Spring is upon us!
April is off to a good start with several recognitions, including the celebration of the 115th Anniversary of Orange County's Probation Department, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and recognizing April as National Donate Life Month, where we are reminded of the importance of organ donation and of the many lives we can save by becoming organ donors .
I witnessed firsthand the level of professionalism and attention to detail our Fire Authority displays when handling large animals during evacuations.
I also had the opportunity to introduce the panel at the Orange County Council of Governments' Annual Conference.
It's been a productive start to the month, and I look forward to what the coming weeks bring. |
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Chairman Don Wagner and Orange County Board of Supervisors Celebrate National Donate Life Month Chairman Don Wagner and the Orange County Board of Supervisors recognized April as National Donate Life Month, a time dedicated to honoring the generosity of donors and the life-saving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. National Donate Life Month, initiated by Donate Life America, highlights the invaluable role of Department of Motor Vehicles and Driver License Partners in advancing the mission of organ donation. This month serves as a token of appreciation for their unwavering dedication to the cause of saving lives. "I am proud to support the mission of Donate Life America and our local DMV and Driver License Partners,” said Chairman Wagner. “Their tireless commitment to facilitating organ, eye, and tissue donation offers the gift of life to those in need and can turn a tragedy into a measure of good." DMV staff across the country play a pivotal role by asking donor registration question to customers daily, thus providing individuals with the opportunity to express their willingness to be organ donors upon their passing. Through these interactions, partnerships with DMVs have become the cornerstone of state donor registration efforts, resulting in over 170 million donor registrations in the United States. For more information about organ donation and how to get involved, visit www.donatelife.net. |
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CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH |
At this week's Board meeting, we recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to reflect on how we can better serve children and their families. Orange County's Social Services Agency has been integral to ensuring that our children grow up in safe, kind, and loving households that help them reach their full potential. It is also critical that Orange County's youth are immersed in an environment that values, nurtures, and protects them.
We must acknowledge collaborative relationships between SSA and its community partners, which connect families in crisis and those at risk with services and support.
We are so thankful for these collaborative relationships. They play a huge role in supporting at-risk families.
I encourage all of us in Orange County to join in these efforts. This continued effort helps build safe, healthy, and nurturing families that strengthen our community. |
PROBATION DEPARTMENT 115TH BIRTHDAY |
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At this week's Board meeting, we recognized the 115th Anniversary of the Orange County Probation Department. Founded in 1909 by Judge Z.B. West as the Orange County Probation Committee, the Committee selected Reverand J.H. Scott as the county's inaugural Chief Probation Officer. Since then, 14 individuals have led the Orange County Probation Department, with Daniel Hernandez as our current Chief Probation Officer since 2022. Chief Probation Officer Hernandez continues the long-established department practice of prioritizing the safety of our community while utilizing interventions aimed at improving the outcomes of those under the department’s supervision. Chief Hernandez leads the department’s dedicated employees towards assisting those on probation with the reintegration process, so that they may gradually have the tools they need to become productive members of society. We want to congratulate the Orange County Probation Department for its 115 years of service to the people of Orange County and thank them for all they do to assist those on probation to reintegrate back into the community. |
ALAN ZALL TUSTIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD |
I recognized Alan Zall as the Tustin Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Tustin Business Community. Thank you, Alan, for all you do! |
LARGE ANIMAL RESCUE TRAINING |
My District Director Scott Voigts and I joined OC Fire Authority for its Large Animal Rescue Training at the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano. It was fantastic to see the commitment and attention to detail that our Fire Authority has taken to ensure the safety of horses and other large animals during emergencies. Thank you, OCFA, for your continued commitment to the safety to all our residents, human and animal alike. |
I joined the Tustin Host Lions Club to give an update on all the work that my office and the county have accomplished over the last year for our residents. Thank you, Tustin Host Lions Club, for inviting me to speak! |
I joined the Orange County Council of Governments for its annual conference at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, where I introduced the panel “Changing Times in Transportation”. As Vice Chairman of OCCOG, I want to thank everyone involved for their continued dedication to preserving Orange County’s quality of life and improving the lives of our residents. |
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My District Director, Scott Voigts, had the opportunity to welcome Bass Pro Shops to Orange County on my behalf. The new Bass Pro Shops location is located at the Alton Marketplace in Irvine. The grand opening official ceremony and ribbon-cutting featured special appearances by conservation leaders, legendary anglers, outdoor TV show hosts, and the Paw Patrol. Their Orange County store will service Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles Counties. Congratulations on your grand opening! Your services will be greatly appreciated here in Orange County! |
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SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE STAFFERS MEETING |
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My staff joined the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County’s annual legislative staffers meeting. Founded in 1983, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County distributes nutritious food through a network of partners and pantries throughout Orange County. These include houses of worship, schools, after-school programs, colleges and universities, senior centers, shelters for the unhoused, soup kitchens, and transitional housing facilities. Led by CEO Claudia Bonilla Keller, Second Harvest Food Bank has 95 employees and is located in Irvine on 6.5 acres. In 2023, the Second Harvest Food Bank distributed 36.3 million pounds of food to an average of 393,000 people per month. Low-income families and individuals are often one paycheck away from hunger. With rental costs and an ever-increasing cost of living, it can be difficult to make ends meet. Single mothers are especially vulnerable because many lack the support and resources to manage work and the needs of their children. Thanks to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County for everything you do to serve our community. |
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ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EGGS AND ISSUES BREAKFAST |
My Field Representatives Al Tello and Pat Buttress joined the Orange Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues Breakfast, where Sheriff Don Barnes was the guest speaker. Sheriff Barnes has over 30 years of law enforcement service. He joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1989 and has held every leadership rank, culminating with his election as the 13th Sheriff-Coroner for Orange County in November 2018. He leads a department of approximately 4,000 employees. The men and women of the Sheriff’s Department provide patrol services for approximately 800,000 residents, operate one of the nation’s largest county jail systems, manage the Orange County Crime Lab, conduct criminal investigations, and provide training services at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy. Thank you Sheriff Barnes for informing the Chamber of all the good work you and OCSD have been doing! |
RESTORATION DENTAL OC GRAND OPENING |
My field representative Pat Buttress presented a certificate of recognition to Dr. Ronald Pham and his Restoration Dental OC office at its new location Batavia Woods Medical Center in Orange. Dr. Pham, born and raised in Fountain Valley, graduated from USC Dental School in 2015 and selected Orange for his business because he has always loved the city. He wants to ensure his patients feel at ease at every stage of their visit to his office. With that in mind, he designed his office to look more like a trendy lounge than a medical office, and it most certainly does. Congratulations Dr. Pham on your grand opening! |
Registration is available via the QR code on the above flyer, or at the following link: www.eventbrite.com/e/cert-training-for-the-canyons-spring-2024-tickets-858968466807 |
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Chairman Wagner is proud to serve approximately 630,000 residents at the Board of Supervisors in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Irvine, Lake Forest, Tustin, North Tustin, Orange, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, the Unincorporated Canyon areas. |
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