John Haschak Reporting
3rd District Supervisor Report,
February, 2025 Update
After the recent inauguration, many are asking what are we doing as a county to strengthen our communities.
Federal funding is a big unknown. We have several significant grants pending for wildfire safety. Also at risk are projects for creating second access routes. Money for senior centers and the various programs they run could decrease by over a million dollars. Social Services, bridge projects, and law enforcement grants are all threatened.
I appreciate Sheriff Kendall's comments about all of us standing together for the well-being of all. The County upholds California’s Values Act which limits local law enforcement use of funds and resources for federal immigration enforcement agencies, Trust Act limiting detainment, and Truth Act requiring local law enforcement agencies to provide basic due process and information about their rights to individuals.
I would certainly hope that schools and churches and other places are safe havens, not places creating more fear and uncertainty. As a career public school teacher, I have seen children living in fear and heard their stories of ICE vans, whether real or imagined, disrupt what should be time focused on learning and childhood joys.
North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) held a conference in Rohnert Park. I am on the Leadership Council. NCRP represents 7 counties and 35 tribes along the North Coast and interior. They are doing stellar work in collaborating to create healthy forests with prescribed burning, restoring watersheds, and making more resilient communities. Prop. 4 bond money will be directed through NCRP for water, fire, and climate change projects.
The two-day Board workshop showed that all the Supervisors share common concerns around public safety, economic development, and effective and efficient governance. I look forward to putting our commitment to respectful, open communication and our shared goals into action.
I will be at the Brickhouse on Feb. 13 at 10:00 for lively discussions. As always, you can communicate with me at haschakj@mendocinocounty.gov or 707-972-4214.
John