Gilroy Veterans Hall to host resource fair
The Gilroy Veterans Memorial Hall and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (CVMA) Chapter 33-4 are hosting a Veterans Resource Fair on March 11 from 9am to 1pm at 74 West Sixth St.
“Bringing the VA Mobile Medical Team, Veteran Service Officers and other vendors here helps local vets get the services they need,” said Danny Molina, with the CVMA and the VA Mobile Medical Team. “Going to Palo Alto or even San Jose can be a burden for those who need VA services the most.”
The event will include medical and government professionals and local businesses with services specifically for veterans. Veterans can ask questions and learn about a variety of benefits, start claims, and even start the process for obtaining a new driver’s license with a veteran’s designation.
“The VSOs and VA Mobile Medical Team will help veterans start the screening and registration process for PACT Act benefits,” Molina said. “We can help them navigate this process even before any symptoms show.”
Veterans need to bring either their VA card and/or a DD214 for proof of service.
The Veterans Memorial Hall is home to the American Legion Post #217, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) John A. Berri Post #6309 and the VFW Auxiliary. For information about the Hall, email ss****@gm***.com or call 408.842.3838.
CVMA Chapter 33-4 has members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who happen to share a love of riding motorcycles. Their mission is to help veterans, active duty military and their families in need.
Valley Water accepting grant applications
Valley Water is accepting applications for its 2023 Safe, Clean Water Grants Program. Each year, Valley Water provides funding for projects that support the mission of providing safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment and economy.
“We’re dedicated to supporting projects that make a difference in our communities,” said John L. Varela, chair of Valley Water’s Board of Directors. “Through our Safe, Clean Water Grants Program, we are able to work with Santa Clara County residents toward the common goal of protecting and enhancing our water resources.”
The Grants & Partnerships Program is part of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program, a parcel tax Santa Clara County voters renewed in November 2020. For 2023, Valley Water has a total of $1.4 million with no minimum or maximum amount per project that fits into the following categories:
● Water Conservation: Projects that research and identify devices, programs and strategies that can help save water and promote conservation efforts.
● Pollution Prevention: Technical assistance, public education or other means to reduce contaminants in water.
● Volunteer Cleanup Efforts and Education: Projects that assist with cleanup and watershed stewardship activities, as well as education and outreach about watersheds.
● Wildlife Habitat Restoration: Projects that support or restore native plants and animals. Examples include creating or enhancing wetlands to remove non-native, invasive plants to protect threatened or endangered species.
● Access to Trails and Open Space Grants: Projects that provide and increase access to open space and creekside trails.
Valley Water encourages applications from those working on projects that promote equity and allow resources to reach historically underserved areas. First-time applicants and applicants that demonstrate financial stability are encouraged to apply.
Applications are due by March 10.
For information, visit valleywater.org/grants.
Former city staffer lands top role in Gonzales
Former City of Gilroy staffer Trevin Barber was recently named city manager of Gonzales in Monterey County.
During his stint in Gilroy, Barber served as senior management analyst, implementing economic development and performance management programs. He represented the City of Gilroy in a variety of public forums, developing community relationships with various interest groups.
He left to join the City of Seaside as assistant city manager.
Rebates for electric vehicles
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently announced the launch of its Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program, providing qualified residential customers up to $4,000 when purchasing or leasing a pre-owned EV. The program aims to distribute more than $78 million to promote the adoption of EVs and make EV ownership more affordable for all customers, says a press release from PG&E.
Current PG&E electric customers may qualify to receive a $1,000 or $4,000 rebate, based on household income, when purchasing or leasing an eligible pre-owned all-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid EV. To take advantage of the offer, interested customers must successfully submit a rebate application within 180 days of the date of purchase or lease. The application is found online at evrebates.pge.com/how-to-apply.
“This new rebate program addresses the continued growth of the pre-owned EV market with a focus on making EVs more affordable for all customers throughout our service area. Affordability can be a barrier to EV adoption, and this program will help offset costs for our customers who want to explore pre-owned EV ownership,” said Aaron August, PG&E Vice President, Utility Partnerships and Innovation.
The Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program is funded by the California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), an initiative designed to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. PG&E earns LCFS credits for supplying low-carbon fuel in the form of electricity, and re-distributes funds generated from the sale of those credits through customer programs. The Pre-Owned EV Rebate Program has no impact on customer rates.
The rebate program is being implemented in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Energy.
PG&E offers a variety of tools, rebates and resources to help educate customers and encourage EV adoption. Customers can check out PG&E’s EV Savings Calculator, an online resource to browse vehicles, discover incentives, locate charging stations and more. The calculator is found online at https://ev.pge.com/.
Nearly 500,000 EVs have been sold in PG&E’s service area, representing one in seven EVs in the country, says the press release. As part of the 2030 targets outlined in PG&E’s Climate Strategy Report released last year, the company is preparing the grid to power at least 3 million EVs—or about 12,000 GWh of EV-related electric load.
