Welcome to the inaugural edition of my new Fifth District newsletter!

As your new Supervisor for the Fifth District, I want to thank all my friends, grassroots volunteers and the voters who helped me achieve a big victory in November!

I ran for Supervisor because you need and deserve a strong voice on the Board of Supervisors.

My philosophy about public service is simple - listen to the people you represent and don't be afraid to take a stand.

I learned as one of the early leaders in our successful effort to stop the El Toro airport that dedicated people, working together, can overcome great odds and make a lasting difference for their communities.

As always, my priorities will include protecting the quality of life we enjoy as residents of this great county and making sure your tax dollars are spent wisely.

I look forward to the honor of serving you over the next four years and ensuring that Orange County will indeed have a government "of, by, and for the people".

Warmest regards,

Pat Bates

P.S. Please feel free to contact my office with any comments or questions at (714) 834-3550.

On Tuesday, January 9, I was extremely proud to be administered the Oath of Office by former Orange County Supervisor Marian Bergesen before an audience of hundreds of supporters. To read excerpts of my swearing-in speech, please click here. To view photos of the swearing-in ceremony, please click here.

A well attended public reception was also held prior to the ceremony. To view photos of the reception, please click here.

Following the ceremony, many of my supporters took the opportunity to visit my new office and enjoyed light refreshments with my office staff while I remained in the Board room, conducting the County's business with my fellow supervisors. To view photos of my post-ceremony office reception, please click here.

The Board held its annual election for Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2007. Supervisor Campbell nominated Supervisor Norby to serve as the new Chairman and Supervisor Moorlach to serve as Vice-Chairman. I seconded his nomination and it was unanimously approved. Congratulations to the new Board officers!

My Fifth District staff will consist of:

Patti Gorczyca, Chief of Staff - Ms. Gorczyca served as a senior manager for the County of Orange CEO Office of Finance, leading the County's strategic planning program, managing the County's pension pre-payments, pension and retiree medical actuarial reporting; supporting the retiree medical program down sizing efforts and coordinating the development of the Master Plan of County Facilities. She also served two years as Policy Advisor to Supervisor Chairman Bill Campbell, specializing in the areas of County administration, employee benefits, finance and transportation. Additionally, Patti served twelve years as a financial advisor to national consulting firms, and began her career working fourteen years at the County of Orange as an intern, land planner, and CEO analyst. She received a Bachelors degree in Economics and a Masters in Public Administration and Planning from UCLA and UCI.

Sergio Prince, Executive Director of Public Affairs - As a political consultant, Prince successfully managed a number of high-profile races in Orange County including the victorious campaigns of Pat Bates for Supervisor, Chuck DeVore for State Assembly, and Bill Campbell for Supervisor, respectively. As a longtime resident of the Fifth District, Sergio also served as Special Projects Director for Committee for Safe and Healthy Communities (CSHC) which ran the campaign for the successful passage of Measure W, ending Orange County's long and divisive battle over a proposed commercial airport at the former military base at El Toro.

Eileen Takata, Executive Policy Advisor - Ms. Takata is a watershed planner and landscape architect, formerly with the Watershed & Coastal Resources Division of the Resources & Development Management Department (RDMD) at the County of Orange. Eileen most recently developed the Coyote Creek Watershed Management Plan, facilitated the Newport Bay Watershed Management Committee, coordinated Serrano Creek restoration efforts, and participated in the development of the County's Harbors, Beaches & Parks (HBP) Strategic Plan.

Jeff Corless, Executive Policy Advisor - Mr. Corless brings experience ranging from healthcare management to public affairs. Recently, he served as Director of Public Affairs for a government relations firm and an advisor with a real estate finance firm. Early in his career, he assisted with the management of finances and contracts for a medical practice. Jeff holds a Bachelor's degree in Management and Economics from Loyola Marymount University and will graduate in May from Chapman University with an Executive Masters in Business Administration.

Elise Lampe, Executive Policy Advisor - Ms. Lampe served as Policy Advisor to Supervisor Chris Norby specializing in the Emergency Management Division, Internal Audit Department, Sheriff-Coroner's Department, and the Health Care Agency. She holds a B.A. in Cognitive Neuroscience and Gender Studies from Claremont McKenna College. While attending college, Elise served as a student manager and project manager for the Rose Institute of State & Local Government.

Ruth Strachan, Executive Secretary II - Ms. Strachan served 8 years as Executive Secretary for immediate past Fifth District Supervisor Tom Wilson. Ruth has 17 years of work experience with the County of Orange.

In what is being heralded as a major decision in comprehensive open space and habitat protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week approved a plan which will preserve 32,818 acres of open space in South Orange County.

To read more about the Southern Subregion Habitat Conservation Plan, please click here.

Rating Agency Upgrades Orange County Credit Rating

(Santa Ana, CA)-Standard & Poor's released a report recently which announced that the County's long term credit rating was being upgraded from A+ to AA-. The primary reasons given for the upgrade are the County's strong reserves, reduced liability for the Retiree Medical Grant and the paying down of debt over the past several years.

This move brings Standard & Poor's closer to alignment with other rating agencies. The last upgrade from Standard & Poor's occurred in April 2002. The County's long term rating from Moody's is AA2 and from Fitch the equivalent of AA (Fitch does not assign Issuer ratings).

"We appreciate the confidence that Standard & Poor's has shown in us," said Board Chairman Chris Norby. "Thanks to prudent financial planning and sound fiscal operations, this upgrade will contribute to the future financial well being of Orange County."

• Art Leahy, Executive Director of OCTA, regarding the South Orange County Major Investment Study (referred to as SOC MIS) and received an update on the progress of the 22 Freeway improvements.
• Larry McKenney from the Watershed & Coastal Resources Division and staff regarding the Aliso Creek outlet at Aliso Beach.

Please stay tuned as we will soon be adding new features and more information to our newsletter and website. I hope you will find them useful.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's beautiful Fifth District. Thank you so much for your support!

As always,

Pat