March 1, 2017 |
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Volume 5 Issue 5 |
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Supervisors Spitzer and Bartlett present FAA objections to Republican Club |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer with Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District, address John Wayne Airport-FAA issues with the Republican Club of Laguna Woods |
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The Republican Club of Laguna Woods hosted Orange County Supervisors Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District, and Todd Spitzer, Third District, for a joint presentation on the County’s legal objections to the Federal Aviation Administration NextGen air traffic control project. The Board of Supervisors were unanimous in their vote to pursue legal action against the FAA in this important all-county issue.
The County is attached to a lawsuit filed by the City of Newport Beach |
Supervisor Todd Spitzer with (l-r) Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Republican Club of Laguna Woods past President Shirley Morgan and club President Bob Berra |
with a separate suit filed by the City of Laguna Beach. A legal actions against the FAA NextGen project are being reviewed in the District Court of Washington, D.C. It remains unclear how soon the cases will be ruled on.
Supervisor Spitzer continues to offer his JWA-FAA informational presentation in the Third District and throughout Orange County.
For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact:
matt.morrison@ocgov.com
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JWA-FAA Op-Ed printed in the Orange County Register |
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With the Federal Aviation Administration advancing its NextGen air traffic control system, everyone in Orange County needs to truly understand the impact it is already having in our communities around John Wayne Airport while the FAA debate insists there will be no significant impact.
Residents in the region are experiencing drastic differences in the air traffic above their neighborhoods and businesses. People are becoming vocal about the changes in flight patterns that in different cases create more noise, more exhaust residue, and air traffic in parts of the county where there never was before.
Yet the FAA’s critical Environmental Assessment (EA) concluded the project has “No Significant Impact”. That assessment is incredible given the volume of impact county residents are already reporting.
The FAA maintains it will “wherever possible” adhere to the traditional arrival and departure flight patterns established in and out of JWA but there is no commitment to our traditional, negotiated and agreed upon flight paths.
The FAA pushed straight through the process of updating their system here with little true regard for important input from residents, environmental groups and government leaders. The lack of serious cooperation is particularly troubling in Orange County because of our delicate environment and the established JWA Settlement Agreement that’s been in place for more than three decades and, by contract and practice, must be adhered to.
I’ve been a protector of our communities on airport issues for more than 20 years and I promise this is a fight we cannot back away from. We fought to preserve the integrity of flight paths and the essential noise curfew too long and too hard to allow the federal agency to upend any of it.
Specifically at issue is the EA completed in 2015. The finding of “No Significant Impact” relating to air traffic, noise and other pollution is astonishing. So how come so many residents are already complaining? The Cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach filed lawsuits last year to challenge the EA conclusions. A recent ruling gave the County clearance to support the legal action by Newport Beach in order for the Board of Supervisors protect our entire county.
Of course, the FAA wants to argue the cases 3,000 miles away in Washington D.C. making it difficult for cities and citizens to participate. The federal agency successfully argued for a change in venue for all lawsuits filed against the NextGen project will be heard in the D.C. District Court, the home jurisdiction of the FAA.
Sure, the federal agency can check all the boxes and contend they’ve completed all the required diligence in addressing community concerns. The FAA offered a public comments opportunity but closed that window too soon after all the ER data was released. Our communities and government agencies didn’t have enough time to properly digest the material in order to raise informed objections. The public comments period closed in September, 2015, right about the time people started noticing the new flight paths where there were none before.
Upon thorough review, our County’s independent environmental expert engineering firm concluded the ER is legally inadequate.
The FAA has staged several community open house briefings throughout the Southern California region for the stated purpose of informing concerned citizens and answering questions. I attended the FAA briefing where scores of people attending approached me with their distress over air traffic and noise over their homes they hadn’t experienced in the past. The FAA presentation was a classic divide, dazzle and conquer approach where more than a dozen singular high-tech display stations offered GPS maps, virtual simulations and mostly imperceptible data. Several of the visitors told me they were frustrated and confused by the diversion.
The FAA can say they considered all our concerns and answered all our questions, but when people are seeing big difference in flight patterns, hearing them, with more frequency, how can the FAA say there is no significant environmental impact? It’s impossible. We now have witnesses. Lots of them.
Orange County residents can make an impact by writing objection letters to the FAA and our government leaders in Washington. This establishes a record of dissent for the federal powers to consider and can make an impact in court.
To document flight pattern alterations in our area, there are a number of smartphone apps that can precisely identify planes in our airspace; from the airline, model of plane, and flight numbers, to their origination and arrival locations. All of this information is in real time. Anybody can download ‘Planes Live’, or ‘Plane Finder AR’ and document the differences they’re seeing. On my County website you can see my PowerPoint presentation on the issues along with a sample letter outlining county objections that you can print and send to the FAA at the address on the letterhead.
The goal is to have the court examine the process the FAA used in making its environmental determination and have the original EA scrubbed. We can support the NextGen project if it’s implemented properly with the accurate assessment of traffic, noise, and pollution. If we can get the court to toss out the EA and force the FAA to re-address it with legal and appropriate analysis from all stakeholders, we can force the FAA to keep its commitment to our communities.
This would force the federal agency, airlines and pilots to comply with and commit to our local JWA Settlement Agreement, and not just try “wherever possible.” |
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Board of Supervisors Honor Vietnamese-American Leaders |
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L-R Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Dr. Timothy Bui, Serena Nguyen, Tracy Pham and Supervisor Todd Spitzer |
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The Board of Supervisors recognized four leaders in the Vietnamese-American community of Orange County prior to the regular board meeting on February 28th. Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Dr. Timothy Bui, Serena Nguyen and Tracy Pham were all presented with resolutions for their professional excellence and charitable dedication within the community. |
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Mourning fallen Whittier Police Officer Keith Boyer |
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On the morning of Monday, February 20th, Officer Keith Boyer of the Whittier Police Department was shot to death during a routine traffic accident investigation. His partner, Officer Patrick Hazell was wounded in the assault and will thankfully survive. The suspect in the case is a multi-offense felon recently released from jail, re-igniting the debate over California Prison reform laws, specifically AB 109 passed in 2011, proving to be a threat to our public safety. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of Keith Boyer as well as all members of the Whittier Police Department.
Memorial Services for fallen Whittier Officer Keith Boyer will take place on Friday, March 3rd, at 10:00 am at the Calvary Chapel Downey located at 12808 Woodruff Avenue Downey, CA 90242. Procession and graveside honors will take place immediately following the memorial service and will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park located at 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601.
There will be a public memorial viewing on Thursday, March 2nd, from 6:30 pm-9 pm at Whittier Area Community Church (WACC) located at 8100 Colima Rd, Whittier, California 90605. |
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Surfing Photography Exhibit Opens at OC Great Park |
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The Orange County Great Park announces the opening of “Surfing with Tom Carey,” a photography exhibit running March 4-April 23, featuring imagery of some of the world’s finest surfers at the most iconic beaches. The public is invited to a free exhibit reception from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the Great Park Gallery at the Palm Court Arts Complex.
Groundbreaking surf photographer Tom Carey uses classic and experimental techniques, and his travels have taken him to more than 12 different countries. Carey has photographed for prominent brands and has been featured on the cover of more than 40 magazines worldwide.
The Orange County Great Park is located off I-5 or I-405 at Sand Canyon and Marine Way in Irvine. The Great Park Gallery is open noon-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit ocgp.org or call 949-724-6880. |
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House of Blues Re-Opens in Orange County |
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The House of Blues is back in Orange County with the Grand Opening of their new location at Anaheim GardenWalk. Supervisor Spitzer along with State Senator Janet Nguyen and Anaheim City Councilmember Denise Barnes presented a proclamation of congratulations at the Grand Opening party on February 25th. The original House of Blues Anaheim closed last May after 15 years at the Downtown Disney location.
The event was hosted by The Blues Brothers – Legacy Brother Elwood and Blood Brother Zee - and featured a night of live entertainment by Vintage Trouble, The Main Squeeze, Brother Yusef, Ryan Hall and others.
The House of Blues opened to the public on February 28th with iconic Orange County punk band Social Distortion headlining the first two nights. The House of Blues GardenWalk is twice as big as the former location with four main performance stages and designed to be the flagship House of Blues among several in cities across the country and around the world. The new location is: 400 Disney Way, suite #337 in Anaheim. |
Supervisor Todd Spitzer presents a proclamation of congratulations to House of Blues GardenWalk President Ron Benison and General Manager Tim Jorgensen |
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JWA Road Trip Sweepstakes sends Hockey Fans to Chicago |
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When the Anaheim Ducks hit the road next week, some local fans will be joining them. John Wayne Airport is sending one lucky winner and a guest to Chicago to watch the Anaheim Ducks take on the Chicago Blackhawks on March 9.
One randomly selected winner will receive:
- Round trip air transportation for two (2) from John Wayne Airport to Chicago, Illinois
- Hotel accommodations for two (2) nights in Chicago
- Two (2) tickets to the Thursday, March 9, 2017, Anaheim Ducks v. Chicago Blackhawks game.
Enter today: http://bit.ly/jwaroadtrip |
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City of Orange is Recruiting for Summer Recreation Jobs |
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Need a summer job? Do you know someone who needs a summer job?
We’re looking for dedicated people who know how to have fun, love to show others, and are responsible enough to do it safely.
If you are a responsible, caring person, we are looking for you to be a part-time Recreation Service Leader or Specialist. Help us provide a fun and safe environment for kids and teens at our summer day camps.
The Specialist position is open for recruitment as of February 6.
Candidates interested in the Recreation Service Leader positions may begin applying on February 17.
Apply here:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orange |
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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
Family Story Time
Saturday, March 4, 11:00 AM
East Anaheim Branch Library
8201 East Santa Ana Canyon Road
Toddler Time at Canyon Hills Library
Tuesday, March 7, 11:00 AM
400 Scout Trail, Anaheim Canyon Hills Meeting Room
Irvine
Quail Hill Community Center Dedication
Saturday, March 4, 4:00p PM - 6:00 PM
35 Shady Canyon Drive
Certified Farmers Market
Sunday, March 5, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Orange County Great Park, 6950 Marine Way
Orange
2017 Winter Documentary Film Fest
Saturday March 4, 2:30 PM
Orange Main Library
407 E. Chapman Ave.
Pajama Story Time
March 7, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Orange Main Library
407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Pilates
Wednesday, March 8, 5:30 PM
27641 Silverado Canyon Road
Tustin
Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, March 8, 9:00 AM to 1 PM
El Camino Real & W. 3rd St.
Villa Park
Roly-Poly Storytime
Monday, March 6, 9:00 AM
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Preschool Storytime
Tuesday, March 7, 9:00 AM
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
Hugh Hewitt Lecture and Book Signing
Thursday March 9, 6:00 PM
Nixon Library, 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 Matt.Morrison@ocgov.com
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