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Health & Fitness

The Mayor's Week in Review (August 19 - 25)

Andy Berman, Mill Valley's Mayor, writes his weekly review, with some inside news, reminders and reflections, and whatever else comes to mind.


What’s the real goal of your investment strategy? 

For the past three years I have been involved in the education space.  It’s been an interesting ride.  The globalization and technical evolution of this segment of our country has not yet been anywhere near as rapid as its impact on other segments, like the way we consume news and information, or listen to music, or shop for merchandise. Much of what we need to do in education is embracing change as part of an investment in our children’s future.  But for me, what’s really at the heart of that investment is America itself – if we don’t invest in our children’s education, we place America at risk (along with them). 

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And so it is with Mill Valley.  As long as I have been on the Council I have been consistently focused on health and safety as my number one priority.  I continue to believe that health and safety is any elected official’s primary responsibility.  But I also believe that health and safety come first because without that, our City is at risk.  If our City is at risk -- if we have no City, or residents to enjoy it -- what then does it matter if our field use policy is a good or bad one, our roads are potted or gilded, you are allowed to have a basement (or not), or local businesses thrive? 

So when it comes to investing our taxpayer dollars I put health and safety first – to minimize the risk – and in doing so give us the freedom to look at our potential.

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That’s the real goal of my investment strategy.  What’s yours?

What else?

School Safety:  Tam High School students already began their fall session on Wednesday, and Mill Valley middle and elementary school students will begin school next week.  Fall is here.  Returning to school can be fun and exciting (I’m not sure all my young readers agree, but it’s true).  Every day brings new experiences.  But our police department will be out in full force to make sure our kids are safe going to, being in, and coming home from school.  PLEASE be careful. Thank you for driving carefully, stopping, listening, watching for the kids on bikes, and respecting the rules of the road.

MVFD in the News:  Check out this video that was aired by ABC 7 News on August 20 regarding the Red Flag Warning, vegetation management, evacuation plans, and general community preparedness. Fire Dept. Video - HOORAY!   Many thanks to Battalion Chief Mike St. John and GPAC member Maggie Lang for representing the City and local homeowners in our ongoing efforts to spread the word about fire prevention strategies.

The Fall Recreation Activity Guide – available now:  In our citywide effort to "Go Green" the fall Activity Guide is now available via our online registration website at Guide, or in a downloadable PDF format at Downloadable version, and in recycled paper hard copy at the Mill Valley Community Center, City Hall, Library and the Chamber of Commerce. The guides will no longer be automatically mailed to all 94941 residents, but if you are unable to access the guide online or pick one up, we will be happy to mail you one if you contact the Community Center offices at 415-383-1370 or send an email to recreate@cityofmillvalley.org.

Small town character – when the waltz meets a Conga line:  We’re getting lots of great feedback on the summer concert series.   Case in point – there is a commonality between the waltz and a conga line because both take place on The Depot plaza.  Spotted:  Carl Stranzl, our City Manager’s father in law, waltzing with his granddaughter, Leah.  Word on the street:  Tony Coyle, our Art Commissioner, leads a mean Conga Dance, and former planning commissioner, Maureen Parton, can be a strong and talented participant. 

About town: 

Planning Commission Meeting (Monday at 7 pm at City Hall):  This is the big one – the Planning Commission’s consideration of a resolution recommending that the Mill Valley City Council certify the MV2040 draft General Plan, final Environmental Impact Report, and adopt the 2009-2014 Housing Element. More information can be found here: The Big One.

Art Lecture - Impressionists on the Water (Monday at 7 pm at the Library):  Coinciding with the America’s Cup races, another side of nautical life is revealed by more than 80 remarkable paintings and works on paper by Impressionists such as Monet, Caillebotte, Renoir, and Pissarro, and Post-Impressionists such as Denis and Signac — all artists whose works reflect their understanding of pleasure boating and competition. Rita Dunlay, a docent for the Fine Arts Museums, will discuss this exhibition which underscores the important role that access to the sea and other waterways played in the development of the art, culture, and commerce of the Impressionists.

World Literature Book Club - The Secret River by Kate Grenville (Tuesday at 7 pm at the Library):  The global economy has erased arbitrary boundaries between cultures.  On a daily basis we interact with the world in both large and small ways.  Is it any less so with literature?  Register here for a journey to literary waters of many cultures, one book at a time: World Literature.

Marin Traveling Poetry Show (Tuesday at 7 pm at the Library): Join local poets reciting their poetry. No registration required.

Concert in the Plaza (Wednesday at 6 pm on The Depot plaza): Come listen to The Hot Club of Marin.

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Thanks, as always, for reading.  

Andy

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