The older I get, the faster time goes by. I cannot believe we are already more than halfway through summer and our kids will be heading back to school in a couple of weeks. Let us all enjoy the final weeks of my favorite season.
The month of August is a time when many of us take a vacation, and because of that, the city council does not normally meet in regular session. However, over the last few years we have had such pressing issues to deal with that we have scheduled special meetings in August. This year is no exception.
Very soon, what many call “the silly season” will begin — the start of the midterm election campaigns for state and local offices, including the mayor and two seats on the city council.
Nomination papers must be submitted to the city clerk no later than August 10. This will be followed by almost three months of candidate forums, political mailings, blast emails, and signs in every corner of town. We will all be relieved when the “silly season” is over.
District Elections
This year will be a different election year for Martinez. As I have written about previously, under threat of very expensive litigation, Martinez was forced to move from “at large” elections (where the entire community has an opportunity to vote from an array of all candidates running for office) to district elections, where residents can only vote for candidates that live in their specific district.
This year voters in District 1 and District 4 will have the opportunity to vote in their city council
race. Voters in District 2 and 3 will vote in 2020. Since the mayor’s position remains at-large, voters in all districts will be voting for that seat.
Now that the weather is conducive to construction, there are many projects underway in Martinez. Downtown Contra Costa County is performing the underground and foundation work for the new county government center between Marina Vista and Escobar Streets.
Paving Projects
With the help of Measure D and grant programs, there are paving projects commencing all over the city. Brown and Green Streets have all new ADA compliant corner ramps, and damaged curbs have been replaced. Both streets will soon be ground down about one foot, and a base of concrete mixed with the old ground asphalt will be laid and allowed to cure for a few days. A thick layer of new, smooth asphalt will follow that. To review a map showing the location of projects to commence this season and to view the pavement management plan, visit: www.cityofmartinez.org/depts/engineering/ city_paving_projects.asp
Clippers
Professional baseball is in full swing at the Joe DiMaggio Fields at the newly rebuilt Waterfront Park. The Clippers are gaining in popularity and attendance is growing with every game, reaching over 450 baseball fans at a number of games. Come on down to Waterfront Park and support your hometown team. The season runs through this month, with the Clippers hosting the Pittsburg Diamonds at the last game, on August 31 at 6:30pm. This is real, inexpensive family entertainment.
