Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, and Columbus Day 2018 occurs Monday, October 8. Please be aware that County of Orange offices will be closed in observance of the holiday and will reopen Tuesday.
Bartlett Bulletin
OCDA Rackauckas Forms Sober Living-Home Investigation and Prosecution Task Force
Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas recently formed the Sober Living-home Investigation and Prosecution (SLIP) task force to stop large scale insurance fraud, as well as address citizen and community complaints and concerns about criminal activities occurring within the addiction treatment industry.
Last week, I was pleased to join OCDA Rackauckas for a press conference, announcing a SLIP case against 11 defendants and the problem caused by unscrupulous players in the addiction recovery industry.
Thank you District Attorney Rackauckas for your leadership in addressing this issue and bringing businesses to justice that prey upon those suffering from addiction!
Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Project Update: Renderings and Construction Schedule Released
Last week, the first four deliverables from our P3 partner, Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP), were presented at the Ocean Institute's Samueli Hall during a meeting of the Dana Point Harbor Advisory Board. The documents presented by DPHP included the slip license agreement, dry storage agreement, slip waitlist policy, and slip transition policy.
Additional preliminary Harbor Revitalization documents and artist renderings from DPHP are now available for viewing, including the proposed construction schedule, commercial core site plan, marina layout, and hotel drawings. To view all the documents received to date and for more information, please click here.
Save The Date for the next public meeting of the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization Project taking place Monday evening, Oct. 22. Location and details will be provided in my next newsletter.
Cove Road Asphalt Surface Treatment
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Autumn Harvest Festival / Haunt at Heritage Hill
OC Parks and I are pleased to invite you and your family to celebrate the fall season at the annual Autumn Harvest Festival and Haunt at Heritage Hill Historical Park this October!
On Saturday, October 6 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM, the annual Autumn Harvest Festival will return to Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest. Experience the park transformed into a Halloween festival, where visitors of all ages can enjoy a family-friendly adventure.
Attendees can enjoy Trick-or-Treat stations and a “Harry Potter’s School House." Exciting attractions will be spread throughout the park, including: The Superhero Village, The Under the Sea Adventure Maze, Princess Pumpkin Patch, Lake Forest All-Star Glow Party, and Storytelling Adventures. Children of all ages can participate in ghoulish games, costume contests, and pumpkin decorating. Costume and trick-or-treat bags are welcome and recommended. No masks or face paint permitted.
Then on Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13 from 6 PM to 10 PM, thrill-seekers are welcomed back to Heritage Hill Historical Park for the 11th Annual Haunt at Heritage Hill. Tailored to visitors ages 12 and over, the park will once again transform into a haunted adventure with scream zones, game booths, and music. Visitors can join the fun and come dressed in costume. No masks or face paint permitted. No re-entry or outside bags/backpacks are permitted.
Ladera Ranch: State of the Community 2018
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Point of Dispensing Emergency Preparedness
The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), City of Irvine, and seven South County cities will be exercising a Point of Dispensing (POD) emergency preparedness event at the Great Park, Irvine on October 18 from 4 PM to 6 PM to practice rapid distribution of medicine in the event of a public health outbreak.
The exercise will help your community prepare for general health emergencies and is a partnership of several local entities, including HCA, Medical Reserve Corps, as well as the cities of Aliso Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and San Clemente.
If a widespread disease or other emergency were to occur, it may be necessary for local health departments to activate PODs to distribute large amounts of vaccinations, antibiotics, and other medicines to a large number of people.
The Great Park POD exercise will offer both a walk-up option and a drive-thru option. During the event, participants will be directed through the exercise by local police and fire authorities and will be asked to complete a brief intake form, proceed to a nurse or nursing student who will distribute exercise materials, then be directed through the exit station.
Participants will also receive a commemorative tote bag, local emergency planning materials, information about the AlertOC emergency notification system, and a holiday pumpkin while supplies last! For more information about this one-day event, please click here.
South County Disaster Preparedness Expo
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San Juan Elementary: Walk to School Day
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OC ACCESS: Laguna Woods Meeting
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South County Spotlight
City of Lake Forest Lauded for Debt-Free Status
On Tuesday this week, my office was pleased to present a certificate of recognition to the City of Lake Forest during its Debt Free Day ceremony held at City Hall prior to the Council meeting.
To that end, the City Council took the last official step toward early repayment of the City’s only outstanding bonds, which will make Lake Forest the largest debt-free City in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
The City was already just one of eight cities in CalPERs with zero unfunded pension liability. Tuesday’s action notified Bank of America that Lake Forest will fully repay $7 million that funded the completion of Alton Parkway.
The City will also save about $1 million by making the payment December 2, the earliest allowable date. Those savings are in various funds, such as transportation improvement funds and the General Fund.
Congratulations to the City of Lake Forest upon the occasion of this most outstanding and noteworthy achievement! For more information, please see the City's full press release.
County Connections
2018 California Great Shakeout
Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:18 AM on October 18 during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. Participating is a great way for you and your family to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes wherever you live, work, or travel.
Critter Chronicles
Kitten Cuddlers Needed!
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Feline Pet of the Week: Meet Abbie!
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Out and About in South County
Doheny State Beach: Pacific Paddle Games
Doheny State Beach welcomes back the Pacific Paddle Games October 6-7. Enjoy an international competition of Stand Up Paddlers, along with vendors, opportunities to try out SUP boards and equipment, music, food and drinks!
San Clemente: 31stĀ Annual Seafest
The Seafest in San Clemente is FREE, featuring a Chowder Cook-Off Competition, Fisherman's Lobster, Business Exposition, Arts & Craft Show, Surf Contest, Children & Teen Contests, Children's Complementary Arts & Crafts, Entertainment and a U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Operation, taking place Sunday, October 7 at the historic San Clemente Pier area! Free shuttle parking at San Clemente High School from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Aliso Viejo: Health Fair & Flu Shot Clinic
Saddleback College: Veterans 5K & Kids Ruck
This week I:
Chaired the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors meeting.
Toured the Herbalife facility in Lake Forest.
Was the keynote speaker at a meeting of the Niguel Shores Men's Club in Dana Point.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the grand opening of Crestavilla in Laguna Niguel.
Flew to northern California to participate in a regional meeting of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive Committee.
My Staff:
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Metro Coast Insurance in Mission Viejo.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the 40-year anniversary celebration for Pumpkin City in Laguna Hills.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Temecula Olive Oil in Laguna Beach.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Ocean At Main restaurant in Laguna Beach.
Presented a proclamation in honor of Moulton Niguel Water District's 50-year anniversary celebration of water recycling success.
Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the City of Lake Forest Debt Free Day Ceremony.
Elected Officials in the Community
For questions or comments regarding my E-Newsletter, please contact my office staff at (714) 834-3550 or email my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, at Sergio.Prince@ocgov.com.