May 2024

Town Manager's Note

One of the truisms that I have learned in my over 25 years working for local government is that people are wary of change.  Many of us have moved into a community at a particular moment in time when we feel it is an ideal setting to plant roots, enroll our kids in school, and engage with our neighbors and community.  In short – it’s perfect.  Inevitably, though, our neighborhoods and communities change.

In my office is an original piece of calligraphy written by mother-in-law, a native of Hiroshima, Japan.  She wrote this specifically for my office as a gift when I was appointed Town Manager.  The phrase written is “On Ko Chi Shin” which can be translated as “developing new ideas based on study of the past.”  Deliberate or not, this phrase is ideal for Woodside.

In the upcoming weeks, we will be celebrating the completion of two projects which I feel embody On Ko Chi Shin.  While neither project was universally supported, I believe both projects reflect the Town’s approach to managing change.  Both the Glens Path and the new Fire Station 7 took design clues from the Town’s rural and historic character and created something new that will serve the community for decades to come.  I believe one of the tests of a successful improvement in Woodside is how quickly the improvement blends in with the neighborhood.  I argue that the Glens Path already passes this test, and Station 7 will do so soon.

As the Town continues to absorb and manage change in the coming years, we can anticipate that there will be resistance because change threatens the delicate balance we perceive to have been achieved. However, as long as we approach change with On Ko Chi Shin in mind, we will maintain the essence of Woodside.      

~Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

Found wildlife in need?

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA can help!

If you find a wild animal that may appear orphaned, injured or in distress, please call us at 650-340-7022 for guidance and assistance. If it’s safe to do so, you can also bring the animal directly to us at our Center for Compassion located at 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame between 11 am and 6 pm every day. If you find a wild animal in need of care after hours and it’s safe to transport, please bring the animal to After Hours Receiving at the Coyote Point shelter, located at 12 Airport Boulevard in San Mateo. Do not give any food, water or medicine – that often does more harm than good. Do not attempt to remove fishing line or something that may be caught or tangled around the animal. For more information, please visit the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA.

George Offen Posthumously Honored with Environmental Champion Award

Historically, the Town of Woodside has honored Woodside residents who have made significant contributions to preserving and enhancing the town's rural environment, its native flora and fauna, and/or its creeks through the Environmental Champion Award. This year, the Environment & Open Space Committee is honoring the late George Offen for his dedication to the environment of Woodside and beyond.

George's story is as inspiring as it is thought provoking. Born from parents who escaped Nazi Germany, George spent the early years of his childhood navigating the underground bomb shelters of London. After immigrating to the US, George and his family settled in San Francisco. George went on to attend Stanford, where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering, and then obtained his master’s degree from MIT, and then his Ph.D. from Stanford.

George’s career ranged from being a mechanical engineer, to briefly teaching at Santa Clara University. He eventually joined Acurex, a contract research engineering firm, and then took a position at the Electrical Power and Research Institute in Palo Alto. Here, George focused on resolving pollution issues emitted from combustion in coal-fueled power plants. Through his work, he made many contributions to emission reduction of heavy metals and CO2. He founded the Water Research Institute, which addressed water pollution.

The Environmental Champion Award is one of many well-deserved awards given for George’s work. He earned three Chauncy awards for his work at the Electrical Power Research Institute, and then received the EPRI’s Lifetime Achievement award. In 2014, George was awarded the Richard C. Scherr Award of Industrial Environmental Excellence.

George continued to work part-time on environmental issues after his retirement. His passion for the wellbeing of the environment led to his serving on Woodside’s Conservation & Environmental Health Committee. George was also a life member of the Sierra Club.

George had resided in Woodside since 1968. He enjoyed hiking and running on our local trails and exploring Woodside's boastful parks, particularly Huddart Park. In addition to his environmental work, George served 12 years on the Board of Trustees of Woodside Elementary School.

George's life and work can serve as an example to all of us. Coming from such extreme circumstances in Europe to leading a life full of accomplishment with a dedication to something larger than himself. 

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