Message from CARPD President: Al McGreehan

July 2010

Hello and happy July everyone! As I look back toward the end of this past fiscal year I am pleased to report to you that CARPD experienced a very successful May 2010 conference at the Inter-Contintental Hotel on Cannery Row in Monterrey, California. The conference educational sessions were well received and the CARPD award nominations and winners were nothing short of outstanding! [Note: If interested, the CARPD award winners are featured on our webpage. Also, there is a possibility that our 2011 CARPD conference may return to the Inter-Continental.].

Well once again we have entered into a new fiscal year and we have no adopted state budget! This circumstance presents no surprise to our member districts. However, it is becoming an almost constant experience to our form of local government. Also, in reference to the pending 2010/2011 fiscal year state budget, as I write this message it appears that none of the current actions (and/or lack of actions) of the state legislature and the Governor will adversely affect our member districts. Nonetheless, a state budget is yet to be crafted and formally adopted. Thus, I again advocate to everyone to stay informed on this matter and to be prepared to network and implement any actions deemed necessary to hold our Governor and your members of the State Legislature accountable and to no longer look towards local governments for state budget funding solutions.

On a related note, the CARPD Board of Directors and the CARPD Legislative Committee have taken actions to support the pending ballot measure entitled: “Protect Local Taxpayers and Funding for Public Safety, and Transportation Protection Act”. This measure, if approved by the voters in November 2010, will prevent the taking of taxpayers funds (property tax funds) currently dedicated to providing needed recreation and park services. Therefore, I encourage the boards of all member districts to consider the adoption of a resolution in support of this ballot measure.

This year is an election year that may result in the election of several “new state legislative members”. Given this possible occurrence, your CARPD Board is seriously considering the initiation of another “new legislative member initiative” program that will again focus upon introducing CARPD to the new legislative members who will take their oath of office in January 2011. [Note: More news of this subject shall be forthcoming. However, do let us know if you are supportive of this program!] I ask any and all member district board members (and/their general managers) to get more involved with CARPD. We need and promote the idea of receiving your thoughts as we address issues that can affect our member districts! Lastly, may your summer program and activities be very successful.

Sincerely, and Your President in Service,

Al McGreehan