| November 1, 2018 |
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Volume 6 Issue 38 |
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Supervisor Spitzer Calls on DA to Fully Prosecute 3rd Striker
OC HUMAN RELATIONS REPORT SHOWS GLARING SPIKE IN HATE CRIMES |
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A defendant with a history of committing violent hate crimes and mayhem was supposed to be in court Oct. 31 on new charges, but he was apparently ill. Supervisor Todd Spitzer is asking the District Attorney to avoid allowing another downgrade to a misdemeanor in the wake of a scathing report by the OC Human Relations Commission and a hate-fueled mass shooting at a Jewish Synagogue that killed 11 worshippers in Pittsburgh.
Tyson Mayfield has now been charged with felony hate crime and making criminal threats and will appear in Superior Court for a “disposition and reset.” This case would likely not have occurred at all if prosecutors had objected to a reduction of a three-strike case down to a simple misdemeanor last year.
“The Board of Supervisors is charged with protecting the citizens of Orange County and this is a public safety issue,” Spitzer said. “I’m afraid that Mayfield’s next ‘disposition’ court date will be just that -- another plea bargain so he can continue to terrorize the community. If he would’ve been sentenced correctly to state prison last year when he engaged in his last hate crime we wouldn’t be here today discussing this.”
Spitzer pointed to the Orange County Human Relations Commission 2017 report that shows a 13 percent increase in hate crimes between 2016 and 2017. Hate crimes have increased over the last three years because there isn’t a strong message that hate won’t be tolerated in Orange County.
“This doesn’t give me a lot of confidence that Mayfield will be prosecuted correctly or that we are sending the right message that hate is not tolerated in Orange County,” Spitzer said. “Here you have someone with two separate strike convictions: an assault with a deadly weapon and a mayhem conviction. He also wears a swastika tattoo and yet he was set loose on our streets to commit more hate crimes instead of sitting in state prison. This greatly concerns me.”
Mayfield has a 2005 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon and a 2008 conviction for mayhem – which is defined as maliciously disfiguring or disabling a victim. He had a string of other minor convictions before being charged with committing a hate crime on Sept. 4, 2017 when he repeatedly punched a Filipino/Turkish man.
Mayfield was charged with a felony hate crime with the ability to commit violent injury, in addition to a strike.
Two weeks after charges were filed, Mayfield’s strikes were erased and the case was downgraded to a misdemeanor without an objection from the prosecutor assigned to the case. He was sentenced to one year in jail, but was released because he had credit for 94 days.
In 2018 Mayfield had numerous misdemeanor run-ins with police leading up to Sept. 17, when he allegedly accosted an African American woman at a bus stop. She sprayed him with pepper spray and he fled with her backpack.
Mayfield is so violent that he has the tightest security possible at the Orange County Jail: total separation from other inmates. He is transported to court separated from other prisoners with his wrists shackled to his waist and wearing leg irons. He is brought into the courtroom flanked by his own team of deputies, while other defendants walk in a group. |
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Funding Details of New Registry Tax to Remain Secret from Public
Supervisors Spitzer & Nelson Called on Board to Release County Counsel Memo |
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The Board of Supervisors voted 2-3 (Do, Bartlett and Steel voted no) against releasing a secret memo, keeping details of a proposed new tax secret from residents. This rushed through a new residential sober living ordinance with no ongoing revenue source.
“Unlawful sober living homes need aggressive oversight,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “This serious issue has been completely mishandled by the District Attorney. If he was sincere about addressing sober living home issues then he would have been serious about developing this ordinance years ago. Instead, the Board was presented with something half baked. We should all be appalled.”
Spitzer argued that the Board was not being honest and transparent with the public by withholding a county counsel memo that was critical of a new registry to monitor sober living homes. The state already has a similar law.
“We are making law here. We need to release the memo so residents get the truth and understanding that there is no revenue stream for this,” Spitzer said. “This will either steal money from other programs that are important or result in a tax, which is illegal under Prop. 26. The public has a right to know.”
Creation of a sober living registry was first introduced by the District Attorney during an Oct. 1 Board meeting, 13 years after a registry statute was created by law.
“The District Attorney tried to pull a tax increase on Board members,” Spitzer said. “I argued at the time that it was malfeasance to bring a Board action for a new law covering a fraction of the county without a stated funding source.”
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said the registry would initially be funded by the county’s Health Care Agency. The HCA would only have enough operating funds to last one year which is how the Board avoided the tax increase discussion.
Spitzer filed a letter Monday with the Clerk of the Board, stating that approving such an ordinance would create an illegal tax under Prop. 26, which passed in 2010. This issue was highlighted in the secret county counsel memo.
“It is my personal belief that the County is open to significant litigation and that our arguments in the application of a new fee to cover the costs of the registry are weak,” Spitzer wrote. “The Board needs to resolve the issue of an ongoing fee versus tax before HCA invests in an illegal fee program.” |
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| Spitzer Thanked for Leadership Role in Securing Senior Living Complex |
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(L to R): Msgr. Steve Doktorczyk of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange; Danielle Morgan, President and COO of Clearwater Living; Supervisor Todd Spitzer; Tony Ferrero, CEO and Founder of Clearwater Living; John Prescott; and Mary Prescott. |
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A ceremonial groundbreaking on October 26 signaled the start of creating a 100-unit senior living center made possible with support from the community, Roman Catholic Diocese and Supervisor Todd Spitzer. The groundbreaking was at the future site of the Clearwater Senior Living community, an approximately six-acre plot in North Tustin.
The land for “Clearwater of North Tustin” was donated long ago by the Mary and John Prescott family to the Diocese. The couple lived on the land and moved elsewhere in order to donate the parcel to the Diocese for construction of a church or school. The Diocese is leasing the land to Clearwater Living.
The project was 14 years in the making as several involved parties did not initially agree. Spitzer stepped in to mediate the development plans and helped win approval by the Orange County Board of Supervisors along with agreement between the Diocese and Clearwater Living.
“We wouldn’t be here today without the full support of everyone involved – this was truly a team effort. I couldn’t do this alone,” Spitzer told a small gathering at the groundbreaking. “This is an amazing piece of dirt that will become something magnificent.”
The Prescott Family’s generous contribution was acknowledged by Clearwater Founder and CEO Tony Ferrero, who announced during the groundbreaking he would dedicate one of four cornerstones to the Prescott Family. The other three will be dedicated to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County, civic responsibility, and to the greater community.
The facility will be open to seniors and retired priests. It will feature a chapel, gym, and eating facilities. Part of the negotiations in the heavy residential area includes building a setback from Newport Boulevard and perimeter landscaping installed before construction begins. The facility, on approximately seven acres, was downsized from 150 units. |
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| “A Million Dreams” Gala for McCoy Rigby Arts |
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Supervisor Spitzer (R) presented a proclamation to Cathy Rigby and Tom McCoy, co-founders of McCoy Rigby Arts. |
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Students of McCoy Rigby Arts performed at the Gala. |
Supervisor Spitzer presented a proclamation to accomplished couple Cathy Rigby and Tom McCoy, whose dedication to sharing and promoting the arts among Orange County youth is admirable.
Cathy and Tom formed the McCoy Rigby Conservatory of the Arts in 2006. Its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives and dreams of young people through professional training in the arts and through an endless pursuit of excellence in classes, programs, and instructors.
Thank you to Cathy and Tom for inspiring young people to participate in the arts. |
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| OC Parks Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo |
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Animals at the OC Zoo received special treats during the Halloween Zoo-tacular event. |
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Marcy Crede-Booth, OC Zoo Curator of Education, and Supervisor Spitzer. |
Supervisor Spitzer was pleased to join OC Parks for the annual Halloween Zoo-tacular at the OC Zoo located inside Irvine Regional Park. The event celebrates the fall season with festive activities and the animals of the OC Zoo.
Families brought their children to trick-or-treat, explored the zoo during a spooky scavenger hunt, and created Halloween and fall-themed crafts. OC Zoo animals received treat-filled pumpkins and special Halloween treats throughout the day. |
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| Tele-Town Hall: Public Safety in Jeopardy |
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(L to R): Orange Police Captain Dave Nichols, Supervisor Todd Spitzer, and Orange County Probation Chief Steve Sentman. |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer held a Tele-Town Hall focusing on recent California laws that have jeopardized the safety of the public by downgrading crimes, shortening sentences for convicted criminals, and changing the landscape of Orange County’s criminal justice system.
Supervisor Spitzer brought together a panel from the law enforcement and legal fields to discuss the details of these laws and how they have impacted the safety of our communities. This panel included Orange County Probation Department Chief Steve Sentman, Garden Grove Police Department Chief Todd Elgin, and Orange Police Department Captain Dave Nichols.
Listen to the Town Hall in full at: http://www.ocgov.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=81277. |
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| John Wayne Airport Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction |
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The Board presented a proclamation to John Wayne Airport to celebrate the achievement.
(L to R): Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Chair Andrew Do, JWA Director Barry Rondinella, and Supervisor Todd Spitzer.
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Congratulations to John Wayne Airport (JWA) for ranking highest among large airports in the J.D. Power 2018 North America Airport Satisfaction Study for the second year in a row. JWA received a score of 815, beating its own incredible score from last year by nearly 20 points!
J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services, and data and analytics. The 2018 North America Airport Satisfaction Study measures overall traveler satisfaction with mega, large, and medium North America airports by examining terminal facilities, airport accessibility, security check, baggage claim, check-in/baggage check, and food and retail options.
Supervisor Spitzer commended Airport Director Barry Rondinella and his staff for their dedication to delivering exceptional service to all who pass through the airport. Congratulations to John Wayne Airport on this achievement. |
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| Community Meeting: OC Loop Segment D—Placentia, Yorba Linda, Brea |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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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
Preschool Storytime
Friday, November 2, 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Anaheim Canyon Hills, 400 Scout Trail
Family Storytime
Saturday, November 10, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
East Anaheim Branch Library, 8201 East Santa Ana Canyon Road
Irvine
Holiday Faire
Friday, November 2, 5:00 pm—9:00 pm—Saturday, November 3, 9:00 am—4:00 pm; Admission $2 per person
Heritage Community Park, 14321 Yale Ave
Irvine Fall Food Drive
Now—November 18; Thursdays and Fridays 10:00 am—10:00 pm, Saturdays and Sunday 9:00 am—10:00 pm
Orange County Great Park Visitors Center, 6950 Marine Way
Orange
DIY Holiday Adult Crafting Fun
Monday, November 5, 6:30 pm—8:00 pm
Old Towne Orange Plaza, 1 Plaza Square
National Novel Writing Month
Wednesday, November 14, 6:00 pm—8:30 pm
Community Room, 407 E Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Meditation Series
Saturday, November 3, 10:00 am — 11:30 am
Library of the Canyons, 7531 East Santiago Canyon Rd.
Tustin
Books for Breakfast
Saturday, November 3, 9:15 am—9:45 am
Main Street and El Camino Real
Farmers Market
Wednesday, November 7, 9:00 am—1:00 pm
Tustin Branch Library, 345 E Main St.
Villa Park
Music and Movement Storytime
Thursday, November 15, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
Sunday Concerts: Piano/Sax Duet, Mary Au, piano and Chika Inoue, Saxophone
Sunday, November 4, 1:30 pm
Richard Nixon Library and Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Family Storytime
Saturday, November 3, 10:30 am— 11:15 am
Hurless Barton Park, 4579 Casa Loma Ave.
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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