On the Police Front | Taking Care of Youth | Trash Talk
Nominate an NIP Project  | Way to Go Volunteens | City Council Meetings Live

On the Police Front
Get it All On the Web, See the New Design
Ever thought about becoming a Monterey police officer? Would you like to know more about our (low) crime rates or the Police Department’s mission and values?
If so, just visit the Police Department’s recently redesigned Web site at www.monterey.org/mpd  
You can learn about the people who work to make your City safer 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and find out what you should tell your children about drugs, strangers and what to do if they get lost.
Take a look next time you’re online and tell us what you think – you’ll also discover info on homeland security and disaster preparedness.

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Taking Care of Youth
More than 1,000 success stories later, we are convinced it’s true – one person really can make a difference.
The City’s Youth Diversion Program, which began in 1998, is truly a success story. The program, originally designed to help first-time youth offenders get back on track, has evolved to support kids and families who are experiencing trouble at home/school or who just need to talk.
The program’s success, which we measure one youth at a time, is due to the hard work and dedication of our coordinator Kathy Miller-Balderas (pictured) and her extensive system of resources, both in-house and out.
For more info on the program, call 646.5696 (balderas@ci.monterey.ca.us) or visit the Web at www.monterey.org/mpd  

Trash Talk
Your recycling, yard waste and trash collector – Monterey City Disposal Service (MDS) – has updated its customer service system to help you get the info you need faster and easier.
Some of the new features include:

• A GPS satellite tracking program to locate vehicles out in the field;
• New tools to ensure expenses and productivity are tracked and handled efficiently;
• A hand-held device which gives the City’s solid waste
  manager access to account info;
• Internet access to account info and online payment options;
• A single-page invoice with a return envelope. The new invoice allows space for more education info, such as tips on recycling and waste reduction; and
• An improved Web site. Visit them online at www.montereydisposal.com 
  Let us know what you think!

Now More Money to Promote Recycling – Do Your Part
The City was awarded more than $8,000 to increase bottle and can recycling efforts in the community.
We have to use the money from the State Dept. of Conservation for projects such as adding recycling bins to public venues, expanding curbside opportunities or purchasing products made of recycled materials.
More than 18 billion CRV containers were sold in California in 2002, and about 10.6 billion were recycled. That leaves 7.5 billion bottles and cans – worth about $187 million in CRV– that ended up in the trash instead of the recycling bin last year.
Increase recycling in the community. Use the recycling bin instead of the trash can.

For more info about recycling in the City, call the City’s Solid Waste Coordinator Angela Brantley at 646.5662 or send an email to brantley@ci.monterey.ca.us  Visit the Web for recycling tips and updated info on composting in your own backyard at www.monterey.org/recycle

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Upgrade the Neighborhood, Nominate an NIP Project
Send in your project ideas for the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) and help your community!

What is a project?
A Neighborhood Improvement Project is any upgrade (not on private property) to public streets, storm drains, sewers, sidewalks, walkways, lighting, traffic control devices, landscaping and
beautification, parks, recreational facilities or other public buildings.
You can nominate a project by completing the nomination card below and dropping it in the mail. The card is pre-addressed and postage paid.

What happens to my submitted project?
All nominations are sorted by type of improvement and neighborhood. Community members may be contacted to clarify info submitted – so be sure to include name, address and telephone number on the card.
Costs are estimated on valid project nominations, and then the NIP committee, composed of community members, votes on the projects. Last year more than $2 million were directed to NIP construction projects.
The deadline to submit projects is Friday, February 13, 2004. For more info, call the City’s Construction Management Division at 646.3997 (clement@ci.monterey.ca.us).

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Way to Go Volunteens – Thanks for 4,200 Hours
Fifty teenagers volunteered many hours of their time this summer helping provide City services as part of the Volunteen Program.
Teens from 13 to 17, worked 4,200 hours with staff in Recreation & Community Services, the Monterey Public Library, at the Harbor and in Volunteer Services. 
“I enjoyed working with people, meeting new people and helping the community,” said Promotion Volunteen Denise Alexander.
Cheer Camp Volunteen Kelsey Harrison says, “It’s fun and a great experience, and teaches responsibility.”
For many participants, this is the first time they have been in a workplace environment – working alongside staff, keeping a timesheet and learning what it’s like to have a job.
Teens work with the public and explore different career paths while gaining job skills and experience. Assignments range from working with children at day camp, preschool and Sports Camp to creating newsletters, Web sites and videos; assisting with waterfront operations; and helping with the special programs at the Library.
Visit www.monterey.org/volunteen  to view a photo gallery from this summer, read comments and find out more about the role Volunteens have played in the City.

Missed the LIVE City Council meeting on cable Ch. 25?
Catch rebroadcasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 and 7 p.m. between meetings. Or check out a VHS tape copy from the Monterey Public Library.

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Annual Report 2003 | City Focus Main Page
Features | In the News | City Briefs | History Buffs
 Community Tips | Odds & Ends | Arts & Culture

Rev. 02/19/08 L. Huelga  http://www.monterey.org/focus/winter03/news.html