March 24, 2009 |
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Welcome to this issue of Janet’s Journal, a First District Report designed to keep you updated on issues and events concerning our communities in Orange County especially in the First District.
I am proud and honored to represent over 600,000 people within the First District covering the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City.
I hope you will find this journal informative. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Supervisor Janet Nguyen
Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com
IN THIS ISSUE...
1. Board of Supervisors
2. Janet Around the First District
3. Local Issues
4. Requests for Proposals
5. Community Events
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| Board of Supervisors |
Prosecution Services of City Ordinance Violations On March 3, 2009, my colleagues and I on the Board of Supervisors approved the renewal of a five-year agreement with the City of Laguna Hills and entered into a five-year agreement with the City of Santa Ana to allow the District Attorney to provide enforcement services for violations of city ordinances.
The City of Laguna Hills entered into this agreement on March 1, 2004, and wishes to continue its contract with the County for these services. Meanwhile, the City of Santa Ana is contracting with the County for these same services for the first time. Both cities will assume 100 percent of the costs related to the prosecution services provided by the District Attorney's Office.
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| Other Boards & Commissions |
CalOptima Update With the signing of the California State Budget and the Federal Stimulus Act, Cal-Optima will be faced with significant, and somewhat uncertain, impacts from these budget developments. The State budget contains more than $208 million in cuts for 2009-2010, including cuts to Medi-Cal.
The cuts included a suspension of the cost-of-living increases for county administration of the Medi-Cal program, elimination of certain optional benefits for adults and a 10 percent reduction of payments to public hospitals.
The Federal Stimulus Package Bill is expected to bring an estimated $26 billion to California, with $11 billion expected for Medi-Cal. Reduction of optional benefits and payments to hospitals might be restored if the state receives the federal stimulus money by April 1, 2009 to offset at least $9.1 billion of General Fund costs. First Lady Maria Shriver Encourages Californians to Take Advantage of Existing Resources On February 27, 2009, First Lady Maria Shriver issued the following statement:
Behind these new unemployment figures are real people. Losing one's job is devastating, not only to one's finances, but also to one's hope, heart and future. I encourage every Californian, who is hurting because of this economic crisis, to visit WEConnect.net and learn more about the many assistance programs and services available today. We as Californians must come together during these difficult times to lend a helping hand in support of those struggling to make ends meet.
With many existing resources available for Californians to take advantage of, First Lady Shriver's WE Connect campaign aims to help people find the resources they need to keep their homes, put food on the table and find a job at a time when unemployment is so extensive. To read the Press Release in its entirety, click here.
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| OCTA |
I-405 Working Group On Wednesday, March 4th, the I-405 Policy Working Group met to review and discuss the alternative design options for the I-405 Improvement Project and to plan upcoming Scoping Meetings, which will be open to the public.
The purpose of these meetings is to have an early exchange of information with the public about the I-405 Improvement Project. I encourage residents of my district to attend the Scoping Meeting to be held at the Westminster Community Service Facility in September. When the specific date is established, the meeting information will be available on my website and in this newsletter.
As part of Measure M, the I-405 Improvement Project will add new lanes to Interstate 405 between State Route 55 and Interstate 605. The alternate design options being considered by the I-405 Policy Working Group include the addition of one or two general use lanes or one additional general use lane and a "High Occupancy Toll" (HOT) lane. If chosen, the HOT lane will serve as an additional carpool lane that single occupant vehicles can also use for a toll.
By focusing on improving the freeway within the existing right-of-way, the I-405 Improvement Project will provide additional capacity for the growing volume of traffic on the 405 while leaving surrounding areas undisturbed to the greatest extent possible.
More than 300,000 motorists travel on the 405 every day, making it one of the 10 busiest roads in the United States. As a member of the I-405 Policy Working Group, I help oversee the project and ensure that it best serves the residents of the First District. OCTA FY 2007-2008 Accomplishments With the passing of Measure M, a 20-year program for local transportation improvements funded by a half-cent sales tax, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) was able to begin projects to improve freeways, streets and roads, and transit. A couple of the projects funded by Measure M were the Santa Ana Freeways (I-5) Improvement Project and the Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) Improvement Project.
The Santa Ana Freeway (I-5) Gateway Improvement Project was half-way completed in fall 2008. The northbound Artesia Boulevard underpass, the Western Avenue and Stanton overpasses have all been reconstructed, and 50 percent of the new retaining walls with decorative features are complete. The scheduled completion of the entire Improvement Project is fall 2010.
The Garden Grove Freeway (SR-22) Improvement Project was completed in May 2008. After completion, SR-22 was turned over to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The SR-22 covers 12 miles, with added continuous access carpool lanes from approximately the Costa Mesa Freeway (SR-55) to Valley View Street, auxiliary lanes and several interchange improvements.
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| JANET AROUND THE FIRST DISTRICT |
At the dog park grand opening event at Garden Grove Park, Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins members of the Garden Grove City Council and Miss Garden Grove.
Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins Garden Grove City Councilman Steve Jones, Laura Shepherd, Mayor Bill Dalton, Councilman Bruce Broadwater, Sen. Lou Correa and Councilman Andrew Do in cutting the ribbon on the new Amber Alert sign at Valley View St. and Tiffany Ave.
Garden Grove's new Amber Alert sign at Valley View St. and Tiffany Ave.
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| LOCAL ISSUES |
* The following articles are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily intended to imply endorsement or support.
Orange County
OC to get $7.7 Million for Jobless Services
The U.S. economic stimulus funds are expected to bring in more than $7.7 million to Orange County to improve upon services for the unemployed. The Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB) estimated it would get more than $1 million for services for unemployed adults, $4.2 million for so-called dislocated workers (unemployed of all ages) and $2.4 million for programs targeted at young people 14 to 24 years of age.
These federal funds are expected to be allotted to local agencies by mid-March. They will be used at both the Westminster and Irvine One-Stop Work Centers to provide job training and additional services for the unemployed. To read the full article published in the OC Register by Mary Ann Milbourn, click here. To learn more about the OCWIB and the One-Stop Centers, click here.
OC Public Libraries Closed on Easter Sunday
All Orange County Public Libraries will be closed on Sunday, April 12, 2009 in observance of Easter.
Garden Grove
Garden Grove Erects Amber Alert Signs
On Tuesday, March 10 the Supervisor participated in the ribbon cutting event for Garden Grove's new Amber Alert signs, the only city in California to have the system on city streets. Located at Valley View St. at Tiffany Ave. and Harbor Blvd. at Flagstone Ave. the 27-foot blue and gold signs will be used to red-flag child abductions as well as relay information of public interest.
The goal for the Amber Alert system is to instantly send messages related to child abductions to entire communities through partnerships with law enforcement, transportation agencies, broadcasters and the wireless industry
The project was begun by former senior traffic engineer George Allen, and has been funded by a $2.5 million grant from the state and federal government. To read the full article in the OC Register by Deepa Bharath, click here.
Garden Grove Unleashes New Dog Park
On February 14, 2009, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening event for Garden Grove's first dog park. With allocation from my office's First District Fund 130, I was able to supply the money needed to build the park. Before this park opened, the closest dog parks for Garden Grove residents were in Orange and Huntington Beach.
The dog park sits on a quarter acre of land inside Garden Grove Park. The park features separate areas for larger dogs and smaller dogs to play, that have fire hydrants and water fountains. To read the full article published in the OC Register by Deepa Bharath, click here.
Santa Ana
Santa Ana Zoo Now Home to 52 Monkeys
The promise to house at least 50 monkeys was given to ensure the building of the Santa Ana Zoo. When the count was short by two late last year, a representative of the family who began the zoo with a donation of land sent a letter to the city reminding it of its obligation. Since then, an endangered golden-lion tamarin gave birth to twins, and last week, a red-headed tamarin also gave birth to twins. Now, with the monkey count up to 52, the City of Santa Ana will not have to worry about losing the land. To read the full article published in the OC Register by Doug Irving, click here.
Middle College High School Wins National Award
Two Orange County schools, Sonora Elementary in Costa Mesa and Middle College High School in Santa Ana, were named by state education officials as the two California recipients of this year's National No Child Left Behind Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Award. This award is given to campuses that have made significant strides in raising standardized test scores for poor children, ethnic minorities, the disabled and students with limited English proficiency.
Middle College High School, which is located on Santa Ana College's campus, has about 300 students who all take community college courses along with regular high school curriculum. The school pays for the students' college textbooks and other college-related costs, with almost all graduates going directly into a four-year university. To read the full article published in the OC Register by Scott Martindale, click here.
LAFCO Accepting Applications for Public Member
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) announced Monday, March 16, that it is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving as the alternate public member on LAFCO.
A state mandated agency, LAFCO oversees all jurisdictional amendments within Orange County. The objective of the agency is to encourage the orderly formation of local government agencies, to discourage urban sprawl, and to preserve agriculture and open space.
The appointment to a four-year term will be selected by the existing Commission at the June 2009 regular LAFCO meeting. Deadline to submit cover letters/resumes is 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 16th. For the application, click here.
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| REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS |
County of Orange
There are currently many new bids to contract with the County of Orange.
For more information, please click here.
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| Community Events |
City of Westminster
March 6 to March 27, 2009 - Free Landscape Training Classes
In an effort to save money and save water, the Municipal Water District is offering Free Professional California Friendly Landscape Training to the Landscape Professional. This four-week course offers classes in both English and Spanish. For more information, click here.
City of Santa Ana
March 18 and March 25, 2009 - Free Foreclosure Prevention Workshops
The Fair Housing Council of Orange County is providing Free Foreclosure Prevention Workshops in English and Spanish. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-Certified Housing Counselors will be there to answer all of your housing questions regarding preventing and avoiding foreclosure. Information also will be provided on how to avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams. The workshop will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Fair Housing Council of Orange County, located at 201 S. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701. The Spanish Session is on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, and the English Session is on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. For more information or to RSVP, call (714)569-0823 extension 225.
City of Garden Grove
March 27, 2009 - Mad Hatter Low Tea
Soroptimist International of Garden Grove presents the Mad Hatter Low Tea Event on Friday, March 27, 2009. All net proceeds from the event are used to fund service projects that improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. Join the annual fete at the Garden Grove Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840. Tickets are $15 per person or $120 per table. Presale tickets include two free auction tickets per person. The deadline to purchase presale tickets is March 20, 2009. For more information, call Cynthia Herman at (714) 832-5786.
City of Garden Grove
April 25, 2009 - Family Festival
Orange County Head Start, Inc. and its collaborative partners will be presenting The 2nd Annual Family Festival on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The event will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Atlantis Park which is located at 13630 Atlantis Way, Garden Grove, CA 92844. For more information, contact Paul Ramirez at (714)530-0430 extension 984.
City of Santa Ana
April 25, 2009 - Ambrosia Wine Festival and Spring Bacchanalia
Come sample wines from 50 prestigious wineries from around the globe at the Ambrosia Wine Festival and Spring Bacchanalia. Wines will be for sale and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Orange County Pavilion, 801 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701. For more information, call (714)550-0811, or click here.
City of Westminster
Become a Recreation Class Instructor
The City of Westminster urges all those who have ever wanted to share their hobby and/or talent by becoming a Recreation Class Instructor. You can have fun, while also earning some extra money. To request a Class Proposal Application, call (714)895-2860.
To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com. |
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