Food from the Heart

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting, I was pleased to present Certificates of Recognition to representatives of the top three County agencies that collected the most food in the 2007-08 County of Orange Employees “Food from the Heart” Food Drive. I also recognized the County Homeless Coordinator and representatives from the County Executive Office who played an indispensible role in the success of this very worthy cause. For more information about the Food Drive and our hard-working County volunteers, please click here. To view a photo of the Board presentation, please click here.

Coalition of Orange County Community Clinics Funding

The Board received much public comment and engaged in spirited discussion regarding the provision of health and sex-education curricula that is funded by State Tobacco Settlement Revenue and provided by community clinics with whom the County contracts. The Board voted to suspend a portion of the contract pending a review of the curricula offered through this funding. I appreciate all the input from the public on this important issue and will continue to review the feedback I receive while this matter is under review.

OC Fair Equestrian Center

I am pleased to report that the Board unanimously passed a resolution supporting the preservation of the equestrian facilities at Orange County Fairgrounds. The resolution came about in response to a recent proposal by the OC Fair Board to permanently remove the Equestrian Center located at the Fairgrounds to make room for another parking lot. As a Supervisor representing a very large equestrian community in my district, I understand the concerns regarding the ever-increasing shortage of boarding and training facilities throughout Orange County and the need to maintain this much needed resource for horses and horse lovers. To view the resolution, please click here.

Public Presentation on San Juan Creek and Trabuco Creek Channel Levee Protection Project

On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, the Board of Supervisors is expected to review a request for approval of the upcoming San Juan Creek and Trabuco Creek Channel Levee Protection Project (Phases II and III). Such Board approval will authorize submittal of project plans to the City of San Juan Capistrano for its approval as well as authorize OC Public Works to advertise the project for bids. While OC Public Works always notifies residents of upcoming projects who live near the project site, it also holds public meetings for those projects that have significant impacts to communities. As such, a public presentation has been scheduled for March 31, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the City of San Juan Capistrano’s Community Center Conference Room where interested citizens and other stakeholders can learn more about the project and share their questions and concerns with county staff. There will be a discussion on the overall plan for the remaining levee reinforcements along the two creeks as well as the long-term benefits of the project and the expected short-term inconveniences to trail users that will be created. For more information about the public presentation, please click here.

Orange County Ready to Work with Federal Recovery Funds

Orange County Transportation Authority's Board of Directors on Monday approved the prioritization for allocation of $147 million in anticipated direct federal economic stimulus funds for transportation improvement projects in Orange County. An additional $65 million may possibly be delivered to Orange County's infrastructure projects through the state's share of the stimulus funds.

Nearly $65 million will go toward construction of a new eastbound lane on the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) from the Eastern Toll Road (SR-241) to the Corona Freeway (SR-71). Additional state funding could add $6.6 million more for this freeway widening work. The SR-91 widening is needed because it is one of California's busiest freeways with more than 300,000 vehicles traveling it daily. The widening project will help alleviate traffic in the area and create 2,919 new jobs.

Pending state approval, City projects may be eligible to receive approximately $33 million in federal stimulus money and approximately $26.5 million may be allocated for the West County Connectors project, a new connector for the San Diego (I-405), San Gabriel River (I-605) and Garden Grove (SR-22) freeways. This construction project will improve traffic flow and help create more than 12,500 jobs.

OCTA is also expecting $77 million for preventative maintenance and capital improvements. The funds will help maintain OCTA's fleet of 700 buses. Federal dollars will also be used to install safety systems on Metrolink trains called positive train control.

State officials are currently considering the legislation that will be introduced to distribute the transportation stimulus funding and all Orange County residents are encouraged to contact their State representatives to ensure we receive our fair share.

Volunteers Sought for Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee (TOC).

The independent committee was formed after the passage of Measure M, a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation improvements in Orange County, in 1990. The 11-member committee monitors OCTA’s use of Measure M funds and ensures that all revenue collected from Measure M is spent on voter-approved transportation projects. Committee members are also responsible for approving changes to the Measure M Traffic Improvement and Growth Management Plan.

Applications for the 2009-2012 term will be accepted from April 1 through May 1 to fill four seats, one each in the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Supervisorial Districts. The Fifth District includes Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and willing to participate for a three-year term. The committee meets the second Tuesday of every other month at 6 p.m. in OCTA’s administration building, 600 S. Main St. in Orange. Committee members receive no stipends for the volunteer position.

For more information and to request an application, contact the selection panel at 714-970-9329 or visit OCTA’s Web site at http://www.octa.net/toc.aspx.

Statewide Special Election set for May 19

Californians will be headed back to the polls for a statewide Special Election on May 19, 2009. The statewide election was authorized by the State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a budget signed into law on February 19. Voters will consider six ballot propositions. The Orange County Registrar of Voters will begin mailing sample ballots after April 9 to Orange County’s 1.6 million registered voters. This Special Election will mean Californians will have voted in a statewide election every year but one since 2002. For more information about the upcoming election, please click here.

Orange County Fine Arts, Inc. Featured in John Wayne Airport Community Focus Program

Works on loan from Orange County Fine Arts, Inc., a local non-profit organization founded in 1964 to promote public interest in the fine arts through education and community outreach, are on display through April 2 in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport as part of the Airport’s Community Focus Space Program featuring Orange County artists. The art works are currently on display in both the departure and arrival areas.

With a total of 16 Orange County-based artists represented the collection features paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures and mixed media pieces. To learn more about Orange County Fine Arts, Inc, please click here.

LAFCO Accepting Applications for Public Member

The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) announced that it is accepting applications from individuals interested in serving as the alternate public member on LAFCO.

LAFCO is a state mandated agency that oversees all jurisdictional changes within Orange County, including the incorporation of new cities; annexations to cities and special districts; and consolidations, mergers, and dissolutions of public agencies. The purpose of LAFCO is to encourage the orderly formation of local government agencies, to discourage urban sprawl, and to preserve agriculture and open space.

LAFCO meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Planning Commission hearing room at the Orange County Hall of Administration. The public member would be expected to attend all meetings.

The existing Commission will select and appoint the public member to a four-year term at the June 2009 regular LAFCO meeting. The deadline to submit cover letters/resumes is 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The LAFCO office is located at 12 Civic Center Plaza, Room 235, Santa Ana, CA. For additional information, please call (714) 834-2556.

Root for Mission Viejo’s Hometown College Basketball Team

Congratulations to the Saddleback College men’s basketball team which had an impressive season, capturing the 2009 Orange Empire Conference championship and the 2009 Southern California regional championship. The team is ranked #1 in Southern California!

The Saddleback Gauchos (28-7) are now competing in state championship tournament for the sixth time in the past nine seasons. On Thursday, March 12, the Gauchos defeated the Reedley College Tigers in the first round. They advance to the semi-finals this Saturday, with the state championship following at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Results will be posted immediately after the contest at http://www.coasports.org/.

Capistrano Valley High School Presidential Scholars Candidates

Seniors Stephen Hwang and Shannon Kiang of Capistrano Valley High School were selected as candidates for the prestigious United States Presidential Scholars Program. The program, which was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President, honors students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts.

Both Stephen and Shannon are actively involved in school organizations, great athletes, and high academic achievers. Stephen is a four-year cross country track athlete with a perfect SAT score and a 4.46 GPA. Shannon is editor-in-chief for the CVHS Times, president of Operation Smile, and has a 4.54 GPA.

It is my honor to congratulate both of them for their achievements and recognize them for their contributions to their school and to the community.

Pet Licensing: Did You Know?

Did you know that all dogs in Orange County over the age of four months are required by law to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies? In fact, residents owning or having custody of any dog must license the dog within fifteen days of obtaining it or within fifteen days of its license expiring. Owners must be able to provide proof of a California approved rabies vaccination in order to obtain a license (OCCO 4-1-70).

For your convenience, OC Animal Care offers online licensing! On the OC Animal Care website, you can renew existing licenses, purchase a new license, change your address, and make donations! For more information about pet licensing, fee schedules and how to license your animal online, please click here.

Laguna Canyon Foundation

Junior Ranger Program, Thursday, March 19, 4:00-5:30 p.m.: Second and third graders, ages 7-9 years, are invited to come learn the skills needed to become rangers, including how to care for plants, animals and wilderness at the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. The cost is $10 per student and reservations are required. For more information please call (949) 923-2235.

Spring Equinox Sunset Hike, Friday, March 20, 5:30-7:00 p.m.: Celebrate spring's arrival with a gentle, 2-mile nature walk throughLaguna Coast Wilderness Park with Orange County Resource Specialist Laura Cohen. The cost is $2 per hiker and reservations are required. For more information please call (949) 923-2235.

Komen Breast Health Symposium

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Orange County is hosting the Komen Breast Health Symposium on Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 a.m. at the Anaheim Marriot. Featured symposium topics include Heredity & Breast Cancer, How to Get Optimal Breast Health Care, the Latest Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment, Nutrition & Health Lifestyles, What’s New in Screening & Diagnostic, Young Women & Breast Cancer and many more. The cost to attend the symposium is $40. For more information about the event and how to register, click here.

San Juan Capistrano Second Saturday Art Fair

Don’t miss the first Second Saturday Art Fair in 2009 this Saturday, March 14! The Art Fair, which showcases 50 talented artists, craftspeople and musicians from across Southern California takes place the second Saturday of every month for the rest of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Historic Downtown of San Juan Capistrano on Camino Capistrano, Yorba, Verdugo and Los Rios Streets. For more information, click here.

RSM Chamber St. Patty’s Day Mixer

Save the date and plan to join the Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, March 17 from 5:30-7:30 for the St. Patrick’s Day Chamber Mixer. Enjoy the “Irish Good Luck” with great food, networking and chances to win great prizes. The mixer will take place at the South County Bank on 22342 Avenida Empressa. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Beach’s Art That’s Small at City Hall

Enjoy a dazzling array of art works that are 12 inches and smaller by Orange County artists on display at the Laguna Beach City from March 23 through April 30. The pieces in this exhibit were coordinated by the Laguna Beach Arts Commission. There will be an artist reception and award ceremony held on April 2 at 5:00 p.m. For the event flyer, please click here. For more information, please call (949) 497-0722

Laguna Niguel Track and Field Meet

Boys and Girls ages 6-15 are invited to participate in the City of Laguna Niguel Track and Field Meet Sunday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. The meet will take place at the Aliso Niguel High School Track. Participants can choose to compete in a variety of running, jumping, and throwing events offered within their respective age divisons. Each participant will be allowed to compete in up to two events. The entry fee is $20. For more information, please click here.

• Provided an update at the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee meeting
• Attended the OC Taxpayers’ Association meeting