2,020 Trees by the Year 2020!

Upon entering Saratoga, the first thing many people notice is the abundance of vibrant trees. Saratoga’s stunning tree canopy has made the City a nationally recognized Tree City USA since 2007. After the loss of many trees in 2016 due to a prolonged drought, the City of Saratoga launched the 2020 by 2020 Tree Planting Challenge with the goal of planting 2,020 trees by the year 2020!

Saratoga partnered with Our City Forest to offer a matching program for the community, meaning the City will match a resident’s contribution up to $105 to share the cost of planting up to two trees in their front yard. Our City Forest will hold tree planting days this fall, so now is a great time to apply to receive a tree!

Trees not only add to the beauty of the City, they are also a vital part of Saratoga’s infrastructure and provide many health benefits to the community. Saratoga is nearing its goal of planting 2,020 trees, so whether you plant a tree through the Our City Forest partnership or on your own, make sure your trees count towards reaching the goal! To learn more about the challenge, apply to receive a discounted tree, or report trees you have planted, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/2020by2020

Meet Saratoga's New Lieutenant, Mark Roggia!

Lieutenant Mark Roggia was born and raised in Gilroy. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management from California State University, Chico and started work as a Park Ranger for Santa Clara County Parks. This is where he met several Deputies who encouraged him to apply for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and led to his 14 year career with the Sheriff’s Office.

Lieutenant Roggia has served in a number of different roles, including Detective Sergeant at the West Valley Patrol Division, teacher of several subjects at the Sheriff’s Academy, and as a negotiator on the Crisis Negotiations Team. Most recently, he was the Assistant Division Commander for the Headquarters Patrol Division in San Jose before he made his return to the West Valley.

Lieutenant Roggia enjoys working in law enforcement as every day is different and brings a new challenge. He enjoys working with people, especially with the residents of Saratoga who are willing to report suspicious behavior, eager to listen to and implement crime prevention tips, and always appreciative of the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office. Outside of work, Lieutenant Roggia enjoys spending time with his wife and two young boys, and dedicates his time to coaching youth baseball and basketball. He also enjoys camping, golfing, fishing, hunting, and hiking.

Coming Up

Law-ttes with Deputies
August 16, 2018
3:15 p.m.
Starbucks
12960 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road

Movie Night: Wonder
August 17, 2018
7:30 p.m.
El Quito Park
408.868.1249

Bollywood in the Village
August 26, 2018
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saratoga Village
Bank of America Parking Lot

Nextdoor Digest

Register for Fall Recreation Activities Now!
Learn about all of the Saratoga Recreation Department’s upcoming programs, classes, and trips in the Fall Activity Guide, available now! There’s something for everyone with a variety of activities for all ages and interests, including tennis, golf, ballet, tai chi, and more! View the full guide and register online at www.saratoga.ca.us/activityguide or in person at the Joan Pisani Community Center.

New Turnaround on Big Basin Way
A new turnaround has been constructed on Big Basin Way, just past the intersection with 6th Street. This will improve traffic circulation through the Saratoga Village and provide a designated place for drivers to pull off the road and turn around before leaving the Village.

Join a Commission and Help Shape Your Community
The City of Saratoga is accepting applications for openings on multiple Commissions.
Applications for the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Library Commission are due August 23, and applications for the Traffic Safety Commission and the Heritage Preservation Commission are due October 25. For more information, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac

Are you not a member of Nextdoor, or did you miss a post last month? Read about the recent trending topics right here! Sign up to receive updates from the City of Saratoga, other agencies, and your neighbors at www.nextdoor.com

Quick Tip from Captain Rich

Captain Rich Urena oversees the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office West Valley Division.

Make sure your kids ride their bikes, scooters, and skateboards safely to school this year. Please remind them to always wear a helmet, do not wear earphones in both ears, stop at all stop signs, and walk their rides across crosswalks.

Keep track of crime in your area. Visit www.crimereports.com
Be notified when emergencies happen in your area. Sign up at www.sccgov.org/sites/alertscc
For information on Neighborhood Watch and tips on staying safe, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/stayingsafe

Ask Our Staff featuring Crystal Bothelio

Do you have a question? Email it to us at lpettipiece@saratoga.ca.us

Q: What are Neighborhood Watch grants and how can I apply for one?

A: The City of Saratoga offers Neighborhood Watch grants to help neighbors launch or sustain their Neighborhood Watch groups. Each Neighborhood Watch group is eligible to receive one annual grant of up to $300. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis until funding runs out.

It’s up to your Neighborhood Watch group to decide how you would like to use the grant! Examples of how the grant may be used include flyers, informational materials, or annual block parties. Block parties are one way to meet the new requirement for Neighborhood Watch groups to hold one neighborhood gathering per year in order to stay registered with the City of Saratoga. Each gathering must be open to the entire Neighborhood Watch group, but it does not need to be focused on Neighborhood Watch.

Neighborhood Watch grants help residents organize groups in their neighborhood and stay engaged for years to come! On the City’s website, you can easily apply for a Neighborhood Watch grant or confirm that you’ve held your annual gathering. To submit either of those or to learn more about Neighborhood Watch, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/neighborhoodwatch

Crystal Bothelio is the City of Saratoga’s Deputy City Manager. She oversees the City Manager’s Department and the City’s communication program, works directly with the City Council on strategic initiatives, and serves as an adviser to the City Manager. Crystal is also the staff liaison to the Library Commission and Public Safety Task Force.

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