Post office dedication
The Cupertino Post Office is set to be dedicated May 5 to Cupertino native and Navy SEAL petty officer second class Matthew Axelson. In 2005 Axelson, 29, was deployed to Afghanistan. That summer his SEAL Team 10 was assigned to capture or kill a high-ranking Taliban leader in the Hindu Kush mountains, a mission known as “Operation Red Wings” and later memorialized in the book and film, “Lone Survivor.”
During the mission, Axelson was shot in the chest and head but continued to fight alongside his team until a rocket-propelled grenade struck and he died of his wounds. Axelson was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
The dedication is set for noon at the Cupertino Post Office, 21701 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Community budget survey
In anticipation of a reduction in service levels due to financial hardship, the City of Cupertino is asking residents, business owners and community members about their budget priorities for fiscal year 2023-2024 and beyond.
To that end, the city is taking a Community Budget Survey through May 31 at https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/city-manager-s-office/open-city-hall. The survey asks where community members would prefer to see services reduced or not, in addition to what revenue strategies the city should pursue.
Responses submitted through May 16 will be shared during a special city council meeting on the proposed 2023-24 budget on May 17.
New WVCS director
Sujatha Venkatraman, who has been serving as interim executive director of West Valley Community Services (WVCS) since January, has been named to the position permanently.
Venkatraman has been with WVCS for 15 years and has led the development and implementation of various initiatives to reduce food insecurity and prevent homelessness in the communities served by the Cupertino-based nonprofit. Most recently, she helped create the Lived Experience Advisory Committee, which allows community members and clients to discuss and take action on issues that impact their lives.
Source: www.mercurynews.com