| August 15, 2014 |
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Volume 2 Issue 31 |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Participates in Sand Canyon Undercrossing Project Roadway Opening |
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Irvine Councilwoman Christina Shea, OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson, Irvine Mayor Pro Tem and OCTA Vice Chair Jeffrey Lalloway, and Irvine Mayor Steven Choi and Third District Supervisor and OCTA Director Todd Spitzer |
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| Supervisor Spitzer participated in the Sand Canyon Undercrossing Project Roadway Opening with officials from the City of Irvine and the Orange County Transportation Authority. This new road will allow vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists to travel safely under the railroad tracks and avoid delays from trains. |
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Sand Canyon Underpass |
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As part of the $64 million project, commuters can now drive under the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail line. The project, part of OCTA’s Orange County Bridges program, lowered and expanded the road to six lanes.
More than 50 officials, business representatives and politicians gathered near the underpass Monday to celebrate its completion and its impact on drivers.
Supervisor Todd Spitzer spoke about the bike trail component of the project that will eventually provide a connection to the Walnut Creek Bike Trail, which is a Class 1 bike trail that runs parallel to the train track west of Sand Canyon. In April 2014, Supervisor Spitzer cohosted the Orange County Bike Safety Workshop in Irvine that was attended by law enforcement, advocates and other stakeholders who are committed to any and all means of assuring our bike and pedestrian facilities are as safe as can be. The event was held in response to the past incident where a 21-year old bike rider was killed by an 18-year old drunk driver on Santiago Canyon Road.
Supervisor Spitzer said, “Remember to watch out for bicyclists on the road. Slow down, move over, share the road. And if you are riding a bike, wear a helmet and use hand signals.”
The Sand Canyon Underpass Project, which took about three years to complete, is part of the larger OC Bridges program partially funded through Measure M funds. Rail lines will be separated from roads in eight sites across the county to improve traffic flow and safety, according to the OCTA.
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| Supervisor Spitzer Joins Concerts in the Park in Tustin and Orange |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer and Tustin Mayor Al Murray |
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This last week, Supervisor Spitzer joined the Concerts in the Park in the cities of Tustin and Orange.
Supervisor Spitzer attended Tustin’s Concert in the Park at Pepper Tree Park to welcome residents and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Before introducing the band Pettybreakers, Spitzer rallied the crowd, spoke of his admiration of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and talked about his attendance at previous Pettybreakers concerts. The Pettybreakers are billed as “America’s #1 Tribute Band to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.” |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer and Orange Councilmembers Mark Murphy, Dennis Bilodeau and Mayor Pro Tem Fred Whitaker |
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| In the City of Orange, Supervisor Spitzer introduced Stone Soul, which is a classic soul and Motown band. Concerts in the Park are free to attend in the City of Orange but each week a collection is taken to help pay the band and city employees who make the events happen. Supervisor Spitzer pledged his support by making a matching donation to help the series for next summer. |
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| CalOptima Granted More Time to Fix Problems |
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CalOptima is the county’s $1.7 billion health plan for low income and disabled residents. The county’s organized health system administers health insurance programs for low-income families, children, seniors, and persons with disabilities in Orange County. A Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) audit was conducted to analyze CalOptima’s OneCare Program. Subsequently the Board of Supervisors appointed Supervisor Todd Spitzer to the CalOptima Board of Directors to help bring corrective action to CalOptima.
In response to the recent audit, federal officials have given CalOptima a six month extension to address the issues identified in the audit surrounding a program for the delivery of health services to elderly Orange County residents. These issues include efforts to detect fraud. CMS has extended its review period to support the agency’s effort to implement long-term solutions in the OneCare program.
On the CalOptima Board, Supervisor Spitzer has been actively working to ensure that CalOptima is cooperating with CMS to make corrective actions required by the audit findings. “$1.7 billion is a huge investment on behalf of taxpayers to provide these state mandated health care services,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer. “I want to make sure service is delivered in an efficient and fiscally solvent way.”
CalOptima reports that it has strengthened the monitoring and oversight of its 11 health networks and pharmacy management company. In addition, new systems have improved providers’ authorization of members’ health and pharmacy services.
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| Celebrate Old Town Tustin |
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(Portions courtesy of the Tustin Area Historical Society)
The Tustin Area Historical Society, featuring Old Town merchants and friends, is sponsoring the Third Annual “Celebrate Old Town Tustin” on Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 10 am to 5 pm. Festivities start at 10 with an award ceremony for two Tustin residents, Margaret Pottenger and Doug Manning, for their service to the Tustin Area Historical Society and to the Tustin community as a whole.
Many merchants are sponsoring events at their locations, including a fashion show; continuous showing of the 1932 Academy Award winning Laurel and Hardy short, “The Music Box” and a camera obscura, with more events to be announced. Other merchants are offering in-store discounts or refreshments.
The Tustin Area Historical Society is offering raffle tickets for a cash prize along with merchandise and gift certificates donated by Tustin merchants. Click here for more information. |
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| OC Parks Parking Annual Passes Now Half Off |
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(Portions courtesy of OC Parks)
Starting August 1, annual parking passes will be available for half price. Spend time in the outdoors with family and friends at a discounted rate.
OC Parks annual parking passes and decals offer convenient parking at local regional and wilderness parks, as well as all County beach parks. Experience hiking, mountain biking, exploring, surfing or rest and relaxation in nature with convenient pre-paid parking at all locations. An OC Parks parking pass makes a great gift for the outdoor and adventurous friends and family members in your life.
The annual regional and wilderness parking passes and parking decals, as well as the annual beach parking decals, will be available for just $27.50, regularly priced at $55, and $17.50 for disabled with placard and seniors 60 years of age and above, regularly priced at $35. Disabled people with placards already park free at County beach parks.
For the best value, purchase a combination-parking pass to enjoy all OC Parks and beaches for just $40, regularly priced at $80, and just $25 for seniors, regularly priced at $50.
Annual parking passes and decals are available for purchase at an OC Parks facility near you. Click here to visit OC Parks online for more information and to view list of convenient locations. Spend some time in the great outdoors with family, friends and OC Parks in 2014. |
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| Pet 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
Toddler Stories and Playtime
Monday, August 18, 11:00 AM
East Anaheim Branch Library, 8201 Santa Ana Canyon Rd
Family Story Time
Monday, August 18, 7:00 PM
Canyon Hills Branch Library, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts
Sunday, August 17, 5:30 PM
Mike Ward Community Park, Woodbridge, 20 Lake Rd.
Certified Farmers Market
Sunday, August 17, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Orange County Great Park
Orange
Blood Drive at the Library
Tuesday, August 19, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
8th Annual Silverado Summer Concert Series
The Digressions (Classic Rock) and Daze of Blue (Original, Classic Rock & Country)
Saturday, August 16, 6:00 PM
Silverado Community Center, 27641 Silverado Canyon Rd.
Tustin
Celebrate Old Town Tustin
Saturday, August 16, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tustin Museum, 395 El Camino Real at Main St.
Movies in the Park, Frozen
Thursday, August 21, Activities 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Movie at 8:00 PM
Centennial Park, 14722 Devonshire Ave.
Villa Park
Family Movie Night, Rio 2
Friday, August 22, 6:30 AM
Serrano Elementary, 17741 Serrano Ave.
Yorba Linda
Lego Play at the Library
Saturday, August 16, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Yorba Linda Library, 18181 Imperial Highway
Nixon Library Concert Series, Pianist Rush Robinson – Standards, Show Tunes and Your Requests
Sunday, August 17, 1:30 PM
Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
For questions or comments regarding Spitzer’s E-Newsletter
please contact the Supervisor's office staff at: (714) 834-3330 or Melanie.Eustice@ocgov.com
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