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May 24, 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. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
3. SAFETY SENTRY
4. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES
5. HARBOR HAPPENINGS
6. CRITTER CHRONICLES
7. SENIOR SENTINEL
8. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
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
Sabrina Ross:
Deputy Chief of Staff
Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor
Erik Weigand:
Policy Advisor
Emily Osterberg:
Policy Advisor
Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager
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| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
AB 109 Realignment
The Board heard a presentation by Sheriff Sandra Hutchins on AB 109, which was passed by the California Legislature and signed into law by Governor Brown in 2011. The law mandates that individuals sentenced to non-serious, non-violent or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison.
This law has a major impact at the local level. By requiring Orange County to house former state prison inmates at our County jails, we face the problem of running out of space. Sheriff Hutchins explained that Orange County currently has 7,157 beds between five facilities that house inmates.
With the implementation of AB 109, we received over 1,000 new prisoners. As of today, we have enough room but the future remains questionable. The Sheriff discussed the need for the expansion of our jails and outlined several areas where funding could be available, including grants and funding from the state and federal government.
Sheriff Hutchens explained the complex nature of our jails receiving these new inmates. Prisoner litigation and rights issues, health care costs for long term inmates, the separation of certain individuals or groups, and illegal contraband and disciplinary actions have all increased with these new occupants.
Another aspect of AB 109 is how the County of Orange is working to reintroduce rehabilitated inmates back into society. The Community Work Program has increased from 287 inmates, to 425. These individuals live at home and are scheduled to report to work daily.
Another program is the Supervised Electronic Confinement Program. These offenders are electronically monitored and must stay confined to their homes. Additionally the County is working with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to send inmates to State Fire Camps.
All of these strategies help relieve any potential for overcrowding and allow these inmates a chance to be reintroduced into our communities. This, however, is not without controversy. A lot of counties and cities throughout the state are seeing an uptick in property crimes.
The Sheriff explained that it was still too soon to know if AB 109 is to blame for this trend. Sheriff Hutchens showed the Board a graph of this trend and explained that the growth began over seven months before the passage of AB 109.
We, as a County, must remain diligent as we continue to address the implications of AB 109. It is my hope that we keep serious and repeat offenders behind bars, as well as show compassion to those who have admitted their mistakes and are willing to make a change for the better and rehabilitate themselves back into normal life.
For more information, please click here.
Poche Clean Beach Project Long Term Operation Services
The Board approved an agreement with South Coast Water District for the Poche Clean Beach Project. Under the agreement, South Coast Water District will provide operations and maintenance services at the urban runoff treatment facility located at Poche Beach and allow the discharge of the treatment facility’s filter backwash into the sanitary sewer system, preventing the runoff from entering the surf zone.
For more information, please click here.
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| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
South County Memorial Day Road Closures & Detours
Please note that road closures as a result of the Laguna Hills Half Marathon on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 may affect your holiday or normal route! Local residents in the Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel area may be affected. Please click on the links below for detour areas and for a full listing of all closures:
Aliso Viejo residents who want to cross Alicia Parkway when traveling south on Moulton Parkway, Pacific Park or Aliso Creek Road during the hours of 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Monday, May 27 can use the CA-73 Toll Road by entering at the Aliso Creek entrance south (tolls will be waived during this 2 hour period).
For more information, please click here.
OCTA Partners with San Juan Capistrano Businesses
Construction is underway for Caltrans’ I-5 / Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project. The project, which will reduce delays and traffic congestion on Ortega Highway, is slated for completion in 2015.
In partnership with businesses impacted by the project, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has developed a program to promote public transportation and encourage the public to visit the project area.
The program, which encourages the public to “Make it a Mission to Experience San Juan Capistrano,” features multiple discounts that are available to Metrolink riders. Participating businesses include Mission San Juan Capistrano, Zoomars Petting Zoo, Mission Grill, Zia Jewelry, Five Vines Wine Bar, Capistrano Trading Post, Camino Real Playhouse, and more.
OCTA will launch the ridership campaign with a kick-off event Saturday, June 8 at the Santa Ana Station, beginning at 8:30 AM. The event will feature FREE refreshments from Nothing Bundt Cakes, live music performed by Headshine, and prizes. Attendees can then take Metrolink to San Juan Capistrano to take advantage of special discounts.
As part of the event, other discounts will be available on June 8 in addition to regular ongoing discounts at other locations. Special event-day discounts include:
- half-price admission to Mission San Juan Capistrano;
- A free meal at Sarducci’s with the purchase of a regular meal;
- half- price admission to Zoomars Petting Zoo; and
- A buy one, get one free offer for coffee or dessert at Rick’s Café.
Riders can take the OC Metrolink line Ride to San Juan Capistrano from as far away as Los Angeles, or the IEOC Line from San Bernardino.
For more information, please click here.
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| SAFETY SENTRY |
Memorial Day Weekend DUI Crackdown
The Orange County DUI Task Force is deploying officers this holiday weekend at DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols countywide to arrest impaired drivers and to keep the public aware of the dangers of driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs.
Memorial Day signals the start of the summer season with college and high school graduations. Unfortunately, it also means a predictable rise in drunk or drugged driving crashes when reckless drivers take to the roadways impaired. Friends and families will gather for celebrations, often with alcohol, this holiday weekend.
Law enforcement is reminding everyone to make plans now for any weekend trips and partying. Make sure to use a ‘designated sober driver’ to prevent arrest or worse, a deadly driving tragedy.
Law enforcement throughout the region, beginning Friday evening, May 24, will deploy DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints in the cities of Placentia, Cypress, Buena Park and Rancho Santa Margarita. Special DUI Saturation Patrols will be deploying in the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Placentia, Fullerton, Irvine, La Palma, Laguna Beach and also in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s contract cities.
More local DUI Saturation Patrols will be out on Saturday and Sunday nights in cities throughout the county. The California Highway Patrol is deploying all available officers Memorial Day weekend onto freeways and county roads as part of their maximum enforcement period.
For more information, please click here, here, here and here.
Citizen's Academy Applications Available
As reported in my newsletter last week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is offering its first countywide Citizen’s Academy. Class #1 will begin July 2.
To learn more and/or download the application, please click here.
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| AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES |
John Wayne Travel Tips for Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer travel season and is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. John Wayne Airport (JWA) expects Airport traffic to be heaviest Thursday & Friday (May 23 & 24) and Tuesday (May 28).
Visitors to JWA during the Memorial Day holiday weekend should be aware of ongoing construction activities around the Riley Terminal, exercise caution when navigating Airport roadways and follow posted speed limits.
To view the travel tips for passengers and visitors, as well as parking options at JWA, please click here. For the latest travel tips and security requirements, log on to www.ocair.com for more information.
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| HARBOR HAPPENINGS |
Community Notice: Memorial Day Weekend Parking
Effective May 25–27, OC Dana Point Harbor, working with our partners at Dana West Marina, Dana Point Marina Company, Vintage Marina Partners, Dana Point Harbor Association, Catalina Express and Dana Wharf Sportfishing, are implementing the following parking programs over Memorial Day weekend in an effort to provide the most efficient parking for Harbor users during this busy time:
- Depending upon the weather, public parking and picnic areas fill up early, so plan accordingly.
- Campers, RVs and trailers are prohibited in marina lots and may be towed.
- 5/25/13 through 5/27/13, many Catalina Express customers, along with Merchant and Restaurant employees, will be directed to park at the Embarcadero one-acre parcel.
- Boaters with appropriate gate cards or windshield passes on their vehicle will have access to their boater lots.
- If you are a boater, plan ahead and bring supplies to your boat early.
- Marina parking lots will be staffed through the weekend and attendants will be monitoring parking gates.
- Please encourage your guests to carpool and use on-street parking.
- If you have guests coming, make plans to meet them at the parking gate, as gate attendants will monitor availability and use discretion regarding how many guest vehicles will be admitted to the parking lots.
For more information, please click here.
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| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
‘Adopt & Shop’ South County Grand Opening
OC Animal Care has partnered with Found Animals Foundation to provide animals for Orange County's first ‘Adopt & Shop’ store. Located on the lower level of The Shops at Mission Viejo, this unique pet store only adopts out animals from local shelters.
May 21 marked the grand opening of the store. So far, OC Animal Care has placed more than 30 animals at the store and in only a few days, several have been adopted.
OC Animal Care is excited about this new opportunity to increase pet adoptions, decrease euthanasia, and provide more access to shelter pets for South County communities. Please stop by and checkout Adopt & Shop!
For more information, please click here, here and here.
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 their Animals for Armed Forces adoption event Saturday, May 25 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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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| SENIOR SENTINEL |
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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| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Dr. Sue and Her Arthropod Zoo
Join OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation on Saturday, June 1 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a special Weekend at the Nix Nature Center, featuring Dr. Sue and Her Arthropod Zoo. Dr. Sue Van Vorhis Key, PhD. has a zoo full of amazing live insects and arthropods. This amazing event will be fun for the entire family. Space is limited.
For more information or to register for this event, please click here.
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| RECORDER RECORD |
Clerk-Recorder Plans Special Saturday Hours June 22
Plan now to take advantage of special Saturday hours available at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department on Saturday, June 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the department’s branch offices in Laguna Hills and Fullerton.
The Old County Courthouse will be offering marriage licenses, civil wedding ceremonies and passport application services only. Copies of property records and birth, death and marriage certificates will be available at the Laguna Hills and Fullerton branch offices, as well as obtaining marriage licenses and performing civil wedding ceremonies.
The special Saturday hours will make it easier for families and those who work during the week to obtain services usually offered just on weekdays. FREE parking will be available at all three locations.
For more information, please click here.
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| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
South County Schools’ PAL Programs Named County's Best
The PAL (Peer Assistance Leadership) Program at Marco Forster Middle School in San Juan Capistrano was presented with the outstanding program award during a surprise visit by the Orange County Department of Education. Marco Forster also won the award in 2008-2009 and 2010-2011.
In addition, Laguna Beach High School was named the Outstanding High School PAL Program.
Winners of the 2013 Outstanding PAL Program award are chosen based on their implementation of creative and innovative practices to enhance youth engagement and connectedness at schools and in the community.
The PAL program is known for the development of youth leaders who outreach on school campuses through new student transition, conflict management, peer helping, tutoring, and prevention activities. PAL students are committed to creating safe, supportive school environments and to promoting alcohol, tobacco, drug, and violence free lifestyles.
For more information, please click here and here.
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| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
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 Saturday, May 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at RSM Central Park. For more information, please click here and here
Dana Point: Memorial Day Services
The community is invited beautiful Pines Park in the City of Dana Point on Monday, May 27 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM to remember and honor all those who gave their lives in all wars. For more information, please click here.
Laguna Hills: Memorial Day Half Marathon
Memorial Day, May 27, marks the 15th annual City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 5k, and 10K, Honoring the United States Marine Corps Dark Horse Battalion. This favorite Memorial Day running event takes place in the beautiful South County cities of Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Woods, and Laguna Niguel. For more information, please click here.
San Clemente: Memorial Day Observances
The City of San Clemente invites the public to join community leaders at the annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 27 to commemorate our nation’s fallen soldiers of war. The program is from 11:00 AM to noon at the San Clemente Community Center. The community is also invited to observe Memorial Day at Park Semper Fi from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM to honor all branches of the U.S. military. 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:
- Presented a certificate of recognition at the grand opening of the Maddie James Seaside Learning Center at the newly expanded Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor.
- Presented a proclamation at the Women Network Day event in Ladera Ranch.
- Attended a Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) meeting to present a proclamation to outgoing SMWD Director Roger Faubel.
- Adjourned the Board of Supervisors meeting in memory of U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Joseph Prescott of Dana Point.
My office also:
- Delivered a County Update at a meeting of the Laguna Woods Republican Club.
- Chaired the Orange County Coastal Coalition 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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