A Busy First Week in Office

Since being sworn into office on December 7, there has been little time to relax. Although the next official City Council meeting will not take place until January 4, 2010, I am taking the "down time" to get further acquainted with neighbors, city staff, and city issues.

Here is a sampling of what I did over the past two weeks:

• Reviewed the current fiscal state of the City, especially in light of the $21 billion shortfall projected by Sacramento.
  
• Met with members of various neighborhood associations to discuss their visions for maintaining the character and quality of their neighborhoods.
  
• Represented the interests of San Mateo and met fellow council members on the Peninsula at the monthly Council of Cities dinner.
  
• Met with the Downtown San Mateo Association to discuss ways to help keep Downtown San Mateo a vibrant area for neighbors and businesses.
  
• Helped serve meals at the Self-Help for the Elderly Holiday Lunch and talked to seniors about issues important to them.

In 2010, there will be many important issues that will affect all of us. I hope you will join me in discussing them and working with me to address them.

Happy Holidays!