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Caltrain unveils electric train, first of its kind in California

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Peninsula 360 Press

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2024.08.13

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Caltrain unveils electric train, first of its kind in California

Caltrain unveils first electric train in California — Gov. Gavin Newsom and House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi at the Caltrain electric rail unveiling event on Aug. 10, 2024. (Joe Rosenheim/Bay City News)

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By Joe Rosenheim. Bay City News.

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The formal opening of Caltrain's innovative electric train, the first of its kind in California, took place Saturday morning in San Francisco.

The event was attended by a group of politicians and other dignitaries who touted the project as a sign of renewed hope for modern railways and a precursor to similar projects elsewhere.

The launch began with a long series of short speeches, including from House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed, followed by a train ride to Millbrae and back, exclusive to government, business and labor officials in attendance, along with the media.

“We’re looking forward to these trains moving and making noise, but you won’t notice it because they’ll be so quiet,” Breed said.

Caltrain, which began the $2.4 billion project in 2017, will gradually phase in electric trains to its existing diesel trains between now and Sept. 21, when its fleet is expected to be all-electric. Sunday marks the first day the new trains will be used for mass transit.

Local officials described the project as a dream long in the making that finally came to fruition through astonishing levels of inter-agency cooperation, the pooling of diverse funding sources and the tortuous navigation of a thorny political landscape.

“This is the spirit of California and that spirit has alarmed the world,” Newsom joked.

He said the trains “will set the template for the future of all railroads in the country, and when electric is the norm, we will likely say, ‘It all started here in San Francisco.’”

According to Caltrain spokesman Dan Lieberman, the new trains will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 250,000 metric tons a year — the equivalent of taking 55,000 cars off the road. He said other benefits include faster service (electric trains accelerate and decelerate much more quickly), less noise, smoother rides and a host of new onboard amenities.

“There is Wi-Fi, power outlets under every forward-facing seat, security cameras, digital displays, improved climate controls and redesigned accessible restrooms,” Lieberman said.

The Caltrain electrification project combines funding from numerous sources at all levels of government, including more than $2 billion combined from the federal and state governments, and approximately $250 million from local ballot measures, bridge toll funds, and contributions from San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties.

“We had a lot of leadership at the federal, state and local levels trying to secure funding and overcome various political hurdles,” Lieberman said.

Speakers at Saturday's event said Caltrain's electric rail is both a triumph in itself and a boost to California's troubled plan to build a high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a project that ties into Caltrain's electrification effort in some important ways.

The state's original high-speed rail plan, which was approved for funding by voters in 2008, called for building new tracks along the entire rail line. That plan was later scrapped amid lawsuits from several peninsula cities opposing construction.

It was replaced by a new plan that would share existing Caltrain tracks and then run the train through the Central Valley after the end of the Caltrain line in Gilroy (although Union Pacific, not Caltrain, owns the tracks between San Jose and Gilroy).

“They wanted to destroy the peninsula and all the cities filed lawsuits; it was like a prairie fire,” said U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, as she chatted with her interlocutors during the train’s 30-minute inaugural ride. “So we came up with the idea that the peninsula’s high-speed rail would be Caltrain.”

The new plan — and the federal funding its backers secured — breathed new life into the California project, Eshoo said. It also helped secure state and federal funding for the Caltrain project, because that initiative's success became central to the high-speed rail plan.

“High-speed rail has helped us secure funding for Caltrain because they will ultimately be running on the same tracks,” Lieberman said.

California plans aside, Lieberman stressed that Caltrain's achievement was already monumental.

“This is a diesel-to-electric conversion, the first project of its kind in a generation in North America,” he said. “It’s been done before, but I think it was in the 1980s. This was a construction project along an 83-kilometer operating rail corridor. And this is an incredibly complex undertaking that was done outside of our work hours, meaning that workers were up late at night a lot. So a lot of the credit goes to the men and women who actually built this system.”

Lieberman added that he expects Caltrain ridership levels to rebound after years of low numbers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The choice between the traffic on [U.S. Highway] 101 and riding on a beautiful, modern train — that’s not even a choice,” he added.

You may be interested in: Redwood City Fire Chief Ray Iverson retires after 33-year career

Medicaid: An opportunity to break the health disparity

Health

sandra martinez

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2024.08.13

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Medicaid: An opportunity to break the health disparity

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Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, currently offering free or low-cost coverage to more than 83 million people in the United States, but not all states have managed to maintain a high number of beneficiaries due to misinformation or confusion in paperwork; however, Medicaid seeks to break the health disparity and provide health services to all.

Approximately 23 million people, including 3 million children, have lost or will lose coverage due to the end of pandemic-era continuous coverage protections. Of the 23 million people who will lose or have lost coverage, 69 percent have been disenrolled for reasons other than their eligibility.

Expanding Medicaid to close the coverage gap is one of the most significant ways for states to increase coverage rates and achieve health equity, experts said during a briefing held by Ethnic Media Services.

Ten states, mostly in the South, continue to choose not to expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, and these states have some of the worst health disparities in the country.

Katherine Hempstead, senior policy adviser at the foundation Robert Wood Johnson, said the federal Medicaid program was designed as a federal-state partnership, meaning there is both federal and state money earmarked for the program in each state, and while the federal government spends much more, the amount each state spends depends on the average income bracket of the state.

So it's a very large program that primarily benefits children, pregnant women, low-income adults, but also low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Medicaid was originally designed for low-income groups, however its services are so broad that they benefit anyone.

Hempstead said states that are considering expanding coverage to immigrants should be encouraged and, if so, would have to use state funds to do so, “but we know that several states have expanded coverage to people regardless of their immigration status, sometimes it is only a combination of groups that benefit, so the objective is lost, although the effort made in California is evident.”

There is a gap in this regard, and the use of coverage for immigrants is complicated by the fear of providing personal information that could compromise them, which makes it difficult to remain on Medicaid, even though they remain eligible, Hempstead said.

Martha Sánchez, Director of Health Policy and Defense of Young Invincibles, commented that the organization was founded in 2009, encouraging young adults to gain access to affordable and quality health care, “despite our age, we understand that young people are not invincible, we need health care, we get sick and face a number of chronic problems.”

A 2019 study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that at least half of young adults between 18 and 34 years old have at least one chronic condition such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, or mental health, among others.

She said that young people aged 18 to 24 show symptoms of mental illness such as depression, anxiety and loneliness, so having a comprehensive medical service is essential for emotional development, in addition to any other illness.

“Statistics and studies that we are receiving from the American Cancer Society support that we are increasing the number of people suffering from more serious cancers, including colon cancer, and therefore diseases that would normally affect the older population,” he explained.

She also said that the goal is to reach out to young people and make sure they know they need to renew their Medicaid, so they are supporting the Department of Education's efforts, raising awareness to determine eligibility in general; "it's about health and protecting the future of young people."

Joan Alker, CEO and co-founder of Center for Children and Families and research professor at Georgetown University, explained that her mission is to ensure that all children and families have access to high-quality health care, leaving the question: Do you know how Medicaid should cover children?

“We predicted that 6.7 million people would experience a gap in health coverage, but we don’t know why for children. What we do know is that the community of color is doing very badly – many of these children are still eligible, but they are not enrolled.”

Alker said some states are really rethinking their eligibility systems and are undertaking new policies that are very exciting, such as keeping all babies up to age 6 in school continuously. “Parents don’t have to worry about losing coverage, so you can make sure those kids have a healthy start in life.”

“We have 11 states and the District of Columbia that are trying to improve their policies, other states did everything they could to protect children in this process like North Carolina and Kentucky that delayed the process for children, but we have some states that have doubled down on their efforts to expel children, even though we know that many of them are eligible.”

In Texas, 1.3 million children were left out, and in Florida, the figure is more than half a million. “When parents lost coverage, they fell into a gap, but children often lost coverage too, and they shouldn’t have because they remain eligible.”

“The Native American community is so large, so I'm very concerned that Native American children have lost coverage while still being eligible. We need to get the message out to parents that their child is likely still eligible and to seek help in their communities to get those children re-enrolled, to get help from their pediatrician at the clinic,” she said.

Stan Dorn, director of the health policy project at UnidosUS, said Latinos have been drastically affected. Medicaid covers nearly 4 million teenagers, when the number of Latinos covered by the program is more than three times higher in the United States.

On the other hand, almost 3 million African Americans, at least, have lost Medicaid during the deintegration, using very conservative methodologies in processes and paperwork.

Although many are still eligible, it is necessary to review the information that reaches the most vulnerable communities and support the renewal processes; experts say that the task is still long, but it is necessary so that everyone can obtain quality medical service.

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San Francisco prosecutors charge 26 protesters who blocked the Golden Gate Bridge in April

San Francisco

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.12

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Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that twenty-six people have been charged in connection with an unlawful public assembly on the Golden Gate Bridge on April 15, 2024, while protesting the war in Gaza.

Eight people are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit felonies and 18 with one count of misdemeanor conspiracy, while all are charged with 38 counts of false imprisonment, trespassing to interfere with a business, obstructing a public highway, unlawful assembly, refusal to disperse in a riot and failure to obey the lawful order of a uniformed officer.

According to a statement, an arrest warrant has been issued for each individual charged. They must surrender to the California Highway Patrol immediately, but no later than Monday, August 12.

Court appearances in San Francisco Superior Court will be scheduled as individuals turn themselves in, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said.

“I want to thank the California Highway Patrol for their work to peacefully resolve this incident and their subsequent thorough investigation,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “While we must protect avenues for free speech, the exercise of free speech cannot compromise public safety.”

The official stressed that the demonstration on the Golden Gate Bridge created a level of security risk, including extreme threats to the health and well-being of those trapped, that “as a society we cannot ignore or allow.”

“We will continue to ensure that adequate avenues for the expression of free speech and social advocacy exist and are protected in San Francisco. I truly believe that there can be freedom of expression while maintaining the safety of our communities,” he added.

For his part, California Highway Patrol Chief Don Goodbrand said that while he recognizes and supports everyone's right to protest and assemble under the First Amendment, this does not extend to blocking roads and preventing the free movement of others.

“Regardless of the message, blocking roads is not only illegal, but dangerous for protesters, motorists, and first responders who must now help clear the incident. District Attorney Jenkins and her office have been a valuable partner in our efforts to hold accountable those responsible for disrupting the lives of so many people on the morning of April 15, and we are grateful for their hard work in bringing these charges,” she said.

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office said an affidavit filed in court in support of the arrest warrant describes a coordinated effort to illegally shut down the Golden Gate Bridge coinciding with the A-15 protests with the goal of disrupting the economy across the country in a coordinated manner.

As a result of the protest, he said, hundreds of motorists were trapped on the Golden Gate Bridge and US 101, who had no choice but to remain stuck on the highway for several hours.

According to an affidavit, the Golden Gate Bridge District lost more than $162,000 in revenue on April 15 due to the protest.

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Redwood City Fire Chief Ray Iverson retires after 33-year career

Community

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.12

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After a distinguished 33-year career in the fire service, Ray Iverson, Chief of the Redwood City Fire Department, which also serves the City of San Carlos, has announced his retirement.

Chief Iverson, who joined Redwood City in June 2021, will officially retire in December of this year, but will continue to lead the department and focus on succession planning for now.

“Chief Iverson has been a dedicated servant to our community,” said City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz. “He is a strategic and creative leader who has helped us focus on continuous improvement and ensure we are prepared to meet the current and future needs of the community.”

The official acknowledged Iverson's efforts to expand hiring initiatives and support an inclusive culture in the department.

For his part, San Carlos City Manager Jeff Maltbie said, “Chief Iverson’s dedication and leadership have strengthened our fire services and created lasting partnerships. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in his retirement.”

The City of Redwood City noted that Chief Iverson has been instrumental in forging strong relationships with key stakeholders, securing millions of dollars in federal funding to hire new firefighters and purchase new equipment.

In the city's 2023-24 community satisfaction survey, more than 90 percent of respondents gave top marks to the city's fire services and 82 percent to its emergency medical services.

“I truly believe I have made my mark and can confidently say I am leaving this organization in a better place,” said Chief Iverson. “Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of hiring 29 firefighters, three fire officers and one fire chief, and promoting nine fire captains and two battalion chiefs. We have become one of the most diverse fire departments in the county.”

Throughout his career, Chief Iverson has served on numerous fire departments in Northern California.

His previous roles include Fire Chief for the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, Deputy Fire Chief/Marshal for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, Battalion Chief/Fire Chief for the City of Benicia Fire Department, Fire Inspector for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the City of Vacaville Fire Department, and Firefighter for the City of Union City, City of Vacaville, and American Canyon Fire Protection District.

Chief Iverson currently serves as President of the San Mateo County Fire Chiefs Association and President of the International Fire Service Foundation, and is an adjunct faculty member at City College of San Francisco. He is also a San Mateo Rotarian and serves as a board member for the San Mateo County Historical Association.

The city will begin an open selection process this fall, with the intention of appointing a new fire chief before Chief Iverson retires.

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“The King’s Assassin”: The romance and espionage novel that awakens passion for the fantasy genre

Culture

sandra martinez

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2024.08.10

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“The King’s Assassin”: The romance and espionage novel that awakens passion for the fantasy genre

The King's Assassin, a novel that is part of the Sangre Mestiza saga, written by Canadian Melissa Blair, and whose text, full of mystery, romance, murders and espionage, calls the reader to awaken passion for the fantasy genre.

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“My body is made of scars; some were inflicted on me, but most were self-inflicted.”

This line belongs to the book “The King’s Assassin”, a novel that is part of the Sangre Mestiza saga, written by Canadian Melissa Blair, and whose text, full of mystery, romance, murders and espionage, calls the reader to awaken passion for the fantasy genre.

This is how Camilasbooks, a book reviewer, makes us feel. In collaboration with Península 360 Press, she presents us this Saturday with a text that has captivated her from beginning to end, encouraging her to continue with the saga that is still in progress.

“Today’s novel is a fantasy that also has romance, I love this mix because I think things turn out really well and I find them very funny,” said Camilasbooks.

Keera is a young half-breed assassin, the King's Sword and thus the most ruthless spy in the entire kingdom, as well as the monarch's favorite. For years she has rigorously fulfilled the mission of eliminating anyone who endangers the peace of Elverath, the kingdom she protects, and no one has been able to escape her. Until now.

As she searches for answers, Keera will be haunted by a promise she made long ago. To keep her word, she must free herself and, more importantly, save the entire kingdom.

According to Camilasbooks, at some point a person appears who is an opponent, a rebel who is against the king, and takes actions to rebel against the crown and go completely in opposition to the monarch, which makes Keera have to go out in search of this man who calls himself "the shadow" to kill him.

In her quest, the young assassin will cross the magical lands of the fae, trying to discern if her enemy is mortal, elf or half-breed, like her. With each step she will question who the true adversary is, the shadow that threatens peace or the king who destroyed her people and turned her into a heartless assassin.

“This fantasy world is very well constructed and it is very entertaining how everything works and how the author relates all the events. I am impressed with this story and I want to read the sequel because I had a great time and I swear I read a little every day and it has made me return to my reading habits and my reading habits of reading every day, even if it is just one chapter. It is incredible and it flies by.”

If you want to know more about this and other recommendations from Camilasbooks, don't miss her reviews every Saturday on Península 360 Press.

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NVIDIA brings AI to students, educators and community college workers in California

Technology

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.09

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The State of California has partnered with technology company NVIDIA on a new initiative to collaborate on cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) efforts and provide students, educators, and workers with access to this technology.

The initiative, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang, aims to train students, educators and workers, as well as support job creation and promote innovation, and use AI to solve challenges that can improve the lives of Californians.

Among other goals, the goal is to bring new AI resources to NVIDIA community colleges, including curricula and certifications, hardware and software, AI labs and workshops, and more, to open new avenues for students, educators, and workers to learn new skills and advance their careers.

“California’s world-leading companies are pioneering advances in artificial intelligence, and it’s critical that we create more opportunities for Californians to gain the skills needed to use this technology and advance their careers,” Newsom said during the agreement.

The governor highlighted that this partnership connects artificial intelligence tools directly with students, educators and workers, creating a channel to drive the innovations of the future.

This initiative builds on Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring the state to use artificial intelligence to better serve Californians.

“We are in the early stages of a new industrial revolution that will transform trillion-dollar industries around the world. Together with California, NVIDIA will train 100,000 students, university professors, developers and data scientists to harness this technology to prepare California for tomorrow’s challenges and create prosperity across the state,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA.

The Santa Clara-based tech company aims to provide technical guidance, mentorship and access to advanced AI hardware and software resources to support cutting-edge research initiatives, while California will explore opportunities to support early-stage AI startups and public-private partnerships to create AI innovation zones and job creation hubs.

California and NVIDIA plan to collaborate to create AI labs at higher education facilities that can be equipped to meet the evolving needs of AI education and research.

The state noted that it will fund AI workforce training initiatives in educational institutions and industries and work with NVIDIA to develop programs for teachers aimed at improving AI literacy and curriculum.

To that end, NVIDIA aims to create pipelines and learning paths for AI talent and industry-recognized certifications for AI in specific sectors, including train-the-trainer programs for teachers, while California will adopt skills and training for state careers, including new roles for AI specialists in government.

“This partnership will help California Community Colleges and their more than 2 million students prepare with industry-aligned AI skills and be ready from day one for careers that will boost their prosperity and our state’s economic competitiveness,” said Sonya Christian, Chancellor of California Community Colleges.

“We cannot stand idly by as AI changes the future of learning, and our approach prioritizes equitable access to AI teaching and learning enhancements that will help underserved populations,” she added.

Following Friday’s announcement, California issued a call to action to encourage other AI and technology stakeholders to join in future collaborations to ensure California remains a global leader in education, innovation, research, and preparing today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

It is noteworthy that the University of California and California State University systems will also partner with the state on these initiatives in the future.

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San Mateo County Civics Academy Annual Opens Applications for Fall Class

Community

Pamela Cruz

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2024.08.09

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Curious about how the wheels of local government work? Want to know where your tax dollars are spent? Interested in pulling back the curtain to get a glimpse of county programs and services, the jail, and the workings of more than 20 unique county departments? Get ready, as the annual Civics 101 Academy has opened applications to participate in its fall class.

The free, annual academy hosted by San Mateo County offers a combination of in-depth presentations and educational field trips giving participants the opportunity to learn from county leaders, including elected officials, ask questions and network with their classmates.

Last year, for example, the class heard from leaders from the departments of Health, Public Works, the Human Services Agency, the Coroner's Office, Housing, Finance, Elections and the Sheriff's Office.

They also enjoyed a weekend hike in Edgewood Park, watched a police dog demonstration and attended a brief mock trial on the court system night, the county said in a statement, while referring to the 2024 content being similar.

“Civics 101 is a great opportunity to not only hear about the county, but for us to hear from you. Come tell us your priorities and your big ideas. Ask us the tough questions. Be inspired to join one of our many advisory boards and commissions or even join the ranks of our dedicated employees,” said Supervisor Warren Slocum, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Civics 101 meets nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, September 4 through October 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) It is held at the County Center in Redwood City, with free parking nearby.

To be eligible, applicant must be 18 years old as of September 4, 2024, live or work in San Mateo County, and commit to attending one night per week.

The program runs over nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning on September 4 and ending on October 30. Sessions run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served at each session, and doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The location is at 501 Winslow Street, Redwood City (the Regional Operations Center on the County Government Center campus). Free parking is available nearby.

While the 2024 agenda is subject to adjustment, the Sept. 4 topic will be: San Mateo County Government Overview; Sept. 11, San Mateo County Health; Sept. 18, Human Services Agency; Sept. 25, All About the Money; Oct. 2, County Justice System; Oct. 9, County-Level Initiatives; Oct. 16, Community Services; Oct. 23, Sheriff’s Office; and Oct. 30, a Final Meeting with Board of Supervisors Chairman Warren Slocum; County Attorney John Nibbelin; and the Human Resources department.

Interested parties can obtain more information and submit their application at https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/civics-101-academy.

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“Donald Trump has lost strength because of his polarizing comments”: Anna Lee Mraz, sociologist

sandra martinez

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2024.08.09

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“Donald Trump has lost strength because of his polarizing comments”: Anna Lee Mraz, sociologist

Donald Trump has lost strength, he has generated hate speech against immigrants, women, people of African descent and other sectors of the population, which has made him lose supporters who see Kamala Harris as a better option.

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Donald Trump has generated hate speech against immigrants, women, people of African descent and other sectors of the population, which has made him lose supporters who see him as a better option. Kamala Harris; However, his speech continues to hurt the community.

Thus, the Republican candidate for the presidency of the United States has lost strength due to his polarizing comments, and even a part of the Republican sector that wishes he were much more moderate has doubts about whether he is a good opponent for the Democrat Kamala Harris, he commented. Sociologist Dr. Anna Lee Mraz on the radio show Hecho en California in collaboration with Peninsula 360 Press.

For his part, sociologist and journalist Manuel Ortiz commented that Trump is experiencing the phenomenon of rupture, since he was prepared to face Joseph Biden, and with the change he will have to face a firm woman with a broad speech, "They changed the game and the candidate was unable to adjust."

Ortiz referred to the Italian philosopher and writer Umberto Eco, who in his book “Constructing the Enemy” talks about the creation of the enemy in politics and how they need an adversary, because it generates a sense of unity, but mainly it generates the urgency for a savior to arrive, a kind of hero, and that is where they present themselves as a possible savior.

“The enemy is physically and morally repugnant, that is why, generally, the enemy is us immigrants. In addition, they say that the enemy is a person who stinks, who smells bad, who is also physically ugly and, mainly, they put forward the idea that the enemy wants to take away what is yours,” he stressed.

Part of the discourse that Trump has been using as part of his campaign is that migrants are in the United States to take away jobs and opportunities, harming the country.

Her opponent, the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, is advancing on the electoral board, as she has proven to be a confident woman and fully capable of becoming president, in addition to being ready for her first debate against Trump.

Manuel Ortiz said Trump's comments were out of place, as they only harm immigrant communities who feel attacked, discriminated against and afraid of his political stances or comments in a country that should be free of opinions and thoughts.

“No human being is illegal and immigrants must be respected, even if this generates controversy, but there comes a time when Trump has crossed the line, which is not pleasing to certain sectors due to some comments he made.”

Dr. Anna Lee Mraz commented that the Olympic Games have shown that society has many prejudices, as controversies have arisen around the gender of the participants, calling into question the participation of each one.

“The debate is that there is no metric or significant line between the categories of men and women, where some women were not able to participate just because they did not meet the established ranges; they are women, but they do not meet their standards, which falls into discrimination,” she said.

The most worrying thing, she said, is the construction of a sexist discourse full of hate and the transphobia that has been generated, where women face a kind of surveillance to prove that they are women "and it becomes very ironic that a movement that claims to want to protect girls and women ends up looking for ways to harm and discriminate against them."

Donald Trump has also been a political topic during these Olympic Games, as his racist comments have left their mark on athletes, such as gymnast and Olympic champion Simone Biles, a member of the delegation representing the United States at the competition held in Paris.

Biles stated: “I love my black job,” referring to Trump’s comment during the June debate with Joe Biden, where he said immigrants are stealing “black jobs” from Americans.

This comment was repeated during the National Association of Black Journalists conference after being questioned by one of the panelists, explaining that a black job “is anyone who has a job,” which provoked laughter and complaints from many.

In addition, he has made comments regarding the gender of athletes in an attempt to gain supporters, but far from gaining points, he is subtracting points by trying to attack important communities that can make a difference in the upcoming elections.

You may be interested in: “We have not come to do harm”: migrant workers respond to hate speech

Nicolás Maduro, a dictator capable of anything to cling to power

Opinion

Eric Alcocer Chavez

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2024.08.07

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Nicolás Maduro, a dictator capable of anything to cling to power

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Nicolás Maduro a dictator — Israel Vargas Ríos said that “the issue of Venezuela is quite sad, outrageous; for me it is really frustrating, since I was a soldier in Venezuela, my professional career is as a soldier. I have a degree in Military Sciences, my future, like that of many others, is cut short thanks to the government, for the simple fact of not agreeing with what they did, with the humiliations.” Photo: Israel Vargas Ríos.

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“I can say that the Government of Nicolas Maduro He is capable of anything, because I was on the other side of the town; as soldiers, we were asked by the high military command to be very strong in repression, we knew that if we had to use weapons, we had to use them, we had to do everything to control the people."

This is what Israel Vargas Ríos said in an interview with Península 360 Press, who lamented that “once again they want to steal the opportunity from the people to choose their leaders, they are hopeless dictators.”

“Nobody should tell me what the situation is in Venezuela, since I had to escape a few years ago. Being a soldier in my country, I had to see the way in which Nicolás Maduro's government works. They do not respect the laws or the Constitution and, above all, they do not respect the people, who they have even led to repression and massacres,” he stressed.

Ríos stressed that in democratic countries, it is the people who make the decisions and in the case of last Sunday's elections in Venezuela, it was already known that they were not going to hand over power, because those who are now in government have a rather dark future ahead of them, one in which there is nothing but prison, because they have done nothing but harm to the Venezuelan people, from whom they have stolen a lot.

He said that “the issue of Venezuela is quite sad, outrageous; for me it is really frustrating, since I was a soldier in Venezuela, my professional career is as a soldier. I have a degree in Military Sciences, my future, like that of many others, is cut short thanks to the government, for the simple fact of not agreeing with what they did, with the humiliations.”

Israel Vargas, who now devotes himself to other activities away from the Army, including sports, acknowledged that, despite being far from Venezuela, he cannot ignore everything that happens, and therefore “I cannot be indifferent.”

In recent years, almost eight million people have migrated to Venezuela. “It is regrettable, it is sad, it is an issue that I try to avoid, not to mention, but I cannot be indifferent, insensitive. Personally, the issue of Maduro's dictatorship affects me much more, knowing that at least part of my family is still there and that many Venezuelans long to return one day.”

In turn, he recalled that in the case of the 2013 election, after the death of Hugo Chávez, I think that Maduro could have won the elections, but in 2018, in those elections it was known that the Electoral Council was under the command of the government, including the witnesses, it was already known that he was going to win due to the control of the State in the electoral process, in addition to the fact that abstention was very high.

She added that after the election on Sunday, July 28, Maria Corina Machado has exposed the historic electoral fraud before the international community. As a Venezuelan and as a former member of the armed forces of my country, I have to say that it is very difficult to fight against a dictatorship from the people. We only have to look at what is happening now. They are killing people, the civilian population. The number of deaths due to Maduro continues to increase hour by hour.”

It is very sad, he said, to know that people continue to die trying to free themselves from the dictatorship.

“It is clear to us that the Chavista government of Nicolás Maduro is capable of lying to the international community and to the people. They are capable of anything. They will not exhaust any means or any option that would cost them the cost of giving up power.”

He said that the situation in Venezuela is horrible, as the armed forces are in a difficult situation, “at least for me, that's why I fled from there. You know that on the other side there is family, friends, acquaintances, knowing that they are killing innocent people who are only fighting for their dreams and freedom, I have to say it, I ended up going to psychological therapy for everything that happened, now I'm better, but I refuse to stay silent about all the injustices.”

We want a free Venezuela

For his part, Frank Santos, a Venezuelan living in Philadelphia, said that the situation in his home country has become so critical that one is even afraid to speak up despite living abroad, “because the government looks for ways to affect our families, the regime and its people follow our accounts, they are watching everything, that is why we want a free Venezuela, people are threatened, fearful, the government does not want people to wake up, but it seems that the inevitable is happening.”

In this regard, he explained that, although the government does not accept it, Venezuela is living under a dictatorship.

"The government in power has violated all citizens' rights, they have everything under control, although we know that they are asking the community to intervene to verify the issue of the vote," he said.

Finally, he stressed that Maduro and all his officials "are not going to give up power so easily, because they know that once they leave, jail and punishment await them, that is why they cling to power at the cost of the country's bad situation,

“We have to say it, there are many natural resources in Venezuela, but this situation is at odds with reality. The Venezuelan population is mired in poverty and despair, at least the majority.”

San Mateo County adds workshops in Spanish and Mandarin on Disaster Preparedness Day

Raul Ayrala

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2024.08.07

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San Mateo County adds workshops in Spanish and Mandarin on Disaster Preparedness Day

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For the first time, workshops were held in Spanish and Mandarin at the 20th San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day held this Saturday, August 3. It was a colorful gathering that began at 11 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m., with the bright red, yellow, and white of fire trucks, the blue lights of police and CHP cruisers, the light blue of PG&E tow trucks, and the camouflage or black colors of rescue and paramedic vehicles.

Through this annual event, approximately sixty county agencies seek to prepare the community to face, survive and recover from emergencies caused by, among other things, fires, earthquakes and floods.

Fire truck at San Francisco International Airport Photo: Raúl Ayrala

People are also educated on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to stop bleeding, and how to prepare pets for disasters.

Among the hundreds of people who arrived at the San Mateo County Events Center on Saratoga Street, the Latino presence was modest; it was noticeable that the most interested were the neighbors of Asian origin.

However, since the event was publicized in mass media, there were Hispanic people who attended. Such is the case of Evelia Chaidez.

“We came because we want to learn,” the Mexican told Peninsula 360 Press. “There are so many agencies that are working for all of us, (providing us help) for free, and we don’t know it.”

Evelia explained that she is part of a team of community workers, that this was her first time attending and that both she and her colleagues - about half a dozen in total - really enjoyed the event.

“We got on the trucks and learned how they respond when there is an emergency call, what equipment they use, how they communicate. We also came to spread the word about this event, so that next year more Latinos come,” explained Chaidez, from San Mateo, while Julian Sanchez, son of one of Evelia’s friends, said that he had fun and that what he liked most was the workshop on how to stop a hemorrhage.

Redwood City’s emergency management director, Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, told The Pulse that San Mateo County “is a Disneyland of disasters,” because because of its size and geographic location, “we have everything from wildfires and land fires to earthquakes and floods.”

There were workshops for children in three languages: Spanish, Mandarin and English, some of them were “Stories with a Firefighter” or “Get Ready with Pedro”. Pedro is a penguin created by the American Red Cross, his mission is to inform children about emergency preparedness.

Pedro's videos in Spanish can be viewed by clicking here.

Christine and Garrett (dog). Garrett is a psychological support animal who works at the county emergency center (911) providing assistance to those returning from helping in a disaster or emergency (firefighters, police, paramedics, technicians). Photo: Raul Ayrala

Mariela and Jethro, from HOPE, an organization that responds to emergencies with the assistance of psychological support animals, like this dog. Photo: Raúl Ayrala

The organizers were generous with the public; in addition to being able to enjoy hot dogs and free soda, a kind of “treasure hunt” was carried out, which consisted of accumulating coupons that could be exchanged for a radio, or a bag with a type of food that lasts up to five years, essential for preparing a backpack for emergencies.

Vouchers could be obtained by attending workshops, learning more about the work of participating agencies or talking to exhibitors.

Nancy Diaz, originally from Nayarit, was with her husband from Veracruz and their children, and was pleasantly impressed with a huge drone presented by the Mosquito and Other Vector Control District. They explained to her that “it is used when there is a mosquito infestation,” she told us. The Diaz family lives in Redwood City and learned about the event on television.

Other exhibitors, such as the Sheriff's Office Explorers, were present to inform the public about the services they offer, including a program that allows young people as young as 14 years old the opportunity to work temporarily in various roles supporting search and rescue units or other police divisions.

Incidentally, one of the biggest attractions was a horse and rider from the Sheriff's Office Mounted Search and Rescue Group, who rode through the event at a leisurely pace. And in the case of the horse, he was allowed to be petted by the attendees. This division works in remote areas of the county that are not accessible by motorized vehicles.

San Mateo Sheriff's Search and Rescue horse and rider. Photo: Raul Ayrala

To learn more about disaster preparedness, interested parties can visit the site smcgov.org/dem.

You may be interested in: Greater citizen participation: the key to ensuring that the needs of Redwood City residents are heard