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May 10, 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. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS
3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
4. COUNTY CONNECTIONS
5. AIRPORT ARRIVALS
6. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
7. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS
8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
9. CRITTER CHRONICLES
10. SAFETY SENTRY
11. SENIOR SENTINEL
12. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
13. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
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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| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Board Appoints County Executive Officer
The Board selected Michael B. Giancola to serve as County Executive Officer (CEO) effective immediately.
Mr. Giancola has served as Director of OC Waste & Recycling since 2009 and has been employed by the County of Orange for more than 30 years. During his 27 years with OC Waste & Recycling, he has served in several management capacities, including as the first manager of the County’s recycling program and as Deputy Director for both the department’s Central and South Regions.
During his four-year tenure as Director of OC Waste & Recycling, the department has secured revised solid waste permits to provide Orange County with long term disposal capacity, expanded renewable energy opportunities at the County’s landfill sites, and developed an educational outreach partnership that resulted in the award winning Eco Challenge exhibit at the Discovery Science Center.
Giancola first joined the County in 1977 as a Park Attendant at Mile Square Park. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1980-85 and rejoined the County’s Harbor, Beaches and Parks Department upon his discharge from military service. He began working for the County’s Integrated Waste Management Department, now known as OC Waste & Recycling, in January 1986.
The employment agreement approved by the Board sets Giancola’s annual salary at $245,000. The agreement also requires that he pay the employee’s share of the normal cost of his pension benefit plus the complete reverse pick-up pension contribution.
For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY NEWS |
South Orange County Job Fair
Attention job seekers! The third annual South Orange County Job Fair will be held Thursday, May 16 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center (24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The South Orange County Job Fair will feature employment opportunities in various industries, including government, public safety, hospitality, and much more! The event and workshops are FREE!
For more information, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Ortega Highway Interchange Project Update
Caltrans officials have released the list of projected dates for the I-5 Ortega Highway replacement interchange project. This project began in February of this year and is expected to be completed in two years.
While the dates are not entirely set in stone, this timeline provides an estimated outline;
- June 2013- Demolition of south side of bridge
- May 2014- Work on the south bridge and on and off-ramps is expected to finish. Northbound I-5 on-ramp closure begins for an expected three weeks.
- June 2014- Six week closure of southbound I-5 on-ramp
- August 2014- Full closure of bridge for three weeks.
- September 2014- Traffic switches to the finished south half of the bridge, and work begins on the north side.
The city’s agreement with Caltrans ensures no major closures between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day and the last two weeks of March to coincide with Swallows Day. Junipero Serra Road and San Juan Creek Road will be the only two east-west options throughout the construction.
In order to ensure normal response times during construction, police, fire, and ambulance crews are arranging staging areas on the east side of Ortega.
Sensitive to the impact of construction on local businesses, the City Council has implemented new ways of encouraging business in San Juan Capistrano during the construction of the highway. All businesses will be allowed to display two banners instead of just one, and the city will be installing 19 signs through town that direct motorists to shops, dining, theaters, golf and the mission.
Bike to Work Month
May is Orange County Bike Month. Bicycling is an environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and enjoyable way to get around Orange County.
Metrolink will offer free rides on Bike to Work Day (May 16) to anyone who brings a bike onboard Metrolink. This offer will be effective on all Metrolink trains in operation May 16, 2013. Riders must accompany their bike for the entire trip. Free ride offer is limited to one person per bike.
For more information, please click here.
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| COUNTY CONNECTIONS |
County Hosts 2013-2014 Budget Workshop
Community members are encouraged to attend the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget Workshop on Friday, May 24 to learn about the County's budget process and anticipated issues. The Budget Workshop will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Hall of Administration, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd, First Floor, Santa Ana 92701.
For more information, please click here.
Orange County Public Works Celebrates Annual Open House
Orange County Public Works will host its Annual Open House on Friday, May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2301 North Glassell Street, Orange. This year, the Open House will exhibit an overview of projects, community services, and displays that give residents a better understanding of what OC Public Works does for their community.
OC Public Works staff will be available to answer questions and provide information about the department’s projects and services. Public Works encourages all residents, students, and prospective engineers to join this informative event.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS |
CBP Trusted Traveler Program 'Global Entry' Arrives at JWA
John Wayne Airport (JWA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced this week that a Global Entry kiosk is now in operation for travelers arriving from international destinations.
Global Entry allows expedited CBP clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Global Entry members flying into Orange County can now take advantage of this program at JWA.
As an added benefit, Global Entry members are also eligible to participate in the TSA Pre✔™ expedited screening program, which is available in John Wayne Airport’s Terminal A. Additional information is available on the Global Entry website.
While the goal of Global Entry is to speed travelers through the process, members may be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program's terms and conditions will result in appropriate enforcement action and revocation of the traveler's membership privileges.
Global Entry is a quick and easy way for trusted travelers to expedite their entry into the U.S. Announced as a pilot program in 2008, Global Entry was established as a permanent voluntary program in 2012 and is now operational at 34 U.S. airports and 10 preclearance locations.
For more information, please click here.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
Boater Advisory: Dana Point Harbor Underwater Cleanup
OC Dana Point Harbor is planning the next underwater clean-up event with volunteer scuba divers Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon in the West Basin Marina on the cove side at A-Dock. Boaters are asked to exercise care and caution when operating vessels near the dive area.
Boaters located on West Basin A-Dock are requested to not operate their vessels during this four-hour event due to diver safety. If you must move your vessel during this four-hour period, please contact the Dana West Marina at (949)493-6222 for assistance.
Floats with dive flags will be located at the inner-channel end of each of the affected fairways. County and Marina staff as well as Volunteers will be present to assist and protect the divers as they conduct their underwater searches.
This Underwater Cleanup effort is part of OC Dana Point Harbor’s continuing water quality improvement program. The semi-annual event will continue to move throughout the east and west marina basins on a multi-year cycle.
For more information or to volunteer to participate, please contact Dana West Marina Company at (949) 493-6222 or click here and here.
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| ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS |
Orange County Coastal Coalition
Please join me Thursday, May 23 for the Orange County Coastal Coalition meeting. The meeting will be at Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach.
Ms. Jenna Voss from OC Watersheds, County of Orange, will be making a presentation on the County’s Trash and Debris Management Efforts; and Ms. Kim Buss from OC Watersheds, County of Orange, will be giving a presentation presenting on the County’s Adopt a Channel Program. Both presentations will be followed by a Question and Answer session.
For more information, please click here.
OC Waste & Recycling Holds Eco Challenge Poster Contest
Through Friday, May 24, Orange County children can participate in a special Eco Challenge poster contest presented by OC Waste & Recycling, the Discovery Science Center, and Angels Baseball for the chance to be an Honorary Bat Kid at a 2013 Angels baseball game.
Just choose your favorite topic below and make a poster to showcase your ideas and creativity around that theme.
- Recycling – Design a poster showing how you make an effort to recycle in your everyday life.
- Reusing Materials – Design a poster showing how various household items can be re-used in new and different ways.
- Reducing Waste – Design a poster showing how you can reduce waste; what kind of choices can you make in your daily life to ensure you are only using what you need?
- A Greener Future – Design a poster around the idea of what Earth would look like if we were more environmentally conscious.
Bring or mail your entry to Discovery Science Center by May 24, as five lucky winners from each of Orange County’s five Supervisorial Districts will be awarded the status of Honorary Bat Kid during an Angels home game in 2013.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
OC Parks Presents the 2013 Summer Concert Series
OC Parks welcomes back its annual outdoor summer concert series. Thirteen FREE concerts at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach will present Southern California artists performing live under the summer sky on Thursday evenings June through August.
The last concert of the 2013 OC Parks Summer Concert Series stops at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach on August 29 with a special performance by local indie rock icon Matt Costa and The Blank Tapes.
All of the OC Parks Summer Concerts are part of The World Famous KROQ’s ROQ N’ Surf summer series. All shows are from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, free concert admission with FREE parking and open to the public of all ages. Food trucks will be serving on-site at each location.
Friends and families are invited to come out and enjoy great local live music under the stars at OC Parks this summer season! For more information, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Animals for Armed Forces Adoption Event
OC Animal Care and the Animals for Armed Forces Foundation® would like to honor and say thank you to our dedicated service men and women by providing FREE adoptions* during this special event!
The adoption discount applies to current, former/retired and/or immediate family members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.
Please bring your photo ID and one of the following to receive the adoption discount:
- A copy of your Military ID
- A copy of your DD-214 and Driver’s License
- A copy of your NGB Form 22
For questions regarding identification, please call (714) 796-6428. For more information about the event, please call (714) 916-5400 or click here and here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
New Orange County Peace Officers' Memorial Monument
May is National Peace Officers’ Memorial Month and the Sheriff’s Advisory Council and the Orange County Chiefs’ of Police and Sheriff’s Association is looking forward to presenting the new Orange County Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument at a the Regional Training Academy in Tustin on Wednesday, May 29.
The new monument will honor the 52 law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty in Orange County. The original monument was located in front of the Santa Ana courthouse, but age and ongoing deterioration took its toll on the structure. The new site for the memorial will provide security, as well as the proper care it deserves.
In addition to being very accessible to visitors, the memorial will include the walls of honor, water features, benches for reflection and heroic-size bronze statuary. It will also feature the Walk of Heroes, a prominent path approaching the monument that will display a limited number of commemorative brick pavers. The construction of the new memorial is estimated at $1.4 million.
For more information, please click here.
Citizen's Academy Applications Available
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is proudly offering its first countywide Citizen’s Academy. Class #1 will begin July 2.
To learn more and download the application, please click here.
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| SENIOR SENTINEL |
Make a Difference on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) occurs every year around the world on June 15. It is a day that we honor and remember the victims and survivors of elder abuse and pledge ourselves anew to the cause of elder justice in the U.S.
This year, the Ageless Alliance national theme for WEAAD is “Make a Difference with your Heart, Hands, Voice and Mind.” Each of us can make a difference for older adults this WEAAD by using our hearts, hands, voices and minds to get involved and take action.
There are also lots of simple things that individuals can do to commemorate the day and the cause. For a few ideas to start you off, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
South County Students Qualify for National Competition
Two Vista del Mar Middle School students have each qualified for the 2013 Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest June 9-13 at the University of Maryland at College Park.
Amanda Rooker and Chandler Horton were named co-champions in Junior individual Performance and Junior Historical Paper, respectively. The two recently competed at the state National History Day competition in Sacramento.
Amanda Rooker's entry was titled "The Nine Who Said Yes We Can: A Turning Point in Integration and Education"; and Chandler Horton's paper was titled "Silent Spring: Catalyst of the Environmental Movement."
South County Alum Selected to National Football League
Santa Margarita High School graduate Gavin Escobar was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
With his selection, Gavin became the third Santa Margarita alum to be drafted by an NFL franchise. He joins Kris Farris '95 (1999, 3rd round, Pittsburgh Steelers) and Carson Palmer '98 (2003, 1st round, Cincinnati Bengals) as SMHS Eagles to be drafted into the NFL. When Escobar reports to training camp he will become the ninth former Eagle to participate in an NFL camp.
Gavin, a 2009 Santa Margarita High graduate, was considered by many analysts as the third best tight end coming into the draft behind Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert and Stanford's Zach Ertz, who were taken 21st and 35th, respectively, overall.
Gavin entered the draft as a redshirt junior out of San Diego State where he caught 122 passes for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns. At San Diego State, Gavin made the transition to a tight end after playing wide receiver at Santa Margarita. His senior season with the Eagles, Gavin caught 37 passes for 492 yards and six touchdowns.
For more information, please click here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Laguna Niguel: Cyber Safety for Teens
The Orange County Sheriff's Department will be hosting Cyber Safety presentations for teens and their parents on Thursday, May 16 at City Hall (30111 Crown Valley Parkway) from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM to learn the latest tips for reducing online risks. Space is limited. Please call (949) 362-4306 to RSVP the number of adults and teens attending.
San Juan Capistrano: Marine Car Wash
The City of San Juan Capistrano will host a car wash Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to benefit the City's adopted 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment. For more information, please click here and here.
Rancho Santa Margarita: Safety Fair for Families
Join the Orange County Sheriff's Department and community organizations in Rancho Santa Margarita to help families develop good safety habits that will last a lifetime. Learn about safety for the Internet, biking, water, fire, child seats, and self-defense on May 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at RSM Central Park. 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:
- Met with members of the Ladera Ranch Civic Council to discuss future governance issues.
- Participated in the monthly meeting of the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of Percy Lee "Boots" Liles of Mission Viejo.
My office also:
- Attended a meeting of the Orange County Library Advisory Board.
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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