By Dianne Jacob | Dianne’s Corner

New year, new ideas: It was my great honor to recently deliver the 2017 State of the County address.

Our county government is strong, and we will continue to make public safety our top priority, but we also have a lot of work ahead of us. In my speech, I announced seven initiatives that I’d like the county and region to pursue this year:

• Let’s be street wise: Ramp up funding to improve county roads within five years.
• Green light for green projects: Create a sustainable endowment fund to support parks.
• Confronting the pension challenge: Pursue changes in employee benefits to ensure fiscal health.
• Prepare for the silver surge: Hire a ‘senior czar’ to steer improvements in senior services.
• There’s an app for that: Graffiti? Potholes? Gas price gouging? Try the county’s new Tell Us Now! app.
• Stay battle ready: Tools and tactics to fight crime, wildfire and sex slavery.
• Building a bond: Work with schools to improve community and cop relations.

We will continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe, remain fiscally sound and to maintain a county government that serves the people and does them proud.

East County’s finest: Presenting county proclamations to those who have distinguished themselves is one of the best parts of my job.

In recent weeks, I’ve had the privilege of honoring folks like Richard Nasif, El Cajon’s Citizen of the Year. He has done so much for the community — as a police officer, a coach and a downtown leader.

Other recent honorees include star golfer Breann Horn, a student at El Capitan High, and Polly Schoonover, a volunteer at the Edgemoor skilled nursing facility in Santee.

For more District 2 news, go to www.diannejacob.com or follow me on Facebook and Twitter. If I can assist with a county issue, please call my office at 619-531-5522 or email dianne.jacob@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Have a great East County day!

—Dianne Jacob is County Supervisor for San Diego County’s District 2.