Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
July 3, 2014

Pat Bates's Picture

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. SAFETY SENTRY

3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

4. AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

5. HARBOR HAPPENINGS

6. CRITTER CHRONICLES

7. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

8. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Erik Weigand:
Policy Advisor

Emily Osterberg:
Policy Advisor

Veronica Yniguez:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Volume 8 Issue 26
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 2014 Board meeting schedule, please click here.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, July 15. 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.
SAFETY SENTRY

Fireworks and Summer Safety

Each year in the United States, more than 10,000 people suffer eye injuries and burns from fireworks. Most of these incidents are related to the use of illegal fireworks, as well as state-approved fireworks that are lit by amateurs.

You can enjoy a Fourth of July celebration with friends and family at a professional firework show. Many communities provide additional amenities, including food services, concerts and children's activities, along with a large fireworks show.

Conducted by licensed, trained professionals, a public firework display is the smartest and safest alternative. To find a fireworks show near you, please the South County Calendar section of my newsletter below.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Holiday Weekend: Driving The Toll Roads Helpful Tips

With the Fourth of July holiday weekend approaching and travel plans being made, please remember that cash toll collection ended May 14 on The Toll Roads.

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) has implemented a program that will waive penalties for first-time violations for drivers of the 73, 133, 241 or 261 toll roads if they are paid within 30 days of receipt. This grace period will be in place through the Labor Day holiday.

The following improvements have been, or are being, implemented:
  • Additional signage is being installed to inform drivers about the One-Time-Toll™ online payment option.
  • Customers who drive on The Toll Roads can pay online within 48 hours after their trip at www.thetollroads.com or with The Toll Roads free app.
  • Information about the closure of cash booths has been added to changeable message signs.
  • Penalties are being waived for drivers who use the 73, 133, 241 or 261 toll roads without paying for the first time through the Labor Day holiday.
  • Additional temporary customer service representatives are being added.
  • Adjustments have been made to information on the website to address common questions.
With five ways to pay tolls, there's a custom payment method that will work for every driver – no matter their method of payment, how they want to pay their toll, and how much of California they intend to explore.

Five ways to pay tolls on The Toll Roads:
  1. FasTrak – Establish a prepaid account, pay tolls that are $1 less than all other drivers and receive a transponder that allows you to pay tolls electronically on every tolled bridge, lane and road in California.
  2. Charge ExpressAccount – Establish an account with no prepayment. Drive The Toll Roads and each toll is charged individually to your credit card.
  3. Invoice ExpressAccount – Establish an account with no prepayment. Drive The Toll Roads and, at the end of the month, receive an invoice for your accumulated tolls.
  4. Prepaid ExpressAccount – Establish a pre-paid account. Drive The Toll Roads and each toll is deducted from your prepaid account.
  5. One-Time-Toll payment option – Drive The Toll Roads and within 48 hours after your drive, use our website or free app to pay your toll(s) with a credit card.
For more information, please click here.
AIRPORT ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

John Wayne Airport Fourth of July Holiday Travel Tips

Summer travel is underway at John Wayne Airport (JWA) and with the Fourth of July holiday, JWA anticipates a busy travel period through Sunday, July 6. Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and are reminded that fireworks are prohibited in or around the airport.

Tips for Passengers and Visitors:
  • All passengers flying out of JWA are encouraged to arrive 90 minutes to two-hours before the flight departure time to find parking, check luggage and go through the security checkpoint. Passengers who are members of TSA Pre-Check can expedite the screening process in Terminals A, B and C.
  • Drivers picking up passengers at the Airport are encouraged to utilize 2-hour parking spaces, located on the lower level of Parking Structures A1, B2 and C.
Tips for Parking at JWA:
  • Curbside Valet Parking for $30 per day is located on the departure level between Terminals A and B and in front of Terminal C.
  • Parking is available in Parking Structures A1, A2, B2 and C located adjacent to and directly across from the Riley Terminal at a rate of $20 per day and $2 per hour with the first 15 minutes being free for those dropping off and picking up passengers.
  • Off-site Main Street Parking, located at 1512 Main St., Irvine, is available for $14 per day with free shuttle service to/from the Riley Terminal every 15 minutes.
  • For parking availability, call 949.252.5200 or for directions to JWA, please visit www.ocair.com/parking.
For more travel tips, please click here. Also, please see TSA's summer travel checklist by clicking here for more information.
HARBOR HAPPENINGS

Fourth of July in Dana Point Harbor

As the Fourth of July is the busiest day in Dana Point Harbor, OC Dana Point Harbor encourages everyone to plan ahead and consider the following:
  • Depending upon the weather, public parking and picnic areas will fill up early so please plan accordingly.
  • Marina parking lots will be staffed all day.
  • If you are a boater, plan ahead and bring supplies to your boat early.
  • Campers, RVs and trailers are prohibited in marina lots and may be towed.
  • If you have guests coming, make plans to meet them at the parking gate.
  • Gate attendants will monitor availability and use discretion regarding how many guest vehicles will be admitted to the parking lots.
  • Please encourage your guests to carpool and use on-street parking.
For more information, please click here, here and here.
CRITTER CHRONICLES

Keep Your Pets Safe this 4th of July Holiday

The following are important tips to make the coming 4th of July holiday a pleasant one for you and your pets:
  • Keep pets inside. The best situation for your pet is to be at home with you. If your holiday plans take you elsewhere, it is best to leave your pet inside the house. Sometimes frightened animals will try to seek refuge from noise and confusion by chewing through ropes, jumping fences or running away. Keeping them indoors will assure that they won't get lost. It is a good idea to leave a radio or TV set on to drown out the load firework noises.
  • If you have an animal that is nervous or predisposed to stress, you might want to consult with your veterinarian about having tranquilizers on hand during the July 4th holiday. The vet will prescribe according to weight, age and condition of the pet. It is important to consult a veterinarian because tranquilizers can overdose or become toxic when combined with other medications, flea collars or sprays.
  • Make sure your pets are wearing proper ID tags with at least two phone numbers listed on them on the outside and a registered microchip on the inside.
  • Don't leave pets outside, even in a fenced yard, anytime when fireworks are being set off in the neighborhood.
  • More pets are lost around the 4th of July than any other time of year. If your pet gets lost, begin a search immediately.
For more information, please click here.
SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Aliso Viejo: Fourth of July Celebration

The City of Aliso Viejo will host its annual Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks at Grand Park on Friday, July 4 from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Beach: Fourth of July Activities

The City of Laguna Beach is anticipating large crowds for the July 4 holiday and is requesting the public’s cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors. The City’s fireworks show will originate from Monument Point at Heisler Park, beginning at 9:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Laguna Niguel: July 4 Celebrations

Add to your Independence Day festivities by attending the City of Laguna Niguel’s FREE Summer Concert and Fireworks Spectacular on July 4 at Crown Valley Community Park, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway. For more information, please click here.

Lake Forest: Fourth of July Parade

Celebrate the Fourth of July at the City of Lake Forest’s 23rd annual parade, which begins promptly at 10:00 AM. For more information, including the schedule of events, please click here.

Mission Viejo: July 4 Extravaganza

Celebrate our nation's independence by attending the City of Mission Viejo’s Fourth of July Street Faire and Fireworks Spectacular on Olympiad Road between Marguerite Parkway and Melinda Road. The July 4 extravaganza takes place from noon to 9:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

San Clemente: Independence Day Celebration

On July 4, the City of San Clemente will host an Independence Day celebration for the community. At 9:00 PM, the City continues its annual tradition and will present a spectacular fireworks display from the Municipal Pier. For more information, please click here.

San Juan Capistrano: 4th of July Celebration

The City of San Juan Capistrano’s July 4 festivities begin at 3:00 PM with activities for all ages at the San Juan Capistrano Sports Park, 25925 Camino del Avion. For more information, please click here.
FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Presented a proclamation to the Forster family on the occasion of the 200th birthday of the family patriarch John “Don Juan” Forster, an original grantee of the vast ranch lands once defining South County.

 Wising you and yours a safe and happy Independence Day! Let us remember our brave service men and women, who sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms.

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.

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