OPEN MARTINEZ - Preserve. Promote. Enhance. Unite.

Great music at the Martinez Waterfront from 11am to 10pm

Performances by:
Houston Jones
The Jeff Magidson Blues Band
The Dangerous Martini Quartet w/Tre Taylor
The Diablo Regional Concert Band ~ Martinez Community Chorus
2nd Baptist Church Gospel Choir ~ The Hopeful Romantics
Spinning Wheel ~ Garageland Rodeo ~ La Di Da

For more info click here

Sustainable Martinez
Proudly presents
The Downtown Movie Series
Monthly screening of a variety of subjects pertaining to our environment & sustainability

Thursday, August 19th ~ Veterans Memorial Bldg
Corner of Court & Ward in Downtown Martinez

(#1) Blue Gold ~ World Water Wars

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL FILM ~ AUDIENCE CHOICE – WINNER
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2008

Kathi McLaughlin and Gay Gerlack have both pulled papers for Martinez City Council. These two will certainly make for an interesting campaign in the next few months. Kathi is currently the president of the Martinez School Board and Gay is a member of the Parks, Recreation, Marina and Cultural Commission. Both have views that are consistent with the views of OPEN Martinez.

As a reason to run, Kathi states "I’m not happy with the direction our leaders are taking our City and I decided to “put my money where my mouth is” so to speak. I think our City’s future is in jeopardy and if there was ever a time to change direction and add new voices and perspectives to the Council it’s NOW."

In a recent article with the Martinez News Gazette, Gay says “Martinez should emphasize its historic culture, unique downtown, the marina, all of its parks throughout Martinez, open space, art and entertainment venues, and its hometown atmosphere,” Gerlack stresses. “For Martinez to grow and thrive we need to implement a marketing strategy to promote all the positive aspects of our town. My vision for Martinez is a vibrant city which draws people to enjoy these assets, while still preserving our open space and small town identity.”

As the campaign gets into full swing take the time to learn more about these candidates and their views. I think you'll like what you hear.

Mark Thomson

The recent article on the $2 billion “raid” of Redevelopment Agencies (“ California ’s raid of redevelopment funds”---6/4/10) is one-sided. Lots of teachers will have jobs and lots of students will get taught because of this so-called raid.

Furthermore Redevelopment Agencies (RDA) in Contra Costa County will still get approximately $89 million this year alone, probably more than enough to fund the truly necessary projects they do.

The RDA story has a much darker side to it than reported in the article.

The purpose of RDAs has been subverted over the years.

Evidently our mayor was emboldened by the recent victory for “development” in the court decision on the Berrellessa Project. He decided to strike a blow for development OUTSIDE of Martinez city limits by signing a threatening letter directed at the citizens of Brentwood.

OPEN MARTINEZ will be hosting a series of information sessions explaining the basics of a redevelopment Agency. The free, one-hour session, “Redevelopment Agency 101”, will help you to understand this confusing subject, so you can better judge its applicability in Martinez.

Forming the Redevelopment Agency and developing the first Project Area and Plan will be described. Hot button topics including eminent domain, tax diversions, tax increment financing and issuing bonds will be explained.

The next sessions will be held as follows:

Golden Hills Park, Multi-Use Room,
7 p.m., Tuesday, June 15
Bernice Lane off Blue Ridge Drive, Martinez

Nancy Boyd Park Multi-Use Room,
7 p.m. Thursday, June 17
Pleasant Hill Road East and Church Street, Martinez

Contact Phil Ciaramitaro at 917-0441 or Tim Platt at 372-8517 for details.

While doing some research I recently reread a letter to the editor written in the past year by Paul Craig. In his letter Paul talks about the success of the 500 block of Main Street and discusses the part he feels the city should play in building on these successes as well as advertising our town.

Similar successes are appearing all over the downtown historic area. Residents ask: “What? How can that be happening without a Redevelopment Agency?” After all, hasn’t our City Council spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in investigating, planning and then, again, hiring yet ANOTHER CONSULTANT to make their report and try to convince us that a REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY will be a “cure all” for our wonderful historic area?

OPEN Martinez will be hosting a series of information sessions explaining the basics of a Redevelopment Agency. The free, one-hour session, "Redevelopment Agency 101", will help you to understand this confusing subject, so you can better judge its applicability in Martinez .

Forming the Redevelopment Agency and developing the first Project Area and Plan will be described. Hot button topics including eminent domain, tax diversions, tax increment financing and issuing bonds will be explained.

San Diego is on the verge of bankruptcy, partly due to excessive
redevelopment. By my calculations, the City of San Diego's general fund
loses over $50 million annually due to the tax increment diversion scheme.

Our city can no longer provide essential services. They are closing fire

Honorable Mayor Schroder.
City of Martinez
Martinez, CA

Re: My opposition to formation of a Martinez Redevelopment Agency.

As I am unable to attend your May 19th city council meeting please consider this email letter my written Public Comment to be included as part of the official record.

I am Larry Gilbert, Orange County Co-Director, Californians United for Redevelopment Education and an elected Board Member of the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights, both statewide organizations engaged in protecting property rights.