| Board of Supervisors |
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| Welcome to Nelson's E-News! |
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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, November 20, 2018 9:30am in the Hall of Administration – 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701. The agenda may be accessed here.
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 |
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| Board Updates |
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| County of Orange Credit Ratings Upgraded, Bankruptcy Case Closed |
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This week the County of Orange received an upgrade in its Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from Fitch Ratings to AAA and a reaffirmation of its Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) from S&P Global Ratings of AA+. In addition, on November 8, the United States Bankruptcy Court granted the County’s Motion for Order to close the County’s 1994 bankruptcy case.
Credit rating agencies cited Orange County’s growth in property values as well as one the country’s strongest economic base in bestowing its ratings.
In addition, the credit ratings agencies noted the County’s strong management with its sound fiscal management, good financial policies and practices coupled with its strong budgetary performance and budgetary flexibility as factors further solidifying their ratings determinations.
The County of Orange made its final bankruptcy debt recovery payment in July 2017 under its 1996 bankruptcy exit plan. The court agreed to formally close the case this week.
The rating agencies have a bullish outlook on the County’s future given expected continued growth in property tax revenues and its sound strategic planning practices that help address budgetary shortfalls before they occur. |
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| OC Waste & Recycling Announcement |
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| Enjoy an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving this Year: Try these Upcycled Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas |
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The holiday season is upon us and there is always too much to do. Of course we want to make our homes inviting and welcoming by adding holiday cheer. This year instead of buying new decorations, why not try repurposing past holiday goods and common things found around the house? After all, Thanksgiving is about sharing and being grateful, which includes the preservation of Mother Earth for many years to come.
Check out these DIY ideas from our friends at Earth911.com:
- Fall leaf mason jar candle: Turn any empty glass jar into a candle holder. Use a little Mod Podge and stick some fall leaves to make a festive candle holder, your guests will never know that it was free!
- Leaf art: Take an old canvas, poster board, or piece of wood and paint the background (if needed). Then glue on some fall leaves from your yard. Voilà, you’ve just created a fall-inspired piece of art like what you’d find at the home store.
- Thankful napkin rings: Your guests will never know that these were once toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Cut them into one- to two-inch wide rings and stamp a thankful saying on them.
- Refresh your folding chairs: You know those old rusty folding chairs you pull out for the holiday guests? Give them a fresh coat of paint and re-cover the seats.
- Wine bottle lights: Save your wine bottles! Stuff them with a strand of twinkle lights and light them up when your guests arrive. This is super simple and the lights add to a warm and cheery atmosphere.
- Old book pumpkins: Turn that old ratty book on the shelf into a fall-themed pumpkin for your table. We don’t recommend doing this with your good books, but something you’ll never read again will work fine.
- Plastic pumpkin makeover: You know your kids are never going to use that plastic pumpkin again; it’s just going to sit in their room and collect trash. Stuff it with some plastic bags, old newspapers, or T-shirts and wrap it in burlap. Or, if you have an old sweater in fall colors that no one will wear anymore, use that instead of burlap.
- Painted wine bottles: Another use for wine bottles! Paint them in fall colors. Then, paint the words, “Give Thanks,” or some other Thanksgiving saying on them.
- Fall newspaper banner: Decorate your mantle or any wall with a fun fall-themed banner hanging on some jute cord.
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| Fourth District Boards, Committees and Commissions Vacancies |
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The fourth district has several vacancies on our County Commissions. If you or someone that you know would be a good fit to serve on one of our County Commissions, please send your resume to audra.fishel@ocgov.com
- Audit Oversight Committee
- OC Waste Management Commission
- Assessment Appeals Board No.1
- Assessment Appeals Board No.2
- Orange County Visitors Association
- OC Veterans Advisory Council
- OC Mental Health Board
- Senior Citizens Advisory Council
- OC Historical Commission NEW
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| OCTA |
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OCTA Vision Invests $43 Billion in Transportation Future
Long-range plan serves as Orange County’s blueprint for next 20 years and beyond |
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The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved a $43.4 billion plan that will serve as a blueprint for how people move throughout the county for the next two decades and beyond.
OCTA, the county’s transportation planning agency, develops a Long-Range Transportation Plan every four years, taking into consideration changing demographics and anticipated growth in travel demand.
A copy of the plan, called Designing Tomorrow, can be reviewed online at www.octa.net/lrtp.
The plan establishes transportation priorities and analyzes revenue challenges and emerging transportation issues and technologies.
Orange County’s population is expected to grow by 10 percent or by about 311,000 people by 2040, and employment is anticipated to grow by 17 percent – or about 275,000 jobs – over the same time period.
By 2040, it is projected that an additional 1.7 million daily trips will occur in Orange County. That’s a 12 percent increase compared to now. Without the OCTA plan and implementation of the projects, it’s expected that congestion would increase by an estimated 66 percent.
The LRTP identifies projects to improve roadways, public transit and bike paths, while considering evolving technologies such as autonomous vehicles and on-demand ridesharing.
The plan addresses key issues and challenges, such as the high cost of housing, limited land for expansion of freeways and streets, challenging emissions standards and an evolving public transit market.
The Measure M program, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation also known as OC Go, is the centerpiece of long-range planning. The plan includes Measure M projects and looks beyond that at additional needs in all areas of Orange County.
To help shape the plan, OCTA sought and received extensive input from the community including:
- An online survey completed by more than 1,200 people
- A telephone town hall, in which nearly 1,000 participants listened in and asked questions
- A quantitative survey with more than 2,500 people who responded.
Several themes emerged as transportation priorities from that input, including:
- Keeping Orange County moving by continuing to synchronize traffic signals, maintain local roads and improving freeways
- Expanding transit by exploring innovative transit options
- Using a balanced approach to transportation funding by investing across many modes of transportation to help relieve congestion.
The plan will be submitted to the Southern California Association of Governments, where it will serve as Orange County’s input into the Regional Transportation Plan, the guiding document for regional transportation planning in Southern California.
For more information, visit www.octa.net/lrtp. |
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| Cigars for Heroes |
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| Cigars for Heroes Christmas Gifts for Marines Dec 8th |
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You know how you’ve been wondering about how you could send a thank you and Christmas gift to a Marine in Afghanistan.
We got the answer.
Join Supervisor Nelson on Saturday, December 8th, from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. at Vintage Cigars, located at 3734 S. Bristol, Santa Ana, 92704, in the South Coast Plaza/ Metro area, to make a $10 donation or bring a zip lock baggie of cigars to drop in the box.
Your $10 donation goes toward the purchase of cigars or supplies that the Marines can use working combat duties at the Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan.
The idea for the Christmas rally came to Supervisor Nelson when his son, Shane, advised one of his high school buddies, who joined the Marines at 18, was now on his first overseas combat deployment.
The Marine is Ethan Foglesong and is serving his nation and Orange County some 12,000 miles from home in the War on Terror. The gifts will also be part of the 243rd birthday honors of the founding of the United States Marine Corps.
Supervisor Nelson will be meeting drive-up donors while working the canopy on the parking lot of Vintage Cigars, just behind the Bank of America, on Callen’s Commons, just west of Bristol, between Sunflower and MacArthur in south Santa Ana.
Gift ideas that are needed by the Marines include baby wipes for field hygiene, lip balm, hard candy, beef jerky and the very popular Crystal Light powdered mix to add to canteens and cups to kill the taste of stale water.
For more information on how you, your family, church friends, VFW-American Legion, company patriots or Veteran friends can help OC send a nice Christmas box to these Marines thru the Supervisor’s office, please contact Steve.Spernak@ocgov.com or his phone at the Supervisor Nelson’s office at (714) 834-3440. |
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| In the Community |
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| Veterans Day in Fullerton |
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Congratulations to Jeff and Marilyn Harris for all the planning and performance associated with delivering the 31st annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony this week.
Hosting the event with the Fullerton American Legion Post #142, approximately 150 Veterans marshalled at Harbor and Wilshire to prepare for the traditional walk up Harbor Blvd in front of hundreds of residents and families who come out to thank the former military heroes.
Commander Allen Stubblefield, keynote speaker for the memorial at the steps of Hillcrest Park, spoke of the trials of command and brotherhood of the military who committed to service defending this nation.
Supervisor Nelson, joined by Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, was happy to deliver the USA shirts that are donated by Hurley in Costa Mesa and brought to the parade as gifts of appreciation from all residents of OC.
Sincere best wishes and blessings on the Veterans of America as we salute their service and genuine thanks to all of those involved putting on the parade and memorial program in Fullerton ! |
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Councilman Greg Sebourn enjoys the morning with Supervisor Nelson.
Supervisor Nelson was happy to share the donated USA shirts from Hurley with Fullerton Veterans.
Cubscouts salute veterans |
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| Veterans Day at the OC Fairgrounds |
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Congratulations and hugs took place all day at the OC Fairgrounds this past weekend as the Orange County Employees Association delivered their Veterans + Labor –Partners in Service Veterans Day program for 2018.
Directed by OCEA manager Cathy Yatch, the program is years in the making and runs like clockwork in the set-up, sponsors and special events that take place out by the Pacific Amphitheatre.
Supervisor Nelson and his staff, lead by Policy Advisor Steve Spernak, put his outreach and communication booth in place and ready for the Saturday crowds who come by for free cigars, Huey helicopter prints and tee shirts.
Hurley of Costa Mesa was gracious enough to provide a few hundred tee-shirts with the USA logo to the Supervisor’s office and each are handed out to Veterans who come to the booth. The shirts are also handed out at the Harbor Blvd of Heroes event in Fullerton and to directors of the OC Veterans Advisory Council.
Non-perishable food was collected by OCEA staffers to deliver to homeless or former military on hard-times and free food was provided as an act of appreciation to military who walked up to the OCEA BBQ tent.
A perfect day of meeting and thanking heroes from all branches concluded at 3 pm where OCEA and County employees took their traditional ‘team ‘ photo with the OC Battleflag to celebrate the honoring of America’s Bravest at Veterans Day 2018 !! |
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OCEA volunteers take a traditional celebration photo with Supervisor Spitzer and Steve Spernak representing Shawn Nelson.
Policy Advisor Steve Spernak handed out USA shirts donated by Hurley to OC Veterans.
Former OCEA Chairman Nick Berardino and OCVAC Chairman Bobby McDonald celebrate the day with Policy Advisor Steve Spernak. |
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| Chrysalis Ribbon Cutting |
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Supervisor Nelson’s staffer Jim Francis attended a ceremonial ribbon cutting and open house celebration, featuring remarks from County and City Representatives and Chrysalis’ Board Chair.
Chrysalis opened its doors to people living in homelessness in Anaheim and Orange County and helps those living in homelessness by removing barriers to employment.
The new Chrysalis office, located at 290 S. Anaheim Blvd., occupies 8,000 square feet in a city-owned building next to City Hall. The building formerly housed the Anaheim Workforce Development and California's Employment Development Department offices.
Chrysalis will begin serving Anaheim and Orange County clients at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14. |
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Fourth District Staffer Jim Francis and Chairman Andrew Do |
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| Placentia Tamale Festival is set for December 5! |
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Supervisor Nelson is proud to partner with the Placentia Santa Fe Merchants Association and the City of Placentia to bring the you the largest tamale street-festival in OC next month.
Hosted at the Old Town Placentia complex located at the 100-200 blocks of Santa Fe Street, the event kicks off from 4-9 pm on Wednesday, Dec 5th for one of the county’s most amazing nights of fun, food, family and music.
For your convenience, you are welcome to park at the Valencia High School lot at 500 N. Bradford in Placentia and enjoy the convenience of easy transport from 4 to 9 pm.
The night starts with the fresh tamales with rice an bean plates from area businesses and a beer garden makes it all the more fun when sitting at the tables and benches along the main street.
Live music includes the Darden Sisters, Groupo Fenix and the incredible Mariachi Divas who do a magical collage of Christmas songs that end the event and welcome Santa !
All the profits from the food sales go to the scholarship program by the Merchants Associations and this program is supported each year by Supervisor Nelson who brings county info for veterans and candy for the kids.
For more information on this family-fun night, please email ocrosalina@yahoo.com or Steve.Spernak@ocgov.com at Supervisor Nelson’s office ! |
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| Pet of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a larger version. |
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| Events |
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City of Anaheim Events
What: Good Morning Anaheim Breakfast
When: December 7
Where: Innovation High School, 505 N Euild St, Anaheim
Time: 7:30am-9:00am
What: Anaheim Chamber Leads Lunch
When: December 12
Where: Highway 39 Event Center, 1563 S St College Blvd, Anaheim
Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
City of Brea Events
What: City Council Meeting
When: November 20
Where: 1 Civic Center Circle Plaza Level, Brea
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
What: Lead$ Lunch
When: November 21
Where: Embassy Suites, 900 E Birch St, Brea
Time: 11:45am-1:15pm
City of Buena Park Events
What: Buena Park Youth Theatre: Bye Bye Birde
When: November 17
Where: Sunny Hills High School Arts Complex, 1801 Lancerway, Fullerton
Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm
What: Cultural & Fine Arts Commission Meeting
When: November 21
Where: Buena Park City Hall, 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
Time: 7:00pm
City of Fullerton Events
What: Soroptimist International of Fullerton Luncheon
When: November 19
Where: The Old Spaghetti Factory, 110 E Santa Fe Ave, Fullerton
Time: 11:45am-1:00pm
What: City of Fullerton-Annual Flu Clinic & Mini-Craft & Resource Fair
When: November 25
Where: Fullerton Community Center, 340 W Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
City of La Habra Events
What: Tamale Contest at the Tamale Festival
When: November 25
Where: La Habra City Hall, 110 E La Habra Blvd, La Habra
Time: 11:30am-2:00pm
What: Connectup at Corner Bakery-La Habra Chamber of Commerce
When: November 29
Where: Corner Bakery, 1040 W Imperial Hwy, La Habra
Time: 8:00am-8:00am
City of Placentia Events
What: Certified Farmers Market
When: November 20
Where: SW Corner of Yorba Linda & Kraemer Blvds, Placentia
Time: 4:00pm-8:00pm
What: Comedy Show
When: November 30
Where: 230 S Bradford, Placentia
Time: 7:30pm-11:30pm
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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. |
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Denis Bilodeau
Chief of Staff
George Cardenas
Policy Advisor
Audra Fishel
Policy Advisor /
Communications Director
Steve Spernak
Policy Advisor
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