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September 7, 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. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD
3. SAFETY SENTRY
4. HEALTH HERALD
5. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
6. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
7. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
8. LIBRARY LESSONS & SESSIONS
9. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
10. CRITTER CHRONICLES
11. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
12. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
13. 9/11 OBSERVANCES
14. 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 |
Remembering 9/11
On Tuesday next week, we will pause to remember the tragedy of another September Tuesday. Eleven years have passed since the cruel attacks of September 11, 2001. At our Board of Supervisors meeting, we will honor the victims and heroes of that day with a presentation.
While it is important for us as a County to memorialize 9/11 each year, no words or certificate can adequately do justice to the memory of that moment. We saw the face of evil that day, and many Americans suffered at the hands of those that despise the freedom that is God’s gift to each individual. As has been said many times, 9/11 was a reminder that freedom is precious, but fleeting, if we are not vigilant in its defense.
Eleven years later, our nation continues to be engaged in the battle to defend ourselves against radicals who use tools of terror and fear to rob us of our way of life. Over the course of the last decade, and to this day, many brave men and women have lost their lives as a consequence of preserving our liberty. These individuals have not died in vain.
In the days following the attacks of 9/11, President Bush said, “America is a nation full of good fortune, with so much to be grateful for, but we are not spared from suffering. In every generation, the world has produced enemies of human freedom. They have attacked America because we are freedom's home and defender, and the commitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time.”
On Patriot Day, September 11, 2012, please give special thought and prayer to the victims who suffered in that tragedy and to the defenders of freedom who have kept “the commitment of our fathers” so that we can continue to enjoy our nation’s good fortune.
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| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
No Board Meeting This Week
There was not a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week. To view the Board meeting schedule for 2012, please click here.
Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, September 11. Regular Board meetings begin at 9:30 AM in the Hall of Administration. For Agenda & Meeting Information, please click here.
Live Internet broadcasts of Board of Supervisors meetings can be viewed online and are archived as video-on-demand. To view live and/or past Board meetings, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
A Time for Reflection and a Call for Action
As September is National Preparedness Month and Thursday, October 18 at 10:18 AM is the California Great Shakeout, one of the ways we can honor and remember victims of disasters is to be prepared ourselves.
Both of these events are geared toward getting individuals and businesses better prepared for a disaster by identifying potential threats, making a family communications plan, having an emergency kit at home and in your vehicle, as well as other activities.
If you haven’t taken some of these important steps, please visit www.ReadyOC.org and get started! Make sure you “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed.” In addition, don’t forget to update phone numbers and cycle out food that may have expired.
Once you’re prepared, encourage your work or school to participate in the Great Shakeout (www.shakeout.org) by holding a “Drop, Cover and Hold” drill or by testing your plans with a disaster exercise.
Stay tuned for information on the 5th Annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo to be held Saturday, October 20 at the Norman Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo!
AlertOC Regional Test September 20
AlertOC is a mass notification system designed to keep residents and businesses informed of emergencies. By registering with AlertOC, time-sensitive voice messages can be sent to your home, cell or business phone. Text messages can also be sent to cell phones, email accounts, and hearing impaired receiving devices.
On September 20, more than two million Orange County residents will receive a call at 10:00 AM to test AlertOC. This is the third annual regional test of the system and will include 28 other participating cities and the County's unincorporated areas, including Coto de Caza, Wagon Wheel, Las Flores and Ladera Ranch.
Residents are encouraged to self-register their cell phone numbers and other contact information to be a part of the regional test. For more information and to register, please visit www.AlertOC.com.
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| HEALTH HERALD |
West Nile Virus Activity Increasing in Orange County
West Nile Virus (WNV) activity is increasing in Orange County, with a total of six human WNV infections reported through September 6. Most of these cases experienced an onset of symptoms in mid to late August, indicating a recent increase in activity.
For more information, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Advisory Committee Previews Proposed Fare Adjustments
The Orange County Fire Authority’s (OCTA) 34-member Special Needs Advisory Committee discussed ongoing activities in transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities at its quarterly meeting last Tuesday, including proposed bus fare adjustments.
A team of OCTA staff provided information about the existing financial constraints and proposals for a bus fare adjustment in 2013. Staff shared the proposed outreach plan to keep community members informed and connected during the process, including community meetings for the public to hear details on the changes and give their feedback.
The meetings will run from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and are scheduled for:
- Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Southwest Senior Center in Santa Ana
- Friday, Sept. 21 at the Laguna Hills Community Center
- Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Fullerton Library Community Room
- Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the St. Anslem's Cross-Cultural Community Center
OCTA will also conduct a public hearing 9:00 AM, Monday, October 22 at its headquarters in Orange.
OCTA staff also informed the committee about scheduled bus service changes for October and the progress of the ACCESS procurement to select a vendor to provide service for approximately 58,000 riders.
To learn more about the proposed 2013 Bus Fare Adjustment, please click here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES |
John Wayne Airport: 55 Freeway Ramp Reduced to One Lane
Effective Thursday, September 6 through Saturday, September 15, the roadway leading into John Wayne Airport from the 55 Freeway (southbound) will be reduced to one lane, as part of the ongoing Seismic Retrofitting project.
During this time, all passengers will be directed to the Departure (upper) Level roadway as they enter the Airport. Drivers wanting to pick up passengers on the Arrival (lower) Level may continue to do so, but will first need to take the Airport return loop to get to the lower level.
Drivers returning rental cars will need to take the return loop from the Departure (upper) Level to enter the Arrival (lower) Level roadway during this time.
The Airport recommends using the Departure (upper) Level for both picking up and dropping off passengers during this phase of construction.
In an effort to maintain smooth traffic flow on the Arrival (lower) Level roadway, visitors waiting to pick up passengers can also take advantage of short-term, 2-hour parking available in Parking Structures A1, B2 and C with the first 15 minutes of parking free, or $2/hour thereafter.
For more information, please click here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Coastal Cleanup Day
This year’s Coastal Cleanup Day will be held Saturday, September 15 from 9:00 AM to noon. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family while helping to enhance the environment at the same time.
To sign up please click here, select the site you want to volunteer at and contact the site Captain via email or phone, leaving your name, email address, phone number and total number of people in your group. There is no need to wait for a return email or phone call, as the Team Captain will conduct an internal count of volunteers on their end.
You may also register online by clicking here. On September 15, just show up at your Cleanup site with your signed Waiver Form, filled reusable water bottle, sunscreen, closed toe shoes, hat and comfortable clothes, as you join thousands of volunteers around Orange County to beautify our environment!
Orange County Coastal Coalition Meeting
Please join us Thursday, September 27 for our next Orange County Coastal Coalition meeting titled “Back to School: What is being taught to our kids today about our Watershed?”
The meeting will be held at Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Presenting will be Meg Hiesinger from The Ecology Center and Jonathan Witt from The Ocean Institute. The presentations will be followed by a question and answer session.
For more information, please click here.
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| LIBRARY LESSONS & SESSIONS |
Laguna Niguel Library: Program of Note
The public is invited to Laguna Niguel Library on Sunday, September 23 at 2:00 PM, as Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, author of the classic Farewell to Manzanar, will discuss her work and experiences in the internment camp Manzanar. All ages are welcome to attend.
For more information, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Doheny Update
The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has issued their latest edition of DOHENY UPDATE to better inform the public about events and conditions in the State Park.
To view the DSBIA September newsletter, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Dog Day Event: Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em
OC Parks and Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks will present “Love ‘Em and Leash ‘Em,” a special day for dogs and dog lovers at Irvine Regional Park on Saturday, September 15 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
In addition, OC Animal Care will have an adoption tent at the park, as staff will have adorable animals available for immediate adoption and same-day take-home. A prize will be given to the first person to adopt a dog!
For more information, please click here.
Protecting Your Dog From Heat Stroke
When a dog is exposed to high temperatures, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can occur. It’s important for pet owners to understand that dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke than humans. Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans, as they release heat primarily by panting.
If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, their internal body temperature begins to rise, and the damage to their cellular system and organs may become irreversible. Once signs of heat stroke are detected, there is precious little time before serious damage (or even death) occurs.
Additionally, some breeds are more susceptible than others, such as short-nosed breeds (pugs, pekingese, boxers, bulldogs, etc.). Unfortunately, too many dogs become victims of heat stroke, when it could have been avoided by their owners.
Major causes of heat stroke in dogs include:
- Leaving your dog in a parked car. It only takes a few minutes for the temperature inside to reach 160 degrees. Parking in shade or even with the windows cracked offers little to no protection.
- Exercising in hot weather. This is especially true with older dogs, dogs that are overweight, or dogs with medical conditions.
- Dogs left outside without shade or proper access to water.
Also, please don’t ever leave your pet standing on hot pavement, concrete or metal, as this can burn their paws, causing extreme pain; and keep your walks to a minimum, as your pet is much closer to the hot surface area.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Olympian Receives First-Ever Key to the City of Aliso Viejo
Thousands gathered in Aliso Viejo recently to see Mayor Don Garcia give Olympian Kyla Ross the first-ever key to the City.
Kyla is a member of the gold-winning U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team known as the "Fierce Five." The Aliso Viejo resident was joined by her parents, friends, coaches and the community in this very special City presentation.
For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Dana Point: Tall Ships Festival
The Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor is celebrating its 28th year hosting the Tall Ships Festival. Explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships through the smells, sounds and sights of real working tall ships. Come out this weekend, September 7–9, and celebrate the area’s rich maritime history! For more information, please click here.
Laguna Beach: Sunset Serenades
The City of Laguna Beach proudly presents “Sunset Serenades” – FREE live music at Heisler Park Amphitheater on Fridays at 5:30 PM throughout the month of September. For more information, please click here.
San Juan Capistrano: Summer Nites Concert
Mark your calendar for the last San Juan Summer Nites Concert of the year on Wednesday, September 19, with the Country Western band “Raining Horseshoes.” The FREE concert is at Historic Town Center Park, 31852 El Camino Real, and starts at 6:00 PM. For more information, please click here.
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| 9/11 OBSERVANCES |
Rancho Santa Margarita: Patriot Day Recognition
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita welcomes the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County Fire Authority to City Hall on Saturday, September 8 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM to commemorate Patriot Day and the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Niguel: September 11 Remembrance Event
The City of Laguna Niguel urges the community to pay tribute and never forget, as on Tuesday, September 11, the City will host a FREE, live concert of patriotic music, which will be held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Crown Valley Community Park Amphitheater. For more information, please click here.
Mission Viejo: Patriot Day Ceremony
The City of Mission Viejo will host a Patriot Day ceremony on Tuesday, September 11 at the Mission Viejo Civic Center in front of the flag pole at 6:00 PM. For more information, please click here.
Orange County Fire Authority: Remembrance Services
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) will participate in a Remembrance Service to commemorate the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The services will be held at the flag pole in front of each OCFA Fire Station, starting 8:46 AM and concluding 9:10 AM. A list of OCFA fire station addresses can be found here. 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:
- Attended the San Clemente City Council meeting to present certificates of recognition to the two teenage coaches of the San Clemente Little League team that won the District 68 Junior American Tournament of Champions. For more information, please click here.
- Participated in a meet & greet with the members of 2012-2013 Orange County Grand Jury.
My office also:
- Attended the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.
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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