Solano congressman makes rounds in Fairfield
FAIRFIELD — Rep. John Garamendi made the rounds Tuesday in Fairfield, stopping to meet with faith-based groups, organized labor, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and children at the latest site of a growing nonprofit.
A group of children, a Kaiser Permanente representative and Fairfield Vice Mayor Chuck Timm greeted the congressman at an apartment complex on Grande Circle, where Garamendi toured The Leaven’s fourth site to open in Fairfield.
The Leaven is a nonprofit that has set up centers at some of the city’s poorest or troubled apartment complexes to provide tutoring, food counseling and other programs.
Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, praised The Leaven for raising student achievement and “reducing trouble” at its sites.
“The evidence is there from the other three centers,” Garamendi said. “They ought to be everywhere.”
The Grande Circle center had a soft opening this month and is already serving 25 children. A ceremony to mark the official opening is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3.
Mark Lillis, executive director of The Leaven, said the nonprofit plans to grow the Grande Circle site like the others to include “Farm to Families,” a program funded by Kaiser Permanente that brings fresh produce to the neighborhood once a month. The area is considered a “food desert” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The closest market to the area is 1.2 miles away.
Garamendi said his office would call the Department of Agriculture at UC Davis to see if they might become a partner.
The congressman gave Lillis a congressional commendation for being selected as the “Hometown Hero” as part of the Air Power Expo at Travis Air Force Base in July.
Garamendi is running for re-election in 2012. Timm is also seeking re-election to the Fairfield City Council.
Earlier Tuesday, Garamendi met with faith-based leaders and a panel of experts to discuss better ways to treat residents with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Rev. David Isom, pastor of St. Stephen CME Church, hosted the event and said it is a start in learning where to send people who suffer from PTSD. He said his church plans to bring professionals there once a month to help people suffering with the disorder.
“Many times the faith community is the first place people come to when they need help,” Isom said.
Reach David DeBolt at 427-6935 or ddebolt@dailyrepublic.net.
Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=82230
Posted by David DeBolt
on Aug 30 2011.
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Big debt/deficit John Taxandspendimendi is back in town—ready to court his welfare slaves and other “core constituency” parasite groups. Taxandspendamendi wants more—more of the same! Your tax money is to be spent and spent and spent and no accounting or results are needed! How’s your drunk driving injury accident daughter doing there Johnny boy? Did your CHP pals every figure out what the laws say or are they only interested in serving only you by not charging her for the accident? Your State is a disgusting criminal bankrupt crime organization with no chance of being reformed. Meanwhile, the jobs (and people) flee to Texas and Charleston—-Taxandspendimendi, you and your State are the laughing stock of the nation!
Health care is a privilege NOT a right, Obviously John and I disagree on this by his Oboma care vote and I am sure he will not agree when I go to cast my vote, HIM OUT!!
I think I read the other day in the DR that with redistricting, we won’t even have him on the ballot!! Yeah!!
Hallelujah!