Francisco Martinez
What I cover
Francisco covers Tiburon: the Town Council and town government, development and housing, and the people and events of the town.
Background
Francisco joined The Ark in July 2023. He previously worked for NPR member station KCBX-FM in San Luis Obispo, where he reported "Beyond the Furrows," an award-winning 12-part series about farmworkers in Santa Barbara County. Francisco was also a reporter, news anchor and radio DJ for student-run Mustang News and KCPR-FM at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo; he graduated in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Francisco lives in Point Richmond with his wife and their four cats. A former record store employee, he spends his free time listening to music old and new, going on walks and solving puzzles of all kinds. Francisco remains an eternally suffering Tottenham Hotspur fan.
Our standards
Ark journalists avoid conflicts of interest, refuse gifts, favors, free travel and special treatment, and correct information throughout the life of a story. Read The Ark’s ethics policy and corrections policy.
Latest from Francisco
Belvedere residents weigh in on revisions to housing plan
Residents sounded off last week about the latest revisions to Belvedere’s eight-year housing roadmap, citing concerns about feasibility,...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Parks survey: Tiburon residents want a pool, kayak launch, more trails
A launch point for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, paved and unpaved multiuse trails and a community swimming pool are among the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon diversity panel will examine police stops, create paths to increase representation
Creating a pipeline to help underrepresented community members become appointed and elected officials, holding bias training for...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon board seeks rule changes for e-bikes, other devices
Tiburon has taken the first step toward updating regulations on e-bikes, hover boards and other electric mobility devices in town, with...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Cinelounge looks to raise $124,000 in new crowdfunding campaign
The owner of Tiburon’s downtown movie theater has launched a $124,000 crowdfunding campaign he says will help the theater pay down its...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon Peninsula restaurants say they’re ready for single-use foodware ban
Restaurants and food servicers around the Tiburon Peninsula say they’re prepared to comply with a new rule requiring them to ditch...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon police chief convenes first meeting of advisory panel
The Tiburon Police Department has rolled out its new Citizens Advisory Panel, which has been tasked with providing feedback on public...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon commission narrowly recommends rezoning of Paradise Drive site for denser development
Town planning commissioners say Tiburon should follow through with rezoning a controversial Paradise Drive property to meet state...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Yearlong Tiburon Boulevard work to add bike lanes - & fiber optic?
Caltrans is seeking feedback on a planned yearlong project to add new bike lanes, improve flooding control and potentially allow the town...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
State gives green light to Tiburon’s housing element
Sacramento has finally given Tiburon’s eight-year housing roadmap its seal of approval. The California Department of Housing and...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere resident Beverly Bloch Savitt was Marin’s first female superior court judge
Beverly Bloch Savitt, the first female Marin County Superior Court judge who was regarded as a trailblazer for women in the county’s...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon’s second-unit survey found 273 units, but officials question validity and risk
Tiburon homeowners say they’re willing to build some 270 second units over the next eight years, according to the results of a town...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Belvedere hires one cop, frees funds for another amid shortfall
Belvedere is shuffling its spending priorities to free up money for a new police officer amid the departure of one cop, medical leave for...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Gathering in solidarity
Nearly 50 people attended an Oct. 10 solidarity gathering at Fountain Plaza in support of Israel in response to the Israel-Hamas war,...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon’s new climate-action coordinator seeks to bolster community engagement
Tiburon’s new climate-action coordinator wants to foster community involvement to help the town achieve its goals, noting that...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
San Diego’s Svajda clinches second straight crown at Tiburon Challenger
Editor’s note — This photo won first place for best sports photography and this article won third place for best sports coverage in the...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere revamps website as part of effort to improve communication
Belvedere has a new website and an updated logo, part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve its communication with its residents. Both...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Servino’s reopens at original Ark Row site
Editor’s note — This article won fourth place for best business reporting in the California News Publishers Association’s 2023 California...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon Challenger brings future tennis stars to town — and into residents’ homes
When Karrie Groves visited New York this summer, the Tiburon Highlands resident was hoping to catch up with an old friend — who just...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
New cameras aim to catch movement of coyotes in Belvedere
Belvedere has installed a small network of cameras to record coyote activity across the city as part of its ongoing larger effort to...
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
