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May 11, 2012
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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. REGISTRAR REGISTER
3. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD
4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
5. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
6. SAFETY SENTRY
7. HEALTH HERALD
8. SENIOR SENTINEL
9. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
10. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
11. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
12. 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
Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager
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| PAT’S PERSPECTIVE |
Election Day: June 5, 2012
As part of the privilege of living in this great country, each of us has the responsibility to stay actively engaged in our democracy. To that end, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the upcoming June 5 election. Nothing is more patriotic than voting and voicing your opinion on Election Day regarding the direction for our national, state, and local governments.
The first step in voting is to be sure you are registered to vote. The Orange County Registrar of Voters has made it easy for you to verify or update your current registration information online at www.ocvote.com. You can also complete a new registration if you are not yet registered to vote. The last day to register to vote in the June 5 election is May 21 (postmarks accepted).
By now, you should have received your sample ballot in the mail. However, you can also view your sample ballot online by clicking here.
In your sample ballot, you will notice that, in addition to the presidential, congressional, state and county primary elections for elected representatives, there are two countywide ballot initiatives, Measures A and B, which the Orange County Board of Supervisors placed on the ballot for voters to decide.
Measure A pertains to the Office of the Public Administrator. Previously, the Public Administrator’s office was merged with the Public Guardian, until last year, when the Board voted to separate the offices. While the Public Guardian is already an appointed position, the Public Administrator is an elected position.
Measure A would change the position of the County’s Public Administrator from an elected position to one that is appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Should the measure pass, it will only affect future Public Administrators, beginning 2014. The current Public Administrator was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the term of the previously elected Public Administrator, following his resignation.
Measure B is called the Mandatory Minimum Pension Selection Measure. It will require members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, who are elected or appointed following June 5, 2012, to enroll in the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) and choose the minimum pension option of 1.62% at 65. Today, Supervisors may choose between the 2.7% at 55 formula or the 1.62% at 65 plan. Measure B would remove the 2.7% at 55 alternative. It would also remove the current option to take no pension.
For either measure to pass, a majority of the voters must vote in favor of it.
As informed residents, dates to be aware of for the upcoming election include:
- April 26 – Sample ballots mailed.
- May 7 – Permanent vote-by-mail ballots mailed.
- May 7 to May 29 – Applications for one-time vote-by-mail ballots can be submitted.
- May 30 to June 5 – Emergency absentee voting for individuals that will be out of town, etc., on Election Day, which must be conducted in the Registrar of Voters office.
If you have any questions, please contact the Elections Division at elections@sos.ca.gov or (800) 345-8683.
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| REGISTRAR REGISTER |
The 411 on the Registrar of Voters
Orange County has one of the largest and most complex election operations in the nation, as we have more registered voters than 21 individual states.
New for 2012, the Registrar of Voters (ROV) will be addressing sample ballots. This process is new (in-house) and will involve preparing and addressing 1.6 million sample ballots, improving efficiency, quality control and reducing costs in the long term.
The ROV will operate 1,152 polling places for the June 5 Primary Election. The ROV will also use 5,500 poll workers for June and nearly 8,000 for November (second only to Los Angeles County).
Their new website, launched recently, received the highest amount of traffic in the 30 days preceding any major election. To learn more about the Orange County Registrar of Voters, please visit www.ocvote.com.
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| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Point of Dispensing (POD) Site Services
Since 2005, the California Department of Public Health has passed on federal funds to the Health Care Agency (HCA) to support city and County planning activities related to mass medication dispensing and mass vaccination services in order to effectively respond to a large scale public health incident in Orange County.
HCA has worked with cities throughout the County to identify, plan and exercise the mechanism to dispense pharmaceuticals and vaccines to a large population in a short period of time. This mechanism is known as a POD, or Point of Dispensing, site. Establishing these PODs and conducting full-scale exercises is the strategy employed to help Orange County be prepared in the event of a health disaster.
To that end, on Tuesday, the Board approved Master agreements for the provision of planning services, site equipment and exercise services, which will allow HCA to dispense funds to participating cities for their approved POD site plans.
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
County of Orange Files Claim Against State of California
The County of Orange has filed a claim against the State of California, seeking over $23 million in Vehicle License Fee Adjustment Amount (VLFAA) owed to the County for Fiscal Year 2010-11.
The County has been significantly shortchanged by the State in relation to other counties in the distribution of property taxes since 2005-06. The loss of these funds can significantly impact the County’s ability to deliver critical public safety services and social services. The State received this financial windfall in violation of the constitutional requirement for counties to receive uniform treatment.
For more information, please click here and here.
Updated Civic Center Directory & Map Available Online
The County of Orange Civic Center Directory & Map has been updated and is now available to view and print online. This brochure contains useful mailing addresses and telephone numbers for City, County, State and Federal organizations operating in the Civic Center area in Santa Ana.
To view the updated Civic Center Directory & Map, please click here.
2012 OC Facts & Figures
The County of Orange Budget Office is pleased to announce the 2012 Facts & Figures booklet is now available on the County’s Internet page. To view the 2012 Facts & Figures document, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Youth Summer Bus Pass
Go to the beach, the mall, the movies, a skate park, your summer job – practically anywhere in Orange County – with the 2012 Youth Summer Bus Pass, now on sale! For only $50, the OCTA Youth Summer Bus Pass provides unlimited bus rides from June 1 to August 31 for kids 18 and under.
For more information, please click here.
OC Fair Express
OC Fair Express returns for 2012! Thanks to grant funding from the MSRC (Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee), OCTA is able to bring the OC Fair Express direct bus service to the OC Fair again this year.
The special service will operate from seven different locations throughout Orange County on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from July 13 to August 12. The cost is only $1.50 regular fare each way; and customers who take the OC Fair Express to the OC Fair will receive a coupon for $2 admission into the fair.
For more information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Update
Southern California Edison (SCE) and the California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) seek to clarify media statements with regard to the restart of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).
Units 2 and 3 at SONGS are currently safely shut down for inspections, analysis and tests. Unit 2 was taken out of service January 9 for a planned outage. Unit 3 was safely taken off line January 31 after station operators detected a leak in a steam generator tube.
SCE and the ISO have maintained throughout the SONGS outage that nuclear safety has no timeline and the units will only be returned to service when SCE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are satisfied it is safe to do so. SCE has not filed a request with the NRC seeking to restart the plant.
SCE continues to do causal analysis and develop repair and corrective actions plans. When SCE is satisfied they can return the units to service safely, they will submit these plans to NRC.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
7th Graders Need Proof of Tdap Vaccination
Students entering the 7th grade in the 2012-2013 school year will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster immunization to attend school in the fall. The new requirement, signed into law in 2010, comes after California experienced its worst outbreak of pertussis in more than 50 years, with more than 9,000 confirmed cases and 10 infant deaths.
The new immunization requirement is intended to help reduce the spread of whooping cough among California's youth. Most children are fully protected prior to entering kindergarten because of the DTaP vaccine, a vaccine made for younger children. However, protection to these diseases wears off and preteens and teens may be at risk for catching this dangerous disease without a booster.
The Tdap requirement affects all incoming 7th grade students in California, so it's important to avoid the back-to-school rush and get our children vaccinated now. Please Tell other parents with children in the 6th grade about the requirement and encourage them to schedule the shot early, before summer.
For more information, please click here.
Monitor, Secure and Destroy your Medications
Preventing prescription drug abuse starts in your home. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, more people die from over-the-counter and prescription drug abuse than from cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy combined.
To view important tips to safeguard your family, please click here.
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| SENIOR SENTINEL |
Play to Stay Healthy
Playing is not just for kids. At thirty, fifty, or seventy years of age, playing is essential for our physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
May is Older Americans Month, a tradition since 1963 that provides everyone the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for the older adults in our community. The theme this year is “Never Too Old to Play!” which puts a spotlight on the importance lifelong participation in social, creative, and physical activities has on one’s health.
It’s never too late to start being physically active, as these activities improve or retain mobility, muscle strength and cognitive abilities, and reduce falls.
There are many opportunities for older adults to be active in the community year-round, not just in May. Senior and community centers, cities, and churches offer a wide-range of exercise, art, computer and educational classes, just to name a few.
The Orange County Office on Aging can also help older adults remain active and healthy. The call center Information Specialists at (800) 510-2020 can help people get connected to exercise, educational and social opportunities, and much more.
For more information, please click here.
OC Animal Care Celebrates Older Americans Month
In honor of May being Older Americans Month, OC Animal Care is celebrating with special adoption incentives for senior citizens adopting new pets from May 1 to May 31, as adopters ages 55 and over will receive a discount on pets ages 3 and over.
For more information, please click here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Orange County Coastal Coalition
Please join me Thursday, May 17 at 9:00 AM for our Orange County Coastal Coalition meeting. Presenting will be Steve Weisberg, Ken Schiff, and Martha Sutula of the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP). The presentations will be followed by a tour of the SCCWRP facility in Costa Mesa.
For more information, please click here.
OC Green Fair 2012
Please join us at our third annual OC Green Fair on Thursday, May 17 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana, as we continue the exciting momentum in raising public awareness of environmental concern.
The County's mission is to raise awareness regarding environmental concerns, including how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services, reducing energy consumption, conserving water, and limiting their dependence on fossil fuels.
The OC Green Fair is FREE to the public and will feature green products and services from approximately 100 vendors, FREE vendor giveaways, door prizes, networking, food, and much more!
For more information, please click here and here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Ocean Institute's Watershed Education Program Recognized
The Ocean Institute, located in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, was presented with top honors recently as a company changing the green industry in Orange County at the annual OC METRO Green Team awards. Ocean Institute President Dan Stetson attended the ceremony at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and received the eco-friendly Meyer Spruce Tree Award.
The Ocean Institute was selected for its contributions to environmental education, including the flagship 5th Grade Watershed Education Program, and implementing eco-friendly measures within the workplace.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Niguel: Family Fun Night
Join Scott Land, master puppeteer, for his musical variety show, featuring singers, dancers, jugglers, and more. This fun show for the whole family is Friday, May 11 at 7:00 PM at Crown Valley Community Park in Laguna Niguel. For more information, please click here.
Aliso Viejo: Historical Presentation
Aliso Viejo Community Foundation is sponsoring a FREE presentation on the history of Aliso Viejo at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 12 at the Aliso Viejo Library. The presentation is based on the book "Images of America: Aliso Viejo," which was released last August. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Hills: Children’s Spring Concert
Bring your family and friends to Stockport Park in Laguna Hills on Friday, May 18 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM to enjoy the wonderful sounds of the award-winning children’s band, “The Happy Crowd!” For more information about this FREE Children’s Spring Concert, please click here.
Lake Forest: Prelude in the Park
The City of Lake Forest is proud to present Prelude in the Park, a unique collaboration with the El Toro High School Instrumental Music Department. This FREE event at Pittsford Park on Sunday, May 20 from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM will feature musical selections and fun activities for all ages. For more information, please call (949) 461-3450.
Rancho Santa Margarita: Rancho Fest 2012
Rancho Santa Margarita invites you to join local businesses, family and friends at Rancho Fest 2012 – a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend for kids and adults alike – on Friday, May 25 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM; and Saturday, May 26 from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Central Park, 30842 La Miranda. For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Visited the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) to receive an update from Southern California Edison (SCE) President Ron Litzinger and SCE Chief Nuclear Officer Pete Dietrich on the current status of SONGS and future plans.
- Participated in the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (OCLAFCO) meeting.
- Participated in the California Association of LAFCos (CALAFCO) meeting.
- Attended a reception in honor of Congressman Darrell Issa.
- Attended the annual Government Leaders Prayer Breakfast.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Dr. Joseph M. Baloga of Laguna Hills.
My office also:
- Attended the Saddleback Valley Unified School District “Teacher of the Year” Awards Ceremony.
- Provided a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Independence Bank in San Juan Capistrano.
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.
For an ADA version of our newsletter, click here.
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