Thank you for opening issue No. 98 of From Dave's Desk. Since I took office in January 2013, I have published this electronic newsletter every Friday. I hope it serves you well.

As your elected representative, I want you to know my position on policy issues. You'll find that information here.

I want you to see legislation I bring to the fore. Anything I prepare for the Board of Supervisors' agenda appears on this electronic scroll. 

I represent the county on many regional, state and national boards. From Dave's Desk is a place to discuss that aspect of my job.

News about the important work of the County of San Diego -- from our public safety, health and social service, financial, community and land-use departments -- gets reported here.

Who am I meeting with? Which nonprofit groups are working with me? What are the latest county issues? Who am I recognizing with county certificates and proclamations? What ceremonial events am I attending? What's going on in the Third District? All that gets reported here, too. 

I appreciate the many kind e-mails you have sent about the newsletter, but I'm always looking to improve. How could From Dave's Desk serve you better? Click your "Reply" button and let me know. 

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Supervisor Dave Roberts

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday launched the Alzheimer's Project, an initiative brought forward by Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and myself to unite top elected leaders, researchers and caregivers in an effort to find a cure.

I appreciate Chairwoman Jacob's invitation to collaborate. Click here to see our board letter.

We are determined to improve the lives of patients and caregivers and to support research to find a cure for a disease that has no known cure.

Nearly 60,000 residents of our county suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Officials say it is the region's third-leading cause of death.

Beyond that, four out of five Alzheimer's patients are cared for at home, and most of the care comes from family members or unpaid caregivers. Sandwiched by the demands of aging parents and growing children, many caregivers say they feel overwhelmed.

We must not let Alzheimer's disease continue to devastate families.

That's why the Alzheimer's Project is aiming high.

At our meeting, pledges of support came from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, executives from the county's Health and Human Services Agency and researchers from UC San Diego, The Scripps Research Institute, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and the Salk Institute.

Other partners include BIOCOM, the San Diego County Medical Society, local law enforcement, individual physicians and caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association and philanthropist Darlene Shiley.

The Alzheimer's Project includes: 

• A multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign, "Part the Clouds," to spur research innovation and drug discovery;
• Development of clinical standards for the screening, diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia;
• An effort to boost public awareness and involvement in clinical trials;
• Training for people who work with Alzheimer's patients and expanded support for patients and caregivers; and
• A program to curb incidents of wandering through the use of GPS devices, the county's Take Me Home registry and other methods.

Introducing Glynnis Vaughan, my new chief of staff, whose first day on the job was Monday.

Glynnis brings great experience and enthusiasm to the position. She is a former marketing and community outreach manager for King County, Wash., who previously served as San Diego district director to former Gov. Gray Davis. Earlier, she worked on the staff of Rep. Lynn Schenk in San Diego and Washington, D.C.

Glynnis earned a Master's degree from The George Washington University and a Bachelor's degree from UC San Diego. She's a native of San Diego.

As my top advisor, Glynnis will supervise the Third District staff at two offices and will manage my legislative and policy agendas.

She replaces John Weil, who began his tenure with the County of San Diego in 1992 as chief of staff to former Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. John is leaving to pursue other opportunities. He will be greatly missed. John's final day with our office is Jan. 6.

Looking for some holiday fun? Come and see an original holiday musical written and performed by the TERi Players, with yours truly playing the part of Santa Claus.

The nonprofit TERi Campus of Life is on a mission to help people with special needs. 

"Dear Santa" begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at New Venture Community Church, 4000 Mystra Way, Oceanside.

Proceeds from the performance will support TERi and its important work. Click here for details. 

How best to serve people with mental disabilities was the topic of my Monday meeting with leaders from TERi Campus of Life.