| December 20, 2018 |
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Volume 6 Issue 44 |
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| 24th Annual CHOC Toy Drive and Ride |
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Click on the image above to view more information. |
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| Saying Goodbye: Spitzer’s Last Meeting as a County Supervisor |
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Tuesday's meeting was the last for Supervisor Spitzer and Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson. L to R: Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson, Chairman Andrew Do, Supervisor Todd Spitzer, and Supervisor Michelle Steel. |
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County of Orange Board of Supervisors and department heads from left to right: Steve Sentman, Chief Probation Officer; Sharon Petrosino, Public Defender; Shane Silsby, Director of OC Public Works; Debra J. Baetz, Director of Social Services Agency; Leon Page, County Counsel; Supervisor Lisa Bartlett; Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson; Chairman Andrew Do; Supervisor Todd Spitzer; Supervisor Michelle Steel: Frank Kim, County Executive Officer; Richard Sanchez, Director of Health Care Agency; Dylan Wright, Director of Community Resources; and Tom Koutroulis, Director of Waste and Recycling.. |
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After 20 years of service to the people of Orange County, including 12 as a member of the Board of Supervisors, Todd Spitzer thanked his colleagues, County staff, and the public during his last meeting as the Third District Supervisor.
The December 18 meeting was both Supervisor Spitzer and Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson’s last as members of the Board. Supervisor Spitzer, who will be leaving to take on his new role as the Orange County District Attorney in January, and Vice-Chair Nelson, who is termed out this year, were presented with proclamations lauding their accomplishments and thanking them for their service.
“It is our obligation as elected officials to take what we have learned during our tenue and bring it to whatever we take on next,” Spitzer said during his closing comments, “Because that’s what’s important for the County.”
Supervisor Spitzer offers his thanks to Chairman Andrew Do, Vice-Chair Shawn Nelson, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, and Supervisor Michelle Steel for their vigorous debates, support, and friendship as his colleagues.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the accomplishments we have made as a Board over the last few years. I look forward to continuing to work with each of you after my transition to the Orange County District Attorney’s office,” Spitzer said. |
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| Spitzer Celebrates Grand Opening of Local Café, Bakery, and Kitchen |
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L to R: Tom Ware, Field Deputy Al Tello, owner Nikki Hernandez Ware, Councilmember Gene Hernandez. |
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Supervisor Spitzer send a representative on his behalf to present a certificate to Nikki Hernandez Ware on the grand opening celebration of her new café and bakery Nikki’s Kitchen in Yorba Linda.
Nikki's Kitchen is a great place for all baked-goods-lovers to come together and enjoy the experience of food.
Congratulations to the proud owner Nikki Hernandez Ware and her husband Tom! Best wishes for much success in the years ahead! |
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| Spitzer: LA’s Lax Attitude Toward Homeless Firebugs Endangers Us All |
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The threat of wildfires, once seasonal, is now near-constant for much of California. Photo courtesy of Pixabay. |
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As published in the Orange County Register.
The unimaginable horror faced by California residents and firefighters who watched a monstrous wall of flame obliterate an entire town is a tragedy that most of us will remember forever.
News went around the world that all of California seemed to be on fire with a death toll that would be unimaginable. In the end, it’s the job of elected officials to set the highest standards of public safety so that we at least have a fighting chance in the future of controlling something like this.
For past three decades as a California Assembly member and currently as an Orange County supervisor, I have been consumed with giving firefighters, police, and prosecutors the support they need to excel at their jobs despite budget cuts and rising crime.
So it was with great concern and disbelief that I watched a recent news report detailing how Los Angeles city officials have condoned campfires by homeless individuals in the extremely dry, mountainous brush areas.
The Los Angeles mayor said the vagrants could not be arrested because the city does not have “No Trespassing” signs posted in the area. Instead, he dispatched a team of counselors with no law enforcement authority to roust the homeless. This was met with limited success.
It’s unclear to me how many signs Mayor Eric Garcetti thinks he would need to cover the Santa Monica Mountains behind Bel Air and the Getty Museum. Apparently he is more concerned with creating bureaucracy than with the lives of citizens.
In Orange County, we do not allow the lives and well-being of our residents to be placed at risk by the homeless population.
I led efforts with my Board colleagues to clear homeless encampments from three miles along the Santa Ana River and place the individuals in shelters. Orange County has anti-vagrancy and anti-camping laws and we are currently negotiating with a federal judge to provide enough shelter beds so that law enforcement can vigorously enforce these laws. The reason is obvious.
During November, two Los Angeles brush fires started in homeless encampments including one that involved our beloved Griffith Park. And who can forget the massive Skirball fire last year that burned down six Bel Air homes – which not surprisingly — was caused by vagrants who were cooking a meal. A synagogue that almost went up in flames has recently sued the city for failing to clear the homeless encampments.
Los Angeles’ ludicrous stance on fire prevention has a direct impact on Orange County. California is a mutual response state and each county sends firefighters to help where they are needed most. We assisted in the Camp and Woolsey fires.
Any preventable fire that erupts in Los Angeles, caused by vagrant campfires or smoking, drains much-needed resources from Orange County and puts the lives of our firefighters at risk. Just this month, a firefighter from Washington state working on the Malibu fire was run over by a truck as he slept.
We have our own vast mountain regions to protect. Earlier this year, the Holy Fire burned 31 square miles through the Cleveland National Forest and Riverside County. In 2017, we had the Canyon 1 and 2 fires in Anaheim Hills that consumed 14 square miles. One of our engine companies was working the Grapevine fire in Central California when Canyon 2 broke out and got stuck in traffic trying to return home.
Los Angeles has taken an opposite viewpoint and has now seen its city and county become the second largest homeless site in the nation. It’s logical to assume that the dense brush on the hillsides is an attractive place to build a campsite and create a makeshift galley for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To not vigorously enforce the area as a no-fire zone is just plain reckless.
Orange County has an ordinance forbidding campfires in parks, recreational areas, and wilderness sites except within a designated fire ring or with a permit. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a dedicated homeless outreach team aimed at mitigating the impacts of encampments. Deputies ensure the ordinance is enforced and that the threat of illegal campfires is removed.
If the Orange County Fire Authority is alerted to an illegal fire anywhere in the county, it has the authority to respond with law enforcement of that particular jurisdiction and extinguish the blaze.
Even if vagrants don’t intend to burn down numerous homes due to a campfire, they can still be charged with felony arson under Penal Code 452 because their action was so reckless. And if the fire kills someone, this becomes a manslaughter case.
In January, I will become Orange County’s next district attorney. This means I have the authority to set an example for the rest of the state regarding a no-tolerance stance on homeless firebugs or any other type of homeless crime. Many of these individuals just need a lucky break to get on their feet and I will continue to help with this effort, as I have for the past eight years. However, I will not tolerate anyone who violates our laws and jeopardizes our community safety.
I hope Los Angeles can follow this lead. |
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| Orange County Clerk-Recorder to Move North County Branch Office to New Location in Anaheim |
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Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be moving his North County Branch Office in Fullerton to a new location in Anaheim in an effort to address increasing demand for services and also to offer expanded services. Clerk-Recorder Nguyen is looking to have the new office up and running in February 2019.
The current North County Branch office in Fullerton has been in operation since February 2009. The office has provided the public important services such as issuing birth, death and marriage certificates, issuing marriage licenses, performing marriage ceremonies, document recording services, official records, and the filing of fictitious business name statements. However after nearly 10 years of service, the office has outgrown demand for services and its current location is no longer adequate.
The new North County Branch Office will be located in the city of Anaheim at 222 South Harbor Blvd. which will double in size and cost less compared to the Fullerton location-saving tax payers money. The new office will offer the same services as the current location with the addition of passport services, expanded document recording services and will also feature two marriage ceremony rooms instead of one. The new location has dedicated free parking and is located close to Intestate 5 and State Route 91 for easy access.
“I am looking forward to opening this new office in Anaheim,” Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen said. “We will be able to continue serving the public by expanding our services and making our services as convenient as possible for our customers in North Orange County. I would like to thank the City of Fullerton for helping us serve the public for nearly 10 successful years.”
The department will post more information on its social media and its official website to keep the public informed during its transition from Fullerton to Anaheim.
For more information about the services available at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department, please visit us at OCRecorder.com. |
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| Operation Santa Claus, Senior Santa & Friends Drives Collecting Donations for the Holidays |
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The Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends annual gift drives are currently collecting donations for children and seniors across the county, respectively.
Operation Santa Claus, which began as a small effort to meet the needs of a handful of children in 1962, has become a major event for the community. This program provides gifts and toys to children who are in foster care in Orange County as well as to children of disadvantaged families who are receiving services from the County of Orange. Last year, Operation Santa Claus distributed almost 42,000 toys/gifts to children in need. This would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of County of Orange employees, community-based organizations, businesses, and individuals in the community who play an important role in collecting toys.
The Operation Santa Claus program is coordinated by the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) with support from community volunteers. Approximately 2,000 hours annually are donated by volunteers from County agencies and the community. These volunteers have been the backbone of Operation Santa Claus since its inception.
In addition to Operation Santa Claus, SSA also runs Senior Santa & Friends. This program is geared toward providing gifts and special request items to low income elderly or severely disabled adults who are clients of SSA and/or the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Each year, SSA staff identifies clients who would benefit from having items such as household appliances, special medical equipment, nutritional supplements or clothing. Items received through Senior Santa & Friends help to make life easier, more comfortable and/or more independent. Last year, Senior Santa & Friends provided over 2,000 gifts and necessities to low-income seniors and adults with disabilities in Orange County. This was largely due to the efforts of volunteers and donations received from County employees, private companies, community-based organizations, and individuals who donate to Senior Santa & Friends annually.
Residents of Orange County can take part in Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends by:
For more information about Operation Santa Claus, please call (714) 679-2438 or email OperationSantaClaus@ssa.ocgov.com. And for more information about Senior Santa & Friends, please call (714) 825-3111 or email Senior.Santa@ssa.ocgov.com.
(Portions courtesy of OC Social Services Agency). |
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| John Wayne Airport Releases Holiday Season Travel Tips |
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In the wake of record-breaking travel days during peak holiday periods earlier this year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects record numbers of air travelers during the December holiday season. TSA estimates that between December 19 and January 5, more than 41 million passengers will travel through airports nationwide, a 6% increase over 2017. Last year, more than 500,000 passengers traveled through John Wayne Airport (JWA) during this period.
John Wayne Airport travelers can visit www.ocair.com for real-time flight status, parking availability, and other useful travel information.
Demand for parking is expected to be high. The Airport recommends passengers consider using all available parking options: Terminal-adjacent Parking Structures A1, A2, B2 and C, as well as curbside Valet Parking and the Main Street Parking Lot with free shuttle to the Riley Terminal. Travelers should plan ahead and check real-time parking availability by calling 949-252-5 200 or visiting Parking Availability on the Airport’s website.
All passengers flying out of JWA are encouraged to arrive 90 minutes to two hours before scheduled departure times for domestic flights and three hours for international flights to find parking, check luggage and go through security screening checkpoints.
Passengers are allowed one small carry-on bag plus one personal item as long as the carry-on bag fits airline dimensions. Check with individual airlines for specifics. To learn more about Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on bags and other travel trips, visit the TSA website.
Traveling with food tip: If you can spill it, spread it, pump it or pour it, the TSA considers this item a liquid and should be packed in your checked bag.
“If You See Something, Say Something™.” To report suspicious objects or activity in the Riley Terminal: dial “0” from a White Courtesy Phone to reach an operator, dial 2-5000 to reach Airport Police Services or you may notify an Airport employee or a uniformed officer. Guests may also dial 949-252-5200 from a mobile device
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| Pet of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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| Events Around the District |
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Anaheim
STEMsquad: Science of Sound
Wednesday, January 9, 3:30 pm– 4:30 pm
Canyon Hills Library, 400 Scout Trail
Family Storytime
Saturday, January 12, 11:00 am—11:30 am
East Anaheim Library, 8201 E Santa Ana Canyon Road
Irvine
Storytime in the Garden
Sunday, December 16, 10:00 am—11:00 am
Orange County Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd.
Orange
VA Hospital Seminar Presented by the Long Beach Veterans Hospital
Monday, January 7, 6:30 pm—7:30 pm
Main Library, 407 E Chapman Ave
Tech Tutor Saturdays
Saturday, January 5, 10:00 am—12:00 pm
Main Library, 407 E. Chapman Avenue
Silverado
Busy Family Book Club
Saturday, December 22, all day
Library of the Canyons, 7531 East Santiago Canyon Rd.
Tustin
Books for Breakfast
Saturday, December 22, 9:15 am—9:45 am
Main Street and El Camino Real
Farmers Market
Wednesday, December 26, 9:00 am—1:00 pm
Tustin Branch Library, 345 E Main St.
Villa Park
Music and Movement Storytime
Thursday, December 20, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Villa Park Library, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
Family Storytime
Saturday, January 5, 10:30 am— 11:15 am
Hurless Barton Park, 4579 Casa Loma Ave.
Sunday Concerts: Melanie Pedro and Andrea Formato, singers, Ann Patrick Green, pianist
Sunday, December 23, 1:30 pm
Richard Nixon Library and Museum, East Room, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
For questions or comments regarding Spitzer’s E-Newsletter
please contact the Supervisor's office staff at: (714) 834-3330 or Montana.Sudul@ocgov.com
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