On Monday, January 20, the County of Orange will observe a national holiday in honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Dr. King challenged us to embrace love instead of hate, as he brought about positive change with regard to how we view and treat others, and he motivated us to remain strong in the face of adversity.

Let us heed Dr. King’s words of wisdom that so enriched our country, not just this day, but each and every day. In doing so, I urge you to please consider two of his many profound quotes:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, County offices will be closed this Monday. As such, please take time to reflect on the many inspirational messages he preached of love, equality, perseverance, tolerance, and freedom.

Learn about the benefits of Orange County’s transition to Vote Centers, such as being able to register to vote, cast an in-person ballot, obtain replacement ballots and more. In addition, voters will be able to cast a mock ballot on the new voting system.

They key benefits of the transition to Vote Centers include:

• There will now be 188 fully staffed Vote Centers. Voters can choose to vote in-person at any location starting February 22, 2020.
• Election Day now lasts 11 days. Voters voting in the March Presidential Primary election will be able to vote at any Orange County Vote Center anytime between February 22 and March 3, 2020 
• Every voter will now receive a vote-by-mail ballot. Voters will be able to save time and vote at home with multiple options for returning their ballot. Ballots will begin mailing on February 3, 2020.
• There will be 110 secure ballot drop box locations throughout Orange County. Voters will be able to deposit their ballot into a secure drop box between February 3 and March 3, 2020.

Click here for more information.

Last week, my office attended the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights Awards Dinner, held at the beautiful Dana Point Yacht Club. During the ceremony, the 2019 Boat Parade award winners of various categories were announced, as they also received lovely trophies and others exciting awards.

"Aloha" won the Spirit of OC Award from my office.

At the end of the reception, my office was pleased to present the Supervisor's Award, titled "The Spirit of OC Award," to Jim and Suzi Rodgers, owners of the boat "Aloha."

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents "The Spirit of OC Award," to Jim and Suzi Rodgers, owners of "Aloha."

Thank you to all of the boat parade participants and congratulations the award winners! To view a PowerPoint of 2019 Boat Parade award winners, please click here.

Congratulations to the 2019 Boat Parade of Lights award winners!

On behalf of the Orange County Health Improvement Partnership (HIP), the OC Health Care Agency announces the availability of the 2020-22 Orange County Health Improvement Plan for public review and comment through January 20, 2020. The plan lays out assessments, goals, objectives and strategies for six priority areas over the next three years.

The health of the Orange County (OC) community continues to fare well compared to other California counties. The County Health Rankings ranks OC the 5th healthiest county in California. Despite that, there are some troubling trends that impact local communities.

The following are a few findings from the Orange County Health Improvement Plan: 

• Babies born just miles apart in OC can face up to a 7-year difference in life expectancy.
• OC’s older adult population will nearly double by 2040 when almost 1 in 4 residents will be 65 or older.
• 1 in 5 OC adults is obese and more than 50% are overweight.
• Mirroring national trends, rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections have increased dramatically over the past 10 years.

The HIP identified that improving health in OC requires a close look at the conditions that create health inequities. To that end, two of the six focus areas in this plan address overall system issues: Social Determinants of Health, and Access and System Navigation. The remaining four areas highlight health topics identified as the most pressing to work on in the next three years: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Mental Health and Substance Use; Older Adult Health; and Sexual Health.
 
The HIP consists of more than 35 public and private sector organizations that work together through a countywide initiative called Orange County’s Healthier Together to improve the health of everyone who lives, works and plays in Orange County.

Honoring the Year of the Rat, the fifth annual Lunar New Year Celebration returns Saturday, January 25 from 1 PM to 2 Pm at Outlets at San Clemente, featuring over 70 performers from Irvine Chinese School and San Diego-based Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society. Highlights include a Dragon Dance, the ever-popular interactive Lion Dance, martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts activities, Red Envelopes and more.

• Chaired the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting, during which I presented a Board Resolution in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Orange County Board of Retirement System (OCERS), received a presentation by CHOC on Pediatric Mental Health, and finally presented the gavel to the new Chair for 2020, Supervisor Michelle Steel, as Supervisor Andrew Do was also selected to serve as Vice Chair.
• Participated as President of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) at our Executive Committee meeting.

Presenting a Board Resolution in honor of the 75th anniversary of OCERS.

With the representatives of CHOC, following their presentation on Pediatric Mental Health.

At the CSAC Executive Committee meeting.

• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the grand opening event for the New City of Lake Forest Civic Center.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the Visit Dana Point logo launch celebration at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort. More on this in next week's newsletter.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Class UFC Gym in Mission Viejo.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Broadstone Vilara Apartments in Laguna Niguel.
• Attended the Aliso Viejo City Council meting to present a certificate of recognition in honor of outgoing Mayor Ross Chun.
• Attended the OC Public Libraries Advisory Board meeting. 
• Participated in the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presenting a a certificate of recognition outgoing Aliso Viejo Mayor Ross Chun.

Presenting a certificate of recognition to Visit Dana Point in honor of its logo launch celebration.
(More on this in next week's newsletter)

With Dana Point Councilman Paul Wyatt at the Visit Dana Point logo launch celebration.

At the ribbon cutting for Class UFC Gym in Mission Viejo.
(Photo courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)

At the OC Public Libraries Advisory Board meeting.
 

At the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.