One of my priorities as Mayor this year is to expand outreach to our residents so they (1) know they have advocacy in government through the Santa Clarita City Council; and (2) know they have access to the real facts about our City government and the programs the City offers.

Your City Council and city staff are here to help and as Mayor, I want our residents to know how to gain access to us and to all of the information that is available.

Here is a quick rundown of a few of the issues we are working on at City Hall right now:

We are continuing our work on the Cemex mine issue with the goal of preventing large scale mining in Soledad Canyon. Right now, Senator Barbara Boxer has proposed Senate Bill 759, the Soledad Canyon High Desert California Public Lands Conservation Management Act of 2011. If this bill is adopted, it will provide an end to the dispute over large scale mining in Soledad Canyon, as well as enable the purchase of environmentally important lands in California. I would like to encourage you to visit the City’s web page at www.santa-clarita.com/soledadmining to learn more about this bill and how you can make sure your voice is heard.

I am involved with many regional entities such as the League of California Cities and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). I also serve on many transportation coalitions, committees and boards. I do this because it gives me a unique insight into regional issues and also gives our City a voice to let regional, state and federal representatives realize that we in Santa Clarita are a force to be reckoned with. Attending these meetings is not always news-worthy, glamorous or controversial. But, consistency is the key to finally making good things happen for us. One example is that through the relationships with regional officials, we now have express Metrolink trains to L.A. that has cut travel time and has increased ridership on the Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley route.

I take the train whenever possible and I have first-hand knowledge of the needs and wants of riders and I’m not real quiet about it. When the new CEO for Metrolink came to a Chamber Transportation Committee Meeting, I discussed a variety of issues with him and as a result, we will be working collaboratively to enhance communication regarding changes, delays, etc. with riders of Metrolink trains in a timely manner.

Chlorides are a very hot topic right now. I mentioned before we are often at the mercy of Federal and State laws and that can be extremely frustrating for me, for our City and for our residents. Right now, are working on effective, cost-saving, measures to resolve this issue collaboratively and with as little cost to residents and business owners as possible.

Our City has its own blog at www.santaclaritacitybriefs.com. It is updated regularly. You may want to bookmark it so you can keep up with what is happening in our City. I would also like to encourage you to email me at: mmclean@santa-clarita.com. You may also email the entire council at citycouncil(at)santa-clarita.com. Your thoughts, ideas and suggestions are always welcome and will be responded to in a timely manner.

Marsha McLean is mayor of the city of Santa Clarita.