| January 15, 2018 |
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Volume 6 Issue 1 |
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| Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
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Dear Friends,
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let us remember the life and legacy of the man who overcame great adversity to inspire generations of Americans to pursue justice and equality for all.
Dr. King’s vision for justice and equality for every human regardless of race or gender is just as relevant today as it was when he alive. As a former Assistant District Attorney, I know justice can only come when good people fight for the truth. Today, I reaffirm to you my commitment to pursuing justice with integrity and honesty.
Sincerely,
Todd Spitzer
Supervisor, Third District
Orange County Board of Supervisors |
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| Board of Supervisors Win Landmark Settlement with the FAA |
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A plane lands at John Wayne Airport. Photo credits OC Register.
See more coverage here. |
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(Orange County, CA) – The settlement of legal objections by the County of Orange along with the City of Newport Beach (pending approval this evening) against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prevent flight pattern variations around John Wayne Airport is a significant victory for the residents of Orange County.
“I’ve fought hard to protect our residents from the unwanted consequences of the altered flight paths allowed by the FAA,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Third District. “I led the effort to sue the FAA in order to protect our communities, which is my duty as an elected official.”
Residents in the region experienced drastic differences in the air traffic above their neighborhoods and businesses as the FAA’s NextGen air traffic control system was implemented in 2016. Citizens and community advocate groups were very vocal about the changes in flight patterns that, in various cases, created more noise, more exhaust residue, and air traffic in parts of the county where there never was before. Supervisor Spitzer led the Board effort to pursue legal action against the FAA as his Third District encompasses the arrival corridor in to JWA. He also toured the county with an informative presentations to help citizens understand the legal objections and rally support for a letter-writing campaign.
NextGen advances air traffic control through GPS satellite technology, replacing the long-used ground radar system. Supervisor Spitzer endorsed the new, safer technology but not at the expense of noise, elevation and wider area alterations to flight patterns.
The Board of Supervisors approved the negotiated settlement in during the January 9, 2018 regular meeting. The settlement secures the commitment to adhere to traditional flight patterns, eliminating FAA discretion to utilize the larger swaths of area the agency had designated around JWA for future flight paths without conducting additional environmental impact documentation to comply with the National Environmental Impact Act (NEPA).
Supervisor Spitzer and the Board of Supervisors directed the County legal action in November, 2016 by joining the City of Newport Beach in a previously filed suit against the FAA. The City of Laguna Beach filed a separate, similar lawsuit. All NextGen cases nationally were referred to the D.C. District Court, the home district of the FAA.
“This is a satisfactory resolution to more than a year of conflict over altered flight paths in and out of John Wayne Airport,” added Supervisor Spitzer. “We demanded the FAA, the airlines, and pilots adhere to our noise abatement guidelines as established in the JWA Settlement agreement dating back to 1985 and we convinced them to comply.” |
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| County to Temporarily Close Portion of Santa Ana River Trail |
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The County has announced closure of the Santa Ana River Trail beginning January 22. Photo credit OC Register. |
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As a champion for public safety in Orange County, Supervisor Spitzer is proud to lead the effort to temporarily close the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) and restore the trail to its intended purposes—recreation and flood control.
Starting Monday, January 22, the County of Orange will temporarily close the west side of the SART from Memory Land to Taft Ave./Ball Road for approximately three months. SART will be closed to all public access during the project and gates will be installed. After the project is completed, Orange County Sheriff will enforce public recreational hours that will be posted on the County website.
“The homeless encampment on the riverbed is unsafe and unsanitary,” Supervisor Spitzer said, “The homeless should be treated with compassion and humanity, but individuals must accept our shelter and outreach support. I encourage individuals on the riverbed to use the homeless services provided by the County and Third District cities.”
The County has made a concerted and targeted effort to provide services and resources to individuals encamped along the flood control channel. These efforts have already led to 156 individuals accepting the opportunity through CityNet, partnering with the County, to connect with alternative housing solutions. Bridges at Kraemer Place, a whole-care homeless shelter in the Third District, and the Courtyard in Santa Ana offer resources year-round to individuals. |
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Construction Alert: Silverado Canyon Pavement Rehabilitation
January—February 2018
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| Board Elects Supervisor Andrew Do as 2018 Board Chairman |
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(L to R): Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Chairman Andrew Do, Supervisor Michelle Steel, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, and Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson celebrate after the election of the 2018 Chair and Vice-Chair. |
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The Board of Supervisors unanimously elected Supervisor Andrew Do, First District, as the 2018 Chairman. This is Supervisor Do’s first turn as Chairman, after serving as Vice-Chair to Supervisor Michelle Steel in 2017.
Supervisor Do gave an emotional speech that acknowledged his former political refugee status as an inspiring moment for all immigrants to this country. “I am honored and humbled to be able to serve in this capacity and give back to the community that has given me so much,” he said. In accepting his nomination, Supervisor Do outlined his hope and optimism for a successful year.
Supervisor Shawn Nelson, Fourth District, will serve as Vice-Chair for 2018.
Supervisor Todd Spitzer offers his warmest congratulations to both colleagues, and thanks Supervisor Steel for her service as Chair in 2017. |
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| Follow Supervisor Todd Spitzer on his County Supervisor Accounts! |
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Follow Supervisor Todd Spitzer's County Supervisor Account on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! |
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Third District is getting social! Follow Supervisor Spitzer on his County Supervisor Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts! Learn about County events, important updates, and the Third District on my official accounts. CLICK THE LINKS BELOW to keep up with news about the Third District and the County.
Follow Supervisor Todd Spitzer on his County Supervisor Accounts:
Facebook: Supervisor Todd Spitzer
Twitter: @SupvToddSpitzer
Instagram: SupvToddSpitzer |
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| National Human Trafficking Awareness Day |
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Supervisor Spitzer introduces the Be The One campaign at an OCTA press conference in May 2017. |
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January 11, 2018 was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Social scientists estimate as many as 27 million women, men, and children are victims of human trafficking, and the United States is one of the top destination countries for human trafficking.
As Chairman of the Committee on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and a Director of Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Supervisor Todd Spitzer has had the privilege of working to raise awareness of Human Trafficking as part of the Be The One campaign. The campaign encourages the public to report signs of exploitation, especially among youth.
Learn more about Be The One at http://ssa.ocgov.com/adopt/betheoneoc/. |
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REPORT HUMAN TRAFFICKING:
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, Wayfinders: 1-949-250-4058
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| City of Irvine Offers Free 2017 Tax-Preparation Services |
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The City of Irvine, in partnership with Orange County United Way, is offering free tax-preparation services to taxpayers who earned less than $60,000 in 2017. Qualifying taxpayers who live, work or attend school in Irvine can receive help filing their taxes from IRS-trained and certified volunteers, who will also assist eligible taxpayers in applying for tax credits, including the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).
Free tax-preparation services are available at Cypress Community Park, 255 Visions in Irvine, from Jan. 30 to April 12, 2018. An appointment is required; no walk-ins will be accepted. Call Orange County United Way at 888-434-8248 for more information on EITC eligibility, and to schedule an appointment.
Taxpayers with Internet access can chose to file their own federal and state tax returns online for free at MyFreeTaxes.com. Individuals must have less than $66,000 in 2017 household income to utilize this free online service.
For more information, visit unitedwayoc.org or download our flier here.
(Courtesy of City of Irvine). |
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Public Forum to Address Opioid Addiction and Prevention:
Wednesday, January 24, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM |
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| 2018-2019 Grand Jury Application Open: http://www.ocgrandjury.org/ |
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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 Storytime
Saturday, January 20, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
East Anaheim Branch Library, 8201 East Santa Ana Canyon Road
Explorer’s Club
Thursday, January 18, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Anaheim Canyon Hills, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
Orange County Great Park Farmers Market
Sunday, January 21, 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM
Orange County Great Park, 6950 Marine Way
Coffee with a Cop
Thursday, January 18, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Starbucks, Alton Square, 5365-B Alton Parkway
Orange
Help for Small Business Owners
Monday, January 29, 6:00 PM — 8:30 PM
Main Library Community Room, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Spanish/English Storytime
Sunday, January 27, 11:00 AM — 11:30 AM
Library of the Canyons, 7531 East Santiago Canyon Rd.
Tustin
Toddler Storytime
Tuesday, January 16, 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Tustin Library, 345 E. Main Street
Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, January 17, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
El Camino Real & W. 3rd St.
Villa Park
Reading with a Deputy Storytime with OC Sheriff’s Department
Tuesday, January 16, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
Family Storytime
Saturday, January 20, 10:30 AM— 11:15 AM
Yorba Linda Public Library, 18181 Imperial Highway
Sunday Concert
Sunday, January 21, 1:30 PM
Richard Nixon Library and 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 Montana.Sudul@ocgov.com
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