Sheriff Christina Corpus, emitió un comunicado concreto ante una campaña de desprestigio donde información falsa en su contra circuló a través de redes sociales diciendo que el condado esta fuera de control y ella no pudo con el paquete. Foto: www.smcsheriff.com
La sheriff del condado de San Mateo, Christina Corpus, ha emitido un important announcement saying: “nadie me intimidará para que realice cambios de personal. Este voto no es más que una maniobra política liderada por unos pocos internos que buscan dividir esta Oficina”, ante una posible campaña política de desprestigio con información falsa.
Y es que, se ha iniciado una campaña política de desprestigio en contra de Corpus, donde información falsa en su contra circuló a través de redes sociales diciendo que el condado esta fuera de control y ella no pudo con el paquete, razón por la cual debe salir del cargo actual, comentó Manuel Ortiz durante el programa de radio Península 360 Press y Hecho en California with Marcos Gutierrez.
Corpus, recordó, es la primer mujer latina en este cargo, cuenta con una licenciatura en Ciencias en Justicia Penal y tiene una maestría en Ciencias en Aplicación de la Ley y Liderazgo en Seguridad Pública.
A lo largo de su carrera ha trabajado en la División de Correcciones, Normas Profesionales y División de Operaciones, además de desarrollar el primer Simposio y Campamento de Entrenamiento para Mujeres en la Aplicación de la Ley para aumentar la diversidad de la fuerza laboral para orientar y capacitar a las mujeres que buscan una carrera en la aplicación de la ley.
La sheriff Corpus ha trabajado de la mano de su comunidad, apoyando y buscando el bienestar de los residentes, trabajo que muchos ciudadanos reconocen, señaló Ortiz.
Actualmente, existe cierta presión por algunos elementos que son de índole política que no se encuentran de acuerdo con su labor, sin embargo detrás de esta problemática existe la falta de respeto a sus capacidades, creyendo que por ser mujer no puede realizar ciertos cambios, subrayó.
Manuel Ortiz comentó que al revisar los comentarios generados por el comunicado, se pueden ver algunos que la atacan, pues dicen que Redwood City esta tomado por el crimen organizado, sin embargo eso no es cierto.
Sumado a ello, destacó que Redwood City no le pertenece a la sheriff Christina Corpus, por lo que estos comentarios solo forman parte de ataques sin fundamentos.
Para los residentes de North Fair Oaks, existe un aprecio por ciertos cambios que ha hecho Christina Corpus porque ella ya había trabajado con la comunidad y generado un previo acercamiento.
“Las actividades comunitarias se han fortalecido, se han ampliado y eso es algo que la comunidad aprecia”, expresó Manuel Ortiz.
Finalmente destacó que pareciera que se está creando una campaña de desprestigio político, a lo que Corpus llamó un golpeteo contra su jefe de personal, pues se encuentra haciendo cambios que no le agradan al equipo que se encontraba anteriormente y esto ha generado ataques a su persona y a su equipo de trabajo.
In an unprecedented move for the industry, the new PlayStation game released on August 23rd will disappear from stores and hard drives on September 6th of this year. Just as you heard, in less than two weeks, Concord, a game that took 8 years to make will be completely gone, unbuyable, undownloadable, and will disappear from your account wherever you bought it.
Official statement from the director of Concord
Ryan Ellis, game director and co-founder Firewalk Studios, announced at the Play Station Blog the tragic death of the game. Fortunately, everyone who purchased it will receive a full refund on any platform.
This catastrophe puts a stop to PlayStation’s plans to venture into the games-as-a-service and multiplayer space. And it’s not that the Japanese company doesn’t know how to make quality games, franchises like The Last of Us, God of War or Uncharted have stood the test of time, spawned several sequels and embedded themselves in popular culture in every corner of the world. Of course, all of these have one thing in common, they are single-player games. It’s no secret that the games-as-a-service model is much more lucrative because players have incentives to make recurring expenses. This put Concord in a difficult crossroads, on one hand, the game was designed to be an ongoing experience and have constant profits. At the same time, being a Sony studio, it had to maintain the premium product standard and present itself with the pedigree and prestige of any other PlayStation game. This resulted in the feeling that the game was just like any other you would find for free on Steam, but with the price of forty dollars to even try it.
Various journalists in the media point to the price as the main culprit for the lack of players and the premature end of its history, but the truth is different.
Even if PlayStation had given the game away, consumers simply wouldn't have come forward, as evidenced by the low number of players on Steam that the free beta reported.
The real culprit behind this game's death is how awfully generic it was. Concord was like the minimalist art that every company uses, you see it everywhere and its function is to illustrate without raising any particular feeling or thought. Maybe the worst thing about this situation is that the game wasn't even bad, but let's be honest, in what world is someone going to pay 40 dollars for something that you can find for free and better done elsewhere?
Concord's fate also highlights the importance of a video game's design, presentation, and aesthetics. Without a story mode or previous titles to get to know these characters, their story has to be told simply through their appearance, and what Concord's characters screamed was "generic hero number 3."
El medio ambiente es responsabilidad de todos, en apoyo a su cuidado el Fondo de Reducción de Gases de Efecto Invernadero ha llegado para impulsar diversas iniciativas que mejoren las condiciones de las comunidades más vulnerables.
Los efectos del cambio climático han ido en aumento, por lo que gobierno federal ha trabajado en diversas medidas para disminuir las afectaciones y cuidar a las comunidades más vulnerables destinando fondos para busca acercar opciones de energía limpia a los hogares más necesitados, un trabajo en conjunto donde las mejoras en casas-habitación favorecen al medio ambiente.
Se trata de la mayor inyección de fondos federales en energía limpia y cambio climático, son 27 mil millones de dólares destinados a las comunidades que soportan los costes energéticos per cápita más elevados y con mayor afectación por la contaminación.
Así, el Fondo de Reducción de Gases de Efecto Invernadero ha llegado para apoyar diversas iniciativas que mejoren las condiciones de las comunidades más vulnerables, desde cambio de electrodomésticos hasta energías sustentables para una comunidad entera.
Es la financiación más grande que se ha tenido para satisfacer las necesidades urgentes de la crisis climática, asegurar la competencia libre con la creación de energías, promover energía independiente y tener costos bajos de electricidad en el país, dijo David Widawsky, director de la oficina del Fondo para la Reducción de los Gases de Efecto Invernadero de la Agencia de Protección del Medio Ambiente de EE.UU. durante una sesión informativa realizada por Ethnic Media Services.
Los fondos están destinados a diversos programas y proyectos con otras organizaciones y empresas,donde los principales enfoques son las energías renovables, eficiencia energética, nuevos edificios sostenibles, cambiar diferentes electrodomésticos y más.
Este financiamiento tiene 5 principales objetivos: reducir los gases del efecto invernadero y otros contaminantes, obtener beneficios que sean directos a las comunidades más vulnerables, reducir el peso energético, ampliar el financiamiento y adquirir nuevos inversionistas privados.
A nivel estatal, el enfoque se encuentra en la energía solar comunitaria, residencial y almacenamiento solar, para los cuales se cuenta con 70 mil millones de dólares con 60 beneficiarios a nivel estatal, donde las comunidades, negocios, asociaciones y más, se encuentran buscando oportunidades para implementar sus proyectos, comentó Widawsky.
“Estamos hablando de una oportunidad invalorable para las personas, los negocios, para las comunidades, para aquellas personas que se pueden beneficiar de la financiación para tener energía limpia a su alcance”, dijo.
Shalanda H. Baker, vicerrectora primera de Sostenibilidad y Acción Climática de la Universidad de Michigan, explicó que la inseguridad energética es un tema importante porque algunos destinan hasta 6 por ciento de sus ingresos en la energía eléctrica, esto genera que sea una sobre carga de costos en los hogares.
Y es que, más de 52 por ciento de los hogares afroamericanos tienen inseguridad energética, mientras que 47 por ciento en los hogares latinos gastan demasiado, dando como resultado la busqueda de opciones energéticas para reducir los costos, mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas y ayudar a medio ambiente.
Evie Bauman, directora de Implantación Comunitaria de Rewiring America, que forma parte de la coalición Power Forward Communities, comentó que es importante reemplazar electrodomésticos que generan gases de efecto invernadero por aparatos que son amigables con el medio ambiente.
Bauman asegura que 42 por ciento de las emisiones eléctricas vienen directamente de los hogares, ya sea para calentar o enfriar alimentos, limpiar ropa y cocinar, de tal manera que al modificar esta parte se puede ser más consientes del cambio climático, pero también mejorar la calidad de vida de las familias.
Cabe señalar que se ha implementado un programa de reembolso, y para ello se ha puesto a disposición un sitio web donde los interesados pueden consultar si son candidatos, así como las opciones disponibles.
Asimismo, para llegar a los hogares que más lo necesitan, junto con el gobierno federal se han asociado 5 organizaciones con el nombre de Power forward Communities; mientras que el año pasado se implementaron 5 proyectos relevantes donde se apoya a las familias para obtener una mejora de electrificación de manera gratuita.
Rosemery Jones, residente en De Soto, Georgia, gestora de proyectos de Rewiring America, explicó que estos programas buscan bajar la factura de luz sin dejar de tener un hogar sano y digno.
Cabe destacar que en muchos hogares es imposible comprar electrodomésticos nuevos y responsables con el consumo de energía, muchos más no tienen como pagar un aire acondicionado y los que son candidatos a algun programa de apoyo pueden no tener la información a su alcance o los recursos para acercarse a solicitarlo, expresó Rosemery Jones.
Jessie Buendía, directora de Impacto de la Coalición por el Capital Verde, comentó que el banco verde se conforma de muchas organizaciones e iniciativas con la finalidad de disminuir los gases del efecto invernadero.
“El cambio climático es un problema de un trillon de dólares, no se puede solucionar todo con un solo sector, por lo que el pago inicial es para catalizar inversiones del sector privado para ayudar a las comunidades a hacer esa transición al sector de las energías limpias”.
“Es importante que los bancos verdades, las instituciones, locales, estatales y organizaciones creen más oportunidades para las comunidades, trabajar en conjunto para asegurarse que los servicios públicos tengan acceso a las energías verdes para no usar los combustibles fósiles que tienen esos efectos tan negativos”, finalizó Buendía.
Chrystel Cornelius, presidenta y directora general de Oweesta Corporation, comentó que ella apoya en el sistema financiero y económico para los sectores que se encuentran los menos favorecidos, pues mucho de los recursos fueron designados para las comunidades rurales.
El objetivo es ayudar a 20 mil hogares con proyectos que impulsen las comunidades en necesidades en común, como crear fuentes de energías donde varios hogares sean favorecidos. Dentro de sus proyectos se encuentra la idea de apoyar a los pequeños negocios y generar trabajos dentro de estos proyectos, expreso Cornelius.
Los expertos coinciden es que este apoyo económico es muy valioso, sin embargo se necesita hacer mucho más para que llega a los lugares necesarios.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Tuesday, September 17, as National Voter Registration Day, a reminder to check your registration status and an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of preparing for Election Day by registering to vote. Photo: P360P
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The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors proclaimed Tuesday, September 17, as National Voter Registration Day, a reminder to check your registration status and an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of preparing for Election Day by registering to vote.
With 50 days to go until the general election in the United States, it is of utmost importance to remember that it only takes a few minutes register to vote or check your registration status.
Nearly 438,000 San Mateo County residents are registered to vote, about 85 percent of the roughly 514,000 who are eligible.
California allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote before they are eligible to cast a ballot. If a teen you know will turn 18 before Election Day (November 5), they will be able to vote, but a pre-registration form is required. online pre-registration.
It should be noted that you can find detailed information about local elections, candidates for public office, how to register to vote or check the status of your registration by clicking Click here. Translations are available in Spanish, Chinese and Filipino here.
In response, San Mateo County is partnering with numerous local organizations to spread the word about voting and raise awareness about voter registration.
These include: Turn Up & Turn Out: Civic Education Fair, taking place on Saturday, September 21, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Menlo School (50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton). An afternoon of democracy in action designed to inspire and educate the next generation of voters and civic leaders.
Added to this is Tu Voto, Tu Futuro/Your Vote, Your Future, which will take place on Monday, September 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. online session on Facebook about the importance of voting, how to register, the role of Latinos in the upcoming elections and more.
This event will be in Spanish, with English interpretation available. The session is sponsored by San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Chairman Warren Slocum and the Caron Program.
The election is on Nov. 5 and the United States will elect a new president, but voting for the nation's highest office along with dozens of important local races actually begins in San Mateo County on Oct. 7.
This is when voters begin to receive their ballots in the mail and the first ballots are opened. voting centers.
A forum for candidates for San Mateo County Supervisor District 4 has been convened by several local organizations.
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As the general election in the U.S. approaches, several local organizations have called on candidates for District 4 in San Mateo County to attend a public forum, with the intention of giving voters a more informed vote on who could represent them.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors District 4 Candidate Forum will be held on Monday, September 23 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Fair Oaks Community Center, and all residents are invited to attend.
Hosted by ThriveAlliance, Leadership Council San Mateo County, and Choose Children, a project of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the forum will provide San Mateo County residents with the opportunity to hear from the candidates for Board of Supervisors representing District 4: East Palo Alto City Councilmember Lisa Gauthier and East Palo Alto Mayor Antonio Lopez.
Candidates Gauthier and López qualified for the November 5 elections thanks to the primaries held on March 5.
It should be noted that all districts have changed since the 2020 Census report and the following redistricting process. District 4 includes the cities of Redwood City, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and North Fair Oaks.
“Thrive Alliance, Choose Children, and the San Mateo County Leadership Council are collaborating to offer this Candidate Forum to facilitate voter education, and we encourage County residents to attend. Questions on a variety of topics will be directed to the candidates,” said San Mateo County Leadership Council Co-Chair Kaarin Hardy.
For her part, Yajaira Ortega, Director of Policy and Equity at ThriveAlliance, said that an engaged and informed electorate is the foundation of a prosperous democracy.
“Through events like this Candidate Forum, Thrive Alliance works to create spaces where community members can connect with candidates, ask important questions, and feel empowered to make informed decisions at the ballot box. Civic participation is more than a right – we are all responsible for building a more inclusive and representative future for San Mateo County,” she stressed.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors oversees County departments, programs and properties with an annual budget of more than $4 billion. Through this oversight, the Supervisors seek to serve the many goals and priorities of the community.
“An overwhelming majority of San Mateo voters agree and want elected officials to prioritize family-friendly policies that will create a bright future for our children and our community. Voters want candidates to come to the table with meaningful proposals to address the needs of our youngest children and their families,” said Christine Thorsteinson, Director of Early Childhood Initiatives at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
“Our future is brighter when all children are healthy, safe and engaged in early learning. It is brighter when working families have access to affordable child care and when our early care providers are fairly compensated,” she added.
It is worth noting that ThriveAlliance, Leadership Council San Mateo County, and Choose Children and Silicon Valley Community Foundation are non-sponsoring and non-partisan organizations that only organize the forum.
Virtual assistance will be Available on Zoom, will also have interpretation into Spanish.
During the first debate between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, the former Republican president falsely claimed that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents' pets, including dogs and cats.
These statements provoked a mocking reaction from Harris, who said they were completely false.
The debate moderator then intervened to refute Trump's claim, saying that neither the local police chief nor the mayor were aware of any such activity in the city.
As expected, social media exploded with memes mocking Trump's statements. Videos of animals in casseroles, images of dachshunds with bread around them, DJ mixes using Trump's words, are some of the reactions that went viral, generating laughter in many sectors.
However, the other side of this story is much more worrying, especially for immigrants of color in Springfield. After Trump's statements, many of them are now afraid to go out to the stores, take their children to school or even leave their homes. The situation has become so tense, that several universities and schools have opted to move to online classes due to bomb threats and mass shootings.
Ohio's Republican governor has come out to deny Trump's claims, saying there is no record of incidents where pets have been eaten.
It is important to exercise empathy in this situation. In the United States, unfortunately, there is a lot of ignorance regarding the ethnic diversity of the population. Often, all those who speak Spanish are considered Mexican, those with Asian features are identified as Chinese, and anyone who wears a turban is assumed to be Arab. Now, many dark-skinned immigrants in Springfield are seen as possible Haitians, a community that has been the target of discrimination and hatred.
Imagine being a person of color, an immigrant in this country who came to a town in need of labor and is now an integral part of that community. Imagine that, after irresponsible comments from a presidential candidate, you see white supremacists marching through your neighborhood, the place where you have worked for years and where you raise your children.
Suddenly, your coworkers and people on the street look at you differently, believing that you might be out to eat their pets, all because someone they trust told them this lie.
Plus, imagine getting a notification from your school on a Monday morning warning you not to take your kids to in-person classes and that, for the indefinite period, classes will be held online for safety reasons.
When we put ourselves in the shoes of this immigrant community, we realize that the videos and memes mocking Trump are no longer funny. There is a vulnerable community in danger, facing a growing climate of hate and discrimination.
Sheriff Christina Corpus issues statement, “"No one will bully me into making personnel changes. This vote is nothing more than a political maneuver led by a few insiders seeking to divide this Office." Photo: P360P archive
The following is the full text of the message shared by San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus.
Over the past several weeks, special interests seeking to undermine my leadership have attempted to intimidate me into a vote of no confidence against my Chief of Staff.
Let me be very clear: I will not be bullied into making personnel changes. This vote is nothing more than a political maneuver led by a few insiders seeking to divide this Office. It has no legal implications and changes nothing. I appointed my Chief of Staff, and he will remain in that position.
Rather than playing political games, I will continue to focus on serving the residents of San Mateo County who entrusted me with their public safety.
To the residents of our county, I say thank you. You elected me as your Sheriff to make positive and much-needed changes to this Office. Change is not easy and some of our efforts are being met with resistance. But your support has allowed us to help many of our residents. During my short time in office, we have accomplished much, including:
Enhance crime reduction strategies by increasing proactive patrols, providing residents with information that improves their awareness, and using advanced technology to forecast crime trends and prevent crimes;
Establish accountability and transparency protocols in relation to critical events in custody involving incarcerated persons;
Recruit over 110 employees to the Sheriff's Office and improve the vacancy rate from 25% to 15%;
Create long-awaited wellness programs for our employees;
Develop several community-focused programs that go “above and beyond the call of duty” to address the root problem;
Open lines of communication with the public, including implementing the Officer Survey Initiative, creating “CARE” groups that provide an opportunity for a diverse group of community members to engage with me in person, as well as creating a framework for future community group meetings and Town Halls;
And investing in more performance-based training for employees to develop their skills and ensure we provide the highest quality of law enforcement services to our residents.
I sincerely believe that the majority of the women and men working in this Office are dedicated professionals who have no interest in political theater. Neither do I. You have my commitment that I will continue to focus all my energy on the greatest privilege of my professional life: serving you.
Puente Organization provides decent housing to farmers in Pescadero. Photo: mypuente.org
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The Puente organization has worked for years to provide housing opportunities to farmers, and as part of their work they have acquired a ranch that allows them to promote the dream of offering decent housing for those who need it most.
Puente is a nonprofit organization that supports the South Coast of San Mateo County, fostering well-being and prosperity in communities by promoting and advocating for equitable access to education, health, and economic security.
Rita Mancera, from the Puente organization, said she is happy to share the news of the acquisition of a piece of land that will serve to support families in their basic needs such as housing, as she said during the radio program Por la Libre with Manuel Ortiz.
“There is a lot of work involved and we have been looking for this opportunity for about two years, and when the ranch was put up for sale, we immediately saw the opportunity to get one of our housing projects going,” he said.
Puente has a strategic plan, and the goal they set for 2024 and 2025 was to get involved in finding housing solutions specifically for farmers but also for low-income people.
This is the first project that has been launched and they are very excited about the opportunity.
Elvia Aguilar is a tenant of this project. For her, having this space to live in is a great support and she says that she has received a lot of support from the association.
“I like to talk about Pescadero as a place of contrast because there are many things that are not there, but there are many things that are its strengths, those are in the people, in how they have organized themselves, how they raise their voices,” he stressed.
Currently there are no accessible medical services, there is no clinic, but Puente offers two spaces where San Mateo County health services go to Pescadero and operate as a clinic on Thursdays, however it is not enough.
Mancera said that, according to a study conducted by San Mateo County in 2016, approximately 1,200 housing units are needed for farmers, so he says that this project is very small, but valuable for the community.
This is a plot of land where there are 2 lots, one of which already has 6 family homes and 4 shared rooms, giving 28 people the opportunity to live in this place. Photo: P360P
“This is a plot of land with two lots, one of which already has six family homes and four shared rooms, giving 28 people the opportunity to live here,” he added.
Finally, everyone was invited to attend a fundraising dinner that will be held on October 11th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All funds raised will go towards making the necessary repairs to the homes.
To collaborate and be part of this project, you can contact the Puente organization at (650) 879-1691 or on the website https://mypuente.org/whoweare/
The number of homeless people in Redwood City has declined despite a significant increase in this group of residents in San Mateo County, following a reported increase in the number of unsheltered homeless people in the city from 2022 to 2023 from 245 to 189.
This was announced by Redwood City Human Services Director Teri Chin, who during a presentation on the city's Work Plan for Homeless Initiatives, detailed that the city has been in contact with 334 people and 54 families, and has been able to place 40 in permanent housing and 146 in temporary housing.
During the presentation held on Monday night at the Council meeting, Chin specified that the majority of people living in encampments are Hispanic, while 14 percent of the total population of this population has been living in that situation for more than 10 years..
He also said that the average waiting time for single people to obtain shelter is significantly shorter than for those with families. The waiting list for families trying to obtain shelter is 50 long.
She said the city currently has seven outreach workers who go to the camps to provide people with resources and a way to transition to permanent housing, but funding for these employees is coming to an end this year.
However, the city said it will create an ad hoc committee to seek funding to continue to employ outreach workers in the city, as they play a key role in reducing the number of people living in camps by establishing a relationship of trust with residents so they accept the help needed to transition to housing.
To address encampment-related issues in the city, the City has launched seven initiatives that proactively address public health and safety concerns, as well as help homeless residents living in encampments access permanent housing, including:
Proactive outreach to encampment residents: offering services, shelter, and housing, including access to Units on Demand at the San Mateo County Navigation Center as a bridge to shelter and housing opportunities through the San Mateo County Coordinated Entry System (CES).
Weekly Camp Waste Collection Services: Aimed at mitigating health and safety concerns and reducing the impact of camps on the community.
City-owned encampment cleanup: Addresses encampments located on City property where health and safety concerns arise, such as proximity to critical infrastructure, fire hazards, criminal activity, biohazardous waste, hazardous materials, or obstructions to pedestrian or wheelchair access.
Coordination with other agencies: Provide advance notice and offer services to homeless individuals when CalTrans and other public agencies conduct periodic encampment cleanups on their property.
Priority Shelter Placement: Provides immediate shelter placement and services whenever camp cleanups are scheduled.
Meanwhile, at the meeting held at City Hall, Redwood City Mayor Jeff Gee, who also represents District 1, acknowledged that September is a busy month because it is Hispanic Heritage Month, Suicide Awareness Month, and it also includes Welcoming Week and United Against Hate Week.
At the meeting, members of the Redwood City Latino Community Council took the stage to speak about their gratitude to the city for recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and promoting Fiestas Patrias, a community celebration taking place this Sunday, September 15 at Courthouse Square, located at 2200 Broadway Ave, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
At the meeting, members of the Redwood City Latino Community Council took the stage to speak about their gratitude to the city for recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and promoting Fiestas Patrias, a community celebration taking place this Sunday, September 15 at Courthouse Square, located at 2200 Broadway Ave, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“We organized this event for all the people who can’t go back [to Latin America],” said Connie Guerrero, a member of the council, while referring to the fact that Fiestas Patrias is also about celebrating the entire Latino community, from those who work in technology, to those in the hospitality industry and the fields that make Redwood City and the community thrive.“We organized this event for all the people who can’t go back [to Latin America],” said Connie Guerrero, a member of the council, while referring to the fact that Fiestas Patrias is also about celebrating the entire Latino community, from those who work in technology, to those in the hospitality industry and the fields that make Redwood City and the community thrive.
Call to return to virtual public comments
Finally, the City Council reported that they received 17 written public comments to reinstate the option for virtual public comment during City Council meetings.
Community members said not having this option at meetings has created significant barriers for residents to join in person because meetings are at the same time they have to put their children to bed, while residents who work in the hospitality industry do not have a 9-5 workday, so they are also unable to make their voices heard by attending in person.
In addition to creating barriers, older adults said they feel uncomfortable driving at night, when visibility is low.
After hearing written comments from the public, Mayor Gee said the reason this format was stopped was because of a past incident in which homophobic and racist slurs were used.
The council discussed possible solutions to bring back virtual public comment, such as requiring people to fill out contact forms when joining the Zoom, but the city attorney quickly dismissed that option, explaining that by law, the city cannot require it.
Unfortunately, the council did not approve an amendment to bring back virtual public comment, but it will go back to committee for review. Gee said it is not indefinite.
For her part, Councilwoman Lissette Espinoza-Garnica said she was in favor of bringing back virtual public comment, but expressed that it is up to the mayor and, based on the manual, he can determine the option of virtual public comment.
If you want to watch the full City Council meeting, click here Click here to see her.
The Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco will hold the official ceremony commemorating the 214th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico in SF this coming September 15 at the Civic Center Plaza in the city of San Francisco, where the Mexican Consul Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, together with Mayor London Breed, will celebrate the culture and history of Mexico in style.
The Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco will hold the official ceremony commemorating the 214th Anniversary of Mexico's Independence this coming September 15 at the Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco, where Mexican Consul Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, along with Mayor London Breed, will celebrate Mexican culture and history in style.
Vallejo Barba will give the traditional “Grito de Independencia” with the mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, as guest of honor. The “Grito” ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 15 at 8:00 p.m. However, there will be a street party that will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the civic plaza located at 335 McCallister.
“It is an honor for me to join the Consulate of Mexico, MNC Inspiring Success, as well as Mexican citizens in San Francisco and the region to celebrate El Grito de Independencia at the Civic Center,” said the Mayor of San Francisco.
“I am proud to be the mayor of a city with a rich history of Latino heritage and to recognize the contributions of our diverse communities. Today, we share a sense of community pride with Mexicans in San Francisco and recognize the way they have helped shape our city,” Breed said.
This year, the traditional popular festival, organized in collaboration with the city of San Francisco, MNC Inspiring Success, Carnaval San Francisco and the San Francisco Civic Patriotic Committee, will include performances by the Carlos Moreno Folkloric Ballet, the Yucatecan Jarana Orchestra of the Mayab Association, Mariachi San Francisco and singer Edna Vázquez.
Edna Vázquez is currently the Mexican voice of the group “Pink Martini” and in 2023 she was the guest artist at the San Francisco Symphony's Day of the Dead celebration.
The Mexican consulate said this year's celebration will be very special, as it will include the sale of handicrafts, delicious Mexican snacks, and for the first time, a wrestling show.
The Mexican consulate said that this year's celebration will be very special, as it will include the sale of handicrafts, delicious Mexican snacks, and for the first time, a wrestling show. Image: X Consulate of Mexico in San Francisco
This event celebrating the culture, traditions and contributions of Mexicans in San Francisco is supported by several sponsors including COMCAST, the Golden State Warriors, the SF Giants, San Francisco Parks and Recreation, the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs; CLECHA, Teamsters Local 350, Carnaval San Francisco, Talentum, as well as Telemundo 48 and Radio Lazer as media sponsors.
It is worth noting that, additionally, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco will participate in more than 10 community events commemorating the national holidays throughout the consular district this weekend, which include the placement of a floral offering at the foot of the statue of Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in Dolores Park in the Mission.
