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. 

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 began mailing on February 3.
• 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. To view a recent TV interview with myself and Orange County Registrar of Voter Neal Kelly, discussing Orange County’s transition to Vote Centers on Village Television in Laguna Woods, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the TV interview.

Click the image above to enlarge.

My Board colleagues and I last week approved a much needed new mental health program to better meet the mental health needs of Orange County kids, specifically those under five years old that exhibit behavioral challenges in early care and education (ECE) settings.

Over one-third of ECE providers in OC have had to expel a child from their program for problematic behaviors and over one-quarter of these providers have behavioral health concerns about a child they serve.

The overall goal of the Early Childhood Mental Health Program is to improve the mental health outcomes of infants and children as they grow and help them to thrive. It will offer individual coaching for providers and staff and include training on a variety of topics including trauma-informed practices, adverse childhood experiences, topics related to social and emotional skills development, screening and assessment, challenging behaviors and available community resources. Linkages to behavioral health services will be also made if appropriate.

This program will build the capacity of early childhood educators to provide behavioral support for children exhibiting ongoing challenges, as well as their families, while promoting the development of healthy identities of the youngsters in care. To learn more about behavioral health programs and services available in OC, please call 1-855-OC-LINKS or visit here.

Click the image above to view the TV interview.

I had the pleasure this week of appearing once again on Village Television in Laguna Woods with Andrea Swayne of the Dana Point Fesival of Whales Foundation and Ken Goldenberg, host of the TV talk show THIS DAY, to discuss the new format for the 2020 Dana Point Festival of Whales. To view the TV interview, Click here or on the image above. For more information about the Dana Point Festival of Whales, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

I’m pleased to announce the promotion of James Dinwiddie III as my new Deputy Chief of Staff. As a member of my Board staff since the day I was first sworn into office, James has been a invaluable member of our team. 

Throughout his tenure with my office, James’ policy portfolio has included a wide breadth of areas, including John Wayne Airport, OC Community Resources, OC Waste & Recycling, OC Fire Authority, General Administration & Governance, Dana Point Harbor, Human Resources, Information Technology, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. 

My new Deputy Chief of Staff, James Dinwiddie.

Over the last several years on my staff, James has been instrumental in various major County projects, such as the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor via a Public/Private Partnership, the development of agile community serving applications, like myOCGov and Mello.ocgov.com, in addition to improvements at John Wayne Airport.

James holds a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Affairs, and a BA in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach. Additionally, James is a CSAC Credentialed County Senior Executive.

It has been a pleasure to have James on my staff, and I'm grateful for the hard work he continues to do on a regular basis on behalf of Orange County and the 5th District. I know he will do a wonderful job in his new role.

Today, nearly 360,000 motorists travel I-5 daily between SR-73 and El Toro Road. Transportation planners expect traffic volumes to grow 25 percent by 2045. To address this travel demand, OCTA and Caltrans are working together to implement the I-5 Widening project from SR-73 to El Toro Road. Construction will be done in three segments. Crews began work on the first segment from Oso Parkway to Alicia Parkway in 2019.

In March, construction will begin on the second segment, a 2.1-mile stretch between SR-73 and Oso Parkway that borders Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, and Laguna Niguel.

Improvements include adding one general purpose lane to increase capacity and reconstructing Avery Parkway to expand it from four to six lanes, increase bike lane width, install sidewalks on both sides of the street, and construct monument walls under the bridge featuring a pastoral ranch theme.

Other project improvements include new and improved merging lanes and the conversion of carpool lanes to continuous access to make it easier to enter and exit. For more information about the I-5 Widening Project, please visit here.

In terms of mileage, traveling to Los Angeles should be a breeze. Our county to the north is simply not that far away. Yet with traffic and parking hassles, getting there by car is often annoying and time-consuming. Many avoid the trek despite all the wonders the City of Angels has to offer.

Fortunately, there’s Metrolink. A Metrolink journey removes the pesky problems of traffic, driving, and parking and costs only $10 per person for unlimited travel all day Saturday or Sunday. Children five and under ride free (3 with each fare-paying adult). Find out more about the Metrolink Weekend Day Pass here.

Through March, you have the opportunity to win a Metrolink Daycation getaway to LA that includes four Metrolink tickets and $100 gift certificates to Philippe’s the Original and San Antonio Winery. That’s right. A $100 gift cert to each place.

An easy walk from LA Union Station, Philippe’s is the home of the original and delicious French Dip sandwich. An LA icon, it’s a delicious place for breakfast and lunch.

San Antonio Winery is LA’s original urban winery. This hidden gem and historical landmark still operates in the same community where it was founded in 1917. Stop for wine tastings, winery tours or a meal at onsite Maddalena Restaurant.

Enter today for a chance to win an LA Daycation for four. Learn more about Metrolink here.

OCTA’s signal synchronization program provides competitive funding to cities and the county to time traffic lights on long stretches of streets to improve traffic throughout the county.

Since 2008, OCTA has funded 79 projects that have synchronized more than 2,700 intersections across 705 miles. The projects have improved travel times, reduced congestion and increased the number of continuous green lights drivers see during their daily commutes. The program has also helped Orange County drivers save money, consume less fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

OCTA is currently allocating $50.3 million to fund an additional 29 signal synchronization projects that are either planned or underway. Once completed, these projects will synchronize an additional 1,000 traffic signals along 250 miles of roadway.

The Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program is part of OC Go (also known as Measure M), Orange County’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements.

OC Flex, an on-demand curb-to-curb service, will continue providing rides through October as part of a pilot project.

OC Flex has been operating since October 2018 in two areas, one in portions of Huntington Beach and Westminster, and the other in portions of Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. Passengers can request rides via the OC Flex Mobile App or by phone.

In its first year of operation, OC Flex has increased ridership month over month and recorded nearly 37,000 boardings. Customer satisfaction is high, with 91 percent of riders surveyed saying they would recommend the service.

Based on OC Flex customer feedback, OCTA has expanded service areas and updated service hours. For a limited time, the OC Bus regular 30-Day pass has been added to free transfer options. These improvements go into effect February 9. Also, the group ride discount (50% off) has been extended to all day, every day.

For more information on OC Flex, visit here.

As reported in my newsletter last week, one of Orange County’s most valued nonprofits, Working Wardrobes, recently experienced a 4-alarm fire at their Irvine Headquarters. Working Wardrobes has helped countless people overcome difficult life challenges — such as alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, incarceration and homelessness — as well as find jobs by providing job training and suitable attire for interviews and long-term success.

Over the past 30 years, Working Wardrobes has helped 105,000 men, women, young adults, and veterans overcome difficult challenges to enter the workforce. No one was hurt or in the building at the time of the blaze. Approximately 100 firefighters were at the scene to battle the flames but all the contents in the building were ultimately lost.

The fire at Working Wardrobes is a devastating loss to the County, as well as the many people they provide services for. I personally have donated to the organization for many years.

We are blessed to live in a county where we all do our part to take care of one another. Goodwill OC has graciously offered space for Working Wardrobes to continue to provide services at their Santa Ana location while they look to rebuild. To that end, Working Wardrobes is asking for donations to help rebuild their headquarters. Every little bit helps!

Online applications are now being accepted for the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) 2020 Governing Board Summer Internship Program.

Open to high school and currently enrolled college students (both undergraduate and graduate level), this paid summer internship will allow students to work up to 28 hours per week side by side with air quality and other professionals who are dedicated to improving the air quality in our region. 

There are numerous internships available throughout the SCAQMD divisions, such as Legislative & Public Affairs/Media, Finance, Science & Technology Advancement (including the state-of-the-art air quality laboratory), Engineering & Permitting, Human Resources, Planning, Rule Development, and much more. 

For more information on how to submit your online application, click here. 

Celebrate the City of San Clemente's 92nd Anniversary at the 3rd Annual Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, February 29 from 9 AM to 12 PM, when the community is invited to celebrate the history of the San Clemente Municipal Pier and its fishing legacy. Registration is now open for ages 6-13 years to participate in FREE fishing, face painting, crafts, photo opportunity with special guests, and more! Click here for more information.

• Appeared on Village Television in Laguna Woods with Andrea Swayne of the Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation and Ken Goldenberg, host of the TV talk show THIS DAY, to discuss the new format for the 2020 Dana Point Festival of Whales.
• Participated in the Building 14 Demolition Event at the County of Orange Civic Center.
• Participated in the OCTA Legislation and Communications meeting.
• Was the keynote speaker for the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club.
• Attended the OCTax Membership Luncheon.
• Participated in the February Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
• Attended the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Installation of Officers & Directors Awards Ceremony, to present commendations to outgoing 2019 Board Chairwoman Susan Jennrich, Bella Collina San Clemente (Business of the Year), Mary DeWitt-Fleischman (Educator of the Year), Ed Molina (Citizen of the Year), Vicky Wilson (Ambassador of the Year), Ricky Rodriguez (Volunteer of the Year), and Dick “Rod” Rodriguez (Outstanding Lifetime Achievement).

On Village Television in Laguna Woods with Andrea Swayne of the Dana Point Festival of Whales Foundation and Ken Goldenberg, host of THIS DAY, to discuss the 2020 Dana Point Festival of Whales.
(Click the image above to view the interview)

Speaking at the Building 14 Demolition Event at the County of Orange Civic Center.

With my Board colleagues at the Building 14 Demolition.

With County Elected Officials and Executive Staff at the Building 14 Demolition.

Speaking to the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club.

With Dana point Assistant City Manager Mike Killebrew the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club.

At OCTax Annual Meeting with OC First 5 Executive Director and President of CA First 5 Association, Kim Goll.

With U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Daniel Conley – Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, and Congressman Mike Levin at the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce Installation of Officers & Directors Awards Ceremony.

With Senator Pat Bates, Congressman Mike Levin, and 2019 Board Chairwoman Susan Jennrich at the San Clemente Chamber Installation & Awards Ceremony.

• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for Fringe Dance Studio in Mission Viejo.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the grand opening of Modern Acupuncture in Dana Point.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for San Clemente Gym.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the  ribbon cutting ceremony for Sur Coffee in San Clemente.
• Presented a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Krave in Lake Forest.
• Participated in the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.
• Attended the Mega Mixer hosted by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce, Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce, Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, and Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, with Steph Ramsey, (Ladera Ranch Civic Council), Danielle Smith (San Juan Chamber of Commerce), and Todd Sterns (Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce) at the Mega Mixer.
(Photo Courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)

At the grand opening of Modern Acupuncture in Dana Point.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Krave in Lake Forest.
(Photo Courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)

the ribbon cutting ceremony for San Clemente Gym.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for Sur Coffee in San Clemente.

At the ribbon cutting for Fringe Dance Studio in Mission Viejo.
(Photo Courtesy of Takata Photo & Design)