The Mayor’s Week in Review (May 13-19)

Does Tuesday ever seem like a month ago?

Do you ever have one of those weeks where the days seem like weeks?  Last week was one of those for me.  It hit me when I chatted with my friend & colleague, City Manager Jim McCann, on Friday afternoon, and we referenced some materials we received “on Tuesday” at our annual Community Meeting – and whammo!  that Community Meeting, which was such a privilege for to Emcee, seemed like ages ago.  I can’ be alone here, right? 

Our Community Meeting on Tuesday was unquestionably “the main event” last week.  We had almost 150 of US gathered at the Community Center – and there’s nothing like a full Cascade Room.  Most of the night was spent introducing the MV2040 draft General Plan.  A lot of folks have worked very hard to get us to this point and they are identified on this presentation that was shown at the meeting:  Community Meeting.   Many thanks to Linn Walsh, Mary Lansing, and Kelsey Rogers for all their help putting the event on, and to our superb Staff for participating with booths and Q&A.  

Now sometimes future events are like past ones: they seem so far away, but let’s focus:  next weekend is Memorial Day.  Is it the end of May already?  Where’s 2013 going anyway?  Naturally, City Hall, the Library, Community Center and Aquatics & Fitness Center, and other City Facilities will be closed in observance of – and respect for – those who died for America while serving in our Armed Forces.  Let’s pause here – for a moment of silence for them. 

But our Community also celebrates our freedom with a good old-fashioned Carnival, Parade and Festival. It’s our biggest Community event each year, and it’s going to live up to all our expectations.  The Parade begins at Old Mill School at 10 AM on Monday.  The Kiddo! Family Carnival begins on Friday at 4 PM and runs through Monday – with lots of rides for all ages, plus food and games – even a Red Baron Berry-Go-Round for the youngest of us!   Advance discounted ticket books ($20, instead of $30) will be available in the Kiddo! office Monday through Thursday, May 20-23, from 9 am – 4 pm, and Friday, May 24, from 9 am to Noon (or until we sell out).

What else:

Young leaders:  If you read regularly with me you know I just love it when our kids are interested in learning more about Mill Valley and the Community.  My friend and historian, Joyce Kleiner, always reminds me how important it is to take time to educate our young residents about our history and culture.  And so it was with Taylin Howard, a third grade student studying Mill Valley and specifically, the history of City Hall.  Without understanding where we’ve been, how can we expect our children to know where we are going?  Thank you Taylin and all others for your interest in learning more about Mill Valley. 

National Police Week & Peace Officers Memorial Day:  Last week was National Police Week and May 15 was Peace Officers Memorial Day.  Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world were in Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those who risk their lives each day to keep us safe.  Locally, the City flew all flags at half-staff on May 15, and on Friday The Marin County Sheriff’s Department honored fallen officers by hosting a Flag Ceremony at the Civic Center Flag Pole.  The Mill Valley Police Department recently added a page to their website entitled “In the Line of Duty” that pays tribute to the California law enforcement officers who have given their lives for their communities.  The new page can be seen at:  In Honor of Those Who Served.

The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program:  The City’s new Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program allows residents and visitors to voice their ideas or concerns regarding safety and quality of life surrounding Mill Valley's roads and neighborhoods. The program addresses traffic management, travel speeds and car nuisances in and around our neighborhood streets.  For further information about the program, or to obtain forms and other materials regarding the program, please click here: Traffic Calming.  

Here is some follow up from stuff I’ve written about in the past:

• The Distracted Driving Campaign in April netted 58 citations for drivers using their phones and/or texting while driving. We are going to continue to crack down on this unsafe driving practice. 
• The Prescription Drug “Take-back” Day yielded the largest collection to date, with Northern California sites collecting 18 tons of expired/unwanted medications. Wow! 
• Reports of several stolen high-end bicycles resulted in our Police arresting an alleged bicycle thief who has been linked to 3 recent thefts.  
• The Police Department held several well-attended community meetings where anti-burglary tips and safety issues have been hot topics.  If your Homeowner or Neighborhood Association is interested in having a safety presentation, please contact spatton@cityofmillvalley.org.  We can tailor any meeting to your specific issues/questions/concerns.   

About Town:  

Camino Alto Grade Closure:  The Camino Alto Grade, from Overhill to Chapman, will be closed in both directions from May 20 – 23 from 7 AM to 3 PM  for brush clearing.

City Council Meeting:  TONIGHT at 730 PM at City Hall.  We are getting a report from DPW on both the County Watershed Program and the Stetson Report on local flooding.

General Plan EIR Scoping Meeting:  Tuesday at 630 PM at City Hall.  

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Enjoy every moment.  Don’t let time slip by.   

And thanks, as always, for reading.  

Andy  

PS:  “Put your good where it will do the most.”  Wavy Gravy