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Assemblymember Pedro Nava Chairs Hearing on Emergency Preparedness
Sacramento - On July 18, the first meeting this
legislative session of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency
Services and Homeland Security was chaired by Assemblymember Nava.
The hearing provided an update on the current California fire season,
as well as several timely reports on the state’s ability to respond
in times of emergency.
Experts from Cal Fire and the Office of Emergency Services (OES) discussed
the challenges of structural protection and fire suppression for development
in the wildland-urban interface, which are areas where homes are set
up against undeveloped wild land, often chaparral and forests. In 2008,
Cal Fire will unveil new building codes to better protect homes in wildfire
hazard areas, but Tom Scott, a natural resource specialist from the
University of California reiterated that we must work to integrate community
planning and firefighting to truly protect our communities.
Assemblymember Nava and committee members also learned that the California
National Guard is being adversely affected by deployment of our troops
to Iraq and Afghanistan by the federal government. Major General William
Wade II, the Adjutant General of the Guard testified that worldwide
deployments have reduced Guard troop and equipment strength at home
should a disaster such as a fire or civil unrest occur, but that equipment
and personnel could be obtained from neighboring states through collaborative
agreements.
The hearing concluded with a report on AB 38, Assemblymember Nava's
bill to reform emergency services and homeland security in the state.
For the last three years Assemblymember Nava has worked with OES, the
Office of Homeland Security, law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel
and many others to bring about much needed change in how we respond
to emergencies. AB 38 creates a Cabinet-level Secretary of Emergency
Services and Homeland Security with direct access to the Governor when
planning for and responding to emergencies.
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Making a Difference
There are many wonderful people and organizations who impact the 35th Assembly District. From time to time, we will profile them in the
feature "Making a Difference". We welcome your suggestions.
Career Educator David Sanchez Named President of California
Teachers Association
1st Latino to hold presidency
Santa Barbara - Central Coast Kindergarten teacher David Sanchez has been named President of the California Teachers' Association (CTA), a 340,000 member organization representing public school teachers,counselors, psychologists, librarians, and other non-supervisory certificated
personnel in the State of California.
Sanchez has been in the teaching profession for over 27 years, and
still teaches Kindergarten in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Coming from a family where both his parents were educators, Sanchez
understands and cherishes the value of a quality public education. In
2006, Sanchez was named one of 80 Latino "Leaders of the Future in California"
in La Opinión newspaper. He will serve as the first ever Latino president
of CTA, at a time when almost 48 percent of California public school
children are Latino.
As president, Sanchez is focused on closing the school resource gap
to better serve all public school populations in California. He is committed
to CTA's mission statement "to protect and promote the well-being of
its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to
advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education;
to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and
youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic
society."
"Being a teacher and coming from a family of teachers, Mr. Sanchez
understands what it takes to provide a quality environment where students
can learn and teachers can teach," said Assemblymember Nava. "I commend
educators like David Sanchez for their commitment to preparing the next
generation of Californians to succeed."
For more information on CTA and President David Sanchez, visit the
CTA website at www.cta.org, or call (650) 697-1400.
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Update to the Sycamore Canyon Road Evacuation Plan
Nava and Caltrans speed up repair process
Montecito -
Responding to community concerns over Sycamore Canyon Road (Highway 144), which is closed pending stabilization of the hillside,Assemblymember Nava coordinated with the Santa Barbara City Fire Department,
the Montecito Fire District, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency
Services, California Highway Patrol and Caltrans to provide a viable
evacuation route for the residents of Montecito and Santa Barbara.
Nava requested that Caltrans install a "One Way Package" on Sycamore
Canyon Rd. which includes a series of signs that directs motorists southbound
- one way - on Sycamore Canyon Road. Caltrans met Nava's request the
same evening. Gates will be opened during Red Flag Days (Red Flag Days
will be determined by local fire officials). The CHP will increase patrols
of Sycamore Canyon Road during Red Flag Days and “Do Not Enter" signs
will be posted at the bottom of the hill prohibiting northbound travel.
The evacuation plan is especially important as fire season has begun
and locals are well aware of the difficulty containing the Zaca Fire.
Please check Assemblymember Nava’s website for updates on Sycamore Canyon
Road at:
www.assembly.ca.gov/nava/sycamore/sycamore.htm
The responsibility to stabilize the hillside rests with an independent
group, the Landslide Repair Foundation. The Foundation has received
lawsuit settlement money to conduct the stabilization repair. At Nava's
urging, Caltrans prepared the State of California repair permit and
to avoid any delay, waived the filing fees. Once the states repair permit
is filed, the County of Santa Barbara will supervise (through permitting)
the balance of the necessary stabilization work.
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Legislation to Give Local Control of Oxnard Boulevard Moves Forward
Would Require the State to Relinquish Oxnard Blvd
Oxnard\Sacramento -The City of Oxnard may soon have its way
with State Routes 1, 34, and 232. Better known within the city as Oxnard
Boulevard, East Fifth Street, and East Vineyard, respectively, these state
highways are on track toward becoming locally owned city streets.
"Oxnard wants to be in control of Oxnard Boulevard and make local decisions
about this important roadway. Once, it made sense for state engineering,
standards and control to apply, but as times changed, Oxnard realized
it had a better, different way to manage traffic, landscaping, pedestrian
access and safety," said Assemblymember Nava. "Caltrans standards, appropriate
for a state highway, do not make sense anymore. Oxnard elected officials
deserve a hand for taking leadership on this issue.”
AB 1611, carried by Assemblymember Pedro Nava at the request of the
City of Oxnard, is expected to hit the Governor's desk within the month.
The Governor is expected to sign the bill that will provide for relinquishment
of portions of these three routes to the City of Oxnard.
The relinquishment will further improve the Rice Avenue Intermodal Trade
Corridor project that the city is pursuing by providing better access
for trucks moving goods into and out of the Port of Hueneme by re-routing
State Route 1 to Rice Avenue. For locals, this means fewer trucks using
Oxnard Blvd to get to the port.
"AB 1611 is key to the city’s vision," said Assemblymember Nava. "It
will relieve port traffic on Oxnard Blvd while giving Oxnard jurisdiction
and local control over a thoroughfare that no longer serves as a traditional
state highway."
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Nava's Legislation Adds Carpinteria and Goleta to Santa Barbara Metropolitan
Transit District Board
 Sacramento -Assemblymember Pedro Nava's AB 61 is now the
law.
The bill increases the membership of the Santa Barbara Metropolitan
Transit District (SBMTD) from five to seven, to include representatives
from Goleta and Carpinteria. The Carpinteria and Goleta City Councils
will each have the authority to appoint a member. The measure will make
the transit district more representative of the region.
"I am very pleased the Governor signed my bill. Goleta and Carpinteria
wanted a seat at the MTA table. The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit
District supported the change," said Assemblymember Nava. We will now
have a more representative body for our area. Transportation services
for Santa Barbara County will be improved."
Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District also recently completed
installation of six new bus shelters thanks to funds from the State
of California, and they will soon install six more. The City of Santa
Barbara Redevelopment Agency (RDA) is set to receive a grant from the
State due to the amount of affordable housing the RDA has built in Santa
Barbara. These funds are allocated to help beautify the areas around
the affordable housing units, which will allow MTD to complete installation
of twelve state-of-the-art bus shelters with solar-powered lighting.
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Assemblymember Nava Tours Zaca Fire Command Center
Santa Inez - Located 15 miles Northeast of Buellton in Santa Barbara
County, the Zaca Fire began on July 4, 2007 and is expected to burn
through September. The fire began as sparks from a crew repairing
a water pipe with a metal grinder ignited nearby brush. Located primarily
on federal National Forest land, an integrated effort by Santa Barbara
County, Cal Fire and the US Department of Forestry was established
to oversee fire fighting efforts.
This command team center is at Live Oaks Base Camp. Nava toured the
camp on July 10 and witnessed first hand the extraordinary coordinated
effort. The camp has all the amenities responders need including kitchen,
tents, outside cafeteria and bathroom facilities to accommodate the
various fire crews brought in from all over the state.
Several trailers comprise the command center unit for the Zaca Fire.
One contains NOAA specialists who predict weather patterns and another
houses regional archeological specialists charged with preserving the
historical integrity of certain sensitive areas.
Assemblymember Nava chaired a Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency
Services and Homeland Security the following week and was able to bring
the experience and knowledge gained touring the Live Oaks Base Camp
to Sacramento. Cal Fire and the Office of Emergency Services Fire and
Rescue Branch updated the committee regarding conditions that are some
of the worst ever seen this fire season, which makes the need for a
coordinated fire effort critical. Assemblymember Nava commended the
state and local fire agencies for working together to put their lives
on the line for the protection of life and property of others.
To check on this and other fire updates go to:
www.fire.ca.gov or www.inciweb.org
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Emergency Contact Info for Santa Barbara County
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Internet:
www.inciweb.org
www.fire.ca.gov
www.countyofsb.org
www.211sbcounty.org
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Television:
Channel 18 - City of Santa Barbara
Channel 19 - City of Goleta
Channel 20 - Santa Barbara County
Phone:
211
911 |
Radio Stations:
AM Stations
KTMS-990
KUHL-1410
KZSB-1290
KINF-440
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FM Stations
KCSB-91.9
KSYV-96.7 (KMIX)
KSBL-101.7
KIST-107.7
KSPE-94.6 (Spanish)
KTYD-99.9
KRAZ-105.9
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Emergency Contact Info for Ventura County
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Internet:
www.inciweb.org
www.fire.ca.gov
www.vcsd.org/oes
www.fire.countyofventura.org
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Phone:
211
911
Oxnard: (805) 385-7717
Ventura: (805) 654-7794
Ventura County: (805) 654-2551
County Public Health: (805) 981-5331
Animals: 1-888-223-PETS (7387) |
Radio:
AM Stations
KVEN-1450
KVTA-1520
FM Stations
KHAY-100.7
KMLA-103.7 (Spanish)
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Interns Learn About State Government at Assembly District Offices
Oxnard\Santa Barbara- One of the best ways to understand
the inner workings of government is through a State Assembly internship
program. All of Assemblymember Nava's offices appreciate the help of bright,
motivated people who make a difference in a variety of important projects
in the district and capitol offices. Although unpaid, interns receive
important benefits as participants of the program. Behind-the-scenes experience,
understanding of state agency interaction, assisting and responding to
constituents, and meeting important community members are just a few of
the many benefits afforded through this prestigious internship program.
For more information about the internship programs please go to: www.assembly.ca.gov/nava/intern.htm
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Ventura County District Office Interns
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Santa Barbara County District Office Interns
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Natalie Silacci
La Reina H.S
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Johnny Vasquez
Pierce Community College
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Caitlin Macker
Santa Barbara H.S
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Drew Ruderman
UC Santa Barbara
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| Not pictured: Jacqueline
Jimenez, Santa Barbara H.S. |
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| Assemblymember
Pedro Nava Representing Assembly District 35 |
| District
Offices: |
Santa
Barbara County:
101 W. Anapamu, Ste A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 564-1649
Fax: (805) 564-1651 |
Ventura
County:
201 E. Fourth Street, Ste 209-A,
Oxnard, CA 93030
Phone: (805) 483-9808
Fax: (805) 483-8182
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| Capitol
Office: |
P.O.
Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0035
Phone: (916) 319-2035
Fax: (916) 319-2135 |
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