CIVIC MENTOR Bulletin Board -- Experimental: January 2015

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

4th Annual Black History Art & Artifacts Exhibit (2/7 -2/21/15) == Antioch, CA

Posted: 28 Jan 15

All Original Content © 2015, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved. BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along -- and are urged to do so -- as long as it's all done free of charge, unchanged, you include this statement, AND you inform me as to how it is being used -- at YOUR convenience but, hopefully soonest.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

City of Pittsburg: City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting

Date: 2/2/2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Council Chambers
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California 94565

Click here to view the agenda

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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled

Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled

Date: 1/27/2015 7:00 PM

Location: 3rd Floor Council Chambers
65 Civic Ave
PITTSBURG, California 94565

Meeting Cancelled

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

AFTER-ACTION REPORT: Pittsburg CAC Meeting of 1/7/15 (#3)

Posted: 8 Jan 15
Change #1 -- 9 Jan -- added Commissioner's names to paragraph 2.
Change #2 -- 9 Jan -- added Parks & Maintenance Director's comments to para. 4.
Change #3 --14 Jan -- Police Chief Addington kindly clarified 3 changes to para. 3, indicated in red. (Thank you, Chief)

A Private Citizen's

After-Action Report on

The January 7 Meeting of

The Pittsburg Community Advisory Commission (CAC)

1. PURPOSE

To impart basic civic information of some importance to Pittsburg residents -- concerning last night's public meeting, as announced in this separate bulletin.

This report is an approximation of truth, based on hasty notes and recollections -- and should be taken as a sense of the event, rather than as a precisely accurate account. If I do discover significant errors or omissions, I will make the adjustment and signal this fact by a revision number, up in the title of this bulletin.

2. SYNOPSIS

Last night, I attended a typically fascinating Community Advisory Commission meeting at City Hall. I was heartened to see Mayor Longmire present -- out of his busy schedule -- to speak at the end of the meeting -- in grateful recognition of these fine Pittsburg citizen-Commissioners' commitment to serving our community, voluntarily, and in such responsible fashion.

Community Advisory Commissioners are:

Dennisha Marsh, Chair
Larry Wirick, Vice Chair
Jim Atchison
J. Faye Fields
Arthur Fountain
Stewart Gregerson (absent)
Judith O'Connor

Major and routine matters were discussed -- as touched-upon, below -- so that suitable recommendations to the City Council could be formed. The Chief of Police gave a major report and the Director of Parks and Maintenance fielded questions. Senior City Planner, Kristin Pollot, spoke on a Tree Preservation Ordinance and miscellaneous zoning matters (wireless telecommunications and alcohol beverage establishments)

3. POLICE CHIEF's REPORT

Police Chief Addington gave a captivating presentation on the state of law enforcement in Pittsburg. The departmental record continues to glow.

In General: He discussed such things as his plan to increase sworn staff from 77 to 78, in the Spring -- so as to augment the school service officer force; that the whole Department answered 68,000 service calls in 2013 and has experienced a 15% increase in 2014 (I think this may be great news, since civic-will to report crimes may be increasing); that other encouraging statistics prove the department's continued efficacy; that over 500 guns were removed from the street (and his CASE team is working to get them all); that there are presently 100 police video cameras around the City with active plans to further develop this essential capability -- things like that.

3.1 COMMUNITY COURT

The Chief described this as a way to divert offenders from a path-to-conviction for certain minor crimes -- bypassing the justice system -- for 1st-timers and juveniles -- who go before a hearing officer, rather than a judge -- with power to impose fines and community service (such service especially earmarked of behalf of a list of Pittsburg non-profit causes). ~~A Guilty-finding goes on the offender's record -- but as a diversion, not a conviction~~.

Chief Addington's 1/14/15 correction #1: "a guilty plea is not on their record. The record will show an arrest, and that it was successfully diverted in lieu of prosecution."

Since it started last March, there have been 114 cases heard -- 32 successfully completed, 32 being settled, 28 non-responsive.

3.2 CLUSTER MAIL-BOXES

Problem: I personally know of one 114-home housing colony which was hit with the theft and vandalism of THREE out of TEN of their expensive outdoor cluster-mailbox units, each serving about 10 or more patrons.

~~The Chief reports this as a disturbing trend (he didn't say how many such cases there were, City-wide)~~

Chief Addington's 1/14/15 correction #2: "In the past year, we have had three cluster boxes stolen, one blue mail box stolen, and numerous reports of stolen mail (from personal mail boxes and cluster boxes.)"

Response: The matter is now a high police priority:

Police are on special look-out
Cameras are under consideration
The Post Office has assigned a Postal Inspector to team-up and liaise with City police, one day each week.
Undercover operations are underway
Technology to counteract this crime-type is being investigated
A number of arrests have been made for mail theft
Arrestees were often from outside the area
Warning signs at the postal boxes is being contemplated
An alert citizen reported a suspicious vehicle near a cluster-unit -- theft had not yet begun -- responding officers found stolen mail in the vehicle -- arrests made.
NIXLE ALERT SYSTEM -- the Chief also reminded us that he had published mail-theft tips on this community alert system, a few months ago. Please see this Civic Mentor bulletin for details.

A Crucial Civic Action: Citizens are absolutely encouraged to report all suspicions of criminal activity. The police much rather we do this than not.

3.3 IF YOU'RE GOING ON VACATION

The Police Department's tracking resources are evolving. If you're going on vacation, you may notify the police. They will give you a device to place in your home -- which, if moved -- sends a signal to the police -- and if stolen, can be tracked -- and since they know that you're absent -- they can deduce this to be a potential burglary -- and will respond.

3.4 VEHICLE THEFT-SYSTEM

The department has certain vehicles equipped with an ALPR system which allows license plates to be scanned, on the move, feeding back to a database which determines the legal status of the vehicle. Very effective.

3.5 TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT

The dedicated traffic team will now be on duty 6 days per week, rather than 5.

Chief Addington's 1/14/15 correction #3: "In May, we will have 3 officers assigned full-time to traffic enforcement working 6 days a week."

4. PARKS AND MAINTENANCE

Director, Don Buchanan, fielded Commissioners' questions about tree-removal policy. He said that Eucalyptus trees are very problematic and have been officially shunned for over six years. Debris from some have again created clean-up difficulties following the recent relatively severe wind storm. Black Acacia trees are also problematic for the City.

In response to my inquiry, this morning (1/9/Fri), Director Buchanan answered this way:

Thanks David. In regards to tree removals, we only remove dead, diseased, fallen, or trees that are causing significant infrastructure problems (i.e. raised sidewalks).

The “approved plant list” is a guide for residents, and particularly developers, in Pittsburg to choose trees that are not problematic and thrive in our community.

Yes, the Eucalyptus and the Black Acacia are not desirable and have been removed from the list. This does not prevent a citizen from planting them on their private property if they choose.

With developers of subdivisions, where the street trees may eventually be ours to maintain, we require them to choose an alternative.

Existing Eucalyptus and Acacias are cared for to the best of our ability.

5. WATER BILL PAYMENT KIOSK now available at Railroad Book Store

Jill Hecht, Commission Secretary, reported that water bills may be paid at the Railroad Bookstore during normal business hours.

David Nelson

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

City of Pittsburg: City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting

Date: 1/20/2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Council Chamber
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California 94565

Click here to view the agenda

ENTREPRENEURS! Organize the Future! FREE 2-hrs! 1/15 /Thu + 1/22/Thu

Posted: 13 Jan 14

I CAN PERSONALLY VOUCH FOR COACH WENDI HATTON

I have known and admired Wendi, my cousin, for decades. A very good, very smart woman who cares about our world and the people who grace it. Find two hours, over two Thursdays, and get an unexpected boost in whatever business venture you are bravely undertaking for yourselves (and, in a real sense, for us)!

David Nelson

Monday, January 12, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Rally, March & Celebration

Date: 1/19/2015 11:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Pittsburg City Hall
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California

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City of Pittsburg: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Rally, March & Celebration

Date: 1/19/2015 11:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Pittsburg City Hall
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California

Saturday, January 10, 2015

THE DYNAMIC HUMAN HEAD-COUNT

Posted: 10 Jan 15

BEHOLD THE MAGNIFICENT, UNCEASING (so far)

EBB AND FLOW OF HUMAN EXISTENCE

1. PURPOSE

The Mentor Enterprises/ELMS Work-Projects (Civic and Private) require visualization of the entire human mass, in aggregate, and in all its significant sub-configurations -- to design suitable systems intended to serve and account for these components of total human existence, satisfactorily -- in accord with Corporate vision and mission.

While exploring the matter, I chanced upon a fascinating website which I thought I should share.

It will eventually be consolidated, with related resources, in a convenient, public reference binder -- with other related resources.

As such, this bulletin is a system-building tool and a preliminary public service.

2. Current WORLD POPULATION CLOCK

THIS IS A DYNAMIC POPULATION-COUNTER which changes in approximate step with actual population changes -- births and deaths. It allows us to sense the approximate "look and feel" of real-time changes in the physical magnitude of the earth's human population.

If you click here AND then click the blue-label, "watch as we increase," you will see a huge, second page showing a dramatic vision of THE WHOLE HUMAN MASS, while human stick-figures are added, one-at-a time, in step with the continuous net growth. You will have to scroll vertically and horizontally to see the whole thing. New additions are at the top.

If you click here, you will see a third page, WORLD POPULATION BY COUNTRY, in rank order.

Click here (www.worldometers.info/world-population/)

2. Related References

For the sake of relative thoroughness and convenience, for further study, the following references are included:

GENERAL SEARCH

Google Search on the Term "Human Population"

WIKIPEDIA ARTICLES

SPECIAL FIELD OF STUDY
Demography
Historical demography

TOWARDS ASSESSING THE STATE OF THINGS
World population
List of countries and dependencies by population
Population growth
Projections of population growth

TOWARDS PROBLEM-DEFINITION
Human overpopulation

TOWARDS SOLUTION-SEEKING
Human population control

David Nelson

Friday, January 9, 2015

Public Notice for City Council Hearing on 1/20/15/TUE

Posted: 9 Jan 15

The following Public Hearing Notice was received as indicated, below.

Interested Parties:

Attached for your information is a Public Hearing Notice for the next upcoming City Council Meeting on January 20, 2015.

Thank you.

Kathy Comtois

City of Pittsburg

65 Civic Avenue

kcomtois@ci.pittsburg.ca.us

Phone: 925-252-4922

PHN San Marco Arco Appeal 1.20.15

City of Pittsburg: FLORA -- APPROVED PLANT-LIST

Posted: 9 Jan 14

"The 'approved plant list' is a guide for residents, and particularly developers, in Pittsburg to choose trees that are not problematic and that thrive in our community."

-- Don Buchanan, Director, Parks and Maintenance

Many thanks to Mr. Buchanan for his wonderful cooperation in getting this very interesting material to us.

Wanting to get to know as much as I can about my hometown, I was beginning to wonder about the flora and fauna -- which is being maintained so expertly and sensibly.

What is there that is worth knowing and noticing about these objects which adorn our surroundings?

With the Wikipedia blessing mere mouse-clicks away, it will be easy to systematically explore each and every plant. (Nice hobby, too, I would imagine)

As I proceed along the path of discovery, workload permitting, I will hyperlink each of the following plants -- to the appropriate Wikipedia article -- as I review each one. This will have to be a gradual process. But, I may as well take you with me as I explore (smile).

If someone were willing to do this hyper-linking for us,

I would be grateful for the help and would publish your work, gladly.

David Nelson

Thursday, January 8, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Planning Commission Meeting

Planning Commission Meeting

Date: 1/13/2015 7:00 PM

Location: Third Floor, Council Chambers
65 Civic Ave
PITTSBURG, California 94565

Click here for meeting agenda

Monday, January 5, 2015

RAILROAD Book Depot: January 2015 Newsletter

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: RAILROAD BOOK DEPOT <jglover@pittsburgfoundation.org>
Date: Mon, Jan 5, 2015 at 7:20 AM
Subject: January 2015 Newsletter

RAILROAD BOOK DEPOT

Railroad Book Depot
650 Railroad Ave.
Pittsburg, CA 94565

Update your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Pittsburg / Community Advisory Commission Meeting (1/7/WED/7:00pm)

Posted: 4 Jan 14

Community Advisory Commission (CAC)

Monthly meeting

1/7/Wednesday/2015 ~~ 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

City Council Chambers, Third Floor City Hall

65 Civic Avenue

Pittsburg, California

THIS IS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS & RESIDENTS

The information and discussions are of great import to daily life here.

Please make every effort to attend this important feature of democratic life

Here is what the CAC is about, in their official words. As you can see, the CAC is an efficient link between the residents and their City Council.

Here is an extract from the meeting agenda.

Presentations
Tree Preservation Ordinance and Miscellaneous Zoning Amendments – Kristin Pollot, Senior Planner
Pittsburg Police Department Update & Program Overview – Police Chief Brian Addington
City Parks and Recreation Update – Don Buchanan, City of Pittsburg Director of Recreation and Maintenance Services

As you can also see, these matters affect our security and quality of life and should be taken seriously. It will be time well-spent.

Hear what City leaders and your fellow residents have to say -- and speak up if you have something you'd like to say. Bring the children to aid their civic maturation. It's good for the future.

Respectfully yours,

David Nelson

Need to give a legal deposition? Want 15 Excellent Tips?

Posted: 4 Jan 15

A Chance Discovery!

Passing it Along...

Purpose

This morning, I chanced upon this excellent video, prepared by "Orange County Personal Injury Lawyers." It is so straight-forward and sensible, I thought you might wish to have this information on this blog, so you can find it when you need it.

15 Deposition Tips

Just under 3 minutes long.

David Nelson

Saturday, January 3, 2015

How to Stop Robo-Calls: TELEPHONE ABUSE

Posted: 3 Jan 15

1. Purposes

To help you preserve your serenity, at home, off duty, from un-welcomed intrusions across your land-lines and mobile phones.

To give you a link to a recent, wonderfully helpful KPIX, Channel 5, News story for dealing with those oft-annoying robo-calls and telemarketers -- filled with practical advice.

===> Here's the link <===

To give you some other relevant information, in case you need to probe deeper.

Hint: It occurs to me that we should be sure to keep pen and paper near the phone so we can readily capture the information we need to carry out the corrective procedures below.

2. ABOUT ROBOCALLS

Definition

A Robocall is an automated telephone call that delivers a recorded message, typically on behalf of a political party or telemarketing company.

According to Wikipedia:

"A robocall is a phone call that uses a computerized autodialer to deliver a pre-recorded message, as if from a robot. Robocalls are often associated with political and telemarketing phone campaigns, but can also be used for public-service or emergency announcements. Some robocalls use personalized audio messages to simulate an actual personal phone call." (More...)

Wikipedia goes on to say:

"The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) regulates automated calls.[12] All robocalls, irrespective of whether they are political in nature, must do two things to be considered legal. Federal law requires all telephone calls using pre-recorded messages to identify who is initiating the calls and include a telephone number or address whereby the initiator can be reached.[13]"

California

"California prohibits any robocall unless there is an existing relationship.[18] The California Public Utilities Code §§ 2871 et seq. holds political campaigns to the same rules as other organizations making calls with an automatic dialing–announcing device.[18] The guidelines are:

A person must come on the line before the recording to identify the nature of the call and the organization behind it.
The recipient of the call must consent to the recording being played.
The call must be disconnected from the telephone line as soon as the message is over or the recipient hangs up, whichever comes first."

Reverse robocalling

In December 2011 reporting described "robocall revenge" where voters can turn the table and send robocalls to politicians and others using online website tools.

FCC Guidelines

What are the rules for robocalls?

(Click to go to the FCC website)

"FCC rules require a business to obtain your written consent – on paper or through electronic means, including website forms, a telephone keypress – or a recording of your oral consent before it may make a prerecorded telemarketing call to your residential phone number or make an autodialed or prerecorded telemarketing call or text to your wireless number."

Pertinent Videos

What the Social Network is saying:

Facebook page, "Reverse Robocall"
Facebook page, "United States National Do Not Call Registry"
Facebook page, "RoboCall2011"

Facebook buddy, Jeff Biles said: "I use Privacystar. It really works!" [Thanks, Jeff!]

David Nelson