| March 21, 2014 |
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Volume 2 Issue 11 |
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| Public Invited to Unveiling of OC Crime Victims’ Monument Design on Saturday, April 12 |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer encourages the public weigh in on the five finalist designs competing to be selected for the OC Crime Victims’ Monument, which will be built at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine.
“This monument will be an important site in the County,” Supervisor Spitzer said. “I urge all Orange County residents to examine the designs and provide their input.”
The contest was announced in April 2013. There were 59 entries submitted by the September 30 deadline. Supervisor Spitzer announced the five finalists in November. The finalists then submitted more detailed designs, which were publicly unveiled last week.
The finalists’ detailed designs are now on display at the Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701. The public can view those detailed designs and submit comments online or in person at the Old Orange County Courthouse.
The selected design will be announced on Saturday, April 12 as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
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| OCFA and OC Parks Join Todd Spitzer to Warn Public About Drought Effects on Wildfire Risk |
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OC Parks Director Stacy Blackwood, OCFA Chief Keith Richter, Katie Martel of the California Fire Safe Council Grants Clearinghouse, and OCFA Director Todd Spitzer join with the OCFA Hand Crew to raise public awareness of the drought’s effects on wildfire risk. |
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This week, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and OC Parks joined with OCFA Director Todd Spitzer in North Tustin to raise public awareness of how drought conditions are affecting wildfire preparedness in Orange County. They raised a “call to action” for residents of wildfire areas to harden their homes using fire resistant building materials, to clear 100 feet of defensible space around their homes and other structures, to be prepared with emergency supply kits, and to know their evacuation routes.
“The drought is making our hillsides quite dry and volatile,” Director Spitzer said. “By working together with OC Parks, OCFA, and the community at large, we can create proactive neighborhoods, where residents are prepared and safe in case of wildfires.”
The OCFA Hand Crew was present to demonstrate the amount of palm and eucalyptus trees they need to cut down to clear dangerous vegetation. They also showed how riverbank repair and how removing non-native plants and trees improve areas at risk of wildfire.
Orange County residents can learn about wildfire preparedness information at www.readysetgooc.org. |
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OCFA Director Todd Spitzer speaks while holding an example of a tree branch that serves as fuel for wildfires, as OC Parks Director Stacy Blackwood, OCFA Chief Keith Richter, and the OCFA Hand Crew as look on. |
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| Third District Resident Sought for OCTA Taxpayer Oversight Committee |
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 The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) announced this week that it seeks a qualified volunteer from the Third District to serve on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee. The 11 members exercise their oversight responsibilities by examining OCTA’s use of taxpayer dollars collected via Measure M (Orange County’s 0.5% sales tax for transportation spending) to ensure that these funds are spent on voter-approved transportation projects.
“The Taxpayer Oversight Committee is the public’s way of ensuring that OCTA fulfills its promises to the voters of Orange County,” OCTA Director Todd Spitzer said. “I urge all interested Third District residents to apply for this important committee.”
Applications are due on April 21 for a term lasting from July 1, 2014-June 30, 2017. There is no salary, stipend, or compensation for this committee. Applicants must be United States citizens residing in the Third District over the age of 18 and will be evaluated on:
- Availability to participate in bi-monthly Taxpayer Oversight Committee meetings for the duration of their three-year term
- Proof of interest and history of participation in community activities, particularly those related to transportation
Individuals with a conflict of interest related to spending Measure M taxpayer dollars are ineligible to serve, and Taxpayer Oversight Committee members will be required to sign a conflict of interest form to accept the appointment. Elected officials and appointed government officials are ineligible to serve on the Taxpayer Oversight Committee.
The Third District consists of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, El Modena, North Tustin, Orange Park Acres, the Canyon Communities, and portions of the City of Irvine.
Applications are concurrently being accepted for a similar seat for citizens residing in the Second District, which consists of Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, Rossmoor, Sunset Beach, Surfside, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley.
Click here to apply online or click here to download an application. Additional information can be obtained at www.octa.net/toc or by contacting Alice Rogan of OCTA at (714) 560-5577. |
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| Thousands of OC Residents Take Advantage of Clerk-Recorder’s Saturday Hours |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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The Board of Supervisors appointed Hugh Nguyen as Orange County Clerk-Recorder in April 2013, and since that time, Nguyen has rapidly deployed a series of reforms, ranging from stronger fiscal oversight to improved personnel policies and procedures. Alongside these reforms, Nguyen also sought to provide better customer service for the people of Orange County. Since June 2013, Nguyen has opened the Clerk-Recorder’s office one Saturday a month to accommodate Orange County residents.
“After less than a year in office, Hugh Nguyen has implemented sweeping changes in the Clerk-Recorder’s office that have not only fixed problems in the Clerk-Recorder’s office but added new, innovative ideas to help the public,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “Hugh Nguyen has worked to make the Clerk-Recorder’s office a model of public service by ensuring both accountable government and excellent customer service.”
For example, looking at just one of the myriad services offered by the Clerk-Recorder’s office, more than 2,740 Orange County residents have obtained a marriage license during the monthly Saturday openings at the Clerk-Recorder’s offices in Santa Ana, Fullerton, and Laguna Hills.
“When I took this job I promised to make our services more accessible to our customers,”
Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen said. “It is exciting to see that the public has responded well to our special Saturday hours.”
Marriage licenses and ceremonies are available at all three Clerk-Recorder offices during the special Saturday openings. Copies of property records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates are available in the Fullerton and Laguna Hills offices during the special Saturday hours. Passport services and the Orange County Archives are open at the Santa Ana office during the monthly Saturday openings.
The Clerk-Recorder’s offices will be open from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 12 and again on Saturday, May 17. |
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| Cliff Nelson, Coca-Cola, Remland Insurance Honored as Orange Citizen of the Year and Businesses of the Year |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer with Doris Nelson and her husband, Cliff Nelson, who was honored as Orange Citizen of the Year. |
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Yesterday, Supervisor Todd Spitzer joined Orange Mayor Tita Smith, the Orange City Council, and the Orange Chamber of Commerce at Mayor Smith’s State of the City Luncheon. At the luncheon, Supervisor Spitzer and Mayor Smith presented proclamations from the County of Orange and the City of Orange, respectively, to honor Cliff Nelson as Orange Citizen of the Year, Coca-Cola as Orange Large Business of the Year, and Remland Insurance as Orange Small Business of the Year.
“It is always a privilege to be asked to help honor individuals and businesses who have contributed so much to the community,” Supervisor Spitzer said. “I thank Cliff Nelson, Coca-Cola of Orange, and Remland Insurance for their work making both the City of Orange and Orange County better places to live.”
Cliff Nelson has previously served as President of both the Rotary Club of Orange and the Orange North Rotary Club and has been a member of one or the other of these two clubs for 32 years. He has also served as President of the Orange Jaycees, President of the Community Youth Employment Service Board of Directors, and President of the Orange Sister City Association.
Coca-Cola opened its Orange facility 28 years ago. Under the leadership of Eric Behan, Coca-Cola of Orange employs 283 people and sells 8,000,000 cases each year. Coca-Cola’s Stewardship Program encourages employees to donate their time and skills to volunteer work both around the community and around the world, with a special emphasis on three priorities: women, water, and well-being.
Remland Insurance was founded by William H. Remland 63 years ago. Under the leadership of Gary Remland, the company currently has six full-time employees who serve over 3,000 individuals and over 300 buisnesses. Remland Insurance utilizes a fully digital monthly statement and policy request system in an effort to protect the environment by reducing waste and deforestation.
After Nelson, Coca-Cola of Orange, and Remland Insurance were honored, Mayor Smith delivered her State of the City Address. She provided an update on economic activities in the City. Sales tax revenue has substantially increased in the Old Towne Orange Historic District, the Outlets at Orange (formerly known as the Block), and other commercial areas, indicating increased sales activity, providing promising signs of economic growth.
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Coca-Cola of Orange Distribution Center Manager Eric Behan, Orange Chamber of Commerce Board Member Phil Hummel, and Municipal Water District of Orange County Board Member Larry Dick. |
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Municipal Water District of Orange County Board Member Larry Dick, Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Remland Insurance President Gary Remland, and Orange Chamber of Commerce Board Member Phil Hummel. |
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| Orange County Slated for $83.2 Million in Federal Funding from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
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 (Photo courtesy of OC Public Works)
This month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submitted its recommendation to Congress to add another $37.3 million in federal funding for projects in Orange County. Combined with the $45.9 million that Congress and the President have already approved, this totals $83.2 million for Orange County projects.
“I thank the Army Corps of Engineers for recognizing that there are significant needs for funding for infrastructure projects in Orange County,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “The Santa Ana River Mainstem Project will provide critical flood protection for not only the residents of Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, and Orange in the Third District, but for residents of an enormous swath of Orange County.”
The vast majority of the funding is for flood protection through the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project. The Santa Ana River flows from the Inland Empire into the Third District areas of Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, and Orange, before continuing on through Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, and finally reaching the Pacific Ocean.
The Santa Ana River Mainstem Project already has Congressional approval for $42 million for this federal fiscal year (October 1, 2013-September 30, 2014). The Army Corps of Engineers is recommending an additional $30.8 million for the next federal fiscal year (October 1, 2014-September 30, 2015). If this funding is approved, the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project will be completed in the early 2020s.
The Army Corps of Engineers will also increase spending to $4.5 million in this fiscal year for operations and maintenance of the Santa Ana River. They have recommended an additional $3.9 million for the next fiscal year.
Besides the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, the Corps also announced that an additional $1.1 million would be allocated this fiscal year to the Aliso Creek Feasibility Study and $752,000 to the Westminster Watershed Feasibility Study.
The new Aliso Creek Feasibility Study will examine the best options for creek stabilization to restore the ecosystem. The additional funding for the Westminster Watershed Feasibility Study will allow it to be completed in 2015 to address damage from flooding along the East Garden Grove-Wintersburg Channel (and its aging levees), which affect the citizens of 11 cities.
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| Pets of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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| Events Around the District |
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Anaheim
Book Discussion for Adults
“Days in the History of Silence” by Merethe Lindstrom
Tuesday, March 25, 12:00 PM
Canyon Hills Branch Library, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
Adventure Playground Public Meeting/Workshop
Wednesday, March 26, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Multi-Purpose Room 2, University Community Park, 1 Beech Tree Ln.
Orange
Recycle Your T-Shirt (Redecorating for 1st-6th Graders)
Saturday, March 22, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Silent Meditation Group
Thursday, March 27, 7:10 PM – 8:10 PM
Modjeska Community Center, 28890 Modjeska Canyon Rd.
Tustin
OCFA Fire Station No. 37 Dedication
Thursday, March 27, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
OCFA Fire Station No. 37, 15011 Kensington Park Dr.
Villa Park
Free Compost Giveaway
Saturday, March 22, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Villa Park High School, 18042 E. Taft Ave.
Yorba Linda
Electronic Waste Recycling
Saturday, March 22, and Sunday, March 23, Both 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Educational Service Center, 4999 Casa Loma Ave.
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