The Mayor’s Week in Review: March 25-31

This Week in Review is dedicated to the memory of Charles McGlashan.  We miss you Charles.

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April 1, 2013:  Hope springs eternal...

I’m trying to figure out the past week. The city was relatively calm, and so I too seemed to calmly manage work, home, and city duties ... Hannah brought a bunch of friends home with her from Cal for spring break – so our house was super charged with positive energy. I made it to two yoga classes (not surprisingly, they were Restoratives). Heck: even my boss complimented me. And of course it was Passover (my favorite Jewish holiday – I mean: what’s not to like about a holiday that focuses exclusively on having four glasses of wine during a good meal with family? :)), Holi and Easter.  

Was it just a spiritual week? Or is it simply the calm before a storm? Regardless, I’m thankful for the week. I’m glad to be alive. 

And here’s what in my head:

First (this one's hard), after a lot of soul searching, I’ve decided to resign, effective April 30, 2013. It’s been a good run.  (April Fools - Did I get anyone?)

What else...

Well, most important: we are giving a bon voyage Monday night to Rick Misuraca at our City Council meeting at 730 PM at City Hall. I’m reading a City Proclamation and then we’ll break for some cake before finishing our city business. Come on down; everyone’s welcome. Rick will be fresh off an abalone dive so he may be a tad sandy is all...

Our draft General Plan is about to be released. To be honest: I’m nervous.  Not because of the approach or quality of the content, but rather because it has a tight time-line and it’s the one thing I really want to see it through in the short time I have. These things can sometimes take turns; I really hope we can keep it on course. I would love your help doing so.

In this vein, we announced the date for our Community Meeting – May 14.  This meeting will focus on and feature the Draft General Plan. It will give YOU information on the history of the General Plan update as well as outline next steps in our process. It will give YOU an opportunity to learn about the Draft General Plan, ask questions, and offer input. The meeting will also be an opportunity for Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners to preview the Draft General Plan outside of the strictures and formalities of the public hearing process. More information on the agenda, schedule, and format will be forthcoming. I hope you can join us. I am eager to see you there.

And then, there’s basic safety:

• Fire: We had two fires last week that didn’t need to happen. One fire was started by linseed oil rags that had not been properly cleaned and contained enough residues to spontaneously combust! The other was from combustibles improperly stored in a garage. Are you inadvertently storing unnecessary flammables in the form of paints, solvents and debris left over from household projects? Why? They’re just matches. My friend and Fire Chief, Jeff “The best looking man in Mill Valley” Davidson, told me you can take any unnecessary hazardous materials to Marin Resource Recovery in San Rafael for free disposal: Marin Sanitary. While we are on it, when was the last time you checked your smoke alarms? If you are reading this, do it right now (I just did). Jeff also asked me if Sabra and I have (and practice) a family fire escape, particularly because we still have kids at home (we’re guilty on this one; are you too?). ‘Nuff said.
• We had another home theft last week. This time, an open patio door was just too tempting ... ‘nuff said.
• Distracted Drivers: I am not picking on anybody in particular – we are all distracted at times – but even one incident of this type is too many: holding your phone, talking in the car, and going through a red light or stop sign while doing so. And we had more than one last week. Not good. As it turns out, April is “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” (kind of amazing isn't it that with all the wonderful things to celebrate or recognize in a month, this is one our society needs? But I digress). Anyway, message here is simple:  drive ... don’t eat, play games, text, hold phones, etc. And be forewarned: As part of April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, the Mill Valley Police Department will be actively ticketing those drivers texting or operating hand-held cell phones. Drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger will be cited with no warnings. We are not alone in our efforts – in fact, over 225 local agencies in addition to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be conducting zero tolerance enforcement. The current minimum ticket cost is $159 with subsequent tickets costing at least $279. Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk. In recent years, thousands have been killed and seriously injured in California as a result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted. The numbers are going up, so we are cracking down.  ‘Nuff said.

Ugh – my weight. I have had the most amazing week of food and drink due to all 3 holidays. It peaked on Thursday with Felicia's (a friend of Hannah’s) “all-you-can-eat home-made Chinese dumpling” feast. Two-hundred dumplings for a table of 10 (yes, there were leftovers (tho’ not as many as you’d think)). Let’s be serious: I’m a Year of the Pig baby; I love it all – yes it’s time to get back on a regular schedule, but it was really special to just enjoy it all with friends & family.  Such precious times.

Around town:

• First Tuesday Artwalk – Tuesday April 2 from 6-8 p.m. - The Mill Valley Art Commission invites you to take a stroll through town to view exciting exhibits featuring a wide range of art by local artists.
• Dueling Meetings – Wednesday April 3
  • Parks & Recreation Commission: 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
  • Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday: 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the Library, with guest speaker Doug Ferguson, attorney and former counsel to the Nature Conservancy, who will present “Marincello – The Grand City that Never Was.”
• First Thursday at the Library (April 4 from 7-9 p.m.): Wilderness Navigation and Survival - Just for High School Students. Register here: First Thursday.
• First Friday at the Library (April 5 from 7-9:30 p.m.): 100 Years of the Mountain Play. See: First Friday.
• Councilmember Table on the Plaza: Saturday April 6 from 10-Noon p.m. (weather permitting).
• Got Stuff You Want to Sell? Vendor applications are now being accepted for the 9th Annual Flea Market June 29th.  Deadline for booth reservation is Thursday 6/27 at 5p.m. For more information: Flea Market

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Thank you Charles.  Thank you Rick.  Thank you all for reading. 

Andy

PS: “When in doubt, order the burger.” Ralph Della Santina