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 graduated from the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. There, he was a reporter, news anchor and radio DJ for student-run Mustang Media Group, which includes Mustang News and KCPR-FM. Francisco also worked for 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 lives in Point Richmond. A former record store employee, he spends his free time listening to music old and new and playing with his four cats. 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
Tiburon town manager’s decade of service comes with 4% raise
Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis, who marked a decade leading the town in January, is getting a 4% raise that will boost his annual salary by $10,796 beginning April 1.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·A software engineer finds balance with literature and dance
Kelly Xiao says people typically react with surprise when they find out she studied software engineering and literature at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon Councilmember Thier officially joins crowded race for state Assembly seat
Tiburon Town Councilmember Holli Thier has joined a six-candidate field vying for Damon Connolly’s seat in the state Assembly in the June 2 primary.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Proposed Point Tiburon Plaza townhomes are still on hold
For the second time in three months, Tiburon has found a Berkeley developer’s bid to build nine townhomes on the Point Tiburon Plaza parking lot incomplete, leaving the project in limbo.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Bus for aftercare programs to continue next school year, but St. Hilary route canceled
A bus pilot program serving St. Hilary School will end after one year because of low ridership, but aftercare service for Reed district students will continue.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Former Ark reporter, staffer Lee Darby was prolific quilter, neighbor presence in Reed Heights
Lee Voye Darby, a 50-year Tiburon resident and former Ark reporter who later showcased her award-winning quilts, died at her home March 6 following complications from cancer. She was 80.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon council wants clearer answers from traffic study
A new traffic study presented to the Tiburon Town Council lays out options to ease congestion on Tiburon Boulevard, from adaptive signals to a roundabout. Estimated costs per project range up to $20 million.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Marin DA probes Tiburon man’s lending firm after $100 million vanishes
The Marin County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit is investigating Pacific Private Money, a real-estate lending firm whose principal lives in Tiburon. More than 130 investors say over $100 million is gone.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon man’s idea to limit utility lobbying wins lawmaking contest
A Tiburon resident's entry in a state lawmaking contest has become a bill in the California Legislature. Dan Hipple proposed extending the lobbying ban for departing utility regulators from one year to five years.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Filmmaker, real-estate broker fills long-vacant seat on diversity task force
The Tiburon Town Council has appointed a local documentary filmmaker to the Diversity Inclusion Task Force. But one vacancy on the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission became two with the resignation of Mark Ghaffary over the weekend.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Denver-based hotel operator buys The Lodge at Tiburon out of foreclosure
Peregrine Hospitality has purchased The Lodge at Tiburon out of foreclosure, acquiring the downtown property for no more than $27.6 million in unpaid debt.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·An aunt and her niece connect over film, ice cream in Tiburon
A Tiburon afternoon with her aunt gave one young woman a chance to slow down, connect and enjoy a scoop of ice cream by the bay.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Commission backs redesigns at four Tiburon parks
A joint hearing with the Town Council will determine whether to proceed with final drawings for the play areas and accessible walking paths.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Town OKs first-of-its-kind mobile coffee trailer for Point Tiburon Plaza
Owners Sam Cook and Juan Carlos Caamal expect to open Paradise Coffee by mid-March, offering daily service from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Belvedere once again eyes sixth cop, structure of Police Department
A council working group backed the hire to provide "structural stability," noting the tiny department is vulnerable to a single staff loss.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Arts panel sends faux-street-sign plan to Tiburon parks board for review
The "Word on the Street" series by Scott Froschauer would be installed for six months at high-traffic spots, including Blackie’s Pasture.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
Tiburon second-unit ordinance would formalize state laws while preserving neighbor alerts
Commissioners rejected a plan to end neighbor alerts, opting to keep residents informed even though they can't block compliant projects.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Progress on housing lags as Tiburon braces for possible state oversight
Tiburon has permitted just 8.5% of the units it is required to accommodate.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon officials push for more action to meet climate goals
Tiburon adopted a climate-action plan in 2022 with an ambitious target of reducing emissions to at least 50% below 1990 levels by 2030.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·Tiburon backs stakeholder task force for Phase 2 of Caltrans bike lanes project
Phase 2 of Caltrans’ pavement project on Tiburon Boulevard would add bike lanes and improve transit infrastructure.
By FRANCISCO MARTINEZ ·
