The month of November has had some great moments and some significant challenges for Orange County. We celebrated our veterans and their contributions to the safety and security of our great nation. Numerous events across the county were held to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. I was honored to be present at so many of these events over Veterans Day weekend.
Unfortunately, the celebration of our veterans was overshadowed by an unprecedented three-alarm fire at the Tustin North Hangar that resulted in ash and debris landing in the surrounding communities. The loss of this historic building, especially during the week of Veterans Day, is undeniably sad, but I am grateful that no one has been injured during the incident.
In response to this situation, I signed an emergency declaration that allows the county to utilize federal and state resources and assistance to help mitigate the crisis and ensure the safety of our communities. We are working around the clock with our local, state, and federal partners to address the needs of our community.
As we approach Thanksgiving, it is a time for us all to be grateful for what we have. Amid the challenges of this role, the good and the bad, I am honored to serve as your supervisor, and will continue working hard for you. |
CHAIRMAN WAGNER JOINS FOX 11 TO DISCUSS TUSTIN HANGAR FIRE |
I joined Fox 11's Marla Tellez to discuss the tragic loss of the Tustin North Hanger. This hanger, along with its twin, are iconic landmarks that symbolize the rich military history of Orange County. The loss of the North Hangar and the impact this fire has had on Tustin and the greater community has been incredibly challenging for all of us, but we are working diligently to ensure the safety of our residents. |
EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR TUSTIN HANGAR FIRE |
Last Thursday, I signed a county-wide state of emergency declaration following Tuesday’s Tustin North Hangar Fire. This declaration will expedite the availability of state and federal resources and fulfill certain legal requirements with respect to environmental cleanup. For more information, resources, and contacts for our residents affected by the debris and smoke from the fire, visit: https://www.tustinca.org/1457/North-Hangar-Fire-Community-Resource-Pag We also set up a public information hotline for any resident who may have questions at: 714-426-2444. The tragic loss of this historic hangar and the subsequent smoke and debris that has affected the surrounding communities is something that I don’t take lightly. I will continue to stay in constant communication with our emergency personnel and partner agencies as we clean up and move forward. |
In 1621, 402 years ago, the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving after their first harvest in the New World. This feast lasted three days and was attended by 90 Native American Wampanoag people and 53 survivors of the Mayflower. It was officially made a federal holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, proclaiming it to be a day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."
As we gather with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, let us remember the origins of this holiday that brings family, friends, and loved ones together to thank God for all he has given us. |
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VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION At the November 7th board meeting, Vice Chairman Do and I led a presentation marking November 11th as Veterans Day. We were joined by our Orange County Veterans Service Officer, Eric Ensley, the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council members, and the President of Veterans Alliance of Orange County, Nick Berardino. On Veterans Day, we honor the valor of those brave Americans who have sacrificed to defend peace, freedom, and our republic for us all. We urge all residents to remember the noble sacrifice of our country's armed forces in defense of our country, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
Orange County is home to over 125,000 veterans. We want to thank them for their service and ensure that veterans of every era and their families get the state and federal benefits and services they have earned and deserve because of their selfless and honorable military service. If you are a veteran or know a veteran, please take advantage of our county resources available for our servicemembers. You can find more at: https://www.veterans.ocgov.com/ |
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NOVEMBER IS ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH At the November 7th Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board presented a resolution recognizing November as Adoption Awareness Month in Orange County. We were joined by Kristin Shelby, Jacob Lee Williams, and their son Wyatt James Williams. Kristin and Jacob adopted Wyatt in March of this year. We are grateful for all our adoptive families who provide safe, loving, and stable homes for children. Last year, 362 adoptions were finalized, placing children who faced tumultuous journeys in safe and stable homes. But we still have over 3,000 children in the Orange County foster care system. Children coming from the foster care system have faced uncertainty and sometimes danger. Many children won’t ever have a safe home to return to. Adoption is the safe harbor they need to end instability and thrive from the love, nurturing, and compassion permanent families can provide. Orange County needs more adoptive and resource parents. We encourage those interested in learning more about becoming a resource family to call 1-888-871-KIDS or visit www.oc4kids.com. |
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NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH At the November 7th Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board recognized November as National Family Caregivers Month in Orange County. We were joined by Claudia Harris from our OC Office on Aging and An Tran and Gail Araujo from our County of Orange Social Services Agency. The Orange County Office on Aging, Social Services Agency In-Home Supportive Services, and its partners are dedicated to bringing reputable and effective health promotion programs to over 660,000 older adults and their caregivers in Orange County. Every day, thousands of family caregivers lovingly provide for the needs of parents, spouses, and those who are no longer able to care for themselves. While we take this time to recognize the work of our family caregivers, we also want to encourage older adults and their caregivers to help us address the needs of the future. We are also in the midst of conducting our Master Plan on Aging, and we encourage all older adults and caregivers of older adults to complete the Older Adults Needs Assessment Survey. You can go to www.olderadultsurvey.com to complete the survey. You have until December 30th of this year to do so. Thank you to our Office on Aging and all our partners for the superb programs and services you provide on behalf of Orange County families and their caregivers. |
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GYPSUM CANYON WILDERNESS RIBBON CUTTING |
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On November 14th, I joined OC Parks and the Irvine Company for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness, adding yet another remarkable open space to be explored by the residents of Orange County.
Gypsum Canyon Wilderness was made possible by the Irvine Company's generous donation of 25,000 acres of land to the County of Orange over the years.
The 500-acre property within OC Parks' Irvine Ranch Open Space features six miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are seven new trails in total, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty.
Visitors can take in expansive views of the surrounding landscape and colorful rock formations from two scenic overlooks.
A conservation easement over this area supports long-term stewardship that prioritizes natural resource protection while also encouraging responsible public access.
I'm delighted that yet another beautiful addition to our OC Parks is available for our community to enjoy. |
Congratulations to the canyon residents who have successfully completed the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training Course! I am pleased to have been able to provide the funding to make these classes available to canyon residents. The training provides residents with the basic skills to respond to the needs of their family and neighbors in the aftermath of a disaster, when emergency services may not be immediately available.
The training consists of five classes, which will be available twice a year. Thank you, Fire Division Chief Baryic Hunter and Orange County Fire Authority, for conducting these courses! |
I joined the South Orange County Economic Coalition, Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce, and the RSM Chamber of Commerce for the annual Chairman’s Luncheon. There was a large turnout, and it was a great opportunity to speak with constituents about local business interests and the economic climate in Orange County. I want to thank everyone involved for organizing this wonderful event for the business community! |
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DINO DASH AND RUN FOR EDUCATION |
Over 8,000 participants joined this year’s Dino Dash and Run for Education fundraiser hosted by the Tustin Public Schools Foundation and Tustin Unified School District. I had the honor of kicking off the 2K run, which had over 2,000 participants! I’m so happy to see such dedicated support for our public schools in Tustin. Thank you, Kristin Simpkins of the Tustin Public Schools Foundation and TUSD President James Laird, for organizing this fantastic event! |
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ANAHEIM HILLS ROTARY FLAGS OF HONOR EVENT |
On Veterans Day, I presented the Service Clubs Month proclamation to Anaheim Hills Rotary President Bernie Correa-Henschke at the Flags of Honor event at Eucalyptus Park. I also welcomed the veterans who were in attendance to honor the flag and Veterans Day. Congresswoman Young Kim was also in attendance, where we joined the Canyon Hills Honor Guard beside the special memorial for Mike Andersen, an Air Force veteran who passed suddenly in October. Thank you, Rotary Club, for your community involvement and support for our veterans! |
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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA VETERANS DAY EVENT |
Last week, I joined Mayor Jerry Holloway and the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council to honor and recognize the city’s veterans. Veterans Day ought to be every day because it is every day that we owe this continuing debt of gratitude. It’s incumbent on all of us to support our veterans, especially in light of many of them coming home dealing with the results of PTSD, which has led to an epidemic of veteran suicide. Sadly, Orange County is not immune to it. As wonderful as it is to have our veterans back in our communities and continue their service locally, some of them are bearing the scars of war. If you see something or sense something is off, this county has resources available to save lives. The men and women who served us need us to step up and be there for them. They served us, and now we can serve them. |
TAIWANESE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ORANGE COUNTY INAUGURAL BUSINESS FAIR & MIXER |
My District Director, Scott Voigts, and Outreach Director, Saga Conroy, presented a Certificate of Recognition to Wendy Hu, President of the Orange County Taiwanese Junior Chamber of Commerce, for their inaugural Taiwan Business Fair & Mixer. Thank you for connecting our younger generation with the business world, introducing great products from Taiwan to the US market, and bringing business owners, entrepreneurs, & working professionals together in Orange County! |
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Chairman Wagner is proud to serve approximately 630,000 diverse 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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