I am optimistic that the thousands of County employees across our 50 + County departments who were reassigned from their regular jobs and deployed to serve during the pandemic will be able to return to their positions and continue providing timely , high quality County services for our community .

One of the highlights of 2021 was the opening of the County ’ s 37,000-square-foot no-kill Animal Services Center in San Martin . For anyone who has not yet visited this world class facility , I encourage you to drop by soon to check it out . Our caring staff take in more than 4,000 animals each year , reunite lost pets with their families and find homes for adoptable animals . This is also where sick and injured animals are cared for , and work is done to reduce pet overpopulation through affordable spay and neuter services . Our Animal Care and Control staff investigate complaints , cruelty , and neglect of animals ; rescue livestock in-need ; assist with injured wildlife ; and serve both people and animals in a disaster .

Many Animal Services Center staff have been reassigned as disaster service workers , pulling them from helping animals to the also very important work of helping residents during the pandemic . Despite these staffing shortfalls at the Animal Services Center , I ’ m proud to report that the number of dogs and cats spayed and neutered in 2021 exceeded the previous year ! Kudos to the amazing veterinary crew for pulling this off amidst many challenges . A big “ thank you ” not only to the staff but the 400 + animal services volunteers for their dedication , compassion , optimism .

As we dive into the unknown with 2022 , I am reminded of a quote from my favorite ( and the greatest !) baseball player of all time -- Babe Ruth . In 1940 , The Rotarian magazine published an article by him entitled “ Bat It Out !” which was written to encourage everyone , not just athletes . In it , he offered the simple but sage advice : “ You just can ’ t beat the person who never gives up .” This timeless wisdom is easily applied to a myriad of situations caused by the pandemic . We can win many challenges if we stay the course and not give up .

Stay strong ,

Mike Wasserman , District 1 Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors www . supervisorwasserman . com e-mail : district1 @ bos . sccgov . org office : 408-299-5010

Supervisor Mike Wasserman is the President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors . He was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018 . He represents District 1 , which includes Gilroy , San Martin , Morgan Hill , Los Gatos , Monte Sereno and portions of San Jose .

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