As someone who has been observing politics in Contra Costa County for over thirty years I have had the privilege of a ringside seat watching the rise and fall of many a political star. I have met the inside players and the activists; they are characters all. I could spend a while listing them all but I will wait for Pat Keeble to write the political history of Contra Costa County. I hope she gets that done some time in the future.
On November 4, a political star moved to the next rung of what will be a storied career. In short order, Mark DeSaulnier became a State Senator for Contra Costa County. He is joining a long list of fine leaders: Dan Boatwright, Richard Rainey, and Tom Torlakson, who have all served in that job.
I have had a ringside seat watching the rise of Mark DeSaulnier from bar keeper of TR’s Bar and Grill — to Mayor of Concord — to his appointment and subsequent election to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors — to the California State Assembly, and now the California State Senate; a political career most people interested in politics only dream about.
DeSaulnier is a person of incredible compassion for others. He is honest and, unlike many politicians, he has that everyman quality plus a great sense of humor. This election has a special meaning for DeSaulnier. As his father was a state senator from Massachusetts.
There is a certain rite of passage between father and son when the son achieves or exceeds the father’s position in life. Mark, you have to know that somewhere out there the old man is pleased. This must be a very gratifying feeling for DeSaulnier and his sons as he reflects on the totality of his political career and his life.
Best of luck and congratulations to you Senator DeSaulnier. As we have been watching your rise, the state of California is a train wreck, but I am thankful that you are there to do what you believe is right. You are an honorable public servant.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I strongly urge your support of SB 214. Please allow us to provide safe, sane and sober living environments for your young men.
~ EDITOR EDITS — We do not know who the commenter is but here is SB 214 language
BILL NUMBER: SB 214 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senator Benoit
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
An act to add Section 11834.255 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to residential facilities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST
SB 214, as introduced, Benoit. Sober living homes.
Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various
community care facilities by the State Department of Social Services.
Existing law also provides for the licensure and regulation by the
State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs of alcoholism and drug
abuse recovery and treatment facilities for adults.
This bill would provide that a sober living home, as defined, is
exempt from licensure under these provisions. The bill also would
provide that a residence housing those purporting to be recovering
from drug and alcohol abuse would be presumed to be a sober living
home if it has been certified, registered, or approved by a
recognized nonprofit organization that provides a credible quality
assurance service for applicants or members.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 11834.255 is added to the Health and Safety
Code, to read:
11834.255. (a) The purpose of this section is to provide a
definition of a “sober living home” so as to give both those
purporting to operate these facilities and local code and law
enforcement agencies the ability to determine whether residences
housing former drug and alcohol abusers are exempt from local
regulation or exercise of local police powers.
(b) For purposes of this chapter, “sober living home” means a
residential property that is operated as a cooperative living
arrangement to provide an alcohol- and drug-free environment for
persons recovering from alcoholism or drug abuse, or both, who seek a
living environment in which to remain clean and sober, and that
satisfies all of the following requirements:
(1) Residents of the facility, including live-in managers,
operators, or owners, are living a sober lifestyle.
(2) Residents actively participate in legitimate recovery
programs, including, but not limited to, outpatient treatment,
12-step recovery, and other recognized programs of recovery, and
maintain current records of meeting attendance.
(3) Owners, managers, operators, and residents observe and promote
a zero tolerance policy regarding the consumption or possession of
alcohol or controlled substances, except for prescription medications
obtained and used under direct medical supervision. The observation
and promotion of this policy may take into account demonstrable
efforts made by residents to respond to, and prevent additional
violations of, the policy.
(4) Owners, managers, operators, and residents do not provide
onsite any of the following services, as they are defined in Section
10501 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations:
(A) Detoxification services.
(B) Education sessions.
(C) Individual or group sessions.
(D) Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment planning.
(5) The number of residents who are subject to the sex offender
registration requirements of Section 290 of the Penal Code does not
exceed the limit set forth in Section 3003.5 of the Penal Code and
does not violate the distance provisions set forth in Section 3003 of
the Penal Code.
(6) Residents do not require nonmedical care or supervision, as
those terms are defined in Section 1503.5 and in Title 22 of the
California Code of Regulations.
(7) Owners, managers, operators, and residents ensure that the
property and its use comply with applicable state and local law.
(c) A residence housing those purporting to be recovering from
drug and alcohol abuse shall be presumed to be a sober living home if
the residence has been certified, registered, or approved by a
recognized nonprofit organization that provides a credible quality
assurance service for applicants or members.
(d) A sober living home shall be exempt from licensure under this
chapter.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit minor
children who are dependents of a resident of the facility from also
residing in the facility.
Dear Senator,
I am appalled that the state budget has not been passed. This issue needs to be settled. Whatever consessions need to be made should be made immediately!
Citizens have lost all confidence in our elected representatives.
Sincerely,
Lois Van Boekhout
Some one must like Mark. He has been named chair of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. December 1, 2008 marked DeSaulnier’s first day as a California State Senator.
He must be doing something right.
Not to mention his attempts to kill Buchannan Field and give the land to his developer buddies. I can do without this fellow.
Renegade Republican, you can’t really have been involved in Contra Costa politics for 30 years or you wouldn’t have such a rosy picture of Mark. Mark doesn’t keep his promises. He boasts about the fact that he changes his mind to everyone. I guess that’s why he gets away with it. You might ask Governor Wilson who appointed Mark when he was a Republican only to have him change parties. You should ask Pat Keeble the history expert you mentioned to fill you in on some other details in Mark’s career.
Is Mark good to have drinks with – yup! Devoted father – yup! Ruthless – yup. Ask the Canciamillas. Want the costs of California government to go up Mr. Republican? See Senator DeSaulnier who rides with the tax and spend crowd.
He is a nice guy to hang around with but hardly the candidate for sainthood you make him out to be. He’s only human like the rest of us.