Monterey County Fair Names New President, Vice President on Board of Directors

  The Monterey County Fair has announced two officers to the Board of Directors of the 7th District Agricultural Association, Teri Short as President and Dan Presser as Vice President. 

Monterey, CA, January 28, 2021 — The Monterey County Fair has announced two officers to the Board of Directors of the 7th District Agricultural Association, Teri Short as President and Dan Presser as Vice President.  

Short, who was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the Board of Directors in March 2017, is the first African-American woman to serve on the board. She previously served as Vice President. Presser is the owner of FourWinds Travel in Carmel and was appointed to the Fair Board by Gov. Brown in 2014.

Short has been a community advocate serving the cities of Monterey County for decades. Her involvement and leadership stems throughout numerous organizations advocating for social justice, income inequality, community organizing, and collaborating with stakeholders to find solutions to improve the lives of our families.  

Her career has been in the non-profit, tax, and title industries. She has also spent time as a campaign consultant. 

Short has shown a strong commitment to local schools. She served as President of North Salinas High School’s Site Council for 12 years and was a member of the LCAP Parent Advisory, SUHSD Facility Naming, and Curriculum Adoption Committees to name a few. She previously served as President of the Washington Middle School and Laurel Wood Elementary School Site Councils. Short also worked as a Community Educator for Monterey County POSTPONE (now CAPREP), a comprehensive teen sex education program. She continues to be available to work with our youth as a mentor. 

Short is the current chair of the East Garrison Community Services District Advisory Committee. She has served in this capacity since she was appointed by former Monterey County Supervisor Jane Parker in 2018. 

Short has previously served her community on the City of Salinas Traffic and Transportation Commission, President of the Salinas Valley Democratic Club, and as a Vice Chair on the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee.  

Short was born and raised in Monterey County, is the mother of five children, and lives in East Garrison with her partner Michael. 

Presser moved to the Monterey Peninsula from Texas in 1989. In Texas he helped in roundups, branding, and rodeoing.

His first broadcasting job on the West Coast was to be one of the KTOM Radio Salinas Rodeo announcers. “The first half of my life I was in advertising,” he says. “Monterey is not exactly the mecca of advertising, so I moved in another direction.”

Presser holds a commercial pilot’s license and that got him interested in the travel business, which led him to FourWinds Travel, a business he loves. The agency’s specialty is African safaris and adventure travel.  

“The position is gratifying and at times overwhelming,” said Presser when first appointed to the board. “Kelly Violini, the Fair’s CEO, is fantastic and is the catalyst that really makes the fair one of the best in the country.” 

About the Monterey County Fair & Event Center

<a href='http://www.montereycountyfair.com'>The Monterey County Fair & Event Center</a> is a premier event center set on 22 oak-studded acres with ample parking. It is a state-owned multi-use facility that features four large banquet rooms, two outdoor concert venues, and a variety of outdoor and indoor cost-effective sites ideal for all types of events. It is home of the annual award-winning Monterey County Fair, host to many major and private events on the Central Coast, and the site of the Monterey Bay Race Place, a Satellite Wagering Facility. 

For more information, contact the Fair Administration Office, at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, by calling (831) 372-5863 or go to www.montereycountyfair.com  for more information. 

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
http://www.montereycountyfair.com

San Lorenzo Valley Water District begins 2021 with three new directors on its Board of Directors

  The San Lorenzo Valley Water District has elected two directors and appointed one new director to its five-person Board of Directors (board), a governing body responsible for the establishment of policy that affects more than 7,900 connections. 

Boulder Creek, CA, January 05, 2021 - The San Lorenzo Valley Water District has elected two directors and appointed one new director to its five-person Board of Directors (board), a governing body responsible for the establishment of policy that affects more than 7,900 connections. On December 7th, Gail Mahood and Tina Marie were sworn into the board after being elected in November. On December 16th, Mark Smolley was appointed and sworn into the board. These three new directors replace outgoing board members Richard Moran, Lewis Farris and Steven Swan. 

The three new directors have vast experience and diverse qualifications: 

Gail Mahood: The retired Stanford University geology professor has expertise in the effects of geology and climate change on the hydrology and biology of watersheds. She also brings a vast knowledge of groundwater issues, water quality (including post-fire contamination) and geologic hazards that could impact SLVWD facilities (i.e. landslides, earthquakes, floods, debris flows). Mahood served on Stanford’s budget and strategic planning group and the Land and Building Committee, and was chair of the Faculty Senate. She has also served on the SLVWD Engineering Committee since 2019. 

Tina Marie To: A marine environmental scientist and active community member, To holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and Earth Science from UC Santa Cruz, along with a master’s in Environmental Science from the University of Sydney in Australia. As an environmental scientist, To has worked for the California State Water Board and the City of Richmond, specializing in wastewater issues. A frequent attendee and contributor at SLVWD meetings and a member of the community group Friends of San Lorenzo Valley Water, To believes water is the critical life force of the valley. 

Mark Smolley: The Felton resident has participated with the SLVWD Engineering Committee for the past two years. He also served as a board member for six years with Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit in San Jose focused on improving low-income housing. Smolley served as the utilities construction project manager at Apple Inc.’s 170-acre campus from 2015-2018, and in a similar capacity for the University of California, San Francisco (2008-2014). A graduate of Penn State University, Smolley is a state-licensed professional geologist. 

The SLVWD also passed three resolutions to acknowledge and thank the three departing board members: 

Stephen Swan: Swan served on the board for two years, beginning in 2018. During his tenure on the board, Swan served as board president in 2020 and led the District through the CZU Wildfire. The board acknowledged Swan’s dedication to the proper management and fiscal viability of the district, as well as the protection of the watershed properties and the environmental health of the entire San Lorenzo River watershed. 

Lewis Farris: Farris served on the board for 1 year & 7 months, after being appointed in 2019. His contribution and service began in 2014 when he served on the Community Outreach Citizens Advisory Committee and later as a public member of the Engineering Committee, where he was instrumental in the District earning a Transparency Certificate of Excellence and improving outreach to the public. Farris was also involved in the Santa Margarita Groundwater Management Agency and served as one of the District’s representatives. 

Richard Moran: Moran served on the board for 1 year & 4 months, after being appointed in 2019. Before joining the board, Moran participated as a voice in the community, calling for a ban on glyphosate, a suspected human carcinogen. He also served as a public member on the Environmental Committee before he was seated on the board. Moran was responsible for moving forward the adoption of the District’s first Integrated Pest Management Plan, reducing the use of pesticides. 

Established in 1941, the SLVWD supplies water to the communities of Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Lompico, Zayante, Scotts Valley, Manana Woods and Felton. Through a network of distribution lines, pump stations and reservoirs, the district now serves more than 7,900 connections and 35,000 residents.

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
(831) 747-7455 
https://www.slvwd.com/

San Lorenzo Valley Water District Update on the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires Update from The Board of Directors 8.25.2020

As the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires burn within the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, the Board of Directors held a special meeting to evaluate wildfire impacts to the water system and the community.

Boulder Creek, CA, August 26, 2020 - As the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires burn within the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, the Board of Directors held a special meeting to evaluate wildfire impacts to the water system and the community.

At the August 24th ,2020 meeting the Board heard an update from District staff, who have been working tirelessly in support of the emergency response from within the San Lorenzo Valley. The District is working closely with CAL FIRE and other key agencies such as the California State Water Resources Control Board to protect water supply.

The Board President, Steve Swan, expressed gratitude to all first responders. He emphasized, “that our hearts go out to those forced to evacuate their homes and the firefighters, District staff and other essential workers keeping our Valley safe”.

The Board passed a Resolution to declare a water shortage emergency and stop any non-essential water use in order to help firefighting efforts. It directs staff to:

Continue communicating with the public about the importance of conserving water; and
Temporarily shut off water connections to structures where staff observes fire damage, water leaks or water running off the property, and notify customers.

It is also important to continue to conserve water when evacuation orders are lifted and residents return to the Valley.

District Manager Rick Rogers asks the public to conserve water to the maximum extent possible. Follow all “Do Not Drink / Do Not Boil” to be issued for Brookdale north, and other safety notices. Mr. Rogers also asks everyone who hears this message to take it seriously and please talk to others.

The District will continue to update its website & social media platforms with news. To see the most updated information please check our website alert page here or our Facebook page here.

For more information, call (831) 338-2153, or go to www.slvwd.com.

About the District
The San Lorenzo Valley Water District was established in 1941 as an independent special district. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected at-large from within the District’s service area. A special district is a local government agency formed by voters to perform a needed service, such as water or sewer. The District’s boundaries comprise approximately 60 square miles and 190 miles of pipeline. The District currently provides service to approximately 7,900 residential, commercial, and institutional connections. The District relies on both surface water and groundwater resources, including nine currently active stream diversions, one groundwater spring, and eight active groundwater wells. The District owns, operates, and maintains two water systems from separate water sources. These sources are derived solely from rainfall within the San Lorenzo River watershed.

The District owns, operates, and maintains a wastewater system in Boulder Creek’s Bear Creek Estates, which serves approximately 56 homes.

Website: slvwd.com
Phone: (831) 338-2153
Fax: (831) 338-7986

Emergency Numbers:
After-hour emergencies: (831) 338-2153

Address:
San Lorenzo Valley Water District
13060 Hwy 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 747-7455
http://www.slvwd.com

Nicole Hollingsworth of Marina Appointed to Monterey County Fair Board of Directors

The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced that Nicole Hollingsworth, 32, of Marina, has been appointed to the 7th District Agricultural Association, Monterey County Fair Board of Directors.

Monterey, CA, January 13, 2019 — The Monterey County Fair & Event Center has announced that Nicole Hollingsworth, 32, of Marina, has been appointed to the 7th District Agricultural Association, Monterey County Fair Board of Directors.

Hollingsworth has been district director for state Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning since 2013. She was field representative for then-state Assemblymember Monning from 2010 to 2013 and an administrative assistant for special projects at the Monterey Bay Aquarium from 2009 to 2010.

Hollingsworth, a Democrat, is a member of the Democratic Women of Monterey County, California State University Monterey Bay Foundation Board of Directors and the California State University Monterey Bay Alumni Association.

She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Golden Gate University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.

About the Monterey County Fair & Event Center
The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is a premier event center set on 22 oak-studded acres with ample parking. It is a state-owned multi-use facility that features four large banquet rooms, two outdoor concert venues, and a variety of outdoor and indoor cost-effective sites ideal for all types of events. It is home of the annual award-winning Monterey County Fair, host to many major and private events on the Central Coast, and the site of the Monterey Bay Race Place, a Satellite Wagering Facility.

For more information, contact the Fair Administration Office, at 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey, by calling (831) 372-5863 or go to www.montereycountyfair.com for more information.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.montereycountyfair.com