As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, I want to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your tremendous support and encouragement during my time in office. 

As your District Supervisor over the past eight years, I have so much to be thankful for. It has truly been my honor and privilege to represent the Fifth District. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity you afforded me and hope my time on the Board made a positive impact on the overall quality of life for Orange County residents. I am thankful for the amazing staff whose support, dedication, and commitment, I could not have done without. I am grateful for the many wonderful people and organizations I encountered along the way – fellow elected officials, business leaders, public safety personnel and service organizations, to name but a few.

I wish you and yours the very best for a happy, peaceful, and joyous Thanksgiving.

I had the honor to present a special award on behalf of the Past President’s Council on the final night of the CSAC Annual Conference. Each year, we consider bestowing a lifetime achievement award to an individual who truly transcends their role as an exceptional person who exhibited leadership and dedication to counties throughout their career. This year, my fellow Past Presidents and I were unanimous in our choice, Ms. Wilma Chan of Alameda County. We lost Supervisor Chan far too soon last year, and the pain of her loss is still deep. Her contribution to public service was immense. My fellow CSAC Past President and Alameda County Supervisor, Keith Carson, and close friend of Former Supervisor Chan accepted the award on her behalf, which he will present to the family. Thank you Wilma for inspiring and encouraging many others to public service!

My fabulous 5th District staff surprised me with a nice Birthday lunch this week. I want to thank all my staff for the wonderful time, great food and laughs. 

I invite you to virtually participate in the 2022 Fifth District Senior Summit. We have a great lineup of informative speakers!

Click the image to view the presentation.

I enjoyed a great time at the Segerstrom Family Tree Lighting event last Thursday to welcome in the holiday season!

This past weekend, my office partnered with Orange County Public Library to sponsor the Fall Literacy Festival at the Aliso Viejo Library. Children and families enjoyed face painting, an opportunity to hang out with the beloved children’s character Lyle Lyle the Crocodile and a meet & greet with author, Jennifer Holm. 

I also partnered with Orange County Public Library to sponsor laptop kiosks (seen here) at six libraries in the Fifth District.

Last week, I was honored by the California Association of Counties (CSAC) with the Circle of Service Award during the 128th Annual Meeting. As the 2020 CSAC President, I served during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on servicing the needs and protection across all of rural, suburban and urban counties. 

CSAC represents all 58 counties in California. Its primary purpose is to represent county government before the California Legislature, administrative agencies and the federal government. CSAC places a strong emphasis on educating the public about the value and need for county programs and services. Its long-term objective is to significantly improve the fiscal health of all California counties so they can adequately meet the demand for vital public programs and services. I was honored to serve as President and proud to represent Orange County at the State level.

I was recognized by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) during the 128th Annual CSAC Meeting last week for my service, dedication and consultation to California Counties. It has been an honor and pleasure to Co-Chair WLF where we tackled some of California’s toughest challenges facing our Counties.

Last week, my staff attended the Santa Margarita Water District Groundbreaking Event at the Chiquita Water Reclamation Plant. I commend the plant on its plan to create a sustainable, local, recycled, and resilient water supply for new homes in California. 

Field District Representative Dawn Kamber presented certificates to The Exchange Club of San Clemente Sheriff’s 2023 Deputy of the Year Zachary Heitmann and 2023 Firefighter of the Year Captain Corey Larson during it’s Annual Awards Luncheon.

Field Representative Dawn Kamber presented Sonder Solarena, Senior Operations Manager, Kevin Arcaro, with a certificate of recognition on their grand opening celebration!

Senior Operations Manager, Kevin Arcaro does the honors as his hotel staff look on. Congratulations on your grand opening!

Sponsored Pet Adoptions Continue through November!

it's not too late to adopt! My FREE pet adoption sponsorship continues through November. Adopt your pet this month and have all adoption fees waived, including vaccinations, a microchip, spay/neuter, and more!

Each new adopter will also receive a FREE bag of pet food for the newest addition to their family while supplies last!

OC Animal Care is open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Adoption hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For concierge service, please call (714) 935-6848. For more information, click here.

OC Animal Care will continue hosting the Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Pantry the second Saturday of each month. The next Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Pantry will take place on a Saturday, December 9, from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

All pet owners in the community in need of pet food are welcome! Those interested in helping may visit the Pet Pantry Amazon wish list to donate. Click the pantry flyer links here (Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese) for more details.

Zelda is a playful, active girl who would find the most fun in accompanying you on walks, hikes, or runs, then ending the day with some good, old-fashioned ball time! Zelda is a sweet, two-year-old girl who might be a little shy at first, but don’t let that fool you. She knows sit and lay, and would enjoy mastering even more behaviors during training with you! Zelda has been nothing but a lady around children, but we believe she will do best in a home where she can be the only pet.

Interested in adopting Zelda? Call (714) 935-6848 to schedule an adoption appointment today! Walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows.

Animal ID#: A1761084

OC Animal Care invites the community to Pooches on the Patio, a new meet-and-greet event for adopters to get to know dogs at the shelter before adopting. Stop by the shelter, located at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where a few dogs will be out on the patio ready to meet their forever family!

Click the image to view the presentation.

• Construction Begins on Track Stabilization Project in South Orange County
• Clerk-Recorder Set to Close Out the
  Year With Special Saturday Hours!
• County of Orange to Host Veterans and Military Family Career and Resource Fair
• Dana Point Turkey Trot Road Closures

Want to Change the World Through Stem?

Click the image above for information on their
Meals on Wheels and Congregate Lunches for Seniors.

Click the image above for information on their
Drive-Thru Food Distribution, weekdays in San Clemente.

Click the image above for information on their
 Drive Through Food Bank, Monday - Friday in Irvine.

Click the image above for information on their
 Food Pantry, Monday - Friday in Laguna Beach.

Click the image above for info on their Food Pantry
held on the first & third Wednesday of every month.

Click the image above for information on their
PEACE Community Resource Center Food Pantries.

Click the image above for information on their
Food Pantry Services weekdays in Irvine.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. 

To view my previous Fifth District newsletters, click here.