| April 18, 2014 |
 |
Volume 2 Issue 15 |
|
|
| OC Crime Victims’ Monument Design Unveiled |
|
Click on the image above to view a larger image of the selected design. |
| |
On Saturday, Supervisor Todd Spitzer unveiled the design selected for the OC Crime Victims’ Monument at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine. The OC Crime Victims’ Monument judging panel selected the design by Zerafa Architecture Studio, which is based in Manhattan. Zerafa’s design bested 59 entries from around the world.
“Zerafa’s winning design builds on the essential idea of community, as a way to foster positive action and empowerment through healing,” Supervisor Spitzer said. “Now the work begins to raise donations to build the $350,000 monument.”
Spitzer gave the first donation at the ceremony, giving a $25,000 check to the OC Parks Foundation for construction of the monument.
The other speakers at the unveiling were:
- Supervisor Patricia Bates
- Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens
- Irvine Mayor Steven Choi
- Irvine Police Chief Dave Maggard
- Design Judging Panel Member Steve Spernak
- Crime Survivors Founder and CEO Patricia Wenskunas
- Monique Jackson, representing victims of sexual assault
- Erin Runnion, representing her late daughter, Samantha, and speaking about crimes against children
- Paul Wilson, representing his late wife, Christy, and speaking about homicide
- Bohdanna Witiuk and Doug Cook, representing their late son, Cameron, and speaking about DUI
The contest was announced in April 2013. There were 59 entries submitted by the September 30 deadline, with 42% of the entries coming from foreign countries, including Australia, China, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. The OC Crime Victims’ Monument judging panel selected five finalist designs, which were then publicly revealed in November by Supervisor Spitzer.
The finalists then submitted more detailed designs, which were publicly unveiled in February. The public was able to view detailed designs online and in person at the Old Orange County Courthouse. Public comments were accepted online and in person as well during the viewing period.
The OC Crime Victims’ Monument design judging panel met three weeks ago and selected the final design for the monument. Their selection was kept secret until Saturday’s unveiling as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The panel consisted of representatives from all five Supervisorial districts:
- Jane Bouffard, Justice for Homicide Victims, First District
- Marie Belmontes, Parents of Murdered Children-OC, First District
- Michael Chavez, Second District
- Patricia Wenksunas, Crime Survivors, Inc., Third District
- Christine Richters, Victim, Third District
- Steve Spernak, Fourth District
- Dru Maurer, Fifth District
|
| |
Click on the image above to view a larger image of the selected design. |
| |
Several of the unveiling speakers gathered before the ceremonies began: Irvine Mayor Steven Choi, Supervisor Spitzer, Monique Jackson, Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens, Paul Wilson, Supervisor Patricia Bates, Bohdanna Witiuk, and Doug Cook. |
| |
Supervisor Todd Spitzer welcomes the public to the OC Crime Victims’ Monument design unveiling, as crime victims stand by the finalist designs to open the ceremonies. |
| |
Supervisor Spitzer, Erin Runnion, Monique Jackson, Bohdanna Witiuk, Doug Cook, and Paul Wilson stand by the selected design. |
| |
Group photo of elected officials and law enforcement leaders who attended the unveiling. |
| |
 |
| |
| Supervisor Spitzer Speaks at Community Services Program’s Victims’ Rights Conference |
|
|
| |
Shortly before the start of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Orange County, Supervisor Todd Spitzer spoke at the Victims’ Rights Conference, sponsored by Community Services Program (CSP) on Thursday, April 3, 2014.
“The crime victims’ movement is truly a civil rights movement,” Supervisor Spitzer said after the event. “Our criminal justice system is focused all too often on defendants’ rights and fails to remember the victims.”
Spitzer spoke about the state of the crime victims’ rights movement, the upcoming National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and the unveiling of the design selected for the Orange County Crime Victims’ Rights Monument. |
| |
CSP Victim Assistance Programs Director Ronnetta Johnson, CSP Gang Prevention Director Max Madrid, and CSP Executive Director Margot Carlson. |
| |
|
| |
| Supervisor Spitzer Speaks at Parents of Murdered Children's Candlelight Vigil and Names Dedication Ceremony |
|
|
| |
To conclude National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Supervisor Todd Spitzer spoke on Sunday at the 22nd Annual Candlelight Vigil and Names Dedication Ceremony, held by the Greater Orange County Chapter of Parent of Murdered Children.
“We must always remember the victims of crime, not just on days like this but every day of the year,” Supervisor Spitzer said about the event. “News stories often focus on the perpetrators of crime, and we must change that paradigm to focus on the victims of crime.”
Supervisor Spitzer spoke about his early experiences with crime victims during his time as a reserve police officer and prosecutor. He also spoke about the Orange County Crime Victims’ Monument.
Parents of Murdered Children serves as a support group for not only parents, but for all adult family members and friends of people who have passed away due to violent crime. The group also offers emotional support and information about surviving the loss of a loved one who has been murdered.
Twelve names were added to the memorial monument in Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea on Sunday:
- David William Witmer
- M. “Chris” MacCallum
- Christian F. Alcantar
- Malaikye T. Payne
- Cesar G. Rodriquez
- Andrew Pacheco
- Courtenay Rene Hoag
- Justin S. Del Campo
- Justin A. Soto
- Pedro “Pete” Cabrera
- Kevin Blunt, Jr.
- Lester Lewis
|
| |
|
| |
| One Hundred People Attend Orange County Bike Safety Workshop |
|
OCTA Director Todd Spitzer speaks at the Orange County Bike Safety Workshop, joined by OCTA Vice Chairman Jeffrey Lalloway, OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson, OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson, OCTA Technical Advisory Committee Member Bill Cameron, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Matranga, and Irvine Police Lieutenant Tom Allan. |
| |
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Chairman Shawn Nelson, OCTA Vice Chairman Jeffrey Lalloway, and OCTA Director Todd Spitzer co-sponsored the Orange County Bike Safety Workshop on Monday to discuss how to make Orange County a more bicycle-friendly community. Cycling advocates, law enforcement officers, and city leaders from throughout Orange County were on hand for this workshop.
“During National Bike Month and throughout the year, I encourage everyone to bike smart, and bike safe,” Director Spitzer said. “Cycling safety is everyone’s responsibility, and together, as riders, motorists, and pedestrians, we can team up for cycling safety and enjoy moving throughout Orange County and beyond.”
The workshop was held at Irvine City Hall, with over 100 people in attendance, who took advantage of the opportunity to hear from bicycle advocates, law enforcement officers, local government leaders, and other stakeholders in Orange County’s efforts to help develop workable solutions to move cycling safety forward.
“As both a County Supervisor and an OCTA Director, I always consider the important comments and recommendations of the community when making decisions on issues,” Spitzer also said. “It is critical to hear from the public about the safety of not only bike riders, but of all people using our roads.”
To find out more about bike month events, visit: octa.net/events. |
| |
|
| |
| Pet of the Week |
|
Click on the image above to view a PDF version.
Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
| |
|
| |
| Events Around the District |
|
Anaheim
Fascinating Bluebirds
Saturday, April 19, 11:00 AM
Anaheim Public Library – Canyon Hills Branch, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
Fundamentals of Investing
Thursday, April 24, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Lakeview Senior Center, 20 Lake Rd.
Orange
Intro to the Arts for K-3 Students
Friday, April 25, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
58th Annual Silverado Firefighters Easter Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, April 20, 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Silverado Community Center, 27641 Silverado Canyon Rd.
Tustin
45th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 19, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Tustin Sports Park, 12850 Robinson Dr.
Villa Park
Open House
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Villa Park High School, 18042 Taft Ave.
Yorba Linda
31st Annual Egg-Citement Hunt for Ages 2-7
Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hurless Barton Park, 4601 Casa Loma Ave.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
