Though nearly 3,000 miles apart, there are plenty of similarities between Westport, Connecticut and Mill Valley, California.
Located in 2 of the wealthiest counties in the country (Fairfield and Marin), real estate prices are similar. Schools are excellent; there’s a townwide focus on kids. Working class folks were priced out a while ago.
Downtowns are walkable, with lots of restaurants. We’ve got a beach; theirs is a bit further away, but redwood forests and hiking trails are very close.
The city seal of the California town includes an old mill. We are known for one Old Mill in particular.
Both are commuter suburbs (New York and San Francisco). Since COVID, many more people work part- or full-time at home. That means more traffic — and more aggressive drivers.
Downtown Mill Valley. Like Westport, but with wider streets and different trees.
For years, Mill Valley families have moved to Westport. And vice versa.
Take Urban Carmel.
After graduating from Staples High School in 1981, where he was a track and cross country star, he embarked in a career in business development, including managing director at UBS Asset Management.
In Mill Valley he chaired the Library’s board of trustees and Planning Commission, then served as mayor earlier this decade. His focus was on wildfire safety, infrastructure and fiscal responsibility.
Former mayor Urban Carmel rocked a Westport shirt at a recent City Council meeting.
But this story is not about Urban Carmel. It’s about Janet Miller.
On Monday night, the City Council honored the 1982 Staples grad for her exceptional efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the town.
She was hailed for her work in special education and disability rights. Janet served on the school district Board of Trustees; co-founded a sports program and became director, focusing on recreation, arts, social and community programs that foster belonging and connections; worked to overcome language barriers; expanded the Challenger Baseball League (Westport has one too; produced a documentary on neurodiversity — and that is just a very short list.
Janet has done much, much more, in many ways and throughout Mill Valley.(Want the long version? Scroll to the bottom, for the official proclamation.)
Janet Miller, accepting her award.
Former Mayor Carmel presided over the ceremony. He read into the record a heartfelt letter from 4 of Janet’s friends — all fellow Staples alums. They said:
We, Janet’s dear friends from the East Coast — Lynn, Judy, Jan and Callie — would like to add our congratulations to this evening’s celebration. Along with Janet, we have been a band of 5, with our friendships spanning back to our elementary days, having grown up together in Westport, CT (where, by the way, a few other notable Mill Valley residents hail from as well), Janet was teaching us about inclusion and giving to causes beyond ourselves.
It was during our high school years that Janet taught us about giving beyond ourselves. She shared with us her passion to Save The Seals, introduced us to Amnesty International and Greenpeace, way before any of us had an inkling about getting involved in movements beyond ourselves. We gave money and had stickers galore!
Janet has always been our worldly, intelligent, thoughtful friend, who does not look for the limelight, yet is there working hard to educate herself and motivate others to make a difference in the lives of many.
We can say with certainty that our friendship with Janet has helped us to be better versions of ourselves. Before any of the titles this city has so rightly given Janet, she was already exactly who she is today: the person who shows up, who notices who’s been left out, and who quietly makes room for everyone else.
That’s the same quality she has brought to Mill Valley — here with her expanded life experiences, particularly in the world of autism and disabilities, she has greatly widened her circle.
Mill Valley clearly recognizes what we’ve known since childhood: that there is no more loyal friend, no more devoted advocate, and no better person to have in your corner than Janet Miller.
We thank former Mayor Urban Carmel for sending this story. A full continent and 40-plus years later, he’s still an “06880” reader.
We also like the final line of his email: “I’ve often thought Westport and Mill Valley should become sister cities.”
Then again — thanks to him, Janet Miller and so many others — we already are.
(Want to see the ceremony? Click here. It starts 6 minutes, 15 seconds in.)
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One more connection: Former Staples High School (Class of 1972) and Babson College soccer star Shane Kennedy is a longtime Mill Valley resident.
Former Mayor Carmel coached his daughter in softball. He describes Shane — a very talented sculptor — as a “fixture” in town.
He sends along a photo, and says: “Shane is holding a sign I painted for a tax measure on the November ballot. Westporters working together!”
Shane Kennedy, in Mill Valley.
(Whether you’re from Westport, Mill Valley, or any place in between or beyond, you’re part of our great “06880” community. We hope you’ll click here to show your universal support. Thanks!)
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Looking for the official proclamation? Enjoy!
A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILL VALLEY HONORING JANET MILLER AS A VOLUNTEER ALL-STAR
WHEREAS, since moving to Mill Valley in November 1996 with her husband Dan, Janet Miller has been a visionary community leader, business executive, and disability advocate who, while raising their two sons, Connor and Tyler, in the community, channeled her family’s personal experiences into a lifelong mission to build a more inclusive, accessible town; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Janet founded It Takes a Village (ITAV), a Special Education PTA dedicated to supporting students with disabilities and their families, serving as President for five years, building vital advocacy programs, and earning the Golden Bell Award from the Mill Valley School District for her outstanding leadership; and
WHEREAS, Janet championed inclusive education, expanded support services, and worked tirelessly to ensure every student had access to opportunities for success while serving on the Mill Valley School District Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2011; and
WHEREAS, inspired by her family and co-founding Project Awareness and Special Sports (PAASS) with her younger son, Tyler, Janet continues to serve as Executive Director, providing transformative sports, recreation, arts, social, and community programs that foster belonging, independence, and meaningful connections; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the essential role of creative expression, Janet established Artists without Boundaries as an offshoot of PAASS to support participants facing language barriers, sharing a deep artistic passion and common language through photography with her older son, Connor; and
WHEREAS, Janet spearheaded inclusive recreational programming in close partnership with Mill Valley Recreation and expanded the Challenger Baseball League into Ross, San Rafael, and Novato, enabling hundreds of children and young adults with disabilities to experience the joy of team sports; and
WHEREAS, her dedicated leadership extended to Integrated Community Services (ICS), where she served as President for nine years and continues as a Director, advancing critical programs, advocacy, and community partnerships to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Janet brought stories of inclusion to the screen by producing the impact documentary The Art of Belonging, in partnership with Splicer Films, celebrating the talents of neurodiverse individuals and highlighting the indispensable role of community volunteers; and
WHEREAS, in her professional role as Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Strategy at Republic Indemnity, Janet advocates for neurodiversity in the workplace, championing inclusive hiring practices and demonstrating that diverse perspectives drive innovation, creativity, and stronger teams; and
WHEREAS, her widespread volunteer work includes supporting the Tam High Boosters, Tamalpais Community Services District (TCSD) events, and local initiatives, earning her the Jefferson Award, the Mill Valley Volunteer Award, and recognition as a Helix Gala Honoree; and
WHEREAS, Janet’s life work is guided by the powerful belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to be seen, valued, and belong, proving that when communities embrace the strengths of every individual, everyone benefits, and demonstrating that community is everything;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, on this 21st day of September 2026, that the City Council of the City of Mill Valley honors Janet Miller for her extraordinary volunteerism, advocacy, and devotion to Mill Valley. We extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for her lifelong contributions, recognizing her as a driving force in making our community more welcoming, inclusive, and compassionate for generations to come.
