When I joined the City Council in 2009, I set a modest goal of addressing one sustainability issue per year. In 2010, the City passed a gray-water recycling ordinance. In 2011, budget issues precluded our ability to take on any new issues in this area.
However, in only three short months of 2012, I am please to say that with the help of active community leaders, we have made up for lost time!
Already this year, the City Council has given direction to City staff on reworking our out-dated leaf blower ordinance, has joined with the County of San Mateo on drafting a plastic bag ban, and has agreed to implement a comprehensive ban on the use of single-use "polystyrene" containers.
Each of these issues will address a critical environmental issue and help our community make better decisions on reducing our carbon footprint. At the same time, the City will offer assistance to local businesses and organizations to mitigate the economic impact these sustainable initiative will cause. We are blessed to live in a community were business leaders embrace the concept of sustainable, long-term economic growth that is environmentally friendly.
The quick movement on these issues was due in large part to the hard work of San Mateo residents who formed a "Cool Cities Team" in partnership with the Sierra Club. These group of activists reached out to the community and help me in the advocacy of these issue.
If there are issues that you think are important to the community, I encourage you to contact me so that we can work together to make positive changes to our neighborhoods!
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