By Michelle Durand, San Mateo County Communications Director on Jan. 3, 2017
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today held its annual rotation, selecting Supervisor Don Horsley as its 2017 president and welcoming Supervisor David Canepa who was elected in November to represent District Five.
Canepa, was administered the oath of office by his mother, Dee, prior to the Board reorganizing. The Board unanimously voted for Horsley, District Three, as president and Supervisor Dave Pine, District One, as vice president.
Following his oath, Canepa thanked the full audience in Board Chambers at the Jan. 3, 2017 meeting and all those who helped him succeed.
“It’s not about me being sworn in. It’s about what we accomplished,” Canepa said.
Outgoing Board president, Supervisor Warren Slocum, finished his tenure by ticking off several notable Board achievements in 2016, including a significant reduction in homeless veterans, spearheading the Closing the Jobs/Housing Gap Task Force, passing a living wage ordinance, launching Peninsula Clean Energy and extending the existing half-cent sales tax through Measure K.
“We are a force for moving things forward in San Mateo County,” Slocum said before nominating Horsley to succeed him as president. Slocum, District Four, called his presidency a “a high honor” that provided him the opportunity to meet more people and learn more about San Mateo County.
Horsley wants the Board in 2017 to build on both the successes and challenges of the previous year, with goals that include improving services for foster youth, addressing mental health issues, improving transportation and housing options and promoting public safety. Horsley wants to focus this year’s celebration of Black History Month on understanding how individuals’ similarities outweigh their differences.
“We all want the same things — a place to live, good education for our children, quality health care and strong communities,” Horsley said. “We have much more in common and are much more the same than we are different.”
Horsley reassured undocumented residents that the County will continue serving them regardless of immigration status and keep them informed of their legal rights.
New president Horsley represents District Three which includes Half Moon Bay, San Carlos Atherton, southeast Belmont, Pacifica, Portola Valley, Woodside and part of Menlo Park as well as a majority of the county’s agricultural and unincorporated areas. As such, Horsley’s priorities also include addressing farm work housing, supporting agricultural businesses and the new challenge of an inevitable boom in the the commercial marijuana industry.
A former San Mateo County Sheriff, Horsley is serving his second term as a supervisor and his second time as Board president.
Canepa’s Board seat was formerly held by Adrienne Tissier who was termed out after 12 years. District Five includes Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, Broadmoor and parts of South San Francisco and San Bruno.
Canepa acknowledged the momentum of the Board and said he’s humbled and proud to join such a body.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board and our partners in the community for the betterment not only of my district’s constituents for those who live and work throughout the county,” Canepa said.