The Mayor’s Week in Review (August 12 - 18)

The Race in On – will you make an informed decision?

We make decisions all the time.  Sometimes they are intuitive; other times we have no time to think before making them.  Sometimes we simply make them based on the wrong facts (and that’s not always a bad thing).  But I find that the best decisions I make are the ones that I have time to make.  Not that I overanalyze each one, but my father in law (a great guy; may he truly be resting in peace) taught me two wonderful lessons I have carried throughout my life.  One I’ll save for another day, but I follow it every day. The other was this: what we do in haste, we regret in leisure.

So where am I going with all this?  Well, last week I shared that both John McCauley and George Gordon had filed papers to run for City Council seats this fall.  See Elect-rical Energy 2013.  This week two more candidates filed papers:  Dan Kelly and Jessica Jackson.  What’s this mean to Mill Valley?  The race is on.  What does it mean to you?  It means that you now have the time to take action so you can make an informed decision this fall – and (hopefully) not vote in haste.  What should you do?

·      Begin reading about the candidates

·      Go listen to them speak – there will be at least two, and likely three, “Meet the Candidates” nights

·      Feel free to reach out to them directly; City Hall has their contact information.  They are eager to hear from you

·      Support who you want to win: tell your friends about them, offer to put up a sign, or have them over to meet others, or donate to their campaigns

·      Endorse them

·      Register to VOTE!

·      VOTE!

I sincerely wish each candidate the very best, and congratulate all of them for their civic engagement.  Indeed, we are fortunate to have 4 people willing to share life’s most precious resource: their time.  This is not an easy thing to do, and each should be commended for stepping up to the task.

Now, in tribute to George Jones: 

I feel tears wellin' up deep inside like my heart's sprung a big break

And the stab of loneliness, sharp and painful, that I may never shake

Now you might say that I was taking it hard since I’m leavin’ the Council this fall

But don't wager that I'll hide the sorrow, tho’ I promise not to break and bawl

Now the race is on and here comes Gordon up the backstretch

McCauley’s a’ goin’ to the inside

Jessica’s not holding back, she’s trying not to stall

Malherbe’s out of the running, Kelly’s matched for the others’ sake

And the race is on and it just a short time, ‘till the winners come away

What else?

Not a lot – folks are enjoying the last days of summer – as YOU should!  But there are a few things on my mind:

·      I know it sounds funny, but safety is really important to me.  Do you have the MVPD on speed-dial?  Why not?  Do it now – you never know when you’ll need it:  415-389-4100.

·      Pedestrian texting accidents:  My good friend and our Police Chief, Angel “It’s All Good” Bernal, told me pedestrian texting accidents are on the rise.  That’s right –we all know texting & driving don’t mix, but apparently some pedestrians text so much (and while doing so, pay so little attention to what they are doing) that they are getting hurt too.  Hello?  Pay attention; don’t get distracted!

·      East Blithedale construction – on track.  HOORAY!

·      MV2040 General Plan:  On August 26, the Planning Commission will consider a resolution recommending that the City Council certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and adopt the MV2040 General Plan and the 2009-2014 Housing Element.  HOORAY!

·      Single-use Carryout Disposable Bag Ban:  We did it!  The Council directed City planners to move forward with drafting an ordinance that would restrict the provision of single-use disposable bags at most grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores and establish a five-cent fee for the provision of paper bags. City staff intends to work with stores subject to the ordinance during the proposed sixty (60) day grace period to adequately notify customers and educate staff on transaction fees. This ordinance is part of the City's zero waste goals.

·      Willie Wonka and Shrek at the Library:  I love these two movies (I really do).  Willie Wonka is showing Tuesday at 230 pm, and Shrek is on Thursday at 230 pm.  Free popcorn too!  HOORAY! 

About town: 

Tuesday:  

·      Computer Class: Basic Video Editing with Photoshop:  7:00 PM at the Library

·      Art Commission Meeting:  7 PM at City Hall 

Wednesday: 

·      Friends of the Library Book Group:  330 PM at the Library 

 Thursday: 

·      Travel Lecture: Wandering Scholar in Cuba: 730 PM at the Library.  Wandering Scholar Nick Zoa entertains and informs as he discusses his visit to Cuba, covering culture, geology, history, politics, and the logistics of Americans traveling to Cuba. No registration required.  Doors open at 7:15. 

Sunday Specials: 

·      The Harmonica Pocket – 11 AM at the Library.  The Harmonica Pocket mixes up music and dance that gets everyone on their feet, singing and swinging along.

·      Concert in the Plaza, 3 pm at the Depot: Come hear Solid Air and Todd Morgan and The Emblems. Bring your chairs and dancing shoes. 

Thanks, as always, for reading.  Enjoy what’s left of summer.  It’s great to be alive. 

Andy

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PS:  My recent inspiration (so apropos to my life these days):  “Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before.”  Franz Kafka