I ask the residents and visitors of Orange County to please wear a face covering when you are in a public place and unable to properly social distance, as well as following hygiene and social distancing guidance. This is of the utmost importance to stop the spread of the virus.

We must also remember that we must protect public health while allowing people to go to work safely and responsibly, so they can pay their bills and feed their families. We don’t have to sacrifice public health for the economy, or vice versa, when we can focus on ensuring both are protected.

In a model private-public partnership, the County of Orange announced on July 14th, that thanks to a collaboration with 360 Clinic and the City of Anaheim, the County has significantly increased COVID-19 testing capacity with the opening of large scale drive-through testing at Anaheim Convention Center on July 15th.

360 Clinic has been conducting no-out-of-pocket cost testing leveraging personal insurance reimbursements and
federal government assistance for the uninsured, with additional financial support from the County.

This is really helpful in our fight to get the Novel Coronavirus under control in Orange County. Ramping up testing particularly among frontline workers and hard-hit communities is essential as we work to better understand the spread of the virus in our communities and work to make better policy that will protect the public while also allowing our residents to go to work, pay their bills and put food on the table.

On July 8th, I was given notice by Rob Johnson, the Mayor of Cypress, that the city had allocated a total of $1.1 million (or 97%) of its CARES Act funding to 152 of its small businesses, with every qualified business that applied receiving support.

I am so delighted to hear that the CARES Act Funding that I granted to the City of Cypress has been allocated to its small business community in such a timely and efficient manner. I am proud of my partners in the City of Cypress, especially Mayor Rob Johnson, who have prioritized assisting the small businesses of their city. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Orange County and I cannot express how happy I am to hear that so many of these business owners will be able to keep their doors open because of this financial assistance was distributed so quickly and efficiently.

Mayor Johnson further informed me that the remaining $36,000 would be distributed to more small businesses shortly.

On Tuesday, July 14th, The District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, put out a press release warning the residents of Orange County of a dangerous sex offender that was recently released from the Coalingua State Hospital on July 11^th. A resident of Costa Mesa at the time, Cary Jay Smith was institutionalized in 1999 and has been in continual confinement since then. Unfortunately, the state mental hospital released him last Saturday and it is believed he is returning to Orange County. This man has testified about fantasizing about raping boys, claims to have killed three boys and molested 200 others.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed 20 felony counts of lewd and lascivious act with a minor against Smith, but prosecutors were forced to dismiss those charges due to the statute of limitations at the time.

In 1985 Smith plead guilty to a misdemeanor sexual offense involving a child and was required to register as a sex offender. However, the registration was removed in 1985.

After being institutionalized, a series of trials determined that he presents a “demonstrated danger of inflicting substantial physical harm” to children, Smith has been held under a section of the state’s welfare institution code that allows for a new trial every six months to demonstrate that he is no longer a threat to society. Since 1999, he has continually been considered a danger to society. However, this time around, the state hospital did not renew the hold against Smith, allowing it to expire on July, 11^th.

Smith has repeatedly testified that he fantasizes about raping and then killing young boys in order to avoid being identified and prefers to go by the name Mr. RTK, which stands for rape, torture, kill.

The fact that he is being released back into our community is unconscionable. We must take this threat to our community very seriously and ensure that everyone in Orange County is aware of this individual’s grave threat to our children.

On Tuesday, I sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to reinstate the sex offender registration requirement and that he be reinstated immediately, which I have yet to hear back. 

At July 14th's Orange County Board of Supervisor’s
meeting, the Board gave approval for the Probation Department to cease collection of juvenile fees previously incurred prior to the January 1, 2018 implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 190.

As of June 17, 2020, the outstanding balance of those fees was $18.5 million for Orange County.

The annual revenue from the fees included in the FY 2020-21 Budget was estimated to be $925,000.

Orange County is the latest to voluntarily eliminate debt incurred under the laws that predated SB 190. The Board’s action aligns Orange County with statewide practices and
provides financial relief to youth and their families.

I am deeply saddened to announce the tragic passing of my best friend, Hee Sook Lee.

Hee Sook was a first generation Korean American who loved to cook and share her recipes with friends and family. After settling in Los Angeles, she founded the legendary BCD Tofu House which grew into over 13 branches across the country.

Lee was an amazing entrepreneur and community leader who impacted the lives of many. Her brand and legacy will continue to live on and she will always be an inspiration to myself and many others.

Please Take a Look at the July 14th Board of Supervisors Meeting 

Part 1:

https://ocgov.granicus.com/player/clip/3744?view_id=8

Part 2: 

https://ocgov.granicus.com/player/clip/3745?view_id=8

The cats out of the bag and OC animal care is hosting a virtual kitten shower on Saturday, July 25th!

Tune in on the shelter’s Facebook and Instagram live to learn about OC Animal Care’s life-saving foster program.