Solano Supes recognize Juneteenth, Gun Violence Awareness Month

Supervisor Wanda Williams offered a proclamation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth in Solano County at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors Meeting. The holiday recognizes the Emancipation Proclamation, which was announced on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, more than two and a half years after it was signed in 1863, freeing 250,000 enslaved people there.

"Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, honors African American resilience, achievement, and the preservation of historical narratives that recognize the ongoing pursuit of liberty, equality, and opportunity," the proclamation reads.

David Nott of the Suisun Youth Commission said it was a pleasure and profound honor to accept the Juneteenth proclamation on behalf of that organization. He thanked Williams and her office for acknowledging the organization's work.

Supervisor Cassandra James offered a proclamation naming Gun Violence Awareness. He mentioned Jamario Baker, who was killed protecting his sister after graduating Sem Yeto continuation high school in Fairfield last week. Joined by the Napa Chapter of Moms Demand Action and Californians for Safety and Justice, James chose not to read the resolution during the meeting to allow speakers more time.

Executive Director of Californians for Safety and Justice and resident of the Vallejo Country Club Crest Neighborhood, Tinisch Hollins also spoke out about gun violence in the community. She said the legislature is working on a bill to support victims of violent crime, and Solano County would be an area eligible for that pilot program.

"Every shooting impacts not only the person that was hit, as you can hear the collateral effects that are passed on," she said.

Hollins said the county needs to do more to disrupt cycles of violence in young people's lives.

"The healing of our young people has to be a public safety priority, not just a public health priority," she said.

Denise Winters of First Five Solano gave a presentation on the Community Investment fund as the board considered how to spend those dollars this year. The CIF spends $305,291 annually on legacy programs, $1.5 million annually on "deep programming," and $365,000 on annual grants, which are decided each year in meetings like this one.

This year's CIF funding will be spent on the county's top six human services priorities, which include Mental Health, Housing, Homelessness, Early Education, Youth Development and Safe and Stable environments for kids. Grants distributed by the county via this program will go to Food is Free Bay Area, Rio Vista Care, Innovative Health Solutions, Planned Parenthood of Northern California and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Two speakers from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill came to the board asking for appropriations, which they said would be necessary for the organization's survival. The organization has served the community for over 40 years and is looking for more funding to continue its mission following the impacts of H.R. 1.

"it is my frustration and anger that we are put in this position," Executive Director Deborah Demello said.

Asked by Supervisor Mitch Mashburn, county staff said three subject matter experts make the funding decisions on behalf of the county. They said one of the three worked at a nonprofit before their current position, but did not disclose who made the decision.

Staff from the Solano County Libraries. The current website, built during the pandemic, was intended to be a temporary bridge solution to a longer-term site. The new site would be built through BiblioWeb, creating a more organized and user-friendly experience for both patrons and staff. Staff said patrons have come to expect Google-like experiences from library sites, with the ability to see different forms of media under one search result, easily refine their search and seamlessly transition between the site and the catalog.

Supervisor Wanda Williams announced that she has been elected Vice President of ABAG and that she has been elected for a second term on the board in the Primary Election last Tuesday. Williams secured over 50 percent of the vote, avoiding a runoff election in November with the second highest vote getter, Solano County Sheriff's Deputy Eldon "Brooke" Parker.

"Great week," she said. "I am very honored to just have the support of my community."

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