August 7, 2009 |
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Welcome to this issue of Janet’s Journal, a First District Report designed to keep you updated on issues and events concerning our communities in Orange County especially in the First District.
I am proud and honored to represent over 600,000 people within the First District covering the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster and the unincorporated community of Midway City.
I hope you will find this journal informative. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Supervisor Janet Nguyen
Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com
IN THIS ISSUE...
1. Board of Supervisors
2. Janet Around the First District
3. Local Issues
4. Requests for Proposals
5. Community Events
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| Board of Supervisors |
We have all been dealing with the economic uncertainty of the last several months. While the County has trimmed its budget and is living within its means, the State has decided to tap into local government's funds to balance its budget. While we still do not have the complete picture of how this will affect County services, my colleagues and I are committed to being good stewards of the resources you have entrusted to us.
I will continue to keep you all updated in the days and weeks ahead as we begin to deal with the challenges the State is presenting us.
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| Other Boards & Commissions |
OCFA
Achieving Fiscal Solutions
Taking the leadership position in recognition of the fiscal challenges the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is facing, the OCFA Board of Directors at the July 23rd meeting approved amendments to the Executive and Management Personnel and Salary Resolutions, agreeing to forego the upcoming salary increase as part of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It should be noted that OCFA's Administrative Managers and Executive initiated to forego their scheduled salary increase. I would like to thank the Administrative Managers and Executive Management of OCFA for taking the lead on this issue. This action will save the OCFA much needed funds.
OCTA
Renewed Measure M Progress Report
To ensure voter safeguards, quarterly status reports reflecting the major projects outlined in the Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan are filed with OCTA and posted online for public review. To view the report covering activities from April 2009 through June 2009, click here.
Internal Audit Report of Vanpool Program
The assessment of the Orange County Transportation Authority's (OCTA) Vanpool Program to determine adequate monitoring and oversight of contracts with vanpool service providers is complete. The Vanpool program was launched by OCTA in July 2007, to offer commuters with worksites in Orange County a transportation option for their daily commute and assist OC employers in meeting South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations.
The Internal Audit Department made four recommendations to improve contract management and strengthen internal controls; management has indicated they have been or will be implemented. For additional information on the Vanpool Program, click here.
TIGER Funding Directed in a New Direction towards Interstate 5
The Board of Directors has approved the substitute project nomination for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funding. In February 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law, the TIGER portion of the act authorizes $1.5 billion for a discretionary grant program. The submittal deadline is September 17, 2009; however, the State of California has set an earlier deadline of July 27, 2009, for the creation of a statewide list of projects.
Due to the limitations of the proposed 2.8 mile Laguna Niguel-San Juan Capistrano Double Track project the funds will now be directed towards the Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) interchange. Construction will begin in December 2009, and is estimated to be completed by February 2010. The project includes completion of the existing overpass structure over interstate 5, enabling the use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes through the I-5, SR-22 and SR-57. The project will serve to enhance the connectivity by carpools and buses through one of the most congested interchanges in the United States and create approximately 2,700 jobs.
22 Freeway Continuous Access High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Follow-up
The SR-22 Continuous Access High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Follow-up Survey is complete. The survey was designed to capture and measure changes in commuter's awareness levels and attitudes towards the HOV lanes. These findings will be incorporated in the overall assessment of the operations of HOV lanes in Orange County.
To view the complete SR-22 Continuous Access HOV Lane Follow-up Survey Report, click here.
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| JANET AROUND THE FIRST DISTRICT |
Supervisor Janet Nguyen and Garden Grove Councilman Andrew Do present a resolution honoring the memory of Buddhist Monk Thich Huynh Quang.
Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins Westminster Mayor Margie Rice and others at the dedication and unveiling of the Russell C. Paris Memorial Plaque. Russell Paris was a member of the Westminster City Council for many years.
Supervisor Janet Nguyen presents a resolution on behalf of Chair Pat Bates and the Board of Supervisors to Outgoing President Dr. James Strebrig at the Orange County Medical Association Annual Gala.
Supervisor Janet Nguyen welcomes residents to the Second Annual Vietnamese Family Fun Day at Sigler Park in Westminster. The event featured health screenings and more than 80 vendors and attracted over 1500 residents.
Supervisor Janet Nguyen joins Habitat for Humanity of Orange County in breaking ground on a new house in Westminster.
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| LOCAL ISSUES |
* The following articles are for informational purposes only and are not necessarily intended to imply endorsement or support.
Orange County
DMV Offices Closing on First 3 Fridays of Each Month
From August 2009 through June 2010, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be closed the first, second and third Friday of each month in compliance with the Governor's Executive Order. Meanwhile, if you need assistance from the agency, much of the information and forms are available on the department's website at www.dmv.ca.gov.
OC Fair Blue Ribbon Winners: Garden Grove, Westminster
Residents throughout the County have won blue ribbons at the OC Fair for their home-grown and homemade items. From fruit jams to meticulously-stitched quilts, fair contestants have displayed their do-it-yourself prowess this year.
Congratulations to all first-round Blue Ribbon winners from Garden Grove:
Samantha Nicole Ammann, junior photo, ages 9-12, color
Samantha Nicole Ammann, C&M, ages 9-12
Jacquie Anza, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Omar Aparicio, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Michele Asplin, floral, zinnia
Oscar Benavides, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Jose Campana, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Giovanni Castro, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Roman Contreras, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Kaylyn Costich, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Alex Davila, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Alyssa Fardis, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Alyssa Fardis, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Justin Flodter, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Alma Flores, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
John Gomez, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Nohemi Gutierrez, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Peggy Sue Harper, amateur sculpture
Dottie Heinlein, calligraphy
Cody Hinton, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Cody Hinton, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Riley Grosso, Go Fly a Kite, ages 9-10
Ban Le, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Tina Le, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Tina Le, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Kevin Ly, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Raul Mejorada, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Markus Morales, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Markus Morales, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Tai Nguyen, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Jocelyn Nunez, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 13-15
Laura Ramirez, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Ivone Rangel, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Larry & Ryan Rusin, artichoke
Larry & Ryan Rusin, grapes
Ken Schoening, amateur photography, computer manipulated images
Kirstie Schultz, free verse poetry, ages 13-15
Andie Squires, quilts and coverlets, twin-size
Nancy Squires, quilts and coverlets, twin-size
Lisa Tang, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Lisa Tang, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Peter Tran, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Christina VanVoorhees, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Christina VanVoorhees, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Edward Vargas, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Edward Vargas, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Huy Vu, craft-natural item, ages 16-18
Evan Vuong, craft-clay, glass, wood, ages 16-18
Evan Vuong, craft-Going Green, ages 16-18
Michael Chas Williams, amateur painting, pastels
Congratulations to the winners from Westminster:
Belinda Belisle, lacework, Division Winner
Beverly Carlson, professional fiber arts
Mercedes Cohen, polymer clay
Erin Elowe, professional jewelry, metal only, Division Winner
Kim Hogan, quilts and coverlets under twin size, original design, machine quilted
Julie Johnson, floral, container garden
Julie Johnson, miniature container garden, edible, Division Winner
Candy Larsen, cupcakes
Laura Milledge, C&M miscellaneous collections, cartoon characters
Joanne Paull, quilts and coverlets under twin size, appliqué, hand quilted
Wendy Phu, short story, ages 16-18
Wendy Phu, free verse poetry, ages 16-18
Don Salow, potatoes
Rose Scorsone, pound cake
Joan Shera-Lander, sewing children clothing, single garment
Cathleen Stearns, embroidery, stamped design
Mark Su, photography, ages 16-18, color prints, Juror's Choice
Mark Su, photography, ages 16-18, black and white prints
Mark Su, photography, ages 16-18, black and white prints, Best of Class
Midway City
Low-Interest Home Rehabilitation Loans Available to Midway City Residents
Supervisor Janet Nguyen is encouraging Midway City residents who qualify to take advantage of a County Single Family Residence Loan Program. This program is available to those who live in the County's unincorporated areas, including Midway City.
The Single Family Residence Loan Program is for low-income owners of detached and attached single family, owner-occupied residences that require improvements to their homes and are not able to obtain adequate financial assistance from commercial lenders.
Eligible applicants must own and reside in the residence and have a gross annual household income that does not exceed 80 percent of the Orange County area median income, adjusted for family size. Applicants within Orange County Development Agency areas may qualify with incomes up to 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size.
Priority is given to making health and safety improvements, energy and resource conservation improvements and exterior improvements. Exterior improvements include roof replacement, window replacement, entry and sliding door replacements, stucco repair, exterior painting, irrigation, driveway replacement and garage door and electrical connections.
Improvements to the interior must be verified to be of a health and safety issue and include electrical improvements, plumbing, water heaters and gas heating. No cosmetic or interior items are allowed unless they are to correct a health and safety code violation.
For more information about the specific qualifications of the Single Family Residence Loan Program, contact Margie Anguiano at (714) 480-2807.
Santa Ana
Westminster Santa Ana Police Department Receives Federal Grant Money to Add Officers to Local Streets
The U.S. Department of Justice and its Office of Community Oriented Policing Services announced today that $1 billion in grant money was awarded to law enforcement agencies across the nation to hire and rehire more than 4,500 law enforcement officers in order to put more officers back into the communities.
The Santa Ana Police Department was the only city in Orange County to receive this funding. The SAPD was awarded approximately $6.7 million to hire 18 additional officers. The grant money will provide 100 percent of the approved salary and benefits for entry level officer positions over a three year period. Police departments receiving the grant money will be required to retain the grant-funded positions for a fourth year.
The $1 billion in grant funding will provide for the hiring and rehiring of 4,699 law enforcement officers under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency's COPS Hiring Recovery Program. Funding was awarded to 1,046 law enforcement agencies from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
For additional information about the grants and to see the list of law enforcement agencies that received funding, visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.
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| REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS |
County of Orange
There are currently many new bids to contract with the County of Orange.
For more information, please click here.
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| Community Events |
City of Garden Grove
August 13, 2009 - Free Summer Concerts at Eastgate Park
Every Thursday night, at 6:30 p.m., from July 9 through August 27, concertgoers can enjoy the sights and sounds of evening concerts in the park brought to you by the Garden Grove Community Foundation.
Below is the line-up for the 2009 free Summer Concert Series held at Eastgate Park, 12001 St Mark St Garden Grove, CA 92845.
| August 13 |
Silverados |
Rock |
| August 20 |
Barry Holdship Four |
50'S/60'S Rock |
| August 27 |
The Answer |
Classic Rock |
To view the flyer, click here.
August 21, 2009 - Miss Garden Grove & Miss Outstanding Teen Pageant 2010
2010 Miss Garden Grove and Miss Outstanding Teen Pageant at the Marriot Suites, 12015 Harbor Blvd. Tickets are $16. For more information, visit the website here.
August 25, 2009 - H1N1 Table Top Exercise
Are you prepared for the upcoming influenza season? Come join your local Disaster Preparedness partners to: better understand the role of your local health department, improve community healthcare response, and expand local community planning. The Exercise will be held at the Garden Grove Hospital and Medial Center at 12555 Garden Grove Blvd., Litke Auditorium (1ST Floor) from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. For additional information, the event flyer is available here.
City of Westminster
August 13, 2009 - Free Summer Concerts at Civic Center Sunken Gardens
Starting July 6, the community will be entertained from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. by a variety of free concerts brought by local non profit service organizations at Civic Center Sunken Gardens, 8200 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA, 92685. Donations of personal care items for all ages, baby food, diapers, formula, paper goods or cleaning supplies will be collected to benefit Human Services Programs of Carroll County Inc.
| August 13 |
Stone Soul |
60's Soul & Motown |
| August 20 |
Doo Wah Riders |
Country |
| August 27 |
Westminster Chorus |
Barbershop |
For more information, please visit here.
August 20, 2009 - Green Expo
Come & learn about the latest products, services and technologies to save energy and reduce environmental impact on Thursday, August 20, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Discover how you can contribute to a healthier planet and save energy. The event will be held at the Civic Center, 8200 Westminster Blvd, there is no cost to attend. Vendors interested in participating contact: Rosemary (714) 898-3311 x562.
City of Santa Ana
August15, 2009 - "Santa Ana Youth Boxing Show"
On Saturday August 15, 2009 @ 1:00PM The Santa Ana Youth Boxing Club will host an amateur boxing competition. Youth Boxing Clubs from all over California will attend, the ring will be in the streets so you can't miss it. 20 bouts scheduled from Elite Boxers. Refer to the attached flyer for additional information.
August 22, 2009 - 2nd Annual Celebrating Community Pride Fiesta and Resource Fair
Come to the Street Fiesta and Resource Fair on Saturday, August 22, 2009 and celebrate community pride with Townsend residents. The goal of the event is to engage residents with each other, other community stakeholders and task force participants to cultivate and strengthen relationships, increase awareness and access to community resources, including updates on the Santa Ana Building Healthy Communities Initiative in Central Santa Ana and Census 2010. From 11 am to 3 pm free information on community resources, activities for children, cultural and educational entertainment for families will be provided. The Block Party will be between 700 and 800 Block of Townsend Street.
For more information, please contact Evelyn Solorio, evelyn@kidworksonline.org, (714) 834-9400 x125.
To view the event flyer, click here.
To contact Supervisor Janet Nguyen, please call 714-834-3110 or email Janet.Nguyen@ocgov.com. |
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