Dear Friends and Neighbors:
I am proud to announce that my legislation, the Children’s Dental Health Bill (AB 667), which will expand the use of fluoride varnish in public health and school settings, was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. I introduced this bill because I was astonished to learn that more than 50 percent of California’s children suffer the effects of tooth decay by the time they enter Kindergarten.
Left untreated, tooth decay can cause chronic pain and infection, as well as delayed growth, and the pain can interfere with concentration and academic success. By allowing fluoride varnish to be applied in a public health and school-based setting, we will now be able to treat more children and reduce dental decay by up to 50 percent in children’s teeth.
And while on the subject of children, I know I join all of San Diego in congratulating the members of the Park View Little League Team for their amazing accomplishment of winning the Little League World Series. It has been exciting to cheer them on, and a joy to celebrate their dedication and hard work. Their efforts are truly a fitting tribute to the outpouring of support and love that is the hallmark of the Chula Vista and the entire San Diego community.
78th District Upcoming Events
Safe and Sound Fire Expo
September 12
1:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Rancho San Diego Towne Center
2891 Jamacha Road, El Cajon
Wildfire season is upon us, and with hundreds of thousands of acres already burned across the state, communities in the 78th Assembly District are at risk. Assemblymember Marty Block is pleased to participate in the Safe and Sound Fire Expo on September 12 with the San Miguel Fire District. Join Assemblymember Block, the San Miguel Fire District, law enforcement and health and safety partners to learn fire safety tips to protect your home and family. A kid zone will include fun activities, food and prizes.
Bonitafest
Operation Kid Print
September 26
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Bonita Village Shopping Center
4096 Bonita Road, Bonita
Bonitafest brings together family, community and businesses to celebrate the heritage and spirit of Bonita and the Sweetwater Valley. At this year’s Bonitafest, Assemblymember Block is partnering with the Chula Vista Police Department in his ongoing efforts to protect children through Operation Kid Print, which provides parents an opportunity to obtain their children’s fingerprint records for safekeeping. This confidential and important document will serve as an identification reference in the event of an emergency.
Grow Your Small Business
Financing and Contracts Workshop
November 5
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Joan Kroc Salvation Army Center
6548 University Avenue, San Diego
How do I find financing for my small business?
Where do I find state government contracts?
These questions and more will be answered at the November 5 Small Business workshop. Small business owners will receive up-to-date information on obtaining financing for business development as well as tips on where to locate and bid for stimulus fund contracts and the many other contracts available for small business owners at the local, state, and federal government levels. Assemblymember Block is bringing together representatives of SANDAG, CalTrans, the Small Business Administration, the California Department of General Services, the Governor’s Small Business Advocate, and others to provide the nuts and bolts of small business development. Valuable information on business loans and contracts that are available but which many small business owners are simply not aware of will be presented. Co-sponsored by the Small Business Development and International Trade Center, this will provide a comprehensive opportunity for small business growth.
Recent 78th District Events
Home Foreclosure Prevention Clinic
78th District constituents obtained important information to help prevent home foreclosure at an event sponsored by Assemblymember Block on July 11 at the Bonita Sunnyside Public Library. Presented by the Housing Opportunities Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing resources together to assist homeowners facing mortgage difficulties, the clinic was attended by more than 100 homeowners who received personal counseling from lawyers, mortgage and banking professionals who provided pro bono services.
“My constituents want to stay in their homes, and this clinic was designed to show that there are options available,” said Assemblymember Block. “But, the number of people here is staggering and speaks loudly to the financial crisis that has affected the 78th District, California and the entire nation.”
Anyone seeking information on the options available to homeowners facing mortgage difficulties should call the Housing Opportunities Collaborative at (619) 283-2200.
78th District Advisory Council
The first meeting of Assemblymember Block’s 78th District Advisory Council was held on July 30. Educators, business and community leaders provided their thoughts and suggestions on community issues that can be addressed by state resources and legislation. The District Advisory Council will meet quarterly and will serve as an important liaison and connection between the district and the Capitol.
Operation Kid Print
The first in a series of Assemblymember Marty Block’s Operation Kid Prints was held on August 13 at the Lemon Grove Concert in the Park. Sponsored by Assemblymember Block in partnership with the California Highway Patrol, it was an opportunity for parents to further protect their children’s safety with fingerprint identification that can be provided to law enforcement in the event of an emergency. Children were provided CHP stickers as well as coloring books on fire safety, and all enjoyed the music of Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing Orchestra. Presented by the City of Lemon Grove, Concerts in the Park is a summer tradition for Lemon Grove residents seeking a family-friendly event.
Two more Operation Kid Prints will be held this September. The first will be at the Safe and Sound Fire Expo on September 12, at the Rancho San Diego Towne Center, and the second will be at the Bonitafest celebration on September 26 at the Bonita Village Shopping Center.
Assemblymember Block around the 78th District
Assemblymember Block participated in the panel discussion on education at the 5th Annual Everyone Recommitting to Academic Achievement Back to School Conference and Rally for Education on August 22nd at Lincoln High School. Sponsored by the PAZZAZ Educational Enrichment Center and the Center for Parent Involvement in Education, this event provided a valuable opportunity for parents and students to attend workshops on boosting academic success. “It is hard to imagine more caring and concerned parents than those who attended this event,” said Assemblymember Block. “They were here because their children’s future is their number-one priority.”
Assemblymember Block visited with administrators and doctors at the Comprehensive Health Center on Euclid Avenue to learn about primary and family health care as well as the emergency room issues facing San Diego hospitals and clinics.
News in the 78th District
San Altos Elementary School in Lemon Grove Receives California
Safe Routes to School Grant
The City of Lemon Grove has been awarded state funding by CalTrans to install a raised in-pavement lighted crosswalk on Madera Street at the San Altos Elementary School through a Safe Routes to School grant. Safe Routes to School is an international movement that has taken hold in communities throughout the United States. The concept is to increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove the barriers that currently prevent them from doing so. The benefits range from a decrease in childhood obesity due to the increase in physical activity to a reduction in air pollution and impact on our carbon footprint. The City of Lemon Grove is to be commended for their efforts to obtain this state grant. The city's efforts will improve the safety of Lemon Grove children and families.
Assemblymember Block appointed to
Joint Committee on Emergency Management
Assemblymember Block has been appointed to the key Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management. The Committee monitors the specific roles of local, state and federal agencies with regard to disaster relief. “As the most populous state in the nation, our best defense against any potential calamity is to be fully prepared,” commented Assemblymember Block. “I am honored to be appointed to this very important committee.”
Over the years, California and our region have suffered some of the most extraordinary natural disasters. Earthquakes, landslides, drought, mudslides, and most recently, some of the worst fires in history make it clear that disaster preparedness needs to be well coordinated at the local, state and federal levels.
This committee is a direct result of recommendations made by the 2003 Blue Ribbon Fire Commission, which reviewed the efforts to fight the October 2003 fires that raged across California, including the Cedar, Paradise, and Otay Fires in San Diego County. The Committee will ensure proper coordination between all efforts to plan for evacuations, interoperable communication systems, emergency warning protocols, and private sector preparedness.
78th District Office Interns
Assemblymember Block held a thank you celebration for 78th District Office summer interns on August 21. Interns are an integral part of our office and by handling casework, constituent relations and conducting community outreach efforts, they gain valuable experience. Pictured from left to right are Brian Beyersdorf, Assemblymember Block, Mark Gracyk and Derek Duplessie. Not pictured are Iesha Freeman, Rachel Gerston and Lauren Lantry.
In the Capitol, Assemblymember Block thanked Raquel Sojourner for her productive internship and help over the summer.
