Thursday, March 19, 2015

Salida MAC Newsletter - March 2015

LIKE “Salida MAC” on Facebook and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/SalidaMAC
and sign up to receive our newsletter via e-mail. ~ Katherine Borges, Editor

Stanislaus County Sheriff Dept
Lt. Grom introduced Deputy Block who has been assigned Salida as a regular beat. 

Source: https://twitter.com/stansheriff












Salida Fire Department

Salida MAC Chairman Katherine Borges reported on behalf of Salida Fire Chief Dale Skiles that there were 127 calls for service which were broken down into: 72 EMS calls, 4 fire calls, and several false alarms.

Salida Postmaster
Nanette Spyksma emphasized the need for people to pick up their packages and don't leave them on the porch as packages have been stolen recently. There have been no new mailbox break-ins in Salida.

Modesto Irrigation District
MID Director Jake Wenger reported there might be a decrease in the amount of water farmers receive due to the drought. Last year saw the largest reduction of water delivered in the history of the Modesto Irrigation District. There is currently a 40% water rate increase proposed that is currently in the Prop 218 45-day review process period before it can be voted on. It does not mean that 40% will go through, the MID Directors can approve less than 40%. There was a proposed 3 1/2% rate increase made by staff for electric rates, but no action has been taken at this time. MID customers might see a decrease in the environmental energy adjustment on their bills because MID collected more than was needed for the renewable energy fee last year.

Salida Library
Salida Library Director Carol Blomquist shared about the following library programs. For children: Wiggle Worms will continue through March on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 - open only to children under age 3 and their caregivers and on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 - open to toddlers, their siblings, and their caregivers. Preschool Story Time in on Thursday mornings at 10:00 - open to children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers Preschool Story Time is followed by Stay and Play at 10:30. Tuesdays are family day. March 24th is Lego Day at 4 pm. March 31 at 4 pm is Día de los Niños/Day of the Child to celebrate Latino culture: this day of celebration will surprise and delight you as we dance, play games from Mexico and enjoy a craft together. For adults: Dance exercise classes continue on Mondays at 6 pm. 

Jeremy Ballard presenting on Holt sign

Stanislaus County Planning Dept.
Stanislaus County Senior Planner Miguel Galvez reported that due to the economy improving, they are getting more applications. Assistant Planner, Jeremy Ballard presented information on an application for Holt of California's sign variance (an additional sign at their location 4400 Salida Blvd.) The Stanislaus County Planning Commission will need to approve the added sign. The public hearing for the sign will be at the Planning Commission on March 19th.


Special Presentation - Salida Union School District's Green Programs
Twila Tosh holding one day's worth of
SUSD's recycled trays and composted
food waste.
Superintendent Twila Tosh shared that Salida Union School District has two solar voltaic arrays which haved saved the district about $36,000 in energy costs and they've installed HVAC controllers.

SUSD instituted a recycling program where they recycle the styrofoam trays as well as any uneaten food. The styrofoam is put into a machine that is located behind Sisk Elementary School where it is melted down to about the size of a textbook. A company comes and picks up the melted product where it is recycled and used to make items such as picture frames. This recycling program saves the school district $12,000 a year in waste service costs.
The food waste is put into a dehydrating pulping machine where it dehydrates the food reducing the amount of waste thrown away. The school has had people from all over the world come to learn about their recycling programs and SUSD even received special recognition from the White House.

CHP
Officer AJ Palazuelos reported that there have been officers out in the morning patrolling around the schools. There's been a lot of traffic complaints on Finney and Covert. They have also seen an increase in false registration tags on cars. Those vehicles will be towed.

Stanislaus County Supervisor's Report
Supervisor Terry Withrow shared "The Tale of Scott" from the State of the County speech and the county's plans for facilitating in bringing different community members and groups together to work on helping youth, the homeless, and recidivism. The annual budget is being worked on and is stronger than the last few years. The county is working on restoring public safety. Sixteen cadets are graduating the sheriff's academy and another sixteen should be going into the academy soon. A larger building for the county coroner is being rehabilitated and expanded.

Announcements
Salida Civic Association needs volunteers to help with putting on this year's Town & Country Festival. Contact Kathy Paioni at (209) 545-0601 if you can help.

Neighborhood Watch contest is still going on through July 31, 2015. 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 

Salida MAC's website - visit: http://salidamac.weebly.com/


Next Salida MAC Meeting:
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 7 pm @ Salida Library Community Room
4835 Sisk Rd. - Salida
Presentation:"Focus on Prevention - Quality of Life Initiative" Program
presented by Aaron Farnon

 An effort that is coming alongside local initiatives focused on a number of Quality of Life areas, in partnership with cross-sector leaders (Education, Non-Profits, Faith, Business, Arts, Entertainment & Sports, Media, Neighborhoods, Philanthropy, and Government). 
The effort begins with a Focus on Prevention in the following Quality of Life areas:
Homelessness (October 1st, 2015 Convening);
Strengthening Families;
Investment in Young Children; and
Reducing Recidivism.