NELSON TEAM
Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff

Audra Adams
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director

Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor

David Zenger
Policy Advisor

Scott Carpenter
Policy Advisor

Mark Lopez
Executive Aide

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Welcome to Nelson’s E-News!

Dear Friends,

When the Board met on Tuesday, April 5, it passed an ordinance that I collaborated on with the District Attorney to keep our County parks safe by prohibiting individuals found guilty of perpetuating offenses against children from being on park premises. The April 5 meeting was the second reading of an ordinance that I originally introduced at our March 22 Board meeting. After minor changes, I appreciate having my colleagues’ unanimous support on this important measure to safeguard our community’s most vulnerable members.

As you may remember, I first mentioned bringing this ordinance before the Board at our February 1 meeting as one of my principal 2011 goals. However, this is an effort I originally began in Fullerton to keep the city parks there clear of offenders when I served on the city council and I am proud to see this similar attempt come to fruition at the County level. Beginning next month, this important ordinance will play a crucial role in deterring convicts who have previously preyed on children from being in places where children regularly congregate.

Not surprisingly, this ordinance has gained widespread attention. For your convenience, I have included several links to local and national news sources covering the measure below.

Of course, my submission was not the only item on last Tuesday’s agenda. I have also included a few other select items that impact the Fourth District and Orange County, along with some elaboration on them and justification for my votes.

On the subject of district significance, there were numerous events that I was able to attend recently, including a Buena Park Rotary luncheon and a tour of part of the open space that The Irvine Company donated to the County of Orange last year.

If you are looking forward to enjoying some Fourth District happenings soon, please find a listing of some exciting upcoming events at the end of this newsletter. I will also have a booth at the La Habra Citrus Festival next weekend passing out valuable County information. Please stop by and say hello while you are there!

Sincerely,
Shawn Nelson.

On April 5th the Board considered the second reading of Supervisor Nelson’s proposed ordinance to prohibit registered sexual offenders from entering County parks and harbor facilities where children are likely to be present.

The ordinance was approved unanimously and will go into effect in 30 days.

On April 5, 2011 the Board of Supervisors approved contributions to two projects selected by Shawn Nelson to receive unspent funds previously allocated to 4th District park and recreation projects.

The Edwin T. Powell Building/Cathy Torrez Learning Center in Placentia will receive $10,999; a wetlands project at Laguna Lake Park in Fullerton will receive $8,717.

The City of Placentia is renovating their old library to serve as a Senior Center; part of that project, the Cathy Torrez Learning Center will receive funds toward the purchase of computer equipment and a commercial refrigerator that will serve both senior and school age programs.


Laguna Lake Park will receive funds to support a floating wetlands project that will remove pollutants and provide riparian habitat and erosion control for the lake.

These final allocations bring to a close the 4th District’s discretionary projects funding since the program has been discontinued.

In an effort to sequester funds in the face of possible redirection as proposed by Governor Brown, the Board of Supervisors, acting as the Orange County Development Agency, voted 4-1 to approve a list of proposed projects and their estimated costs.

Supervisor Nelson voted against this proposal since it included making unsubstantiated findings that the redevelopment agency provided the only source of funding for the listed projects, and that the projects constituted removal of blight.

Part of the proposal included redirecting housing set-aside funds from the Santa Ana Height redevelopment area to pay for $315,000,000 of affordable housing in Ranch Mission Viejo over the years.

This 2-mile hike will lead to Carbon Canyon's prized Redwood Grove. Carbon Canyon is the only park in Orange County to have a grove of over 200 Redwoods. The hike will be led by a Park Naturalist and Storyteller who will point out clues on the trail for sighting wildlife, as well as bring education to the forefront. She enjoys teaching on a child's level, so please bring the kids as they will enjoy this event and everyone will come away being inspired to help preserve our natural habitats.

Event Fee: Free
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle
Age: All Ages

Carbon Canyon Regional Park
4442 Carbon Canyon Road
Brea, CA 92823
(714) 973-3160 or (714) 973-3162

• Max Wehner – Fullerton resident who opened his first ever art exhibit at the age of 12.
• South Junior High School – Placed as a finalist in the 2011 Governor’s Challenge for Fitness.
• Western High School - Placed as a finalist in the 2011 Governor’s Challenge for Fitness.
• Krista Smith – Miss La Habra 2011
• Aleen Khamo, Asucena Mora, Amaris Valeriano, Janelle Walker – Princesses in La Habra Court
• Boys and Girls Club of Brea - Placentia-Yorba Linda – Grand Opening
• Richard Porras – Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Silver Award
• Manny Padilla - Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lifetime Achievement Award
• Verizon Wireless Latino Small Business Program - Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Corporate Responsibility Award
• Snyder Insurance Agency, Farmers Insurance Agency/International Business ING - Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Award
• Santa Ana College Art Gallery Program - Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Education Award
• CHOC Children’s Breathmobile - Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Community Service Award
• Carlos Muniz, My Design 2 Print - Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador of the Year Award
• Araceli Gonzales – New Executive Director for Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Lt. Lorraine Jones, retired Cpl. Karen Lindsey-MacDonald, Officer Maureen Flynn - Becerra, former Councilwoman Pam Keller, retired firefighter Corrie Allen – 2011 Women In Service Award

• Waste Management Commission