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April 5, 2013 |
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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. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD
2. TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES
3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
4. SENIOR SENTINEL
5. SAFETY SENTRY
6. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
7. LIBRARY LAUREATE
8. CRITTER CHRONICLES
9. RECORDER RECORD
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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| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Board Appoints Orange County Clerk-Recorder
After conducting in-depth interviews of 11 outstanding candidates, the Board announced the appointment of Hugh Nguyen to the position of Orange County Clerk-Recorder.
Hugh Nguyen has extensive background in management at all levels of County government over the last 18 years, including serving as Chief Deputy Recorder and Assistant Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
Hugh Nguyen succeeds Tom Daly, who took office December 17, 2002 and served in this role until December 3, 2012, when he was elected to the State Assembly. Hugh Nguyen will fill the remainder of former Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly’s term and will need to run for election in 2014.
For more information, please click here.
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| TAX COLLECTOR COLLECTIBLES |
Property Tax Payment Deadline is next Wednesday
The Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector reminds Orange County taxpayers that their second installment of property taxes is due no later than Wednesday, April 10.
Unless they have a United States Postal Service stamp on or before April 10, payments not received by Wednesday will incur a 10% late penalty fee. As it may take up to a week to receive these payments, taxpayers are encouraged to pay using the Treasurer’s secure online site at ocgov.com/octaxbill to avoid a potential penalty.
For more information, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Angels Express
The Angels Express special train service is back again this season! Beginning April 9, you can ride the Angels Express to all Angels weekday home games that start at 7:05 p.m. and for every Friday night game on the IEOC Line.
Ride to and from Angel Stadium for a very special price - only $7 roundtrip, $6 for senior/disabled, $4 for youth (ages 6 – 18), and FREE for children 5 and under with a paying adult (up to 3 children).
The train takes you straight to the stadium's parking lot so you're just a short walk away. Save money on parking and gas, forget about the crowded stadium parking lot, and leave your car behind!
Join the Orange County Transportation Authority for a season opening train ride event at the Irvine Metrolink Station on Friday, April 12. Spin a prize wheel for a chance to win FREE Angels Express roundtrip tickets, Angels merchandise and other prizes! Enjoy free food, live music and fun! The event starts at 5:00 PM, and the train for Anaheim leaves Irvine at 5:59 PM.
For more information, please, click here and here.
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| SENIOR SENTINEL |
Free Local Taxi Vouchers for RSM Senior Mobility Program
Seniors who live in Rancho Santa Margarita will enjoy a price reduction for transportation through the City’s Senior Mobility Program. The price of a taxi voucher for transportation within the city limits of Rancho Santa Margarita was reduced from $2.50 per one-way trip to FREE as of April 1.
The Senior Mobility Program allows older adults who are unable to drive the opportunity to purchase discounted taxi vouchers to assist in getting them around town. The vouchers are used in lieu of cash towards rides from California Yellow Cab Company. Currently, transportation is provided within Rancho Santa Margarita to John Wayne Airport and within the city limits of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel.
Taxi vouchers are only available to Rancho Santa Margarita residents ages 60 and older. Proof of age and residency is required in order to qualify and vouchers expire on June 30, 2013. Vouchers are limited and are available for pick up at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
For more information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
Laguna Beach DUI Enforcement Operation this Weekend
Officers from the Laguna Beach Police Department will be deploying this weekend to stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers in the Department’s ongoing traffic safety campaign. DUI Saturation Patrols will deploy Saturday, April 6 between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM in areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.
For more information, please click here.
South County Has New Fire Chief
Division Chief Kirk Wells will manage the Division 3 Office of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), replacing Division Chief Rick Robinson, who recently retired. Division 3 includes the cities of Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Dana Point.
For more information, please click here.
OCFA: On The Front Line
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has released its latest issue of “On The Front Line.” To view the newest edition of the OCFA newsletter, please click here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
2013 Spring Native Habitat Tours: Upper Chiquita Canyon
Please join The Toll Roads for the first installment of the highly-anticipated 13th annual Spring Native Habitat Tours:
UPPER CHIQUITA CANYON
Natural growth process and bird watching tour
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This 1,182-acre conservation area located near Wagon Wheel and Coto de Caza was set aside with construction of the 241 Toll Road. A moderate to strenuous six-mile guided walk gives participants a peek at an area rich with coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, grassland and natural drainage habitats.
The tour, which includes some challenging hills and vigorous hiking, will be led by a restoration specialist and biologist. Walking sticks, sturdy hiking shoes and binoculars are highly recommended.
For more information, please click click here.
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 April newsletter, please click here.
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| LIBRARY LAUREATE |
Literary Orange: Orange County’s Premier Literary Event
Presented by OC Public Libraries, Literary Orange offers attendees and fans the opportunity to listen and engage with an exciting array of authors, have books signed, ask questions, and learn about the writing process.
This year’s daylong celebration takes place Saturday, April 6 at the Irvine Marriott and will feature keynote speakers J.A. Jance and Tatjana Soli, along with 11 panel discussion sessions featuring authors covering a variety of genres.
For more information, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Pet Fair 2013: Furry Friends Fiesta
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 4, as OC Animal Care hosts its biggest event of the year – Pet Fair 2013! The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring pet-friendly vendors and offering hundreds of lovable animals available for adoption.
For more information, please click here.
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| RECORDER RECORD |
Additional “Passport Day” Scheduled
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department processed a record number of passport applications on March 9, as part of a special “Passport Day in the USA” held nationally. By day’s end, 65 passports were processed with 55 photos sold, compared to 37 passports and 22 photos from last year’s Passport Day.
Since the event was so successful, the department has scheduled another Passport Day for Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana. To save time, passport applications can be filled out in advance online at www.ocrecorder.com. Walk-ins are welcome to complete the process but appointments are encouraged by calling (714) 834-2588.
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
South County Student Named Youth of the Year
Yossymar Rojas, a senior at Dana Hills High School, was selected as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Orange County Youth of the Year. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles.
Yossy has been a club member for seven years, starting at the age of 12. During his tenure with the club, Yossy has served as a role-model for Club members of all ages. Yossy has taken on key leadership roles during his Club experience, including being President of the Keystone Club, which promotes character and leadership qualities among high-school teenagers by focusing on community service, academic success, and career preparation.
In addition to his dedication to the Club, Yossy has also been a long-time volunteer for Serra's Pantry, an organization that provides food donations from local grocery stores to people in need.
Yossy has also excelled academically. He plans on becoming the first person in his family to graduate from high school and attend college. He has been recognized as an AP Scholar and is the recipient of the "Dolphin Achievement Award for Spanish Speakers," which signifies excellent performance as the best overall student for Spanish Speakers at Dana Hills High School.
South County Baseball Team CIF-SS Academic Champion
The Capistrano Valley High School (CVHS) baseball team has been selected as the 2013 CIF Southern Section Team Academic Champion. The team's grade point average of 3.65 was the highest among schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or more students.
The CVHS Cougars currently have a 10-4 record. The team will be honored at the Academic Awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 24 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The team will be awarded a championship banner during a 6:45 p.m. ceremony prior to the baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Mission Viejo: Community Health & Wellness Fair
The community is invited to the "Healthy Mind, Body and Soul" community health and wellness fair on Wednesday, April 10. The FREE public event is from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the upper quad at Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Niguel: Youth Employment Opportunity Program
The Youth Employment Opportunity Program will discuss various job-related topics April 18. This workshop in Laguna Niguel will demystify the job hunting process for your teen and help them on their pathway to success. For more information, please click here.
San Juan Capistrano: Earth Day Fair
Make plans to celebrate San Juan Capistrano's eleventh annual Earth Day Fair on Thursday, April 18, a daylong affair said to be the largest environmental-friendly event in South County. The Earth Day event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Gymnasium at 25925 Camino del Avion. For more information, please click here.
Rancho Santa Margarita: Second Battalion, Fifth Marines
The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is offering residents a family educational opportunity by meeting representatives from the City’s adopted Second Battalion, Fifth Marines (2/5) on April 18 from 6:30 PM to 8:15 PM at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. 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:
- Participated in a Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors to conduct Clerk Recorder candidate interviews.
- Met with representatives of Pacifica Institute, a non-profit organization founded by Turkish-Americans in 2003, to discuss their annual Anatolian Festival and the work they do throughout their various branches in California and the West Coast.
- Met with Laguna Niguel Mayor Robert Ming, Mayor Pro Tem Linda Lindholm and City Manager Rod Foster to discuss community development and transportation issues.
- Attended a reception in San Juan Capistrano to present a Board resolution to the Portola Riders in honor of the 50th anniversary of El Viaje de Portolá.
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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