Selecting the Next Sheriff

On Tuesday, my Board colleagues and I continued our discussion regarding next steps in the selection process for filling the vacancy for the office of Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. We agreed to conduct a straw vote on each candidate in the order in which they were interviewed. The goal was to narrow the pool of candidates to three finalists. Each candidate had to receive 3 votes in order to move onto the next round.

After voting on each candidate, the results left us with two finalists – Sandra Huthens, former Division Chief, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department; and Paul Walters, Chief of Police for the City of Santa Ana. The majority of the Board agreed to continue the item for final discussion and selection following the completion of Police Officer Standards & Training (POST) Background Investigations as required by law. Upon its completion, the Board expects to move forward with its final decision.

Regional Recreation Trails Advisory Committee

On the recommendation of OC Parks staff, the Board of Supervisors agreed to extend the Regional Recreational Trails Advisory Committee (RRTAC) for one additional year. During the next year, Committee members and OC Parks staff will examine RRTAC’s purpose and develop performance objectives to measure its effectiveness.

I am a firm believer that any Board-established committee or commission should clearly understand its purpose and be accountable for its results. County staff will also be seeking feedback and guidance from OCTA and the Orange County League of Cities to determine if there is an opportunity for this committee to assist them in their respective endeavors. Staff will keep the Board informed of its progress throughout the year and I will be sure to report that to you.

Increased Recycling Opportunities for South County

I am pleased to report that my Board colleagues joined me to approve the selection of CR&R to begin negotiations for implementation of a material recovery facility to enhance recycling opportunities at the Prima Deshecha landfill. CR&R’s proposal was selected for its innovative and community friendly approach, providing little or no increased traffic going to or coming from the County landfill. CR&R’s proposal outlined a process that would utilize existing trucks disposing of waste collected curbside, and filling them with recyclable materials before leaving the landfill. This means trucks coming to the landfill full would be the same trucks leaving full from the landfill.

I applaud the two other Orange County firms who competed for this contract – Rainbow Disposal and Tierra Verde Industries – for their efforts to help the County and many of its Cities meet increasing state mandates for recycling. I look forward to the conclusion of negotiations with CR&R and the facility opening its doors.

Goodwill Continues Improving Lives

The Board approved an increase for Goodwill services using Mental Health Services Act Funding. Each year, Goodwill helps over 100 people gain work experience and to get their lives back on track. To illustrate this point, I’d like to share a story about a South County resident named Andrew.

Andrew “Andy” C. came to the Employment WORKS office with his referral stating “Homeless” and only a cell phone number for contact information. As fortune would have it, contact with Andy took place immediately and he was enrolled into the Employment WORKS Program for job placement.

At the time of enrollment, Andy was living in a temporary shelter in Anaheim with no clothing available to make a proper presentation for an interview. Because of his large size (4X), finding clothing was a premium coupled with a disheveled appearance. Employment WORKS satisfied many of this client’s pressing needs by providing him with professional clothing as well as a hygiene kit for a fresh appearance. The only thing he needed now was a job!

Complicating matters, Andy had pending legal issues regarding child support and was told by a family court judge that securing a job was imperative or else he was headed for jail! The job developing staff at Employment WORKS was able to help Andy secure a fulltime job with benefits only a few weeks after his enrollment in the program. He is now serving as a “Donation Center Attendant” in Mission Viejo.

Andy’s employment with Goodwill of Orange County afforded him the opportunity to move from a shelter in Anaheim to an apartment in South County with his mother. Additionally, the physical nature of his job has helped relieve many health-related problems brought on by his excessive weight. To date, Andy has lost 60 pounds and continues on the path of improving his health.

Recently, Andy was recognized for successfully reaching the Employment WORKS program’s job retention goal. Andy continues to work hard and provide for his family.

Successful Wraparound Program Continues

Prior to Wraparound OC implementation in 2001, there were nearly 800 dependent youth and 220 probation wards residing in residential care. Since then, there has been an 80% reduction in dependent youth and 69% reduction in probation wards. This reduction reflects a substantial cost savings for the County and a better quality of life for youth touched by the Wraparound program.

Making Peer Court Effective for Juveniles

The Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Orange County Youth & Family Services for the Parent Empowerment Program brought into Orange County’s Juvenile Court System to address problems of chronic truancy, drug and alcohol use in our schools.

Probation has utilized Juvenile “Peer” Court since the mid 1990's as a successful pre-Juvenile Court sanction for juvenile offenders committing less serious offenses. The Parent Empowerment Program is a key element for strengthening the family unit to ensure a stable environment once juveniles return home.

Each year, 200 to 225 youth are placed on Peer Court Informal Probation. Results indicate approximately 9 out of 10 youth successfully complete their Peer Court sanctions within a three to six month informal probation period without committing further violations. In 2006-2007, 222 juveniles exited the Peer Court program with 89% of them not recidivating.

Continuing Improvements in our Jails

Several months ago, Acting Sheriff Jack Anderson sought an emergency declaration to bypass the lengthy procurement process in securing contractors to immediately begin making physical and technological improvements to the Theo Lacy facility, including a comprehensive CCTV video surveillance system and tearing down walls that create blind spots. These projects continue to move forward as the work has been implemented. For more information, please click here.

Audit of Deputy Sheriffs Medical Trust

As part of a 2007 Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Orange and the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS), the Association agreed to annual independent audits of the AOCDS Medical Trust. The independent audit will help ensure the highest degree of transparency and accountability for funding going into the Medical Trust. The audit is anticipated to be complete in October, 2008.

Orange County: TSUNAMIREADY®

On Tuesday, my Board colleagues and I passed a resolution recognizing the Orange County Operational Area Coastal Areas, which includes the County of Orange and our coastal cities, as the first complete region to become TsunamiReady®. To obtain status as a TsunamiReady® community, jurisdictions must provide and show compliance by demonstrating the ability to receive National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Information, disseminate a tsunami warning to the local populations, have an established warning point and emergency operations center, a community education tsunami readiness program, designated tsunami hazard zones, and evacuation and response plans.

The County of Orange is proud to be the first to have 100% completion for all coastal entities as TsunamiReady® in California. To view the Board resolution, please click here.

Pat Krone – OC Human Relations Commission

On June 3, I was to present a Board resolution to Pat Krone, my appointee on the OC Human Relations Commission, in honor of her thirty years of dedicated service to the Commission. Pat’s daughter, Keri Krone Comer, and family members were present to receive the resolution in her place at the June 3 Board meeting, as Pat had passed away on Monday the previous week, after a long struggle with the effects of post polio syndrome.

Pat was very active until her death. She and her best friend, loving husband and constant companion, Clark King, were vacationing in Cabo San Lucas just days before she passed away. She was the longest serving Commissioner in the history of the OC Human Relations Commission. She was 75 years old.

I had reappointed Pat Krone to serve as Commissioner after taking office as 5th District Supervisor last year. She was originally appointed to the Commission by General Tom Riley. As a Commissioner, Pat was very interested in issues of disabilities and was instrumental in the creation of an all-day Symposium on Disabilities that drew more than 250 participants. She was also passionate about domestic violence issues and supported every effort of the Commission to build a vision of Orange County where all people are included and valued, and could live free from hate, violence and discrimination.

“Mom was always passionate about fostering mutual understanding among peoples of different backgrounds. She modeled and advocated an appreciation for all cultures,” said her daughter, Keri Comer.

During her service as a Commissioner, Pat also founded the Orange County Minority Business Council to increase understanding among all business owners and made a special effort to include Black, Hispanic, Vietnamese and Korean business communities.

“Pat was family. She gave from the heart. She invested her emotion in her service. She felt the pain and suffering of injustice against others; and she stood to speak out against it. What more can a human being do.” said Rusty Kennedy, OC Human Relations Executive Director.

Our June 3 Board of Supervisors meeting was adjourned in Pat’s memory. She will be sorely missed.

South Orange County Major Investment Study

The South Orange County Major Investment Study (SOCMIS) Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) met last week and was presented with the technical recommendation for a draft Locally Preferred Strategy (LPS). The Committee was asked to provide feedback on the draft LPS but was not asked to vote. Staff will be making rounds of City Council presentations to ensure study area Cities are aware of the progress and provided an opportunity for input prior to the PAC making their recommendation.

The PAC will meet again in July to vote on sending the draft LPS to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board for consideration. If Committee members vote to move the recommendation forward, it is anticipated that it will be brought to the OCTA Board in late summer/early fall. To view the staff presentation to the PAC, please click here. To see the draft LPS recommendation, please click here.

OC Dana Point Harbor Boater Focus Group

OC Dana Point Harbor (DPH) Department will be scheduling a focus group meeting to discuss channel encroachment, dock maintenance, and upcoming projects. If you're interested in participating, please click here. Upon completing the form provided, OC DPH staff will contact you with further details and instructions. Thank you for your interest in the OC DPH Boater Focus Group.

SummerREAD for Children

The 2008 SummerREAD (summer reading program), “Catch the Reading Bug”, is coming to the Mission Viejo Library, June 21 to August 2. Studies prove that children who read or are read to over their summer vacation retain their literacy skills and are able to return to school in the Fall ready to move on to new learning opportunities. The Mission Viejo Library SummerREAD is a great chance to motivate children to read or be read to while having fun over the summer. For more information, please click here.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

On July 2, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County will frame the first eight homes on a 2.7 acre site in San Juan Capistrano approved for 27 Habitat homes (13 duplexes and one single family home). The development will eventually include 27 homes, 14 of which are being marketed to disabled veterans or their surviving families. The families selected for the first eight homes, including two military families, will be on site to begin work on their homes and greet all supporters. A brief program and lunch will follow the wall-raising. The event is invitation only and reservations are required. For more information, please click here.

Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Programs

Public input to help shape programs and services offering early assistance to those with mental health problems will be sought at a series of “Speak Up” focus group forums in Orange County during the month of June. Community members will be asked to share their ideas about what is needed in their communities to prevent and intervene early in mental illness. For more information, please click here.

Focus group sessions will be held at four Orange County locations, including:

• Saturday, June 21, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Western Youth Services, 23461 South Pointe Drive, Laguna Hills
  
  

2008 Primary Election Update

As of today, the Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV) has processed nearly all of the vote-by-mail ballots received on Election Day in the mail and in the polls. Today the ROV will finalize the examination of the rosters and move to process provisional ballots on Monday. They have 5,400 provisional ballots to count throughout the County.

Special congratulations to my Board colleagues, Supervisor Campbell and Supervisor Nguyen, on their victorious bids for reelection! To view the June 3 election results in Orange County, please click here.

Fire Season is a Year-Round Event

With the hot summer months nearly upon us, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is urging residents to be aware of fire dangers all around them. As fire season never officially ends, OCFA is reminding community members that the unincorporated County territory is still closed to the public until adequate rainfall reduces the fire hazard.

People visiting wildland areas should be aware that smoking is prohibited and discharging fireworks is illegal. Please keep all matches and lighters away from children to prevent misuse of these tools. Signs will be posted in the affected areas. For more information, please click here.

Guided Hikes in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

Explore the trails and learn about the flora, fauna, geology and history of Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists and OC Parks staff! Below are a few of the opportunities that are being offered. For more information, please click here.

• Saturday, June 7
  How Plants Cope with the Long Hot Summer
  9 a.m.-noon
  Join Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Len Gardner and Norris Tomlinson as they unravel the mystery of adaptation in the Coastal Sage Scrub plant community on this moderate, 3.5-mile hike. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (east side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, just north of 73 Toll Road). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  
• Thursday, June 12
  Fitness Hike
  9-11 a.m.
  Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 3.5-mile hike with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist Helen Flanagan. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Canyon Staging Area (20101 Laguna Canyon Road, just south of El Toro Road intersection). Reservations suggested: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  
• Saturday, June 14
  Native Plant Hike
  8-11:30 a.m.
  Learn to identify native bloomers with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalists Lois Taylor and Bette Lee on this moderate, 2.5-mile hike of Stagecoach trail. Meet at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Reservations required: 949-923-2235. Parking: $3.
  
  

Events and Programs at OC Parks

To see a list of events and programs being offered in the month of June at OC Parks throughout the 5th District, please click here.

San Clemente Beach Concert Series

Join the community to celebrate and support live music with the sunset as your backdrop and free seating in the sand. Concerts are from 6 PM to sunset, on the beach, north of the San Clemente Pier. Friday, June 6: San Clemente High School Jazz Band and the Shorecliff's Jazz Band. For more information, please click here.

San Juan Capistrano Flower & Garden Show

Each June for the past 13 years, Mission San Juan Capistrano has presented its annual Flower & Garden Show. This popular event held on the lush ten-acre grounds of historic Mission San Juan Capistrano features over sixty vendors/exhibitors of flowers, plants, and gardening items. Music, live demonstrations and food round out the day, so even non-gardeners will appreciate this event on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. For more information, please click here.

13th Annual San Clemente Car Show

The 13th Annual San Clemente Car Show is put on by the Downtown Business Association. Admission and parking is free. Enjoy entertainment, food and over 300 cars on display. Sunday, June 8, 10 AM – 3 PM, Avenida Del Mar. For more information, please click here.

• Attended a Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony to present a Certificate of Recognition in honor of the grand opening of Inside-Out Home & Garden in Laguna Beach.
• Gathered information in preparation for next week’s Budget Hearings.