Celebrating Monterey County’s Notable Women
Monterey Bay Parent – Denise Green, February 21, 2024
“While juggling the many demands of her role and personal life, Wendy continues to ensure that she brings the voices, including the needs, hopes, dreams, and struggles, of hardworking parents into every decision-making space.”
Monterey County Weekly – Sara Rubin, October 25, 2023
“Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, who voted last week for revisions, returned this week to say she could not support the motion, even in its compromise form… "It’s clear that what this has done is cause division and additional harm in our community," she said. "It’s not good for our community, and it’s not good for our board and the work we need to get done." She apologized to the community for any harm the board's discussion had caused.”
SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL DIVIDES MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERVISORS
California County News – October 20, 2023
“Root-Askew went further, referring to Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “genocide.” The United Nations defines genocide as “a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part.” Israel says it is acting in self-defense against the terrorist group Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas killed 1,300 people—including 32 Americans—in Israel on October 7 and is still holding another 200 men, women and children hostage.”
Monterey County leaders delay resolution to formally express solidarity with Israel
KSBW 8 – October 17, 2023
"I am heartbroken watching the conflict in Israel and Gaza escalate over the past week," said Root-Askew, during Tuesday's meeting. "I stand firmly against all acts of violence committed against innocent people, be they in Israel or Gaza."
KION 46 – Ricardo Tovar, Ana Torrea. October 17, 2023
“I cannot support this action which feels like it ultimately uses the loss Israeli lives to justify a genocide of Gaza,” said Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. “Our call to action must focus on reducing humanitarian suffering and protection innocent people.”
State funds mean a county health clinic in Marina can expand, serving triple the patients.
Monterey County Now – Wendy Root Askew, October 5, 2023
“By expanding access to health care services and investing in preventive care, we can improve the health of our residents – especially those who have been disproportionately affected by health disparities – and reduce health care costs for everyone…I urge you to join me in supporting access to health care for all because everyone deserves to be healthy, regardless of their income or zip code. Access to health care remains a top concern for residents across our region, and I am so excited that this project is on track to be built in the years to come.”
Million dollars authorized for Pajaro families still displaced by winter storms
KSBW 8 – September 28, 2023
“There's a fundamental disparity in how the systems is set up […] communities that have more resources are those less likely to experience the type of disasters that occurred in Pajaro and, therefore, more likely to have the resources to have the ability to recover afterwards,” says Wendy Root Askew, Monterey County Supervisor.”
Monterey County Weekly – Rey Mashayekhi, September 14, 2023
“County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew says the board was willing to fund the new positions after hearing Nieto’s appeals on how “addressing the settlement agreement is a priority for her administration.” But as far as the jail’s operations, Askew – who is on an ad hoc committee exploring the potential for a new Sheriff’s Office oversight entity – says the Board of Supervisors has little influence over how the sheriff uses that money or manages the facility.”
The public weighs in to support the creation of a sheriff's oversight committee.
Monterey County Weekly – Sara Rubin, July 28, 2023
"I want to commend you to being so open to having this conversation with us. I really appreciate being able to have an open dialogue with you," Askew said to Neito at the end, after some harsh criticisms from members of the public.
Local Nonprofit to Manage, Operate Laguna Seca Recreation Area
SF Gate – Thomas Hughes, July 18, 2023
“Supervisor Wendy Root Askew likewise said that the contract agreed to Tuesday outlined requirements to keep the use consistent, including the capacity at the racetrack. If there were changes proposed, it would likely require further environmental review.”
The end of federal pandemic funds means next year’s Monterey County budget could be tighter.
Monterey County Weekly – Rey Mashayekhi, June 21, 2023
“The intent was to ensure we didn’t have to use general fund money to subsidize cannabis program operations,” Supervisor Wendy Root Askew says. She notes that declining cannabis revenues mean “there’s no longer cannabis money rolling into general fund expenditures [for other county programs].”
Families are left in the dark after the housing authority says it must close their community.
Monterey County Weekly - Pam Marino, May 18, 2023
“The Monterey County Behavioral Health Department recently applied for a state grant to rehabilitate the units; an answer is expected later this summer. In the meantime, a collaboration of county agencies and nonprofit organizations has been searching for alternative funding sources, says Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, who represents the Fourth District where Pueblo is located… “There are some significant challenges facing this property, but I am confident that our partners are committed to finding solutions that meet the affordable housing needs of the families,” she says.”
Monterey County celebrates its women in leadership as Women’s History Month begins.
Monterey County Weekly – Sara Rubin, March 1, 2023
“They also include two of five county supervisors—Wendy Root Askew and Mary Adams—and all five chiefs of staff to the five-member board: Linda Gonzalez, Marilyn Vierra, Priscilla Barba, Yuri Anderson and Sarah Hardgrave…Each of the people on this list of top-level leaders has their own story to tell, and each arrives in leadership at a unique moment in time for women in their field. Some are the first-ever woman elected or appointed to their role.”
Paul Richmond – January 24, 2023
“It was an honor to paint this mural, titled She Persisted, in the office of Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. I was thinking about all the strong women I've known throughout my life who have taught me about leadership, perseverance, and courage. Thank you to the Arts Council for Monterey County for funding this project.”
Monterey County is seeking additional FEMA disaster assistance
KSBW 8 – Chris Hagel January 23, 2023
“Sheriff Nieto, along with officials from the Office of Emergency Services, Monterey County Water Resources, State Parks, Cal Fire, Monterey County Regional Fire, and Monterey County Regional Parks met with Distinct 17 Senator John Laird, 30th District State Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and Monterey County Board of Supervisors Mary Adams and Wendy Root Askew were took a tour of some of the damages in Monterey County.”
Monterey County Weekly – Rey Mashayekhi, January 19, 2023
“Askew says that while she is “comfortable proceeding with the direction to bring the taxes down”, she is also mindful of “my responsibility to uphold the will of the voter” and would be less willing in the future to support lower cannabis taxes “beyond this moment of crisis – unless the public provides other direction.”
Slow-moving emergencies like floods create a difficulty for public safety messaging.
Monterey County weekly – Sara Rubin, January 12, 2023
“We are managing very unpredictable and uncommon conditions on the Salinas River,” County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said. “My colleagues and I are committed to keeping our community safe and informed and giving you time to prepare for what may occur with the closure of roads.”
Monterey County appoints new County Administrative Officer
King City Rustler – Ryan Cronk, December 22, 2022
“Ms. De La Rosa brings a clear love of public service along with deep experience in county government,” said Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, District 4. “I am confident that her values-driven commitment to collaborative leadership will serve Monterey County well.”
County Supervisors approve controversial farmworker housing project in Pajaro.
Monterey County Weekly – David Schmalz, December 15, 2022
“Supervisors Luis Alejo and Wendy Root Askew both noted a 2018 study that showed a need for 5,300 additional units of farmworker housing, and how that impacts the local housing crisis at large. Though Askew also expressed concerns about recreation impacts for the local neighborhoods, after which a Rio Vista rep pledged the developer would be amenable to a condition of approval that required them to put $25,000 annually into local community parks for the next five years.”
Monterey County shows appreciation for Presidio of Monterey military family
U.S. Army – Winifred Brown, November 23, 2022
“It’s my honor and absolute privilege to recognize all of our military families that pass through Monterey County, who have chosen to make Monterey County home and who bring so much strength and experience and diversity to the rich fabric of Monterey County,” Askew said.
More victims of sexual harassment by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, LULAC says
KSBW 8 – October 5, 2022
“Supervisor Wendy Root Askew proposed the idea in a board of supervisors meeting in April but was met with hesitation by her colleagues…"It would have given us really critical abilities to subpoena information and daylight information from the sheriff's office," Askew said… "I felt like we needed to act urgently on that earlier this year, however, the board voted 4-1, to wait until January of next year after the election of a new sheriff," Askew said.”
Board of Supervisors condemn sexual harassment at Monterey County Sheriff's Office
KSBW 8 - September 27, 2022
"The Board of Supervisors is expected to have full responsibility but we don't have the authority to implement that responsibility, as any kind of check and balance," Root-Askew said… Supervisor Root-Askew said that come January, she plans to pursue a measure that would give the Board of Supervisors more oversight of the sheriff's department.”
Monterey County Homelessness Summit Examines Root of Problem.
The Mercury News – Molly Gibbs, July 17, 2022
“We have made tremendous progress in recent years to increase affordable housing, shelter beds and services that meet people where they are when they need our help,” said Monterey county’s district 4 supervisor, Wendy Root Askew, in her closing remarks. “it’s hard to celebrate success when so many of our neighbors remain unhoused and in crisis. We have so much work ahead of us… we need all hands-on deck, aligned and working together to implement our plans.”
Monterey County Board of Supervisors approves resolution in support of reproductive rights.
Monterey County Weekly – Sara Rubin, May 14, 2022
"While we may feel that our rights here in Monterey County and California are secure, this resolution makes it clear that we will not sit quietly while the rights of our neighbors across this country are stripped away," Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said.
Monterey County Supervisor Aims to Center Families and Communities In Policymaking
CA FWD – Amber Bolden, April 5, 2022
“I will never move again and there is comfort in that,” said Askew. “I don’t have to worry about rent going up. There’s security that allows me to take a risk and run for elected office and I don’t worry that I will have to move out of the district.”
Monterey County commits up to $1M for Covid-19 tests.
King City Rustler – Ryan Cronk, February 2, 2022
“Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, who proposed the spending, noted that it will help not only churches, homeless shelters and other care facilities that need ongoing rapid testing, but also children under age 5 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated… “We do have 30,000 children still in Monterey County who haven’t yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated,” Root Askew said at the Jan. 25 meeting. “So as we think about the priority demographics that really need ongoing testing, for those families that are trying to keep their babies safe, having access to some level of surveillance testing is absolutely critical.”
With help from a new law, Board of Supervisors explores a sheriff oversight board.
Monterey County Weekly – Christopher Neely, January 20, 2022
“Root Askew says she sees the oversight board as an “opportunity to start fresh with a new sheriff and build a relationship that is transparent in nature.”
E-bike Incentive Programs in North America: New Online Tracker
TREC - January 19, 2022
"In Fall 2021, the Chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors successfully used these white papers to advocate for a brand-new e-bike incentive program that will serve low-income residents from 3 counties on the California Central Coast. Through their regional Air Resources Board, they are offering a $1,000 incentive for the purchase of an e-bike. "Your work to establish the value of e-bikes was tremendously valuable as I fought to gain support for a local program," shared Board Chair Wendy Root Askew."
Times – Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, January 9, 2022
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted pre-existing societal disparities and forced local communities to reckon with the reality that our health is interdependent with the well-being of our neighbors. COVID-19 challenged us to consider the disparate realities faced by people of different gender expressions, races, family responsibilities, and socio-economic circumstances… Moving forward we must recommit to efforts that ensure public administration across all fields–including elected leadership–represents the diversity and lived experience of everyone, not just those who have the privilege of time and resources to participate.”
Speaking about LGBTQ student outreach. Now they’re fighting for their jobs
San Francisco Chronicle – Danielle Echeverria, January 1, 2022
“Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, whose office produced the letter, said the district’s response was “concerning,” especially the club’s suspension, and pledged to “fight for their fundamental human rights.” But she pointed out that she’s also a parent of a young child — who attends another district — and understands how sensitive and complicated the issue can be for families…“I know that I want my child to be safe at school, and I also know that I have expectations that I’m not going to be left in the dark about what’s happening on campus,” she said. “But the bottom line is the data tells us that our LGBTQ youth are at significantly higher rates of self-harm. If we care about the protection and well-being of our kids, we must follow the data and ensure that they have safe places and safe people at school, at home and in the community.”
Monterey County hopes to reduce homelessness by 50% over the next five years.
The Californian – Angelica Cabral, November 18, 2021
“Coming on to the board this year, the issue of homelessness was something that definitely rose to the top of my priorities,” Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said. “The need for our community to do more, to acknowledge the crisis that exists for those that are currently unsheltered.”
With money to spend, the county revives its focus on economic development.
Monterey County Weekly – Christopher Neely, Nov 11, 2021
“We want economic development to be alive again, we’ve hired a new director and have staff to work with the committee,” says Wendy Root Askew, chair of the board. “The partial slate of nominations didn’t match the demographics of the county that we’re trying to serve.”
County looks at the housing plan.
Pressreader – Dennis L. Taylor, September 16, 2021
“Affordable housing is a priority to the community and to this board. - Supervisor Wendy Root-Askew, Chairwoman of the Board”
Monterey County mask mandate fails to gain enough support.
King City Rustler – Ryan Cronk, September 8, 2021
“Supervisors Wendy Root Askew, Mary Adams and Luis Alejo were in favor of the mandate, while John Phillips and Chris Lopez dissented from the majority… Alejo, who represents most of the City of Salinas in District 1, applauded his colleagues Askew and Adams “for their leadership” and expressed his disappointment with the outcome via a social media post.”
Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved budget for the 2022 fiscal year
The Californian – Angelica Cabral, June 22, 2021
"I want to thank all of the members of the public who weighed in on our budget," Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said. "I want to thank all of the staff who worked to present and make their case and bring carefully thought through recommendations to the board. There's a lot in this budget that I'm really personally very proud of."
Monterey County Weekly – Mary Duan, May 21, 2021
“Board of Supervisors chair Wendy Root Askew says the censure is the most available step the board can take to send a message that Bernal's behavior regarding the conference was unacceptable, but that the sheriff, as an elected official, ultimately reports to the voters.”
Marina resident shares concerns about homelessness
KSION 46 – Max Tarlton, May 9, 2021
“District 4 Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said the new 10-year plan to combat homelessness is currently being written up…Askew hopes to have a summit this summer for different city officials to gather to fully understand the 10-year-plan and the different pieces to the puzzle. She says there is still so much that needs to be done not only in Marina but other cities on the Central Coast too.”
Monterey County prepares for a possible wave of migrant children.
Monterey County Weekly – Mary Duan, Apr 29, 2021
“Board Chair Wendy Root Askew says while there’s significant weight on the country to ensure the safety and health of these children, there’s also now significant weight on the county. “Listening to the briefing, all I could think about is the mothers of these children are in such dire circumstances that they’re willing to send their children away to give them a better life,” she says. “We want to ensure we welcome them with warm arms, the way any mother would want them to be welcomed.”
Congressman Panetta Introduces Legislation to Incentivize Independent Energy Microgrids
U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta – Press Release, April 13, 2021
"The County is supportive of distributed energy resources, including microgrid controls, that would enable local sources of renewable energy to provide clean backup power in the event of an outage as well as create a more modern and flexible power system. Congressman Panetta's MICROGRID Act will provide an effective tool to facilitate the development of distributed energy for the benefit of our residents as they confront the increasing challenges of extreme weather and climate change," said Wendy Root Askew, Chair, Monterey County Board of Supervisors.”
Board of Supes to sheriff: Try again on your budget figures.
Monterey County Weekly – Mary Duan, Apr 9, 2021
“Board chair and District 4 Supervisor Wendy Root Askew had invited the sheriff to speak to the board in open session about the escape, and about the response to the escape, which didn’t include informing residents of the neighborhood around the jail, and the sheriff declined.”
Monterey County Weekly – Mary Duan, Apr 1, 2021
“There are pretty significant limitations to the role a county Board of Supervisors has over the Sheriff’s Office,” Askew says. “I’ve concluded that it really is state legislation that would allow the public to have more information and provide more oversight over law enforcement.”
The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is off to a rocky start everywhere, including in Monterey County.
Monterey County Weekly – Pam Marino, Jan 21, 2021
“From the beginning, the community has been desperate for information about who is in charge, who is making decisions and where they fit into the plan,” says Wendy Root Askew, chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors…We have to acknowledge this is really frustrating for everyone: For our community members trying to get their loved ones vaccinated; our county Health Department staff working around the clock since the pandemic started; the state public health team that’s been uninvested in for generations; and the federal government that wasn’t ready to deliver on a Covid-19 response,” Askew says. “Without forgiving or making excuses for how it’s been happening, we have to keep our eye on the goal of getting people vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
After 12 years on the Board of Supervisors, Jane Parker and colleagues reflect on her time.
The Californian – Angelica Cabral, December 15, 2020
“Askew has worked with Parker since she was elected in 2009 and said she appreciated how "value-based" Parker was in her leadership, making it easier to be a staffer and support her… “My thought going into working in politics is it was all transactional and Jane is just really grounded in integrity and grounded in doing the right thing for the right reasons,” Askew said.”
The Californian – Angelica Cabral, November 13, 2020
“Wendy Root Askew is your new Monterey County Supervisor for District 4. We spoke with her for this week's podcast about why she loves Monterey County, her priorities once she's in office, and advice she has for women and mothers, like herself, who are looking to run for office.”
A campaign talking point evolves into action on housing for the Monterey Peninsula.
Monterey County Weekly – Pam Marino, October 17, 2019
“Elected officials promote a regional housing authority…Members include, Wendy Root Askew, Jon Wizard, Alison Kerr and Jeff Baron…Four main objectives emerged that day: completing a study of employee and student housing needs; exploring the creation of a joint powers authority between Peninsula cities and districts; identifying and prioritizing water allocations for affordable and workforce housing; and leveraging federal, state and local dollars. Working groups were formed around each objective.”
There’s a way to make a difference no matter what’s happening in Washington: Focus locally.
Monterey County Weekly – Susan Meister, September 12, 2019
“With my colleague Wendy Root Askew, I began organizing the Monterey County presence of Moms Demand Action, one of the largest and most effective organizations in the country dedicated to the passage of sensible gun laws and public education on gun safety. With over 6 million volunteers in 50 states and in most California counties, Moms Demand Action has assembled data showing that the problem of gun violence involving children is far greater than people realize.”
Monterey Peninsula delegation heads to Sacramento for school funding
Monterey County Herald, James Herrera, May 22, 2019
“Our kids matter,” said Wendy Root Askew, MPUSD board member. “It’s about what they need, what our teachers need, having a united voice and bringing the community together.”
Homeless, foster youth population grows in Monterey County
Monterey County Herald, Juan Reyes, March 8, 2019
A panel of experts including Darius Brown of the Monterey County of Education, MPUSD Board Trustee Wendy Root Askew, MPUSD Social Emotional Support director Donnie Everett, MPUSD homeless liaison Carlos Diaz, and Adrienne “Bing” Goldsworth, National Center for Youth Law program manager for FosterEd in Monterey County talked about the rise in family homelessness in Monterey County during a forum in Seaside on Thursday.
Monterey County Supervisor Jane Parker to retire at end of term
Monterey County Herald, Jim Johnson, March 4, 2019
“I look forward to continuing my work at the county – with and for the community – to keep our communities safe, spur living-wage job creation, and address the housing needs of current residents and future generations,” Askew said.”
County Supervisor Jane Parker announces retirement, endorses aide Wendy Askew.
Monterey County Weekly, Sara Rubin, March 4, 2019
"For me, much of my work [for the county] has been looking at social issues. We're talking the things that families need to be successful: from housing, to social services that work for people, to having communities you feel safe raising your kids in. In so many ways, that's what the county does, and services the county provides." ~ Wendy Root Askew
Home School: Education officials eye abandoned sites for teacher housing
Voices of Monterey Bay, By Andrea Patton, February 28, 2019
“Monterey Peninsula Unified School District trustee Wendy Askew is urging MPUSD to consider the excess land the district owns but does not need for educational purposes to be considered as workforce housing sites as one piece of the housing crisis puzzle.”
CalFresh benefits to be issued early due to government shutdown
James Herrera, January 16, 2019
CalFresh benefits for February were issued Wednesday due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. March benefits may not be available if the shutdown continues so recipients are urged to plan accordingly, the California Department of Social Services announced Monday. Wendy Root Askew, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education, district 1 member, said in a release, “Thousands of local students rely on CalFresh. Please look out for your neighbors this month and next – your kindness and caring really does make a difference.”
Town Hall: Three potential Peninsula homeless shelter sites to be discussed
Monterey County Herald, Jim Johnson, January 14, 2019
Parker aide Wendy Root Askew also emphasized the informational nature of Wednesday’s town hall. “..we are ... giving space for (homeless services) organizations to share what they’re operating and what they might be considering if they were to apply for HEAP funding,” Askew said.
Monterey County educational leaders complete training course
Monterey County Herald, Juan Reyes, December 7, 2018
Askew said the responsibility of managing a district that serves 10,000 students across five cities with an annual operating budget of $120 million is significant. She said the Masters in Governance program provides a solid foundation to serve effectively as a trustee, while always remaining focused to prepare students for success beyond the classroom. “I don’t take any of that lightly. I take that very seriously and I just want to the best that I can be and serve my community the best that I can,” Askew said. “This is just another tool in my toolbox that allows me to do that.”
Political up-and-comers team up to tackle the housing crisis with a regional approach.
Monterey County Weekly, Mary Duan, September 27, 2018
Founding members of the Monterey Regional Housing Coalition include, from left to right: Tyller Williamson, Dionne Ybarra, Wendy Root Askew (an MPUSD board member), Ian Oglesby, Jon Wizard and Alison Kerr.
Lawmakers Weigh Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Screening For Postpartum Depression
NPR via KQED, April Dembosky, March 19, 2018
Askew likes California's bill, AB 2193, because it goes beyond mandated screening. It would require health insurance companies to set up case management programs to help moms find a therapist, and connect obstetricians or pediatricians to a psychiatric specialist. "Just like we have case management programs for patients who have diabetes or sleep issues or back pain, a case management program requires the insurance company to take some ownership of making sure their patients are getting the treatment they need to be healthy," says Root Askew, who is now advocating for the bill on behalf of the group 2020 Mom. Health insurance companies haven't taken a position on the legislation. It's unclear how much it would cost them to comply, because some already have infrastructure in place for case management programs, and some do not. But there is consensus among insurers and health advocates that such programs save money in the long run. "The sooner that you can get good treatment for a mom, the less expensive that condition will be to manage over the course of the woman's life and over the course of that child's life," Root Askew says.
Teachers Rally Supported #NationalSchoolWalkout
Voices of Monterey Bay, Letter to the Editor, March 15, 2018
Teachers, students, and parents have had enough and we are organizing to apply pressure that will result in stronger, sensible gun laws and policies that will protect our children and families. On March 24th at 10am we will raise our voices again with the #MarchForOurLives movement by marching from Windows on the Bay to Colton Hall. Please join us.
As #NeverAgain sweeps the nation after a school shooting, local students get on board.
Monterey County Weekly, Marielle Argueza, March 1, 2018
It’s not just Monterey High School students who are pushing for change; it’s also some of the grown-ups on the board of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.Board member Wendy Root Askew proposed a resolution calling for stronger federal gun control, hoping for the board to vote on March 13, the night before the national walkout. Among the highlights of her draft resolution is a call to remove the Dickey Amendment, a 1996 prohibition on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from using government funds to “advocate or promote gun control,” which has been interpreted to mean researching the public health consequences and data connected to guns. “This infuriates me,” Root Askew says. “As policymakers, we’re supposed to make informed decisions with the data given to us, but we have very little data to start with.”
Demand Local Support of Strong Gun Control
Voices of Monterey Bay, Letter to the Editor, 2/21/18
As the nation mobilizes around the #NeverAgain movement, my thoughts keep returning to the massive public health impacts that gun violence has on our country and our own community every single day. Monterey County has consistently ranked among the highest rate of homicide of young people in California, with as many as 20 youth aged 10-24 murdered every year, the majority killed by guns. Since its opening, Natividad’s trauma center annually provides care for over 100 victims of life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Monterey County’s Safe Parking Program has a site
By James Herrera, Monterey Herald, 11/6/17
“I can say this has been one of the most difficult and complicated projects that I’ve worked on, and it is going to happen,” said Wendy Root Askew, board aide to Supervisor Jane Parker. In August, the board agreed that until a safe parking program was in place, it would allow overnight camping for people living in their vehicles along Lapis Road outside Marina in unincorporated Monterey County, provided those campers move along during the day.
Letter to the Editor, Monterey County Weekly, 9/21/17
Just days before this article about Seaside Police Chief Robert Jackson’s racist and ignorant public Facebook posts, I shared my own concerns about the tone-deaf response of our local police chiefs to the conversations about school resource officers. Our data reflects the negative impacts of structural racism. While the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has decreased suspensions for African American students from 13 percent to 8 eight over the last three years, black children are still suspended at a higher percentage than any other subgroup.
MPUSD officials want to re-negotiate contract with police
By Claudia Meléndez Salinas, Monterey Herald, 8/23/17
In a 5-2 vote, trustees also instructed Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh to make it a one-year contract and include language that requires data collection to evaluate the “effectiveness of the partnership.” Trustees also want to see the program modified so it focuses on diverting students from the justice system, a model already used by the Marina Police Department. The vote came after a lengthy, emotional hearing where Diffenbaugh presented different options to continue, modify, or terminate the existing resource officers program at the district’s three comprehensive high schools. Nearly 20 people spoke up during public comment, including prominent leaders of the African American community who mostly oppose having police in the schools.
Lapis Road problem: Creation of Safe Parking Program goes into overdrive
By James Herrera, Monterey Herald, 8/30/17
“We’ll be watching it very closely to see what works,” said Askew. “The only way this is going to work is if the county and cities agree to make it work.”
Lapis Road inhabitants given notice to vacate while Monterey County works on solution
By James Herrera, Monterey Herald, 8/14/17
According to Wendy Askew, a Parker aide, Parker and Supervisor Mary Adams met last month with Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio, who was recently appointed to represent Monterey Peninsula mayors on the Lead Me Home Leadership Council. We will continue to work for a solution that provides people with safe places to sleep and does not simply push the problem of homelessness down the road. It is our goal to establish a county-wide Safe Parking Program and two year-round shelters, said Askew.
Bright Beginnings - Spotlight on the Peninsula Collaborative Action Team
Bright Beginnings Newsletter, March 2017
Wendy shared an example of how MPUSD recently allocated $33 million from its Measure P 2010 school bond to improve school facilities. “Pre-School and Parent Education programs are not intentionally left off the list, but in my role as a Board member I was able to remind everyone that investments made in early childhood development pay dividends into the future, making sure that our pre-school facilities were added to the list of priority projects. As a result MPUSD will be investing $1.1 million into pre-school facilities over the next two years.”
Due to the commitment of the school board, MPUSD is now one the few districts to offer an expanded age range for children who are eligible to attend TK. The district has also increased both preschool and TK enrollment in Seaside and Marina by over 100 students. “We have done a lot of outreach by building awareness and having conversations with parents about how their student will experience a seamless transition if they’re enrolled in preschool and then go on to TK,” explained Cresta.
Q&A: Wendy Root Askew impressed with MPUSD board
By Claudia Meléndez Salinas, Monterey Herald, February 20, 2016
Read the full Article
I’ve been incredibly impressed. The board has been so kind, so warm, so welcoming with good suggestions, good advice, willing to answer questions. The way they work as group is very impressive, very collaborative. They’ve done all the work to bring some internal pieces where they can function in a very productive, positive way . I just got lucky on so many levels and walked into that. I know it’s not always like that. When we walked into the county we realized there’s a lot of infrastructure pieces that needed to be put in place — performance evaluations, how does one put something on the agenda, basic stuff. MPUSD has all of that in place, we just started working on the superintendent evaluation. I’ve been impressed. I think they’re very cognizant of the past and mistakes that have been made in the past and are working really hard to make sure that they’re not going to do that again.
Mothers rally to improve maternity care
KSBW, Jacqueline Mazur, September 6, 2014
"There's a lot of different reasons why care is provided the way that it is and sometimes it's just because things have always been done that way," said Wendy Root Askew, a rally participant. "But really, we're asking all our local hospitals to look at their policies and look at why they provide the care that they do." Supporters said expecting mothers should have the right to make their own informed decisions from the start of pregnancy up to the birth of their child. The group told Action News that 90 percent of women in America receive maternity care that increases risks for both mother and child. Now they're asking for local hospitals to review their policies and align them with recommendations from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Root Askew said.
Improving Birth rally in Monterey aims to raise awareness, empower mothers.
By Kera Abraham, Monterey Weekly, Sep 8, 2014
"Our message isn’t about natural birth versus medicated birth. It’s not about hospital birth versus homebirth or birth-center birth," Improving Birth representative Wendy Root Askew writes by email. "It’s about women being capable of making safer, more informed decisions about their care and that of their babies, when they are given full and accurate information about their care options, including the potential harms, benefits, and alternatives. It’s about respect for women and their decisions in childbirth, including how, where and with whom they give birth; and the right to be treated with dignity and compassion."
Supporters of Pacific Grove's Parents Place Issue School District a Challenge: Commit to Steady Funding, Or Let Nonprofit Take Over
By Kera Abraham, Monterey Weekly, 6/13/2013
Facing a shrinking budget from the Pacific Grove Unified School District, supporters of the popular Parents Place program at Pacific Grove Adult School are asking the cash-strapped school board to make a choice: Either keep funding the program at the last year’s levels, or sever it from the district and let a nonprofit take over operations. Wendy Askew, board president for the nonprofit Friends of Parents Place (FOPP), says a change in the state funding formula left the school district in a tough position. Money once earmarked specifically for adult-school programs can now be spent on K-12, she says, which is the district’s priority mandate.
Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew
2616 1st Avenue, Marina, California 93933, United States
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