Happy Halloween and Happy Monday, Team Carlsbad. I’m excited to share these new updates about the impact of your great work, and of course the kudos:
No hocus pocus – slow down
I was proud to read -- but not surprised -- that a recent study by a national chamber of commerce organization named the City of Carlsbad one of the top 10 safest cities for trick-or-treating. I know that we can all do our part to keep it that way! As you head out trick-or-treating with your families tonight, or in whatever way you’re spending the day, please keep in mind:
Be alert for trick-or-treaters. Put your phone away and scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
Slower speeds save lives. Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.
Walk on a sidewalk if one is available and use crosswalks.
Aside from Halloween, I can tell you the work we’ve already done in our traffic safety emergency is having a visible impact. As I walk the Village and travel to other parts of the city, I am noticing more and more people following the rules of the road, and young e-bikers wearing their helmets and practicing safe riding habits. And the community is noticing too!
Here are just a couple of kudos we’ve received from the community related to our traffic-safety efforts.
We’ll continue to monitor the impacts of the work we’re doing, but I want you to know how grateful I am to see all the changes so far and the good they have done.
End Cybersecurity Month strong
This is the last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which makes for a great opportunity to carve out time and complete some of the trainings that have been coming across your inboxes.
Many of these programs are less than five minutes, but the benefits can reap tenfold in giving you the tools to sniff out cyber criminals when they try to infiltrate our organization.
You can find the links to each training in your email. Or, go directly to Carlsbad Learn, click on search and type in “cybersecurity.”
Organics recycling coming to Carlsbad city facilities
Wanted to remind you of the importance of participating in one of the upcoming sessions about organic recycling. The way the city handles material like food waste, single-use plastics and paper is changing to meet new state and city laws and combat climate change.
Join Environmental Sustainability’s Sustainable Materials Management Division to learn how to be part of the solution. As a city employee, you play a key role in supporting the city as a sustainability leader and keeping Carlsbad as a beautiful place to live, work and play.
What: Learn the hows and whys of existing and new sustainability programs, ask questions and receive the resources you need for successful organic waste composting at your facility
Who: All staff, full time and part time
Attendance is not required, but strongly encouraged
When: Attend one of the following sessions:
Monday, Nov. 7, 10 – 11 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 10, 3 – 4 p.m.
Kudos for attentive customer service
To Frances Ballard, in Public Works. When a resident reported issues with trash and debris in her neighborhood, she called the city and Frances quickly dispatched our contractor. The work got fixed so fast that the resident called back to personally thank Frances. Thank you for being friendly, professional and resourceful. Well done!
Another kudos to Rosanne Humphrey in Environmental Sustainability. A housing developer working on a challenging project wrote in to sing Rosanne’s praises. In fact, he said it so well, I’m just going to let you read it for yourself: “This email has been sent to convey only one thing, working with Rosanne has been a pleasure. Rosanne has been attentive, creative, resourceful, and patient.” And what it makes it even more special? The developer said this is the first time in his career he has ever felt compelled to send an email like that. Congratulations, Rosanne! Thank you for embodying all of these qualities and more.
Team Carlsbad, in every sense
I’m always happy to see different departments team up to serve the community. Last week, a local company submitted for a permit for an outdoor employee appreciation lunch with just two-days notice. Usually, these permits take a week to process! But our Building, Fire and Traffic teams were able to reprioritize their work to expedite this one. They got the permit out the same day, allowing this special event to move forward. That’s the level of service and resourcing I’m so glad to see!
Hope everyone has a fun and productive week! Stay safe, watch your speed, be kind to one another, and I’m looking forward to seeing you again real soon.
Scott