Tustin Library Lease- The Board approved a lease agreement with the City of Tustin for the County to operate the new Tustin Branch Library. As part of the Board’s action, the County transferred ownership of the existing Tustin Branch site to the City for demolishment, once the project is complete.

Modjeska Pedestrian Bridge Repair- The Board voted to award a construction contract for replacement of the Modjeska pedestrian bridge. This will ensure safe public access across Santiago Creek to the Modjeska House and Gardens. For more information on the historic home, please click here.

Swine Flu- The Board approved the discontinuation of its April 30th local emergency declaration resulting from the Swine Flu. Health Care Agency Director Dave Riley provided an update to the Board, reporting that the Agency’s response efforts have returned to levels consistent with the seasonal influenza. While the local proclamation of emergency will not be in effect, the County will continue to focus on surveillance, anti-virals, and the distribution of vaccines as appropriate. The County is also covered under the California State of emergency declaration. To read Dave Riley’s comments to the Board, please click here.

I met with budget staff from the Sheriff’s Department to discuss their budget requests and the overall financial situation facing the County of Orange.

I participated in an interview panel with the Orange County Fire Authority to select a replacement for retiring Fire Chief Chip Prather. The final candidate selection is expected to be during the month of June.

I attended the Library Advisory Board (LAB) meeting. The LAB adopted a preliminary FY 2009-2010 budget and received an update on the consultant study to address the current allocation formula.

I attended an event for Supervisor Chris Norby. Click here for a picture.

Third District staff attended the Tustin Public Schools Foundation’s 15th Annual Teacher of the Year Excellence Awards Dinner. This year’s awardees are Emily Neddersen, Myford Elementary, Lisa Fuggitti, Pioneer Middle School, and Darin Hallstrom, Beckman High School. Click here to read the program which lists the teachers honored by school. For pictures, click here.

Third District staff attended the Orange Rotary’s 35th Annual Police and Fire Recognition Awards. This year’s awardees are: Captain Greg Lewin (Firefighter of the Year), Suzanne Goodrich (Fire Manager of the Year), Linda Salas (Fire, Non-Sworn Employee of the Year), Ryan Karell (Fire Explorer of the Year), Corporal David O’Keefe (Police Officer of the Year), Sgt. David Nichols (Police Supervisor of the Year), Officer Miguel Zamora (Reserve Officer of the Year), Karen Hangan (Police Non-Sworn Employee of the Year), Irene Sharpe (Police Volunteer of the Year), Jose Ruelas (Police Explorer of the Year). Congratulations to all of the award winners.

Third District staff attended the annual Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial ceremony held at the Plaza of the Flags in Santa Ana. For information about this year’s ceremony, please click here.

Congratulations to the Third District winners of the OC Public Libraries' annual Teen Poetry & Art Contest. OCPL received over 450 entries this year, and the winning entries will be published in the anthology, Voices in Verse, next month. Click here to see the list of winners from libraries in the Third District.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Annual Villa Park Family Picnic- The City of Villa Park will host its annual family picnic on Sunday, May 24, 2009, at Irvine Lake from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm. Events will include live music, car show, games and prizes. For more information, please click here.

Irvine’s Memorial Day Tribute- The City of Irvine is hosting a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, from 10 am to 11:30 am at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park. The ceremony will commemorate the men and women who have given their lives in defense of our nation. The public is invited to honor a family member or friend who has died in the line of duty by writing a remembrance to be posted on a memory board at the event. Cards will also be available for well-wishers to send a message of appreciation and support to members of Irvine’s adopted Marine Battalion, the 2/11. For more information, click here or call (949) 724-6606.

Memorial Day Observance- The Tri-City (Orange, Tustin, and Santa Ana) Memorial Day Observance will be held at The Monument to the Civil War Unknowns at the Grand Army of the Republic Plot in the Santa Ana Cemetery on Monday, May 25, 2009. Observance ceremonies will begin at 10 am. For more information, please click here.

Memorial Day Service- Fairhaven Memorial Park will hold its 16th annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 25, at 10 am. Tributes will include Honor Guard, 21-gun salute, and an aerial flyover. The keynote speaker will be Brigadier General David Shuter, USMC (ret.). For more information, please call (714) 633-1442.

Richard Nixon Library Memorial Day Concert- On Monday, May 25, the Richard Nixon Library will offer free admission from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. At 2:00 pm, the Library will host a special Memorial Day concert in the White House East Room featuring the Placentia Symphonic Band performing patriotic American favorites. For more information, please click here.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day. Please take a moment to remember those who lost their lives in the service and protection of our country.

It is a pleasure to serve the constituents of the Third District.

Please pray for our armed forces and our foreign services personnel.