Santa Ana, California – At the Board of Supervisors meeting on September 24, the Board unanimously passed Supervisor Donald P. Wagner's direction on a new County ordinance.

The ordinance will require group home operators to submit applications, obtain ministerial permits and enforce a "good neighbor policy" among other mandates.

“I heard from North Tustin residents that unlicensed sober living homes were a growing concern and sought to remedy this issue with a new County ordinance,” said Supervisor Wagner.

"The good actors operating group homes welcome more scrutiny. However, some bad actors are concentrating these businesses, exploiting unlicensed homes for profit and at the expense of people's lives. The ordinance I brought forward will strike a balance between recovering addicts looking to put their lives back in order while preserving a neighborhood's peaceful character."

People living in the Third District's quiet, unincorporated areas were disturbed by the increases in noise, trash, smoking, loitering, parking, and general nuisances. Inside the unlicensed homes were reports of overdosing, assaults and more.

The ordinance brought forth by Supervisor Wagner will stipulate for a 24/7 on-site manager, for the operator's contact information be available to neighbors, and for a minimum of 650-foot spacing between sober living residences.

Spacing between the group homes is intended to prevent enclaves from dominating single-family neighborhoods. People in recovery can properly rebuild a stable life in the community, while at the same time, respecting established neighborhood rules. 

“The ‘Recovery Residences’ addressed by this zoning change are businesses that exploit both recovering addicts and residential neighborhoods, siting houses close to one another for their convenience and profit. The zoning change brought forth by Supervisor Don Wagner is a win-win-win for recovering addicts, neighbors, and Orange County,” Laurie Girand, Advocates for Responsible Treatment.

Responding to Community Concerns

North Tustin residents contacted Supervisor Wagner’s office regarding their neighborhood’s changing character.

May 31, 2019: Supervisor Wagner held a Town Hall meeting at Hewes Middle School with the Health Care Agency and Sheriff’s Department to answer the community’s questions. Over 100 concerned residents attended to provide input.

June 25, 2019: At the Board of Supervisors hearing, Supervisor Wagner directed a new ordinance dealing with sober living homes to come to the Planning Commission for a vote. The Board unanimously supported his direction.

August 28, 2019: Planning Commission unanimously passed the ordinance.

September 24, 2019: New County ordinance passed at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

There is still more work to be done. However, within a few short months, Supervisor Wagner is proud to have made significant progress in creating healthier communities for all residents.

Read the County ordinance here.

Read the Voice of OC article here.

Read the OC Register article here.

Watch the ABC 7 video here.

Watch the Supervisor's Spotlight video update here. 

September 15 to October 15

HISTORY 

In 1968, Hispanic Heritage Week formed under President Lyndon Johnson, then expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 and enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18. 

American Dreams 

Irvine constituent, Al Tello, was born in Mexico and immigrated with his parents at age three. Pictured is the motel where they spent their first night in the United States: The Land of Opportunity. 

(Motel in Delano, San Diego still stands today) 

Everything the Tello's owned fit into the family station wagon. Al became the first in his family to graduate from college. Orange County is a gem in the golden state for the diverse people who contribute to America's remarkable legacy. 

Moreno's Mexican Restaurant 50th Anniversary 

In 1969, the Moreno family opened a small bakery in the City of Orange. Moreno's family-run business has served as the hub for thousands of happy occasions, celebrations, and eventually earning themselves the title of Orange County Register's "Best of Orange County 2018: Best Mexican Restaurant".

Supervisor Wagner honors and commends Moreno's Restaurant and Bakery with a Resolution for fifty years of contributions to the community. 

Orange Mayor Mark Murphy presented a proclamation and a City of Orange flag. 

Bishop Kevin Vann from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange gave the benediction.

Adding to the festivities, owners Harvey and Eleanor Moreno celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Harvey was born a few blocks from his restaurant's location. He and Eleanor had known each other since they were five years old when they were neighbors.

On September 14, Orange Park Acres held its annual BBQ dinner. Congratulations to OPA President Don Bradley and the OPA Board of Directors for organizing this successful (and sold out!) event.

Proceeds raised from the silent auction and raffle will benefit OPA trails and community improvements. 

Be a part of the recycling solution. OC Waste & Recycling has launched a new online tool, the OC Recycle Guide, to make it easy on you. 

The user-friendly site is designed to make dropping off your recyclables as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Visit OCRecycleGuide.com
2. Type in the item you want to recycle
3. Click for details on where to take the item

Can’t find the item you need? CLICK HERE to contact OC Waste & Recycling.

Together, we can learn to recycle right and keep unnecessary waste out of our landfills.

Sundown on September 29 to nightfall on October 1 

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year; it is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, a day of judgment and coronation, and marked by the sounding of the shofar.

The first two days of the Jewish new year, Tishrei 1 and 2, beginning at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1. 

Rosh Hashana celebrations include festive family meals and sugary delicacies, such as apples dipped in honey for a sweet New Year. Prayer services are punctuated by the sounding of the ram's horn (shofar) on both mornings and traditional candle lightings in the evenings. 

Supervisor Wagner wishes the Jewish community a peaceful, joyous, and safe day of prayer.