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Chairman Shawn Nelson - 4th District Update
In This Issue
orange arrow Board Updates
orange arrow OCTA
orange arrow In The Community
orange arrow Goodbye to a friend
orange arrow County Commissions and Committees
orange arrow OC Animal Care
orange arrow Events
February 24, 2017
Volume 8 Issue 4
Board of Supervisors
Welcome to Nelson's E-News!
Thank you for reading this edition of my newsletter. I hope you find the information below very helpful. As always, I appreciate and look forward to your feedback.

The next board meeting will be Tuesday, February 28th at 9:30am in the Hall of Administration – 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701.

Please see photos and descriptions below of some of the events our office attended in the community this week. If you were unable to attend, there are other events listed at the end of this newsletter.

Sincerely,
Shawn Nelson
 
 
 
Board Updates
Board Fills Final Vacancy on OCERS Board
Last week, the Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Shawn Dewane to a three-year term on the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) Board of Retirement. Mr. Dewane replaces Thomas E. Flanigan, who had been a member since October 21, 2008.

Mr. Dewane earned a B.S. in Business Management from Arizona State University and his MBA from Pepperdine University. Since 2004, he has been an Investment Management Consultant on matters of investment planning, estate planning and tax planning. In addition, he has served as an elected member of the Mesa Water District since 2005 and the Orange County Water District since 2010. His term will expire December 31, 2019.

The OCERS Board of Retirement is a group of ten trustees charged with ensuring the delivery of retirement and disability benefits to its members. Of the ten members, four are appointed by the Board of Supervisors; four (including the Safety alternate) are elected by OCERS’ active members. One is elected by the retired membership. The County Treasurer serves as an ex-officio member. Board members serve three-year terms, with the exception of the Treasurer, who serves during his or her tenure in office.

Two weeks ago, the Board of Supervisors reappointed Charles Packard and David L. Ball to three-year terms concurrent with that of Mr. Dewane.

For more information on OCERS, please visit www.ocers.org.
 

Supervisor Nelson at the Board Meeting
 
 
OCTA Update
OCTA Logo

 
OCTA Expands Bus Fleet Adding Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
Recently, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors authorized the purchase of 10 alternative fuel buses following the award of grant funds from the California Air Resources Board and Southern California Air Quality Management District.

In late 2016, OCTA joined a consortium of agencies that included The Center for Transportation and the Environment and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District for the purchase of fuel cell buses. The new funds will also be used to construct a liquid hydrogen fueling station and modification of existing maintenance facilities to accommodate the new buses service requirements. This project supports furthering fuel cell technology and understanding the challenges and benefits of using this technology in transit fleet operations. As part of the program the consortium will have the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) collect data and evaluate the performance of the OCTA bus.

Please click here for the fuel cell information.
 
 
In the Community
Supervisor Honors OC Firefighters
Supervisor Shawn Nelson was honored to recognize the finest in professional firefighting in Orange County at the 9th annual Best and Bravest Awards hosted at the Irvine Marriot. The event is organized to recognize exceptional firefighting professionals with the Orange County Fire Authority.

The County commendations for heroism, professional staff, Managers of the Year and both the Career and Reserve Firefighters of the Year were delivered by Policy Advisor Steve Spernak who represented the Board of Supervisors that evening.

In addition to the 35 formal awards, a special honor was delivered by the Professional Firefighters to 9 year old Rylen Jones. On June 12th, 2016, Rylen discovered his grandmother had collapsed and was in need of immediate assistance. Rylen called 9-1-1 and began cardiac compressions on his “Nana” until dispatchers answered his call for help. In all the panic and on-going rescue, he forgot the house numbers but was able to give the street and description of the house to Dispatch. Running outside when the Paramedics arrived, he directed Medics to the residence who saved his Grandmother with a run to the hospital and immediate intensive care for the cardiac crisis.

For his incredible poise and the courage to initiate CPR in a decisive lifesaving rescue, Jaylen will be/was given the Profiles in Courage Award by Supervisor Nelson.

The evening ended with a tearful salute to two Fire Authority heroes who passed this year in Firefighter Ron Castro and Fire Captain Eric Weuve. Our prayers and blessings on them and their families and the world-wide brotherhood of the Fire Services who risk their lives daily to protect and serve.
 

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak with Mission Viejo Mayor Wendy Buckman at OCPFFA Awards
 
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Heroes Hall Dedication
Supervisor Nelson delivered a very special congratulations and best wishes to the OCEA team members, volunteers and donors who worked to put together one of the most incredible military museums in California with the dedication/ grand-opening last week at the OC Fairgrounds.

Founded on the 1300 acres of the former Santa Ana Army Air Base that trained some 150,000 cadets and pilots for WWII, the new facility is a monument to the bravery and courage of troops that fought for our freedoms across the globe.

The downstairs exhibit features “The Things They Carried” which is a remarkable presentation of weapons and gear actually carried in war by American military. The upstairs display is militaria from the inception of the air base in 1942.

The museum is open with free admission for children and teachers. Veterans such as Museum Director Nick Berardino, a Marine machine-gunner from Viet Nam, give explanations on how the equipment was used and answers questions from personal experiences.

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivered best wishes from the Supervisor. As the event closed guests were treated to a sunset on the new Medal of Honor courtyard that honors those that made the greatest sacrifice.

The Walk of Honor is a semi-circle of monuments and plaques that describe the heroism of all the armed forces members from OC that were awarded the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, DSC, Air Force Cross and other commendations for gallantry in combat.

Bobby McDonald, chairman of the OC Veterans Advisory Council, attended and advised work is in progress to honor the 81 Marines and Airmen who perished in a crash on Loma Ridge on their flight to Viet Nam from the El Toro Marine Base. The names will be enshrined among the heroes of their generation and surviving families will attend to celebrate their sacrifices.

For more information on the Heroes Hall, please go to www.ocfair.com/heroeshall
 

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak celebrated the grand opening of Heroes Hall with Nick Berardino and Bobby McDonald.
 
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New Day Psychotherapy Group
We are pleased to welcome the New Day Psychotherapy Group in Brea to the Fourth District. Jesus Nodarse from my office joined the members of New Day Psychotherapy for their Grand Opening earlier this week. New Day is an independent mental health group who provides individual, couples and family counseling and work with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, academic, and professional issues.

I wish New Day the greatest success in their newest location in Brea.
 

Fourth District Aide Jesus Nodarse presents New Day Psychotherapy Group employees with certificate of recognition
 
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La Habra Dedicates the Steve Anderson Water Facility
Supervisor Nelson was proud to partner with the city of La Habra this week in the renaming dedication ceremony for the La Bonita Park water facility to the new Steve Anderson Water Facility.

Hosted at the water facility building on Idaho near La Habra High School, the renaming was inspired by the lifetime of civic and community contributions made by Steve Anderson.

Anderson was both a Councilmember and Mayor and dedicated his public service to providing clean, safe and inexpensive water, public safety and mentoring and inspiring youth to college or careers.

His public service legacy was evident at the ceremony, attended by Nelson Aide Jim Francis and Councilmember Tim Shaw, with the presence of Josie Anderson, a longtime La Habra city employee, and her son, an Anaheim Motor Officer.

Congratulations to the Anderson family with this nice remembrance of their husband and father and by the city for memorializing his lifetime of contributions to La Habra residents.
 

District Aide Jim Francis (center) presented the Anderson family with a memorial cert this week.
 
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Leadership Academy at North OC Chamber
The North Orange County Chamber of Commerce hosts a professional development program entitled Leadership NOC to teach, mentor and inspire community leaders in all calls of professional life, business or community service.

Last week, NOCCC Director Derek Kirk hosted the Government Day version of instruction where representatives and office staff, as well as Mayors from neighboring cities, give ideas and tactics on being more influential in business, education, and/or non-profits.

For Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, the focus was on a multitude of disciplines he uses to communicate public administration and the politics of running a County of 3.2 million residents with a $5.3 billion dollar budget with Supervisor Nelson’s office.

Spernak has run the community outreach, civic communications, chambers of commerce agendas, public safety awards, special projects and event management for Supervisor Nelson since 2010 with over 125 annual appearances in six cities.

The Supervisor’s mission with that effort “on the street“ is access to his office for information and answers to issues concerning county government. The goal is to provide assistance in real-time by a staff member face-to-face. It’s an innovative mission to take government to the people.
 

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak mentored students at North OC Chamber of Commerce
 
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Supervisor Honors YMCA
Supervisor Nelson partnered with the YMCA of North Orange County to honor 4 outstanding heroes in community service, medical enterprise and youth mentoring who were distinguished guests at the Chocolate Fantasy VIP night hosted at the Los Coyotes Country Club.

Braving torrential rains Policy Advisor Steve Spernak delivered community service commendations from Supervisor Nelson to Vice President Kris Hanna who helped with the presentations that night.

Featured honorees included:

Paulette Marshall: an attorney serving in Fullerton who is active with the MAMM Alliance for the Performing Arts along with mentoring active volunteers with non-profits who received the prestigious 2017 Woman of the Year Award.

Andrew Carroll: an accountant in Fullerton who is very active with Crittenton Services on their Board of Directors and being a role model in the County for philanthropic enterprises and helping young people. Andrew was the 2017 Man of the Year.

Amee Laxpati: the COO of Alinea medical imaging who, along with her husband, Dr. Monish Laxpati, work on operations, marketing and design for the breast health community. Amee was selected as the 2017 Business Woman of the Year.

Dr. Barbara Hernandez: a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and serves on the California Statewide Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Action Group is recognized for her work with youth coping with the aftermath of sex trafficking. Dr. Hernandez received the Women Advocate of the Year Award.

For more information on how you can be involved with the YMCA of North Orange County, please contact Kris Hanna at kriswift@aol.com or go to www.YMCAofNorthOrangeCounty

Sincere congratulations and blessings on these fantastic servant-leaders and volunteers who contribute their time and talents to the residents of Orange County!!
 

YMCA VP Kris Hanna accepts awards for 2017 honorees from Policy Advisor Steve Spernak
 
 
Goodbye to a friend
 
OC Says Goodbye to SSgt Mary Janet Hicks

 
Orange County residents, military veterans, civic leaders and family and friends said goodbye to one of the most incredible members of the “Greatest Generation” at last Sunday's memorial for Mary Janet Hicks.

Mary lived a life right out of a Hemingway novel from early childhood to college then joining the US Army where she was one of the new WAC's program for women warriors.

Her astute measure for numbers-science-history and focused discipline to get things done secured her an assignment as an Intelligence Specialist with the top-secret Manhattan Project that helped end WWI.

Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, speaking for Supervisor Nelson and the entire Board, as well as the 3.2 million OC residents, was honored to deliver a County commendation to the family honoring Mary's military service that saved hundreds of thousands of troops, Marines, Airmen and sailors predicted to be lost with a mainland invasion of Japan in 1945.

Spernak thanked the Hicks-Swift family and closed the celebration of life with these remarks: "the people of the United States, many here today who survived the war, can never thank her enough for the lives and loves she saved when her work forced Japan to surrender."

Staff Sgt Mary Hicks was interred with full military honors at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park in Anaheim. She was 103 years old.

To send condolences, photos or memories to Mayor Beth Swift (Hicks) please direct same to their residence at 6832 Brenner Ave., Buena Park, 90621. Godspeed and God Bless, Mary Hicks, Unites States Army.
 
 
County Commissions and Committees
The Fourth District has vacant appointments on the following commissions or committees:

  • Orange County Visitors Association
  • Senior Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Assessment Appeals Board No.1
If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please call Audra Fishel at (714) 834-3440.
 
 
OC Animal Care
 
OC Animal Care Pet of the Week
Click on the image above to view a larger version.

OC Animal Care Pet of the Week
Click on the image above to view a larger version.
 
 
Events
 

Click on the image above to view a larger version.
 
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City of Anaheim Events

What: Become a Farmers Agency Owner - Learn How!
When: February 28, 2017
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: 5101 E La Palma Ave Suite 104, Anaheim, CA 92807

What: Good Morning Anaheim Breakfast
When: March 3, 2017
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: 1320 N Tustin Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807

City of Brea Events

What: Boost your Business
When: February 24, 2017
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Brea Conference Room, 1 Civic Center Circle Floor 2, Brea CA 92821

What: Tri-City Park Compost Day
When: February 25, 2017
Time: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: 2301 N. Kraemer Boulevard, Placentia

City of Buena Park Events

What: City Council Meeting
When: February 28, 2017
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park CA 90621

What: Buena Park Youth Theater Auditions
When: March 4, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: 6688 Beach Blvd , Buena Park CA 90621

City of Fullerton Events

What: Fullerton Homeless Collaborative Meeting
When: March 1, 2017
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: 701 S. Lemon in Fullerton-Located in Lemon Park behind Maple School

What: Annual Heart Walk
When: March 3, 2017
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Downtown Fullerton

City of La Habra Events

What: Grand Re-Opening/Open House
When: March 1, 2017
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: The Barnett Center 501 S Idaho Street Suite 330

What: Annual Home Improvement Event
When: March 4, 2017
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: 710 S. Beach Blvd., La Habra (corner of Beach and Lambert ) CA

City of Placentia Events

What: Sunset Social
When: March 2, 2017
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: 201 W. Santa Fe Avenue Placentia CA

What: Placentia Library Friends Foundation Author's Luncheon
When: March 4, 2017
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: 777 Alta Vista Placentia CA

 
 
For questions or comments regarding Nelson’s E-News
please contact the Supervisor's office staff:
Audra Fishel – Phone: (714) 834-3440, Email: Audra.Fishel@ocgov.com.
Nelson Team
Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff

Mark Lopez
Deputy Chief of Staff

George Cardenas
Policy Advisor

Audra Fishel
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director

Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor

Natalie Wieckert
Policy Advisor
 
 
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