Libraries are no longer only about books – they are spaces where communities gather. This is particularly true with the Fair Oaks Library. On any given afternoon, the library is packed with people reading, doing homework, using computers, or catching up with neighbors. I am very excited that work is finally set to begin in February on renovations to the Fair Oaks Library, including a 600-square foot expansion. It’s a very exciting project that I know will greatly benefit our North Fair Oaks community!

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors held its annual reorganization today, choosing as its 2018 president District One Supervisor Dave Pine who said his priorities for the next year include hiring a new county manager, implementing the County’s capital program, and focusing on transportation and water related issues.

This week in Getting the Job Done, I’d like to thank my colleague, Board President Supervisor Horsley, for hosting a year-long speaker series celebrating Black History. Over the course of the year, at nearly every Board Meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from African American residents of San Mateo County. For those in attendance, and for those watching from afar, it was a wonderful opportunity to take a moment and celebrate Black History and the remarkable contributions that African Americans have made and continue to make in our community.

Boy Scouts take an oath to “to help other people at all times.” For a Scout to receive the coveted Eagle Scout rank, they must take that oath to the next level and “plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, school, or community.”

San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie today announced his intention to retire by December 2018, ending a lengthy and effective tenure steering the County’s dozens of departments through economic ups and downs to successfully deliver vital services and programs.  Earlier today, Maltbie informed the Board of Supervisors of his plans, noting that the County and overall economy’s current strength makes next year a good time to hand over the reins. 

  This week, the SamTrans Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt the Final Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study. This vote represents a major step forward for the Bay Area to tackle the region’s serious and growing traffic issue. The approval of the Study signals that local leaders and private companies alike are serious about creating mobility alternatives along the Dumbarton Corridor between Alameda County, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

Earlier this week, San Mateo County honored four remarkable women at the 2017 Women in County Government 27th Annual Luncheon. These women, all County employees, were recognized for their outstanding service, hard work and dedication in helping the residents of San Mateo County. I want to personally congratulate all the award recipients and thank them for their contributions to the County ‑ they have each earned a “Warren Award.” The honorees are:

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today approved an ordinance allowing mixed-light (greenhouse) cannabis cultivation in the unincorporated areas and prohibiting for another year all other commercial cannabis-related activities.

In November, I was proud to co-host our fifth annual Connect Conference. This year’s Connect17, “Disruptive Technologies that Impact our Communities,” was held at the Gilead Sciences headquarter in Foster City. Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, Assemblyman Marc Berman, and Rosanne Foust, President & CEO of SAMCEDA, and I were pleased to welcome a roster of distinguished speakers who shared their ideas, stories, passions and best practices for using disruptive technologies to better impact our schools, nonprofits, services and public agencies.

 Last week, it was my honor to attend our 2nd annual Veteran of the Year Luncheon put on by the San Mateo County Veterans Commission. For nearly a year, the Veterans Commission has met to organize this special luncheon to recognize and thank our veterans for their service.