & Reviews: Board Meeting Highlights The following provides a list of selected highlights from the Board agenda, and is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the entire agenda. Please check out the Cyberagenda for a copy of the complete agenda as well as copies of these reports and others. Previews - Upcoming Items The next Board meeting is May 15. Marin County to Honor Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary At the request of Supervisors Sears and Arnold, the Board will be considering adoption of a resolution honoring the Golden Gate Bridge on the occasion of its 75th Anniversary. Need more info? See the draft Resolution. Contact: Clerk of the Board staff at BOS@marincounty.org Board to Consider Request for Additional …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
More than $4 million went to seven Bay Area fair housing organizations, including one in San Rafael, to help local residents who have been victims of housing discrimination.
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Sunday, May 13
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Friday awarded more than $4 million to seven Bay Area fair housing organizations, including one in San Rafael, to help local residents who have been victims of housing discrimination, agency officials said. Grants ranging from $168,000 to $325,000 were awarded to fair housing organizations in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael and Napa, according to the national housing and development department, or HUD. "We are pleased to provide the only federal grant support to private fair housing enforcement and education," said John Trasvina, HUD's assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. The competitive grants are part of more than $41 million divvied up among 99 fair housing …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Assembly Revenue & Taxation Committee on Monday gave unanimous, bipartisan support to a bill that offers funding opportunities to keep endangered parks open.
A bill to save financially doomed state parks, such as Olompali just north of Novato and China Camp in San Rafael, jumped through a significant hoop Monday and now proceeds to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Assembly Bill 1589 was co-authored by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, who represents Novato in the state Legislature. The Assembly Revenue & Taxation Committee on Monday gave unanimous, bipartisan support to legislation written by Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) that offers several creative funding opportunities to help prevent state parks from being closed. AB 1589, also known as the California State Parks Stewardship Act of 2012, addresses short and long-term needs for California …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
With the news today of President Obama throwing his support behind gay marriage, Marin representatives are weighing in on the importance of the first sitting president to publicly champion marriage equality, the Pacific Sun reports.
gwen omalley
8:42 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Love the sound of children playing!!! The concerns are about public safety, late night noise, nuisance and drinking, chemicals entering the wetland waters, endangered species being threatened and past vote/agreement that this land was not be built on. more ›