May has been a productive month, thanks to our community partners' active participation and support! I'm delighted to see that shoreline fishing operations at Irvine Lake have been approved so that our community can fully enjoy the amenities it has to offer. I'm happy to see the progress in our Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim Hills and the unity among all our local, state, and federal partners in ensuring that this final resting place for our Veterans becomes a reality. I'm also proud of the progress on the construction of the new Be Well Campus in Irvine. A sister campus to our successful Be Well in Orange, the Irvine campus will provide mental health support services for children, adolescents, families, and adults from across Orange County. I'm proud of these achievements and many others the Board of Supervisors and I accomplished for Orange County this month! |
Chairman Don Wagner Orange County Board of Supervisors Approve Shoreline Fishing Operations at Irvine Lake
(Santa Ana, CA) – Chairman Don Wagner and the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a contract permitting James Productions to support the public shoreline fishing program at Irvine Lake.
In 2019, soon after taking office, Chairman Wagner made it a priority to reopen Irvine Lake for recreational activities after years of closure and public demand for its reopening. Following negotiations with Irvine Company, Irvine Ranch Water District, Serrano Water District, and the County of Orange, Chairman Wagner was successful in re-opening Irvine Lake for public enjoyment.
"The approval of James Productions to support shoreline fishing at Irvine Lake marks another milestone in our commitment to revitalizing this cherished recreational area,” said Chairman Wagner. “I’m dedicated to expanding public access to outdoor activities and enhancing the community's enjoyment of this natural resource."
James Productions, Inc. is a seasoned contractor tasked with managing and facilitating shoreline fishing operations at Irvine Lake. With extensive experience in recreation operations and a deep understanding of Irvine Lake's dynamics, it ensures the smooth functioning of public fishing activities while negotiations for long-term agreements are underway.
Chairman Wagner remains committed to expanding available public resources, including the recent dedication of many miles of new hiking trails and open spaces and the spearheading of a Request for Proposals to further expand Irvine Lake recreational opportunities.
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WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION MONTH |
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At this Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board recognized the month of May as Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Month. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths among children aged 1-4 in the United States.
In 2023, the Orange County Fire Authority reported 104 drowning incidents, with an equal split between fatal and non-fatal outcomes. This risk extends across all age groups, particularly affecting young children and adults over 50.
The Health Care Agency, in collaboration with the Orange County Drowning Prevention Coalition, is spearheading initiatives to ensure our communities avoid these tragedies.
From ensuring the safety of our public pools to delivering targeted drowning prevention education and organizing community-wide water safety events, our commitment is unwavering.
These events are not only educational but also provide an opportunity for families to enjoy a day of recreational swimming while learning essential safety skills.
It is vital we all educate ourselves on the importance of water safety so that we can prevent these tragedies.
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PEACE OFFICERS' MEMORIAL DAY |
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At this Tuesday's Board of Supervisors Meeting, the Board recognized May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day. This is a time to recognize and honor police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and other law enforcement officers who died or have been disabled in the line of duty. We are grateful for all of Orange County’s law enforcement departments and all their sworn officers who pin on their shields every morning and walk out the door not knowing what to expect, often rushing into harm’s way, just to keep us all safe. Some of these officers make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. Each deserves our utmost respect. We pay that respect with actions like the Declaration of Peace Officers Memorial Day and also at the coming Veterans' Cemetery in Gypsum Canyon where we will have a, unique in the nation, dedicated section for Orange County's first responders. We stand in solemn memory of all the brave men and women in uniform who have laid down their lives to ensure our safety. |
ACC-OC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AND GOLDEN HUB AWARD CEREMONY |
I joined Sheriff Don Barnes, District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and many other incredible local leaders for the Association of California Cities Orange County’s (ACC-OC) Leadership Summit and Golden Hub Award Ceremony.
On a gratifying personal note, I won the Community Safety and Resilience Excellence award for my work on critical funding for schools and law enforcement’s fentanyl prevention efforts.
I also had the privilege of presenting the Legacy Award to the OCVIBE project in Anaheim for its innovative work in creating an entertainment and residential space in Anaheim for all to enjoy.
I’m honored to have received my award, and participate in such a wonderful event!
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BE WELL OC CONSTRUCTION SITE TOUR |
I took a tour of the Be Well OC Campus Construction site in Irvine to see its progress. Last October, I participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of this project, and am delighted to see how much progress the construction crews have made. Be Well Irvine will be the second campus of its kind in Orange County, and in the State of California, as we expand this groundbreaking program. This new campus, like its predecessor campus formerly in my district in Orange, will provide world class mental health support services for children, adolescents, families, and adults from across Orange County. The campus is expected to be completed by May of 2025. I’m delighted to see how far this construction has come along and can’t wait to see its completion! |
ANAHEIM HILLS VETERANS CEMETERY |
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On a recent Sacramento trip, I invited and, since the last newsletter, had the privilege of welcoming and hosting CalVet Veterans Services Secretary Lindsey Sin and Undersecretary Keith Boyland for a tour of the coming Orange County Veterans Cemetery site in Anaheim. We were joined by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Bob Archuleta, Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, Anaheim Councilmember Natalie Meeks, CEO Frank Kim, Orange County Cemetery District Director Tim Deutsch, and a delegation of our local Veteran leaders. This cemetery has been a long time coming, and while still underway, I’m happy that our local, county, and state partners have come together behind this final resting place for our Veterans in Orange County. Secretary Sin and her staff expressed their complete support for the site, discussed next steps, and will be working closely with us as we collectively obtain federal approvals and financial support. I’m proud to have spearheaded $20 million towards this project and to have state support in pushing this project forward. I want to thank Frank Kim, Tim Deutsch, the Orange County Cemetery District, all of our county employees, and all of my local, state and federal partners for their hard work on this project, so that we can give our Veterans a resting place that is worthy of their selfless service to our nation. |
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS WEEK |
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I joined OCFA Chief Fennessy, Sheriff Don Barnes, and other public safety leaders for a press conference on wildfire preparedness week.
This week is designated to raise awareness on wildfire preparedness, including how state, federal, and local public safety organizations are preparing for the 2024 fire season. We discussed how the public can prepare for wildfires through methods of home hardening and defensible space.
One specific point I made, and that was echoed by other speakers, is to call on residents to proactively protect themselves. You are your first line of defense. Make sure to harden your homes and have an escape plan, and because our first responders do not lightly recommend evacuation, please take such recommendations seriously for your protection and the protection of our first responders.
I’m grateful that Orange County has some of the best public safety officials in the world to help prepare for and mitigate wildfires to protect our communities.
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TUSTIN MAYORS CELEBRATION |
I joined the Tustin Mayors Celebration with Mayor Austin Lumbard, Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Gallagher, and Councilman Ray Schnell. Former Mayors Jerry Amante and Al Murray were also at this event to support the Tustin Community Foundation. |
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RED ROCK WILDERNESS GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING |
I joined Orange County Parks Director Pam Passow to officially open Red Rock Wilderness in Silverado. This space is now available to the public and was made possible by the Irvine Company’s generous donation of 1,500 acres of property to Orange County.
This space features more than eight miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding.
I’m so excited that our residents will have yet another place to explore all the beautiful nature that Orange County has to offer!
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YORBA LINDA MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST |
I attended the Yorba Linda Mayor's Prayer Breakfast—an incredibly uplifting event. Congratulations to Mayor Tara Campbell and all the folks who make this annual event happen. The room was full of community leaders, business leaders, and people who love the Land of Gracious Living. A sense of community is deeply rooted in Yorba Linda. |
ANAHEIM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MEETING |
I had the opportunity to provide the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee with an update on the business community, the Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim Hills, and give an election breakdown.
We also discussed law enforcement and how, in some parts of California, the support for police has dwindled. I assured them that law enforcement will continue to be a priority in the County budget.
I want to thank Mark Himmelstein, Chairman of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee, and the entire Chamber for inviting me to speak.
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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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