The Mayor’s Week in Review (Sept. 23 - 29)

Back on safety: 

I’m a little late posting this week’s Review, simply because I was having so much fun this weekend.  I hope you did too.  

Anyway, I wrote last week about how themes sometimes emerge.  One that’s been consistent throughout the year cropped up again in a big way last week – safety, and particularly theft.   It was the topic of discussion at an excellent Scott Valley HOA (Home Owners Association) meeting because that neighborhood has been feeling particularly concerned. 

Here are some basic facts I learned in the process of meeting with them (along with our City Manager, Chief of Police, and Sgt. Paul Wrapp (a good person who I really enjoyed getting to work with on this project): 

·      In the early 1990’s, Mill Valley actually experienced north of 100 burglaries a year.  These have been steadily decreasing ever since; it’s a mystery to many why they got so high in those days.

·      Most of the last decade (2000-10), we have been in the “mid 30s” range on annual burglaries.

·      For some reason (hard economic times?),  we’ve seen a spike in the last year – in fact, we had 51 burglaries in the past 12 months.

·      HOWEVER, more than 2/3 of these are burglaries of convenience:  unlocked cars, unlocked doors, open windows and open garages.

So there’s no secret lesson here: lock your doors!  Don’t make yourself an easy victim. 

Mill Valley is not alone by the way.  These type crimes are “up” across the County and in fact, the Country.  Theft of portable devices (smart phones, laptop computers, tablets) has become a particularly increasing crime.  In fact, I’m told that almost 40% of thefts in major U.S. cities involve smartphones/cellphones.  In San Francisco last year alone, 50% of all robberies were phone-related (phone thefts have become so rampant in San Francisco that the City apparently provides access to an interactive map detailing where the snatches have occurred and whether they involved the use of force, a gun or a knife). 

You can also "help us to help you" by letting us know about suspicious activity in your neighborhood (after all: you know your neighborhood better than we do, so are in a way better position to determine whether activity that is occurring is "suspicious").  Please report suspicious activity by calling the MV Police Dept. at #389-4100, or the Marin County Sheriff at #479-2311.

‘Nuff said – be smart. 

What else?

MV 2040 City Council Hearings Continue:  A special City Council Meeting is tonight at 7 pm at City Hall to continue our work on the final review of the "MV2040" General Plan, including the 2009-2014 Housing Element and associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  Thank you for your help & input . . . . and if you don’t know what this is all about, or simply want to learn more, click here: What is Andy talking about and why does it matter to me?

By the way, if you can't attend an Important Meeting:  By now everyone in town should know that the City webcasts City Council, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Meetings - right?  See I want to watch a webcast of a meeting.  Did you know that you can also “eComment” during live City Council meetings?  If you are watching a LIVE meeting webcast you can submit comments and questions in real-time to the City Council for the public comment sections of the meeting. Your comments will also be read aloud during Public Open Time or during the public comment period for a specific agenda item, and become part of the written public record located in the Office of the City Clerk.  These “eComments” are intended to be used for meeting-related items only.  Bookmark this page to send an eComment.  All other communications can be sent to Council by regular mail or by email to our City Clerk: cityclerk@cityofmillvalley.org

City Council Candidates Debate:  The League of Women Voters of Marin County produces video programs as a way of making important information more accessible to the community. This is true particularly of the candidate debates that they sponsor and moderate.  These debates can be viewed on MarinTV, the county’s local public access television provider (Comcast channels 26 and 27, AT&T channel 99), as well as the League of Women Voters website, and on the Community Media Center of Marin’s website.  Watch our local debates here so you can make a more informed decision this November: Candidate Debates. 

About town: 

Monday: 

·      The Aquatics and Fitness Center re-opened at 6:30am this morning!  As a special welcome back to our established clientele and enticement to new patrons, we’ll be hosting an Aquatics & Fitness Center Open House on Friday, October 11, from 6-8 pm, with free access to swim in the pool and spa, workout in our fitness floor, enjoy refreshments and snacks, and participate in children’s activities.  Come on down!

·      Big, Bold, Beautiful -- Mark di Suvero at Crissy Field (7 pm at the Library):  This lecture will highlight the eight monumental sculptures being showcased at Crissy Field by Mark di Suvero. The talk will include a video of di Suvero talking about his personal connections to San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, which provides a dramatic backdrop for the exhibition, and his other significant contributions to public art in the Bay Area. 

Tuesday:  

·      First Tuesday Artwalk (6 pm at City Hall): 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. 

Wednesday:  

·      Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting:  7 pm at City Hall

·      Theater Lecture: I and You (7 pm at the Library):  Artistic director Jasson Minadakis talks about the Marin Theatre Company's world premiere of playwright Lauren Gunderson's “I and You,” directed by Sarah Rasmussen.  Gunderson's previous scripts have been praised for their “excellent balance of intelligent, pointed humor” (The Daily Californian), for being “exceptionally well crafted, emotionally grounded and thought-provoking” (TheatreStorm), and for “not only making each character adorably quirky but engendering empathy for them as well” (The Week Magazine). No registration required.  Doors open at 7:15. 

Saturday:  

·      City Councilmember's Table on the Plaza (10 am at The Depot):  Your semi-monthly chance to speak 1:1 with a real live City Councilmember!  HOORAY!  Weather permitting, we encourage everyone to stop by to have a chat. 

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Thanks, as always, for reading.  Have fun (or stop doing what you’re doing). 

Andy 

PS: Did you know I’m Ken’s Satin Doll?