Salida MAC Newsletter - June 2014

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Video of the May Salida MAC meeting provided by Salida MAC Vice-Chairman, Brad Johnson:
Part 1 https://vimeo.com/96778991 
Part 2 https://vimeo.com/96779660 
Part 3 https://vimeo.com/97825961 
Part 4 https://vimeo.com/97826742 

WIN A TRIP! - Enter our Neighborhood Watch Contest! 
Set up a new neighborhood watch group or hold a meeting for your current group between January 1, 2014 and July 31, 2014, you'll be entered to win a 3 days and 2 nights trip to your choice of one of 20 locations which include Disneyland, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, etc. courtesy of MainStreetChamber. (Airfare and travel expense to and from is not included. Room tax fees apply, see certificate for additional requirements.) Contest open to Salida residents establishing Salida neighborhood watch groups only. One person entry per group. Salida MAC council members not eligible to win. Contact Deputy Vern Blagg to establish a neighborhood watch group: (209) 652-0356 and to be entered in the contest, send an e-mail with the date of your neighborhood watch meeting to salidamac@gmail.com 

This contest is sponsored by Salida MAC's “Take Back Salida” program, which was launched in January 2014 to combat crime, graffiti, and blight in our community.  If you spot graffiti in our community or would like to request your own graffiti removal kit, please contact: takebacksalida@gmail.com 

Salida Fire District Report - Chief Dale Skiles provided a brief status update on the dissolution of the Modesto Regional Fire Authority (MRFA).  The Salida Fire Protection Board will hold a workshop, likely in August, to invite residents to participate in the direction and future of the Salida Fire Department.
Chief Skiles also shared the process for reporting tall, dry grass to be cleaned up due to it being a fire hazard. Call such weed abatement hazards into: MRFA Fire Prevention (209) 571-5553.

Officer Leon sharing the monthly CHP report at Salida MAC.
(Photo courtesy of: Salida Ca News)

CHP Report - Officer Chuck Leon shared stats that Salida has had 13 traffic collisions which is rather high for this time. Three were minor injuries and there were three hit and runs. Two DUI arrests and one auto theft arrest on Dakota near Murphy Rd. Officer Leon additionally mentioned that he is still patrolling Wallasey Way for speeding, and in other areas where they've received complaints as well, i.e. Fattoria, Whitestone, Pirrone, etc. Officer Leon is still following up with his captain for approval in aiding with the helmet distribution to area schools implemented by Craig Coker. 

Salida Postmaster Report - Postmaster John Paul Cabral gave an update that 13,000 post offices (like Salida's) have reduced their hours as opposed to closing branches. The Senate passed 1486 but its currently stalled in the House of Representatives due to the election. Postmaster Cabral also shared that he's been notifying people that bills are going to pass soon for no more house delivery; everyone, including businesses will have community mailboxes.  He reported that another mailbox had been broken into on Port Alice and Liverno. If residents have home security cameras, please aim one or more of your cameras at the mailbox, that's how the Postmaster has been able to successfully catch mailbox theives in the past. Salida Post Office has two part-time carrier (as needed basis) job openings @ $16.62 per hour. Apply at usps.com 

Salida Sanitary Report - Salida Sanitary Board member Brad Johnson reported that the sanitary district is still paying off some loans on some new pumps and brochures from the Sanitary District are on the back table. 

Salida Chamber of Commerce Report - Jessica Gonzalez, boardmember of the Salida Chamber of Commerce recapped the chamber's successful kick-off party will be held at the Post Restaurant on Friday, April 25. On May 18th, the Salida Chamber voted to partner with Love Salida to offer graffiti abatement to Salida businesses at no charge. The first business to benefit from this program is Ocampo Tires which had a tag removed on the side of its building, and another one was removed from the roll up door. To join the Salida Chamber, which has very affordable membership rates, visit: http://salidacachamber.com/membership/

Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library Report - Library Branch Manager Diane Bartlett explained that the outside book drop has been broken and apologized for any inconvenience it may have caused. Books can be returned inside or at any of the other twelve libraries while the book drop is being repaired. The Summer reading program has started with something for all ages, the young ones can be read to or if they read for seven days they'll get a prize. Thanks to Friends of the Salida Library, they are eligible for weekly books in the library's weekly book drawing, along with two bicycles which will be given away at the end of the summer. Ages 9-12 can enter a drawing for prizes if they read every day for at least 1/2 hour.  Teens are required to read one hour per day and fill a bingo card to enter the drawing for prizes provided by Boomers and other businesses. Tablets will be given away by the Friends of the Salida Library as one of the prizes for teens and the 9-12 age group as well.  Book Club is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10 am, the couponing class is held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 4 pm. Cupcake decorating will be held on June 14th. Regular events calendar: Zumba - Mondays at 6 pm in the community room. Storytimes will resume June 11 and 12. Extreme science magic will be held June 17 at 4 pm and Make Your Own Flubber 4 pm on June 24. Family Dinner & Movie Night - "The Absent-Minded Professor" on June 17 at 6 pm. Lego Days - June 10 at 4 pm. Ms. Bartlett also announced that a new head librarian has been hired, Diane McDonald.

Special Presentation - Salida Crime Update by Sheriff Adam Christianson - Sheriff Adam Christianson opened by thanking the community for becoming involved in graffiti clean-up for Love Salida, Take

LtoR, back row: Duane Spyksma, Don Schneider, Nanette Spyksma,
Sheriff Adam Christianson, Carlen Jupe, Karen Gorne, and Katherine
Borges. LtoR, front row: Amanda Sorenson, Jessica
Gonzalez, Debby Schneider, Dr. Paul Sessa, and Jared Swanson.
(Photo courtesy of: Salida Ca News)

Back Salida and Neighborhood Watch. He recognized and presented the Sheriff's Award for Excellence in Service to: Debby Schneider, Don Schneider, Duane Spyksma, Nanette Spyksma, Jessica Gonzalez, Karen Gorne, Amanda Sorenson, Jared Swanson, and Carlen Jupe.

Sheriff Christianson shared how the department has had a lot of cuts due to the recession but that's turning around now and the department is hiring again. He reiterated that the sheriff's department will work to restore the staffing levels that they were forced to cut during the economic chaos. He added that it was cost-effective to close the substation on Broadway and he's planning to open the new substation at the Salida Library. The Sheriff's office will provide Salida MAC with crime stats upon request, and the #1 stat reported is "alarm calls", particularly "false alarm calls". For crime prevention, Sheriff Christianson recommended not leaving anything unsecured and participating in Neighborhood Watch. He stated that property and mail theft crimes are fueled by drug addiction. Take the extra step to observe and report. He asked people to take pictures with their cell phones and report suspicious activity. Report suspicious people, vehicles, license plates, taggers to the Sheriff's Non-emergency number (209) 552-2468 or if you witness a crime in progress, call 911. He also praised the CHP for their help in Salida and with traffic related issues and the 911 Emergency Call Center. Sheriff Christianson also recommended subscribing to nixel.com for crime alerts and the department will soon be participant in crimemapping.com  Sheriff Christianson introduced Captain Jim Gordon who is in charge of patrol operations. Capt. Gordon welcomed residents to contact him via Salida MAC.

Salida Annexation Update - The deadline to submit comments for the City of Modesto's General Plan Update and draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) is May 30, 2014. 

Supervisor District 3 Report - Supervisor Terry Withrow commended Sheriff Christianson and Chief Skiles for the fine job they're doing and dealing with budgeting constraints. Supervisor Withrow reported on the Water Advisory Committee which is working on a groundwater action plan. He invited the public to attend the meeting to be held on May 28, 2014 at 9 am at the Kirk Lindsey Center across from the Brendan Theater. (Modesto Bee article on the water meeting)

Announcements - Correction to an announcement made at the March Salida MAC meeting – Diamond Pet Foods in Ripon is currently installing the cold plasma filtration system to alleviate the odors coming from the plant, but its not operational yet. Received an update today that they expect it to be operational within the next few weeks so for those who live across the river or downwind from the plant, let us know if you notice a difference.

Salida MAC Secretery Ana San Nicholas tendered her resignation at the meeting. If you would like to apply to be appointed to Salida MAC council, contact Supervisor Terry Withrow for an application. Applicants must be a registered voter and live in Salida.

Next Salida MAC Meeting:

Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 7 pm @ Salida Library Community Room

4835 Sisk Rd. - Salida
Presentation: Neighborhood Watch
by Deputy Vern Blagg