Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News March 31, 2005 - Scroll for other articles
County
Neighborhood Services Director Welcomed
Will meet our community
April 5th at Chamber of Commerce meeting
By Jay O'Brien
Victor Morrison-Vega, the County's new Neighborhood Services Department
Director, was feted at a reception March 28th at the Lions Gate Hotel
at McClellan Park. Many of us remember the McClellan AFB Officer's
Club; it is now the Lions Gate Hotel.
After an introduction by Municipal Services Agency Administrator Cheryl
Creson, Morrison-Vega's boss, followed by her boss, County Executive
Terry Schutton, Morrison-Vega shared his appreciation for his new
adopted home County with the audience.
For more than two decades, Morrison-Vega and his wife Susan have longed
to move to California. The Morrison-Vega family has vacationed in
California often, visiting areas such as San Francisco, San Jose,
Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Victor
previously helped create the Neighborhood Services effort in
Phoenix, Arizona; he brings his experience to Sacramento County as our
County government embarks on its effort to bring the County to its
constituents. His government experience spans more than 30 years,
including 16 years with the City of Phoenix. Morrison-Vega is a
licensed architect in the states of New York and Arizona, and he plans
to get his architecture license in California. "I love architecture and
the arts and I have always been interested in improving the human
condition," he said. "I have tried to marry both of those interests and
worked for municipalities to help improve the quality of life in
general. "That's how I wound up in municipal and county service."
Victor, whose staff includes our North County Service Area
Manager Mark
Manoff, made it clear that his goal is, as stated on his Department's
web page, to help residents know what the County is doing, to get us
answers with a single phone call or website visit, to make our needs
known to decision makers, and to provide services to us in a manner
convenient to us. He said that he cherishes the principles of what he
calls the four I's, namely inclusion, integrity, initiative and
innovation. The fifty attendees at the reception welcomed Morrison-Vega
with a resounding round of applause.
Mr. Morrison-Vega will describe his Neighborhood Services Department
and goals to the Rio Linda/Elverta Chamber of Commerce at its April
evening meeting. He will also discuss the Community Council "pilot"
concept and wishes input from our Community. The Council for Rio Linda
Elverta is planned to have 5 members who serve at large; other Councils
will have 7 or 9 members with one member from each geographically
separate district. The County's "pilot" will determine which approach
is appropriate.
The Chamber of Commerce meeting, at the Depot Visitor Center in Depot
Park at 6730 Front Street, Rio Linda, Tuesday, April 5, at 5:30 PM, is
open to the public, and the Chamber invites you to attend this
important presentation.
Published
in Rio Linda Elverta News March 31, 2005 - Scroll for other articles
Sacramento
County Receives $500,000 Grant to Combat Illegal Dumping
SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento County's Department of
Waste Management and Recycling (DWMR) was awarded a $500,000 grant from
the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) to be aimed at
combating illegal dumping in some of the County’s most frequently
targeted dumping areas.
The recently approved CIWMB grant will help the Department take action
toward eliminating dumping problems over the next two years from five
chronic illegal dumping zones – primarily located in the northern,
western and southern portions of the County. "The majority of the grant
funds will be used for the removal and proper disposal or recycling of
illegally dumped material, along with public outreach and information
activities," explained David Pelser, director, DWMR. "Using a portion
of the grant funds for clean-up activities will allow us to fund new
and aggressive prevention and enforcement measures" he added.
"Illegal dumping is certainly not a victimless crime. It affects whole
neighborhoods and communities," said CIWMB Chair Rosario Marin. Without
timely removal the problem may escalate, as other offenders may add on
to existing trash with more illegally dumped materials, creating a
bigger eyesore and an environmental threat. The resources used locally
to combat the problem are significant. Over the last three years
Sacramento County incurred costs of nearly $650,000 to clean up
approximately 100 chronic dumping sites in the region.
In addition to clean up activities and public education, the illegal
dumping prevention program will also include grant and county funding
for preventative measures such as signage and lighting, illegal dumping
sting operations, code enforcement, a Crime Alert reward program, and
enhanced community outreach. The Department of Waste Management and
Recycling will work closely with Sacramento County Code Enforcement and
the Department of Transportation on implementation of the program.
"The Department of Waste Management and Recycling looks forward to
implementing these activities in hopes of reducing the illegal dumping
problem in Sacramento County, and creating a cleaner and safer
community," said Pelser. To report illegal dumping activities in the
unincorporated area of Sacramento County, please call (916) 875-5555.
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