APRIL 2012 NOTES DISTRICT 1
A few news items worth sharing follow. As always, we appreciate your comments, ideas, and suggestions.
· 2011 CRIME TRENDS...Down, Down, Down
· WEST BRANCH LIBRARY TO START CONSTRUCTION
COME CELEBRATE!
· BERKELEY WINS RECYCLING GRANT
· BIKE TO WORK DAY, MAY 10th
· CITYWIDE EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE, MAY 19th
· MAYOR TOM BATES’ NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
At a recent Council meeting, Police Chief Meehan presented a crime status report showing a trending down of crime in Berkeley, an overall reduction of 14% and a 10% reduction in violent crime from 2010-2011.
To view the full 2011 Crime Report, please click here. We attribute the downward trend to increased crime analysis (which leads to better targeted resources) and an alert citizenry. As always, report suspicious persons and activities quickly, with as much information as possible. Use 981-5911 to report crimes in progress from your cell phone.
West Branch Library Start of Construction Celebration!
You’re Invited! Saturday, April 14, 2012 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
West Branch Library (1125 University Avenue)
Please join the City in celebrating the start of construction for the West Branch Library! Refreshments, Latin American music for the whole family with Colibri at 3:30 pm., and YOU. Note that the West Branch Library will temporarily CLOSE for construction on May 6, 2012.
Berkeley's CCC Wins Recycling Grant
Community Conservation Centers, Inc., (CCC) Berkeley’s local non-profit recycling contractor and long-time operator of the 2nd and Gilman processing plant that receives, packages, and sells our materials has received a $85,000 grant to upgrade their container sorting system for more efficient handling of material. The grant will eventually enable the actual recycling of some non-bottle mixed plastic. Our goal is to reduce the flow of plastic from Berkeley residents to the landfill and help encourage the development of markets and uses for post-consumer plastics.
CCC’s goal is to provide the most efficient recycling system for Berkeley without requiring multi-million dollar capital investments from the City. Berkeley's policy of separating materials at the source results in a clean product that is attractive to markets. For more information on CCC and recycling in Berkeley, please click here.
Bike to Work Day, 8:00 A.M., May 10th
Join the Mayor, Councilmembers, and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition for Bike to Work Day! Meet at the North Berkeley BART Station from where we will cycle to the new Bike Station store on Shattuck Ave.
Citywide Earthquake Exercise, May 19th
On May 19th, a simulated 6.9 earthquake on the Hayward Fault strikes Berkeley. You're ok and your family is ok but what's next?
The citywide exercise offers the opportunity to practice disaster response in our own neighborhoods. All individuals or community groups are encourage to participate regardless of their level of (Emergency Response) CERT training or previous participation in City disaster preparedness activities.
Registration: Register yourself as an individual and/or your neighborhood group as an official participant for the 2012 exercise. Register today!
Schedule of Events Saturday, 19 May 2012
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Neighborhood Exercises
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Neighborhood Feedback Sessions
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Citywide Exercise Debriefing
The Berkeley Emergency Response Handbook is designed to assist group leaders (Exercise Controllers) in conducting a neighborhood drill in coordination with the City on May 19, 2012. Neighborhood Group Exercise Controllers will find objectives, sample scenarios, tips and directions on how to design an exercise and customize it to the scale appropriate for their neighborhood's participation. The handbook also contains the Exercise Feedback Form which should be turned in at the Exercise Debriefing following the neighborhood drill.
Mayor Tom Bates’ New Chief of Staff
Julie Sinai, Mayor Bates' former Chief of Staff is now the community liaison person for the University, thus strengthening our relationship with the campus. Judith Iglehart, his new Chief of Staff, is highly experienced and brings to the job a background in small-business startups which are growing in Berkeley. “The goal for Berkeley…is to showcase the [City’s] intellectual activity and resources, which are extraordinary,” she said. Welcome, Judy!
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Councilmember Linda Maio, District 1
2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor
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