April 1, 2014 |
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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, a portion of Fountain Valley 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. FIRST DISTRICT
2. ORANGE COUNTY
3. ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE
4. ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA)
5. ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL
6. ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
7. MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY
8. JANET AROUND THE DISTRICT
9. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
10. CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY
11. CITY OF GARDEN GROVE
12. CITY OF SANTA ANA
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As we make our way through the spring season, the First District is as busy as ever with exciting events and activities for the entire family.
On Wednesday, March 19th, I had the privilege of co-hosting the 3rd annual Central Orange County Job Fair with the City of Fountain Valley, the Orange County Workforce Investment Board (OCWIB), and America’s Job Center of California. Job seekers found plenty of opportunities to connect with employers across Orange County. Over 950 applicants, including returning Veterans, were able to speak directly to over 40 employers who were looking to fill 1300 job openings spurred on by a growing economy.
In an effort to increase the employment opportunities of Veterans, this year’s Central Orange County Job Fair focused on Veterans, allowing them and One-Stop participants the courtesy of entering the Job Fair one hour early before it opened to the general public. Veterans have demonstrated in the line of duty that they are dedicated, driven and committed individuals, who lead by example. Those qualities make them ideal employees and I want to thank the employers for considering them for employment.
The County of Orange provides year round support to both job seekers and employers. Services can be accessed through the Orange County One-Stop system. For assistance and information on hiring services call (714) 670-0100 or visit www.jobsoc.org or www.ocwib.org.
And as always, I am proud to bring you the news from around the First District!
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| FIRST DISTRICT |
Haster Basin, Recreation Park and Pump Station Reopens in Garden Grove
After eighteen months of construction and six years of advocacy, I had the privilege of cutting the ceremonial ribbon officially re-opening the Haster Basin Park and Pump Station, in Garden Grove. Joining me in the celebration were OC Public Works, OC Parks and the City of Garden Grove, as well as many local residents who were eager to see Haster Basin’s transformation.
Haster Basin not only provides better flood protection for the residents of Anaheim, Orange, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster, and Huntington Beach, but also features two acres of usable park space, soccer fields, exercise stations, park shelters and an improved jogging trail. To support the project, I sought alternative funding opportunities to offset the County’s costs, resulting in a $15.6 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources. The grant saved fifty percent of the County’s budgeted project cost.
The Haster Basin Project recently received two awards – the Parks and Recreation Project of the Year from the American Society of Civil Engineers Orange County Branch and the Engineering Achievement Award from the Orange County Engineering Council.
I want to thank the CEO’s office, OC Parks and OC Public Works for the years of dedicated effort and the technological ingenuity that made Haster Basin a success.
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| ORANGE COUNTY |
2014 Eco-Challenge Poster Contest
Kids across Orange County are invited to participate in the 2014 Eco Challenge poster contest presented by the County of Orange, Discovery Science Center and Angels Baseball. The eco-themed poster contest, which is open to all children between the ages of 8 and 14, will select one winner from each Supervisorial District to be an Honorary Bat Kid at a 2014 Angels Baseball Game.
Since 2014 marks the 125th Anniversary of the County of Orange, the theme of this year’s poster contest asks kids to get creative and imagine what they think the next 125 years will look like in Orange County if all residents accept the Eco Challenge and work to create a more sustainable future.
Posters are due by Monday, June 30, 2014 and must be hand-delivered or mailed to the Discover Science Center (ATTN: Bat Kid Contest, 2500 N. Main Street. Santa Ana, CA). For contest details you can visit the 2014 Eco Challenge website here.
County Procurement Office to Hold Monthly Vendor Information Day
The County of Orange invites business owners, who are interested in learning how to do business with the County, to attend our "Vendor Information Day" event. At these events, vendors will learn about the County’s procurement organization, core responsibilities, types of contracts and solicitation methods as well as learn how to register to participate in County solicitations.
In an effort to better serve our prospective vendors, preregistered vendors will be accommodated with a scheduled meet and greet with an agency/department Deputy Purchasing Agent (DPA) to give prospective vendors face to face time with members of the buying staff and learn about potential procurement opportunities.
Vendors must register in advance by the 2nd Thursday of the selected month to be accommodated with a scheduled meet & greet. For dates of upcoming vendor workshops, you can visit the event’s website here.
Orange County to Celebrate 125th Anniversary
On August 1, 2014, the County of Orange will celebrate its 125th Anniversary. To help commemorate OC 125, the County is asking all Orange County Cities, non-profits, and other organizations to send us all of your key events throughout 2014 so we can include them in our master calendar for OC 125. For more information you can contact Jean Pasco at (714) 834-7218 or Rob Richardson at (714) 834-3481.
Orange County is a special place and we hope you will be able to join us in our celebration of OC 125.
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| ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE |
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination and Microchip Clinics
OC Animal Care, in coordination with the Society for California Veterinary Vaccine Care, is currently offering low-cost pet vaccination and microchip clinics on the first Tuesday of every month throughout 2014. The clinics last from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for cat owners and 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for dog owners. The vaccinations will take place at 561 The City Drive South in the City of Orange.
For more information you can call OC Animal Care at (714) 935-6848 or visit their website here.
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 | ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA) |
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$3 Million Going Toward Clean Water Program through OCTA’s Measure M
The Orange County Transportation Authority board approved allocating nearly $3 million to help improve water quality in Orange County.
The funds come from Measure M, the County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. The ballot measure, approved by voters in 2006, includes funding for an Environmental Cleanup Program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the county for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation.
Protecting the County’s natural resources, while at the same time improving the transportation network, is a key promise made to voters in Measure M.
The OCTA board has approved a two-tier approach to funding, with Tier 1 projects focused on removing visible pollutants such as litter and debris from roads before they reach waterways and Tier 2 projects focused on detention basins that can prevent chemicals, heavy metals and sediment from reaching the ocean.
For more information on the Measure M water quality program, visit octa.net/water.
New Email Designs Help OCTA Communicate More Effectively
Each month, OCTA delivers nearly 100,000 emails in support of projects and programs from freeway construction to bus information to Metrolink promotions. Recently, several email templates were developed that match the look and feel of OCTA's website, octa.net. Now, in addition to the who, what, where, when and why contained in the text, these emails provide visual information that allows OCTA to communicate more effectively.
Inspired by OCTA’s website design, each new email template has an icon and signature color that matches each transportation mode – blue for bus, turquoise for Metrolink, and green for share the ride. These sleek and simple designs with strong program identifiers at the top deliver immediate brand and content recognition.
The templates also enhance mobile communications. As people flip through email on their smartphones, the template color and icon appear in the preview pane. The recognizable graphics cut through inbox clutter and enhance information sharing on the go.
For the thousands who receive OCTA emails each month, keeping track of OCTA’s ongoing transportation progress and initiatives just got a little easier.
To sign up for OCTA’s email program, visit octa.net/getconnected.
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| ORANGE COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL |
Veteran Miguel Vazquez Reappointed to Orange County Veterans Advisory Council
I recently had the honor of reappointing combat Veteran Miguel Vazquez as the First District’s representative to the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council. Miguel previously served in this capacity beginning in March 2012. The Orange County Veterans Advisory Council monitors veteran legislation bills, keeps the Veteran community aware of veteran benefits entitlements and advises the Orange County Board of Supervisors of any actions relating to Veterans issues.
As an Iraq War Veteran, Miguel brings a unique and refreshing perspective to the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council. Miguel’s commitment to Veteran focused organizations and causes is noteworthy and I am honored to count on him as the voice of the First District’s Veterans.
During his time in the United States Marine Corps, Miguel served as an Intelligence Specialist with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II, with his first combat tour being in 2003 for the initial invasion of Iraq and the second in 2004-2005 in Fallujah, Iraq. Miguel was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 2006.
Miguel Vazquez is currently a Partner and Vice President of the Retirement Division of Hoplon Financial Group. Miguel is also actively involved in helping fellow veterans with the sometimes tough transition from the service into civilian life. Currently, he is sponsoring an after school mentorship program in South Los Angeles where he is able to help provide some of the educational resources needed to help mentors guide young boys and girls in the right direction.
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| ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION |
Bang Van Pham Appointed to Orange County Human Relations Commission
I was recently pleased to announce the appointment of Bang Van Pham as the First District’s representative to the Orange County Human Relations Commission. The Human Relations Commission’s purpose is to eliminate prejudice, intolerance and discrimination against any individual or group because of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, social economic status or marital status. The Commission also works to build mutual understanding among all residents of Orange County.
Bang Van Pham was born in Vietnam in 1946, and studied English Literature at the University of Saigon. From 1968 to 1975, she taught English at the USAID English language training program and at the Vietnamese American Association in Saigon. All the while, she also served as a member of the Board of World University Services-Vietnam, an affiliate of the Word University Services (WUS) andan international non-profit organization which promotes understanding among young people of different nations through various cultural and social programs.
During the early 1970’s Bang Van Pham helped her husband to establish free medical clinics for the poor, while visiting and comforting victims of war and wounded soldiers in Vietnam’s military hospitals. In 1975, Bang Van Pham arrived to the U.S. as a refugee. She began teaching English as a Second Language at Montebello Unified School District in 1976 and retired from her teaching job in 2008. She is also a published author of a memoir titled Love Faith Hope – A Journey of a Vietnamese American Woman in War and Peace.
Bang Van Pham’s passion for promoting understanding among different groups dates back more than four decades. Her life experience and knowledge make her an ideal candidate to serve on the Orange County Human Relations Commission and we are proud to have her.
Bang Van Pham is married to the Honorable Judge Nho Trong Nguyen, the first Vietnamese American Judge in the history of Orange County. Ms. Pham is the first Vietnamese-American woman to represent the First District on the Orange County Human Relations Commission.
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| MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT OF ORANGE COUNTY |
Residents Urged to Enhance Water Use Efficiency to Conserve Water
Orange County residents and businesses are being asked to reduce their water use through enhanced water use efficiency measures. This request from the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) is part of an effort to extend stored water supplies and prepare for a prolonged drought.
MWDOC and its member agencies offer a wide variety of water use efficiency programs and rebates to assist residents, businesses, and institutions in reducing their water use. Residents are encouraged to consider planting California friendly plants that require very little water, install rotating sprinkler nozzles and a “smart” sprinkler timer that gives plants the appropriate amount of water, check for and promptly repair leaks inside and outside the home. For information on water use efficiency programs, rebates and, water-saving tips, please visit here.
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| JANET AROUND THE DISTRICT |
Supervisor Nguyen accompanies youth from Blessed Sacrament Church for the Kick-Off of the “Sticker Shock” Campaign to promote awareness of drinking and driving and underage drinking in the City of Westminster.
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Supervisor Nguyen cuts the ribbon with OC Parks Director Stacy Blackwood and OC Public Works Director Shane Silsby at the Grand Reopening of Haster Basin, Pump Station and Recreation Park.
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Supervisor Nguyen officiates the wedding of Michelle Doan and Binh Nguyen in front of the Old Orange County Courthouse on Valentine’s Day, helping the County break its all-time Valentine’s Day record for marriage licenses issued and wedding ceremonies performed.
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Eager job applicants line up to meet potential employers at the 3rd Annual Central Orange County Job Fair.
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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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| CITY OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY |
Local Events
E-Waste Collection Drive
On Saturday, April 12th, the Fountain Valley Community Foundation will be hosting an electronic waste (e-waste) collection event for local citizens to drop-off their unwanted electronic items. The event will take place in the parking lot next to the Fountain Valley Recreation Center, located at 16400 Brookhurst Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a free service offered to residents to properly dispose of their e-waste and help divert harmful chemicals from landfills.
For more information, visit www.monitorheaven.com or call Orange Coast Computers & Recycling at (800) 574-5944.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Join Fountain Valley’s Recreation Center on Saturday, April 19th for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. The Egg Hunts will run continuously for ages 11 and under from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. There will be free crafts, carnival games, bounce houses, balloon artists, and much more!
The event will include a Pancake Breakfast provided by the Fountain Valley Kiwanis Club. The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage and a beverage for only $5. Proceeds from the breakfast go towards the Fountain Valley Kiwanis Scholarship Foundation. Preferred parking is available for $5 between fields A and B. Don’t forget to get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny for only $2.00 per picture!
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| CITY OF GARDEN GROVE |
Local Events
The VOICE of Garden Grove
The Garden Grove Community Foundation is preparing for its 3rd annual singing competition called "The Voice of Garden Grove". Auditions have been scheduled for local high school students. Contestants will compete during the free Summer Concert Series, every Thursday from July 17th to August 14th. Winning students will win $500 cash plus $500 for their high school choir program.
Auditions will be held in the Activity Room at the Garden Grove Courtyard Center, 12732 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840. To sign up for an audition, please contact the Office of Community Relations at (714) 741-5280 or email thevoice@garden-grove.org.
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| CITY OF SANTA ANA |
Local Events
Orange County Job Fair
For career seekers and candidates, come meet face-to-face, sit down and interview with Fortune 500 employers at Orange County's Premiere Sales & Professional Career Fairs. It will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel (1325 Dyer Rd. Santa Ana, CA. 92705) on Tuesday, April 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes.
For more information, please call (714) 241-3800.
To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com.
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