San Diego County Wins 28 National Achievement Awards

Here’s a roundup of news from San Diego County last week:

– The National Association of Counties awarded San Diego with 28 national achievement awards, the second-highest number of awards achieved in the country.

“The County of San Diego is recognized nationally for the exemplary way it serves the citizens of our region. The latest affirmation comes from NACo, which recognized our County team with 28 achievement awards,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Horn. “I’m proud of our entire team of professionals, especially the many people whose work is reflected in these honors.”

Among the county’s pioneering programs that won recognition are a prescription drug abuse task force and homeless prevention for students.

– Defensible Space Days began Friday, June 10, as county supervisors and public safety officials advised homeowners to create a 100-foot debris-free buffer zone around their homes to defend against wildfires.

Supervisor Pam Slater-Price said, “Wildfires can affect any area in our county, even urban and suburban areas, where many homes border canyons and open space. We need full participation.”

Defensible space includes maintaining plants and trees in the region of the house to prevent fires from spreading rapidly and putting flammable items such as patio furniture and firewood away from the house.

– The County’s Redistricting Advisory Committee to advance three redistricting plans to the Board of Supervisors for the Board to consider. Every 10 years, the County Board of Supervisors has to adjust the County’s five supervisorial districts to balance their populations, according to the federal census.

– The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials is holding a poster contest for children living in affordable housing and community development programs. The theme of the posters is “What Home Means to Me.”

– Owners of commercial diesel harbor craft vessels, including work boats and pilot vessels, may apply for an upgrade for greener technologies through the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. Forms and instructions are available at www.sdapcd.org/homepage/grants/grants.html.

– The County of San Diego is beginning More on the Menu, a community-maintained program that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to the homes of needy elderly clients in the county. The program seeks to provide healthy eating for those with poor health.

– El Cajon Library is hosting its Summer Music Festival Saturday, June 25, from 1–6 p.m.  The library invites world music enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy free acoustic music and dance, crafts for kids, and food and drink on the front lawn of the library.

– The San Diego County Library’s annual Summer Reading Club began June 13 at all branch locations. Sign-ups are available at www.sdcl.org/src.

– Applications are available for funds from the State Proposition 1B Lower Emission School Bus Program to decrease diesel-fueled emissions in order to reduce children’s contact with diesel exhaust. Applications, forms and instructions are available at www.sdapcd.org/homepage/grants/grants.html.