February 21, 2014 |
|
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. HEALTH HERALD
5. NOTES FROM THE FIELD
6. CRITTER CHRONICLES
7. RECORDER RECORD
8. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT
9. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR
10. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP
OUR STAFF...
Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff
Kristen Camuglia:
Deputy Chief of Staff
Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor
Erik Weigand:
Policy Advisor
Emily Osterberg:
Policy Advisor
Veronica Yniguez:
Policy Advisor
Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager
Click here to subscribe.
Click here to unsubscribe
|
|
| BOARD BULLETIN BOARD |
Sacramento Summit 2014
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I was in Sacramento with my colleague Supervisor Nguyen and senior County executive staff for the County’s Sacramento Summit 2014.
The event featured a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors with Board members participating both in Sacramento as well as via conference call from the Hall of Administration Board Hearing Room.
Legislative members of the Orange County delegation attended to discuss local legislative priorities and sign on as co-authors of the County’s 2014 legislative proposals. Following the special meeting, we met with key leaders on issues related to public protection, health care, budget/finance, and water and infrastructure issues.
To view the Special Board Meeting agenda, please click here.
|
| TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION |
Northbound I-5 Full Freeway Closure Update
The nighttime full closure of the northbound I-5 freeway at Ortega Highway – originally scheduled Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22 – is canceled. Crews will resume the three consecutive weekends of full freeway closures Friday, February 28.
The full freeway closures will take place Friday and Saturday nights, beginning Friday, February 28 and concluding Saturday, March 15. These closures are necessary for crews to remove falsework from the south half of the Ortega Highway bridge over the I-5 freeway.
For more information, please click here.
Orange County: On The Move
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has issued its latest edition of “Orange County: On The Move.” To view the OCTA e-newsletter, please click here.
|
| SAFETY SENTRY |
Utility Warns Customers about Payment Scam
San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) is warning customers about ongoing wire fraud that has been targeting residential and business customers.
According to SDG&E, people are misrepresenting themselves as utility employees by calling customers and threatening to turn off their electric and gas service if they don't make an immediate payment. Customers are instructed to purchase a pre-pay credit card and are directed to another phone number where information is then obtained from the card and the cash value is removed.
The utility is warning customers of the fraud to prevent them from becoming potential victims. SDG&E says it does not proactively contact customers and ask for them credit card information over the phone.
Customers should not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. If you receive a phone call that makes you feel uncomfortable and you know you have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, hang up and call SDG&E directly at 1-800-411-7343.
Other points to remember include:
- SDG&E always provides past-due notices in writing before service is shut-off for non-payment.
- If customers receive a phone call that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call SDG&E directly at 1-800-411-7343.
- Customers should not provide financial information by telephone unless they call SDG&E directly.
- It's important to report this type of fraudulent activity by calling 1-800-411-7343.
- Don't be afraid to call SDG&E if you have an outstanding balance. Customer service agents are trained to work with customers to arrange for a payment plan or other payment process and cannot authorize a shut-off without proper written notification.
Aliso Viejo Substation Medication Drop-Off
The overwhelming majority of households today have unused medications that are either being stored in medicine cabinets or disposed of improperly. The proper disposal of unused, expired, or unwanted pharmaceuticals is a growing public health concern. This excess of medications in our homes creates significant opportunities for unintentional poisonings, illegal distribution, substance misuse or abuse, and environmental contamination.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has created an opportunity in South County to dispose of medications in a safe and secure way. The drop-off location is at the Aliso Viejo Sub Station (11 Journey, Aliso Viejo 92656) and accepts disposal of medication Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
They accept all kinds of pill form medication but unfortunately will not accept liquids, needles or syringes. Please help keep your home and community safe by disposing pharmaceuticals in a designated drop-off location.
For more information, please click here.
|
| HEALTH HERALD |
Potential Public Exposure to Measles
The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed four cases of measles in Orange County in the last seven weeks, which is consistent with an increase seen throughout California. These cases raise the possibility that Orange County residents may be exposed to measles. The most recent case spent time in public locations in Orange County while contagious.
Staff at the Health Care Agency has been working with these locations to contact people who may have had a prolonged exposure to this case. The risk of developing infection after brief encounters with persons with measles is low, but as a precaution, people who were in the below locations around the same time as the individual with measles should:
- Review their vaccination history if they have not previously had the measles; people who have not had measles or the measles vaccine are at higher risk after an exposure, so they should talk with a health care provider about receiving MMR vaccination.
- Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, contact a health care provider immediately.
Potential exposure locations and times:
- Del Taco, 7001 Katella Ave, Stanton
- Monday, February 10: 5:30-11pm
- Thursday, February 13: 4-9pm
- Pueblo Medical Center, 8045 Cerritos Ave, Stanton
- Tuesday, February 11: 2-4pm
- Western High School, 501 South Western Ave, Anaheim
- Thursday, February 13: 7:45am - 4pm
- West Anaheim Medical Center, 3033 West Orange Avenue, Anaheim
- Friday, February 14: 8-11am
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. Measles spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person. Measles is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears.
Measles is a rare disease in the United States and in regions of the world where vaccination coverage is high. Maintaining high vaccination rates is vital to preventing outbreaks of disease in our community.
To learn more about measles, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Orange County Health Care Agency.
|
| NOTES FROM THE FIELD |
Orange County Crime Victims’ Monument Design Competition
The Orange County Board of Supervisors and OC Parks invite you to the first public unveiling of the five final designs for a Crime Victims’ Monument at Mason Regional Park. These finalists were selected from a group of 59 entries.
The reception will take place Wednesday, February 26 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Santa Ana, CA 92701. Following the reception, the displays will remain at the Old Orange County Courthouse until March 20 for public viewing and input.
For more information, please click here.
|
| CRITTER CHRONICLES |
Spay Day USA
Please join OC Animal Care in celebrating Spay Day USA on Saturday, February 22 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Come down to the shelter to see all of the wonderful animals available for adoption and receive FREE spay/neuter for all adopted dogs, cats & bunnies!
For more information, please click here.
“Shelter Me - Second Chances” Premiers on PBS
The PBS documentary “Shelter Me – Second Chances” premiered last week on stations across the US. The documentary follows shelter dogs selected from OC Animal Care through their training journey with the PAW (Pups and Wards) Program at Juvenile Hall. This touching and uplifting documentary highlights OC Animal Care staff and dogs, PAW Program trainers, Juvenile Hall staff and the youth trainers.
For more information, please click here.
|
| RECORDER RECORD |
266 Couples Married on Valentine’s Day
A record number of couples (266) were married Valentine’s Day in civil ceremonies performed by Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and his Deputy Clerks at the department’s three marriage locations, breaking the longstanding Valentine’s Day record of 173 couples wed in 1997, as ceremony rooms were available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills.
Valentine’s Day continues to be the most popular day of the year for civil marriage ceremonies. The all-time record for marriage ceremonies was set Dec. 12, 2012 (12/12/12), when 283 couples took the plunge, hoping to start their marriages on a lucky date.
In addition to marrying 266 couples, the Clerk-Recorder Department also issued 310 marriage licenses. Last year, the department issued 224 marriage licenses on Valentine’s Day.
The highlight of the day came when Harlem Globetrotters stars Wun Versher and Thunder Law visited the Old County Courthouse and handed out red roses to welcome couples looking to tie the knot. The Globetrotters stars also took photos with couples and even served as witnesses in one ceremony.
For more information, please click here.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT |
Arbor Day Foundation Names Laguna Hills Tree City USA
Laguna Hills was named a 2013 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Laguna Hills achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
For more information, please click here.
|
| SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR |
Mission Viejo: The Wildlife Company
Get up close and personal with live African and other exotic animals during a special FREE presentation Saturday, February 22. Presented by The Wildlife Company, the show takes place twice at 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Saddleback Room at the Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center. For more information, please click here.
Aliso Viejo: Behind the Orange Curtain
Parents and teens are invited to a FREE screening and discussion of the award-winning movie "Behind the Orange Curtain" on Sunday, February 23. The film, which is a "Family Exploration of Prescription Drug Abuse in Orange County," is from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo. For more information, please click here and here.
Laguna Hills: Meet the City Managers
Join the South Orange County Economic Coalition as they "Meet the City Managers" Friday, February 28 at The Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills (25205 La Paz Rd., Laguna Hills) and hear what's happening around South County in terms of jobs, economic development, infrastructure, and enhancing quality of life. For more information, please click here and here.
Laguna Niguel: The Emerald Forest
Tame your family's curiosity about wildlife with an interactive show Friday, February 28 at 7:00 PM, with Wild Wonders, Inc., as they take you on an adventure without ever leaving your seat. Don't miss this fun night of The Emerald Forest. Seats are first come, first serve. For more information, please click here.
Dana Point: Festival of Whales
The Dana Point Festival of Whales is celebrating its 43rd anniversary on March 1, 2, 8 & 9. Their Calendar of Events provides a daily listing of all that's going on, including location, time and a short description of the event. For more information, please click here and here. To ride Metrolink FREE March 1 to the Festival of Whales, please click here and here.
|
| FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP |
In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
- Presented a proclamation in honor of Taylor Thomas of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
- Served as Master of Ceremonies for the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers and Directors.
- Received a briefing from the OC Dana Point Harbor Director on harbor activities and events.
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.
Follow me on Facebook! |
| |
|
