Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
November 5, 2010

Pat Bates's Picture


Welcome to this edition of the Fifth District Report, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated about the events taking place in Orange County and in the Fifth District. It is my hope that you find this distribution informative and I would encourage you to contact me regarding any thoughts, comments, or concerns you may have.

PatBates@ocgov.com


IN THIS ISSUE...

1. PAT’S PERSPECTIVE

2. IMPORTANT REMINDER

3. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

4. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

5. SAFETY SENTRY

6. HEALTH HERALD

7. CRITTER CHRONICLES

8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

9. LIBRARY LESSONS AND SESSIONS

10. COUNTY CONNECTIONS

11. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

12. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

13. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP


OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Kristen Thornton:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Ray Grangoff:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Sabrina Ross:
Policy Advisor

Brian Probolsky:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Volume 4 Issue 44
PAT’S PERSPECTIVE

In Observance of Veterans Day

On November 11, our nation will once again join together to salute our veterans, as we pause to celebrate their brave service with ceremonies and the flying of the American flag. These tributes are necessary and proper, but we can honor our veterans even more by fulfilling our responsibilities as citizens each and every day.

With the close of the election season last week, we may be tempted to disengage from the political process. The TV ads, political mailers, and get-out-the-vote phone calls have stopped. The ballots have been cast and our newly elected officials will soon take office. However, although we have made our voices heard through our votes, our job as citizens does not cease on Election Day. As such, we must remain civically active and continue to participate in the workings of our local, state, and federal government.

By fighting to protect our freedoms, our veterans have done the work necessary to allow us to live in a free society. As citizens, we can further preserve our freedoms by exercising them on a regular basis and monitoring the workings of government. An active and engaged citizenry will ensure our veterans are always honored, as it will mean the free society they risked their lives to protect endures.

To that end, on Thursday, November 11, please join me in paying homage to the courageous men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. To see a list of Veterans Day Observances taking place throughout Orange County, please click here.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Fall Back: Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday

When you go to bed Saturday night, don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour, as Daylight Saving Time ends this year at 2:00 AM, Sunday, November 7. Also, when you change your clocks, please remember to change your smoke alarm batteries, too! For more information, please click here.

BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

No Board Meeting This Week

There was no regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, November 9. To view the Board meeting schedule for 2010, please click here. For Agenda & Meeting Information, please click here.

Live Internet broadcasts of Board of Supervisors meetings are available and archived as video-on-demand. To view live and/or past Board meetings, please click here.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Soundwall Project in San Clemente Experiences Cost Savings

Orange County Transportation Authority officials are taking advantage of favorable market conditions in the construction industry. As a result, I’m pleased to report the latest cost savings includes the El Camino Real soundwall at the San Diego Freeway (I-5) in San Clemente.

The engineer’s estimate for the project was $3.21 million, but an apparent low bid of $2.77 million came from Ontario-based Powell Constructors, representing approximate savings of 13.5 percent.

No Bus Fare Hike for OCTA Riders

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus riders will not see a 25 percent bus fare increase in January, as was previously scheduled.

The OCTA Board of Directors voted last week to defer the increase after hearing measures taken during the past two years to provide long-term sustainable service have been successful. Also contributing to the deferral is better than expected sales tax revenue.

OCTA will review the financial outlook in developing the 2011-12 budget and determine whether it is economically feasible to continue delaying a fare increase. For more information, please click here.

Metrolink Orange County Line Cancelled November 14

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway will be conducting extensive signal work in Fullerton on Sunday, November 14, which will result in Metrolink service being cancelled on the Orange County Line that day, affecting trains 661, 662, 663, and 664.

Please be aware, Metrolink will not be providing alternative transportation. All Inland Empire-Orange County Line trains will run as scheduled; and Amtrak will operate on a limited schedule. For more information, please click here.

SAFETY SENTRY

Are You Prepared For Wildfire?

The wildfire problem in Orange County exceeds what can be managed by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) alone. As such, the Fire Safe Council, OCFA, U.S. Forest Service, Orange County Sheriff, Red Cross, and school districts have all developed emergency plans to combat the threats posed by wildfire.

Do you have your personal wildfire action plan? Having a plan and practicing it regularly with your family will help you and your loved ones make an early escape in the event of a disaster. For more information, please click here and here.

HEALTH HERALD

FREE Flu Shots in Rancho Santa Margarita

FREE flu shots will be available Monday, November 8, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita for individuals 18 years and older. For more information, please call (949) 216-9700.

CalOptima Regional Extension Center

CalOptima is pleased to report it received a federal grant to establish a Regional Extension Center for Orange County. The purpose of the CalOptima Regional Extension Center (COREC) is to help Orange County health providers implement and meaningfully use Electronic Health Records, which will help improve the quality of patient care by increasing electronic accessibility of patient information.

The COREC, which is funded by the Office of the National Coordinator, Department of Health and Human Services, will also help providers meet certain federal standards, making them eligible to obtain incentive payments from Medicare and Medicaid.

Initially, the COREC will focus on assisting physicians, physician assistants, as well as nurse practitioners who work in individual and small group practices, community health centers, rural clinics and other settings that predominantly serve uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved populations.

To that end, the COREC is an excellent opportunity for Orange County health providers to receive technical assistance and support to enhance their practices. To enroll in the COREC, please email corec@caloptima.org. For more information, please click here and here.

CRITTER CHRONICLES

Lake Forest: Family Pet Day Extravaganza

The Friends of Lake Forest Animals is partnering with the City of Lake Forest to host the third annual Family Pet Day Extravaganza on Saturday, November 13 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. So put on your hat and bring your favorite furry friends to Pittsford Park in Lake Forest for an afternoon of family fun!

There will be plenty of information booths, vendors and entertainment for our two-legged and four-legged friends. Get ready to compete in the annual Pet Contests and be sure to bring your camera, too! The event will also offer low cost licensing, vaccination and pet adoptions. For more information, please click here.

Emergency Preparedness for Horses and Large Animals

Emergency preparedness is important for all animals, but it requires extra attention for horses and other large animals due to their size. As such, it is important to be prepared to move horses and other large animals to a safe location or shelter in the event of a major emergency.

During a disaster, such as a catastrophic wildfire, time to evacuate your horses and other large animals will be very limited. With an effective emergency plan, you may have enough time to move your horses and other large animals, as well as your house pets, to safety.

To request information on how OC Animal Care operates and what is expected of you, the animal owner, in the event of an emergency, please call (714) 935-6848. For more information, please click here and here.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Inside the Outdoors: Astronomy & Stargazing Family Hike

As reported in my newsletter last week, Inside the Outdoors is a unique, hands-on environmental education program administered by the Orange County Department of Education, stimulating the boundless wonder children have for the natural world around them.

To that end, Inside the Outdoors invites you and your family to join them tonight or tomorrow, November 5 or 6, for an evening hike at Rancho Soñado to look through telescopes and learn about the night sky. For more information, please click here and here.

Caspers Park Foundation Meeting

Please join the Caspers Park Foundation (CPF) for its monthly meeting and speaker. Naturalist Gary Meredith, a professional photographer, whose bird and butterfly images have been published in numerous magazines, will present “Butterflies of Orange County."

The CPF meeting will take place Saturday, November 6 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Caspers Wilderness Park. Park entry is FREE for attendees. For more information, please call (949) 923-2210 or click here and here.

Enjoy Autumn Events at OC Parks

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

Doheny State Beach Update

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has released its monthly DOHENY UPDATE to better inform the public about current events in the State Park. To view the DSBIA November newsletter, please click here.

Featured in this month’s edition, Doheny’s Monarch Butterfly Garden is one of the Park’s hidden jewels and among its best kept secrets. Every fall, a magical event takes place in the animal world – the annual Monarch Butterfly migration to Mexico. Lucky for us, they stop by the Doheny Butterfly Garden on their way south!

LIBRARY LESSONS AND SESSIONS

Teen Contest: Voices & Visions

As reported in my newsletter last week, Voices & Visions is a monthly contest for Orange County teens to showcase their creative talents in prose, poetry, art and film. To that end, a new theme will be announced the beginning of each month, with entries due by the last day of the month. The theme for the month of November is “The Environment.”

Winners will be notified by the end of the month following their entry and later displayed on the OC Public Libraries website. For more information, please click here and here.

Fall Programs at OC Public Libraries

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) provides a wonderful array of FREE fun-filled events and programs for the whole family – from toddlers to teens to parents and seniors. To see a listing of OCPL events taking place in November at a branch library near you, please click here. For more information about OC Public Libraries, please click here.

COUNTY CONNECTIONS

Employers Invited to Attend Child Support Services Forum

Employers are invited to join Orange County Child Support Services (CSS) staff November 18 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Santa Ana to learn about income withholding. CSS will also be offering APA credits to payroll professionals who require them.

To reserve your space, please contact the CSS Employer Express team at (714) 347-8008 or EmployerQuestions@css.ocgov.com by November 15. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

Moulton Niguel Water District Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Prior to the creation of Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD) 50 years ago this month, its service area was made up of two expansive Spanish land grants: Rancho Niguel and Rancho Mission Viejo. Due to the lack of a reliable water supply to maintain their herds, local ranchers came together November 16, 1960 to create their own water agency – and the Moulton Niguel Water District was born.

At its inception, MNWD served only eight customers; but as south Orange County’s ranch land quickly began transforming into ranch homes, local water demands dramatically changed, and the District began building new pipelines and reservoirs to help serve its new customers.

Today, Moulton Niguel Water District provides water and wastewater service to more than 167,000 residents in the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo and Dana Point. For more information, please click here. To view a slide show chronicling MNWD’s 50 years of service, please click here.

SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Laguna Beach: First Sundays

First Sundays is a FREE afternoon of chamber music and art in collaboration with Laguna College of Art & Design. As such, the public is invited Sunday, November 7 to enjoy Cuerdos del Mar, a versatile duo performing classical guitar and violin. Cuerdos del Mar performs a wide variety of music genres, including classical, Irish, folk, gypsy and Jazz.

This FREE First Sundays concert will be held in Studio 8 at the Art College, 2222 Laguna Canyon Rd., from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, with the Art Gallery opening at 2:00 PM. There is ample FREE parking. For more information, please click here.

Aliso Viejo: Hullabaloo Children’s Concert

Calling all parents, caretakers and kids! If you want to enjoy a fun-filled morning with songs that make kids sing, dance, laugh, clap and stomp their feet, then head to the FREE Hullabaloo Concert on Thursday, November 11 from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM at the Grand Park/Town Center Amphitheater in Aliso Viejo.

The FREE concert features Hullabaloo band members, who are sure to delight kids and adults alike. As an added bonus, moms who come to the park early can join Stroller Strides and push their kids in their strollers, meet other moms and enjoy an hour-long workout. The free workout is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

For more information, please click here.

Mission Viejo: Veterans Day Tribute

The City of Mission Viejo will pay homage to local veterans during a special ceremony Thursday, November 11. The poignant Veterans Day ceremony begins at 2:00 PM at the Mission Viejo Veterans Memorial, located next to the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center at 24932 Veterans Way.

Patriotism will waft through the air as the Orange County Fire Authority Pipes and Drums perform before an expected large crowd. Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren will give the invocation, and the U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters Battalion First Marine Division will provide the Color Guard. Colonel Rudy Janizcek will serve as the event's keynote speaker.

For more information, please call (949) 470-3000 or click here.

Laguna Niguel: Festival of Trees

The Laguna Niguel Woman’s Club will host a “Festival of Trees” on Sunday, November 14 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center. This winter wonderland event will feature theme decorated trees, handcrafted table top décor and wreaths, as well as food and fun for the whole family. FREE admission!

FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:

  • Chaired the Measure M2 Environmental Oversight Committee.
  • Met with County staff to discuss various issues concerning OC Public Libraries.
  • Met with San Diego Gas and Electric officials to discuss the company’s planned Smart Meter installation program in South County.
  • Participated in a planning committee meeting for the 2011 South County Senior Summit.
  • Met with CalOptima CEO Richard Chamber regarding Health Care Reform and implementation of the Federal PACE program.
  • Met with the Hospital Association of Southern California regarding Health Care Reform.
My office also:
  • Met with the Ambulance Association of Orange County to discuss ongoing issues.
  • Provided a certificate of recognition in honor of a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new 7-Eleven in Lake Forest.
  • Provided a certificate of recognition to the Historical Society of Laguna Woods for their Honoree of the Month.
My staff and I look forward to continually providing you updated information in our Fifth District Newsletter and website.

Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns, comments or questions at (714) 834-3550. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's Fabulous Fifth District.

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