| March 1, 2018 |
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Volume 6 Issue 8 |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Fulfills Longtime Promise to Clear Santa Ana River Trail |
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The SART on February 26 near Angels Stadium. The County made tremendous progress in just a few short weeks to safely and humanely move homeless inhabitants to motels. |
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| On February 26, Supervisor Todd Spitzer proudly announced to his constituents, “My promise to our County was that the Riverbed would not become Orange County's Skid Row. I am keeping that promise! We have cleared the Santa Ana River Trail!” |
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Just a few weeks ago, the Santa Ana River Trail was an unsanitary, unsafe environment. |
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Supervisor Spitzer’s long promise of clearing the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) was fulfilled on February 24 as all human habitation was removed from Ball Road to Chapman Avenue. Supervisor Spitzer has directed the County to work cooperatively with Orange County cities on next steps for serving the homeless population to protect the public. This project took the unbelievable teamwork of the Sheriff’s Department, OC Public Works, OC Health Care Agency, Social Services Agency, OC CEO and County Counsel, and countless non-profit organizations who worked around the clock to ensure the homeless population on the riverbed was treated humanely and provided the resources they need.
In response to the closure, the County of Orange has expanded temporary shelter capacity at Bridges at Kraemer Place, the first year-round, whole-service Orange County shelter, in the Third District. Bridges at Kraemer Place now holds:
- 100 existing beds
- 52 additional beds inside the building
- 13 beds in two temporary structures on the facility property
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced on February 27 that due to all individuals encamped along the SART in the project area voluntarily complying with the request to relocate, Sheriff's deputies will now actively enforce state trespass laws and will maintain high visibility patrols in the area.
The SART remains closed to all public access. Upon completion of the environmental remediation project on the SART between Memory Land in Orange to Taft Avenue/Ball Road in Anaheim, the County will reopen the closed portion of the SART for recreational trail use during posted public access hours. |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Applauds Purchase of Property for Future Site of Mental Health Facility in Third District |
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The Anita Drive property is the future site of a full-service mental health center for the County. |
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At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 27, the Board approved the purchase of a building in Supervisor Todd Spitzer’s district that will serve as a full-service mental health facility. Through the 44,500 square foot Anita Drive property, the County is fulfilling its commitment to expanding access to mental health services for anyone in the county, including the homeless population.
Supervisor Spitzer led the way in encouraging the County to purchase the property, citing the need for greater access to mental health services in Orange County. |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Calls on Governor for Homeless State of Emergency |
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Dear Governor Brown,
It is beyond time to escalate the necessary action required to effectively deal with the plague of homelessness that has infected our great state of California. As Third District Supervisor in Orange County and a former State Assembly Member, I am respectfully requesting that you as our Governor declare a homeless state of emergency.
I am writing to you solely on my own volition as an elected official and citizen, independent of the County Board of Supervisors.
In Orange County, we recently implemented our plan to remove large and growing homeless encampments in my district in order to direct needy individuals to services designed to help them and break the cycle of homelessness. Many are receptive to our help, and many others are not. Orange County is not alone in this dynamic nor is Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento or any city, town or neighborhood in California; the state of homelessness demands urgent, cohesive action. Our best-intentioned efforts in individual geographic regions are failing. As elected leaders, we must develop a more synergistic approach to develop comprehensive solutions at every level from legislative initiative in the Capitol to compassionate care on the street.
Local governments cannot do this in isolation. It’s not working. The application of State emergency resources would allow State agencies to join local governments in developing effective policies to address the multi-layered problem of homelessness; affordable housing, emergency shelter, mental health, substance abuse and poverty.
This ongoing struggle of our human condition has reached a critical stage and we must work together on the homeless issue in all public and private sectors for the benefit of our society at large. Public safety must be our top priority - for those living in the condition of homelessness as well as the tax-paying citizens increasingly affected by unsafe and unsanitary repercussions. The people of California deserve our best effort. True leadership is essential in this moment.
Sincerely,
Todd Spitzer, Orange County Supervisor |
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| Active Shooter Response Presentation for Parents |
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| Join Supervisor Todd Spitzer at Canyon High School on March 6 from 6-7:30 PM for an Active Shooter Response Presentation for Parents. For those who cannot attend, Supervisor Todd Spitzer will stream the event live on Facebook. |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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| Supervisor Todd Spitzer Stands with Victims by Paying Respect at Blaze Bernstein Tribute |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer stands with victims and their families against senseless acts of violence. |
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Supervisor Spitzer greeted OCSA students who performed at the Tribute. |
Supervisor Spitzer attended the Blaze It Forward Tribute to Blaze Bernstein at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Sunday, February 25. On January 2, 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein was murdered while home for winter break from the University of Pennsylvania.
A lifelong champion for victims’ rights, including successfully leading the campaign to pass Marsy’s Law, Supervisor Spitzer extended his sympathy to the Bernsteins and applauded their efforts to create a positive movement in Blaze's memory.
“My heart goes out to the Bernstein family for the loss of their son Blaze,” Supervisor Spitzer said following the emotional ceremony. “This family has turned tragedy into a movement to encourage people around the world to ‘Blaze It Forward’.” |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Represented at La Habra State of Community |
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Mayor Tim Shaw gave a fabulous presentation at the newly remodeled City Hall in La Habra. |
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Supervisor Spitzer offered his congratulations to Mayor Tim Shaw for delivering a inspirational speech at the La Habra State of the Community Luncheon. The event was held at the beautiful, newly-remodeled City Hall which was completed last year.
Supervisor Spitzer was represented by his Field Deputy, Al Tello.
A big thanks to the La Habra Chamber of Commerce for organizing the wonderful community event and also for the support from the following sponsors: Kaiser Permanente, Jones & Mayer, CR&R, Northgate Market and St. Jude Medical Center/ St. Joseph Health. |
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| Supervisor Todd Spitzer Congratulates OCFA Honorees |
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OCFA Interim Fire Chief Patrick McIntosh (R) presents an award to one of the honorees at the OCFA Best and Bravest Awards Dinner on February 23. |
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On February 23, Supervisor Spitzer extended his congratulations to all of the honorees of the Orange County Fire Authority’s 10th Annual Best & Bravest Awards Dinner. These brave men and women were recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty to serve the people of Orange County.
Thanks to the members of the Exchange Club for organizing this fabulous event and to CBS 2 News Reporter Michele Gile for announcing each of the awards.
Attendees included Kay Kearney, Carlos Carney, Don Dressler, Dr. Michael Spitzer, Johnny Tai, Tina Javid, Tustin Mayor Al Murray, Cypress Mayor Jon Peat, Mayor Ed Sachs, Councilmembers Dr. Allan Bernstein, Chuck Puckett, Stacy Berry, Fred Minagar, Greg Raths, Dwight Robinson, Scott Voigts, among others |
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| Board of Supervisors Approve Grant Application to Preserve Third District Historic Landmark |
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The Stone House is one of the oldest structures in Orange County. This grant would allow OC Parks and OC Community Resources to preserve the house's second floor. |
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| Historic Landmark
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a grant application by OC Community Resources and OC Parks to the Save America’s Treasures Grand Program to preserve a beloved National Historic Landmark in the Third District. If selected, OC Community Resources and OC Parks would use the requested $500,000 grant funds to stabilize and preserve the upper floor of the Stone House at Arden, the Helena Modjeska House and Gardens. This structure was built prior to 1880 and is one of the oldest structures in Orange County. The Stone House was built by early Orange County settler Joseph Pleasants and was an important support building in the operation of the property under Madame Helena Modjeska’s later ownership. During that time, pioneering environmentalist Theodore Payne lived on the upper floor of the building when he was Arden’s head gardener. |
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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, March 9, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Anaheim Canyon Hills, 400 Scout Trail
Family Storytime
Saturday, March 3, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
East Anaheim Branch Library, 8201 East Santa Ana Canyon Road
Irvine
Orange County Great Park Farmers Market
Sunday, March 7, 10:00 AM — 2:00 PM
Orange County Great Park, 6950 Marine Way
Kitten and Puppy Shower
Saturday, March 10, 12:00 PM — 2:00 PM
Irvine Animal Care Center, 6443 Oak Canyon
Orange
Bilingual Storytime/Cuenta Cuentos
Monday, March 8, 10:30 AM — 11:30 AM
Main Library Community Room, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Put Your Best Face Forward: Lessons in Skin Care for Teens
Wednesday, March 21, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Main Library Community Room, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Family Drop-In Crafts
Saturday, March 3, 11:00 AM — 2:00 PM
Library of the Canyons, 7531 East Santiago Canyon Rd.
Foothill Communities Association Annual Meeting
Monday, March 5, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Events Center at Foothill High School, 19251 Dodge Ave.
Tustin
Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, March 7, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
El Camino Real & W. 3rd St.
Family Sunset Storytime
Wednesday, March 14, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Tustin Library, 345 E. Main Street
Villa Park
Music and Movement Storytime
Thursday, March 8, 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
Teen Snack and Study Session
Tuesday, March 6, 6:00 PM — 8:00 PM
Yorba Linda Public Library, 18181 Imperial Highway
Celebrating the Life of Billy Graham
Friday, March 2, 9:00 AM
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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