As we welcome 2024, let me begin by expressing how humbling and what an honor it is to serve the people of Orange County on the Board of Supervisors. There have been a lot of accomplishments to be proud of and many challenges, but that is why I asked to serve in this role: to embrace the challenges facing our county and find solutions for our residents. The month of December was eventful, with our successful Annual Fishing Derby, which saw over 1,100 in attendance, and our annual Holiday Open House, in which the public could visit the board offices and get a chance to meet all the County Supervisors and board staff. I also sponsored a three-day Veterans Summit held by Angel Force USA to address veteran suicide and find solutions to this epidemic for those who served our nation. The past year was eventful, and I look forward to what 2024 has in store! |
A SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN REVIEW |
Serving as Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors this past year has been an honor. I have made it my goal to prioritize the interests of not just my constituents in District 3 but all the residents of Orange County. It is a huge undertaking, but one that I have taken on with great pride. This year, as Board Chairman, I have delivered several initiatives and we have seen many accomplishments for Orange County, bettering the quality of life for all of us. 1. 29th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County According to the 29th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County, we have seen positive improvements in health insurance access, early prenatal care, and a reduction in child poverty. Additionally, the percentage of Orange County High School graduates considered ready for college increased. |
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2. Second Annual Fishing Derby at Irvine Lake After negotiating and leading the reopening of Irvine Lake for public use, I hosted my Second Annual Fishing Derby. Over 1,100 people lined up in the wee hours of the morning to get the first catch, and lots of fish were caught! I want to thank Orange County Parks for all their hard work in organizing and coordinating this event. This family friendly event couldn't have happened without all of our park rangers and staff. I'm so happy to have spearheaded the reopening of Irvine Lake to see our residents enjoy all that it has to offer. |
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3. Above the Influence Program Throughout the year, I lead the Board to focus on combating the fentanyl crisis. In August, through collaborative efforts with OC Sheriff Don Barnes, I allocated $1.7 million towards bolstering drug prevention and enforcement measures. This paid for the hiring of an additional drug prevention deputy for a five-year term and the procurement of advanced tools and resources for the Highway Interdiction Team. My commitment to safeguarding the community and collaborating with law enforcement on the fentanyl crisis remains a top priority. |
4. Nalaxone for School Districts to Combat Fentanyl Epidemic Also, in response to the fentanyl crisis, I allocated $120,000 from Third District discretionary funds to provide $20,000 each to school districts in the Third District to procure essential Nalaxone, the opioid reversal agent usually sold under the Narcan name. In doing so, I was nominated for the Leadership in Public Service Award by the Orange County Business Council for my work in combating the fentanyl epidemic and prioritizing protecting the lives of children. 5. Fentanyl Town Halls In addition, throughout 2023, I held a series of town halls to educate the Orange County Community on the ongoing and pervasive fentanyl epidemic that is threatening the lives of our youth. Experts from our Sheriff's Department, Health Care Agency, and other agencies participated in these informative town halls to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl and preventative efforts they can take to protect their loved ones. |
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6. Hurricane Hilary Preparation and Response The county prepared for its first hurricane in over eighty years. I led those preparations, in close collaboration with OC Public Works, OC Fire Authority, the Sheriff's Department, and our Emergency Operations team, principally to safeguard our most at-risk canyon areas. In the hours ahead of the storm I appeared on local and national news outlets to outline those preparations and advise residents of the latest developments. Fortunately, Hurricane Hilary lost steam by the time it hit us, downgrading to a tropical storm. Orange County came through the storm with a minimum of disruptions. It's better to over-prepare and not to have a crisis, than not be ready when disaster strikes. |
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7. Cook's Corner Shooting Response On August 23, a mass shooting occurred at Cook's Corner, Trabuco Canyon, right in the heart of my district. Three people died, with six injured. Sheriff's Deputies arrived within two minutes and ended the carnage, while Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived within four minutes to tend to the injured. Their quick, heroic actions saved lives! In response to this county-wide tragedy, I hosted a vigil with residents, the owners of Cook's Corner, and other community members to remember the three who were taken from us. Hundreds attended in a unifying moment for our community to bid farewell to the innocent lives we lost that day, and begin a process of healing that can never be completed. |
8. Renewal of Contract for Criminal Sheriff's Department Criminal Justice Academy The Board of Supervisor renewed the Orange County Sheriff Department's contract with Rancho Santiago Community College District for tuition and registration fees for the Sheriff's Criminal Justice Academy at Santa Ana College. I am pleased that my colleagues joined me in supporting this vital contract for the next generation of law enforcement officers, deputy district attorneys, public defenders, and criminal defense lawyers. The renewal of the contract for the Sheriff's Criminal Justice Academy continues the much-needed training of the next generation of law enforcement professionals, as they strive to further justice, maintain order, and safeguard the rights of all citizens. |
9. Sheriff's Department Safe Zones I spearheaded the "Safe Exchange Zones" Program with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, where individuals can make safe transactions and exchanges in a designated safe area at Sheriff's Department Substations throughout Orange County. A designated spot in these OCSD Substation parking lots is used to establish these Safe Zones. Illuminated throughout the night and equipped with surveillance cameras, these areas act as a deterrent to any ill-intentioned individuals. These spaces offer an increase in security for various circumstances such as child custody transfers or online transactions. |
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10.Town Halls for Fire Prevention I co-hosted town hall meetings for Distirct residents to discuss fire prevention. I was joined by representatives from OCSD, OCFA, the US Forest Service, and other industry professionals. Lots of great information was presented to our residents. The threat of fire is something that cannot be overlooked. We need to remain vigilant and prepared in the event of an emergency. |
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11. Wattles and Sandbag Giveaway for Canyon Residents I worked with OC Public Works, OC Fire Authority, and OC Waste and Recycling to distribute free wattles and sandbags to our canyon residents to prevent flooding ahead of the rainy season. The event was a big success, and all the wattles were given out! Sandbags and wattles are proactive tools that Canyon residents can take to help minimize or prevent potential impacts during storms. Proper and extenstive use of these tools lessens the risks to life, property, and county roads and facilities in the canyons.
Many thanks to OC Waste & Recycling, OC Public Works, and Orange County Fire Authority for working with us to make these resources available.
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12. Women's Self Defense Courses My office has worked with numerous self-defense programs to host free women's self-defense courses. In an effort to promote public safety, I have partnered with Krav Maga, Karate, and MMA studios to make these courses available to our public, with more courses coming in 2024. |
13. CERT Courses I partnered with the Orange County Fire Authority to co-sponsor their Canyons CERT Training Course, which is a FEMA-approved program that provides participants with the basic skills to respond to the needs of their family, friends, and community in the aftermath of a disaster when emergency services may not be immediately available. The turnout for this course was great, and it better equipped our communities for disaster preparedness. |
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14. Opening of Gypsum Canyon Wilderness I was proud to lead the opening of the Gypsum Canyon Wilderness with OC Parks, adding yet another remarkable open space to be explored by the residents of Orange County. The 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.
I'm delighted that yet another beautiful addition to our OC Parks is available for our community to enjoy. |
15. $200,000 Grant to City of Orange for Protection of Orange Plaza In March, I announced a $200,000 grant to assist in the protection of the Orange Plaza fountain, which had been severely damaged by a drunk driver fleeing police in a stolen car. These funds were used to build barriers protecting Plaza users and increased security in the Orange Plaza to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future. |
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16. Partnering with Angel Force USA to Combat Veteran Suicide In December, I co-hosted a three-day summit with Angel Force USA to highlight veteran suicide and find solutions to ending the suicide epidemic harming so many of our veterans. Over 100 Veterans who served in all military branches and in various conflicts attended, where we gave each of them a pin and a certificate of recognition from my office. Supporting our veterans and helping prevent veteran suicide is a deeply personal issue for me. Ensuring veteran services are the highest quality has always been a top priority of mine. |
Good News From Orange County Health Care Agency: No Airborne Asbestos Detected By Air Monitoring And Sampling From Navy North Hangar Fire Site In Tustin Reassuring Test Results From South Coast AQMD, U.S. EPA, U.S. Navy, and City’s IMT ContractorIs Welcomed News For Tustin Residents And Business Owners
TUSTIN, CA – County of Orange Health Officer & Chief of Public Health Services Regina Chinsio-Kwong, in a letter to Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard and his City Council colleagues, informed City officials that air monitoring of the Navy Hangar Fire site in Tustin by multiple health and environmental regulators shows no concern regarding airborne asbestos.
The letter from the Orange County Health Care Agency, facilitated at the request of Orange County Supervisors Don Wagner and Vicente Sarmiento, also provided a number of Community Health and Safety Tip recommendations to help minimize health risks and provide reassurances to the local community in relation to the recent Navy Hangar Fire incident.
“The reassuring test results and communication from the County Health Officer is welcomed news by the City of Tustin, our residents, and our business community,” said Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard. “I want to thank Tustin’s two representatives on the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the County Health Care Agency for their continued support and assistance to our City since the unfortunate Navy Hangar Fire incident. It has been invaluable.”
“It has been a tough and uncertain time for the residents of Tustin who live or work near the Navy Hangar,” said Don Wagner, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “With the County Health Officer’s findings, the City’s recent reopening of its parks and roads, and the Tustin Unified School District’s planning to re-open the last two of its impacted schools next week, residents can be more reassured. It is great to see things getting back to normal.”
“I would like to thank the County Health Officer for staying on top of everything with her continued monitoring of the situation in Tustin,” said Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who also represents the City. “We appreciate her going the extra mile to provide for the health and safety of the families and businesses impacted by the recent Navy Hangar Fire. The positive results from the air monitoring and sampling is definitely great news for us.”
“The progress that has been made to date is nothing short of incredible and is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the hundreds of individuals who continue to put in the long hard hours to safely bring our community back to normal.” said Mayor Lumbard. “We are thankful.” In their Health and Safety Tips for the community, Orange County Health Care Agency officials advised that residents should:
1.Stay informed - Go to tustinca.org for updates on community information and resources. 2. Avoid touching debris
- Report debris related to the incident by calling (714) 426-2444 or completing a debris reporting form found at: Debris Reporting Form (tustinca.org) 3. Basic health and safety tips -Homes/Buildings: If you still have visible debris from the Navy Hangar Fire incident on the exterior of your home or business:
i. Avoid touching suspected debris from this incident and report the debris at Debris Reporting Form (tustinca.org) ii. Avoid landscaping activities (mowing/leaf blowing/gardening) until the visible debris is appropriately removed. -Cleaning methods to further reduce risks: i. Use wet cleaning methods for windowsills/window screens, balconies, and door entrances. Do not use a pressure washer. ii. Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum. PROTECT YOUR HEALTH BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
-Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Units, and Air Purifiers:
Currently, there has been no detections of airborne asbestos during air monitoring/sampling for the incident response. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units can be turned on and used as normal. Consider replacing filters for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units according to the manufacturers’ instructions. For in-home air purifiers, opt for models equipped with HEPA filters. -Parks/Public Areas: Parks and public areas that have been reopened by the city can be utilized without restrictions.
-Pet Owners: Pet owners can walk their pets in areas that have been reopened.
4. Seek medical attention if you have any medical concerns
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I wish you all a happy, safe, and prosperous 2024! |
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DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH At the December 5th Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Andrew Do and I introduced a resolution recognizing December as Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. We were joined by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, Patricia Rillera with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and law enforcement officers who specialize in this area.
More than 10,000 lives are lost every year to drunk driving and drug-impaired driving. We urge everyone to make responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent impaired driving.
In December especially, with many gatherings and celebrations, we and our community partners like Mothers Against Drunk Driving want to remind everyone of the dangers of drunk driving.
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ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE |
In early December, the Board of Supervisors hosted our annual Holiday Open House. It was a great turnout and opportunity for the public to visit the board offices, meet the Supervisors and our staff, and enjoy some delicious food while celebrating the holidays. Thanks to all who came out! |
I awarded a $50,000 check to the Korean American Chamber of Commerce-Orange County to boost economic growth and development in our County. I want to thank Chamber President Roh and Chairman Koo for their dedication to supporting the growing Korean business community in OC and all they have to offer to our County. |
This year’s Annual Fishing Derby at Irvine Lake was a huge success! Over 1,100 people lined up in the wee hours of the morning to get the first catch, and lots of fish were reeled in! Congratulations to the winners of the largest fish contest, blind bogey drawings, and our raffle!
I want to thank Orange County Parks for all their hard work in organizing and coordinating this event. This family friendly event couldn’t have happened without all of our park rangers and staff.
I’m so happy to have spearheaded the reopening of Irvine Lake to see our residents enjoy all it has to offer.
Thank you to all who attended!
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ANGEL FORCE USA STOP SUISILENCE VETARANS SUMMIT |
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I was proud to sponsor Angel Force USA’s Stop Suisilence Veterans Pinning Ceremony and Veterans Tribute Concert. Supporting our Veterans and helping prevent Veteran suicide is a deeply important issue for me. Ensuring Veterans services are the highest quality has always been a top priority of mine.
Over 100 Veterans who served in all military branches and in various conflicts attended, where we gave each of them a pin and a certificate of recognition from my office.
I was even given a challenge coin from a kind Vietnam Veteran with the symbol of his Army Division. I’m so grateful for that thoughtful gift.
At the same event, Supervisor Andrew Do also honored Vietnamese Veterans who served in South Vietnam’s military during the Vietnam War.
We can’t thank our Veterans enough for the sacrifices they have made for our country, and supporting them through Angel Force’s initiatives is only a small token of gratitude for all they have done for us.
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ORANGE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING |
On Sunday, December 3rd, the first day of Advent, I had the distinct pleasure of joining the 2023 Tree Lighting Ceremony in Old Towne Orange hosted by the Orange Chamber of Commerce. I lit the Christmas Tree with the help of my granddaughter to kick off the beginning of the Christmas season. I was joined by Orange Mayor Dan Slater, the entire Orange City Council, former County Supervisor Gaddi Vasquez, and over 10,000 attendees to celebrate this cherished annual celebration.
I also received unexpected birthday wishes from the audience.
Thank you, Orange Chamber of Commerce and the City of Orange, for inviting me to light the tree for this wonderful occasion!
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My office and I joined The Pet Adoption Center of Orange County and organized a pre-Christmas pet adoption event at the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, where lucky TomTom got to find his new home - Congratulations! Thanks to all participating sponsors, including Mission Viejo Animal Services Center, H.E.A.R.T., RSM Cares, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, and Pet Wants South County, for your dedication to helping animals find their permanent homes.
I also want to thank the City of Rancho Santa Margarita for providing the location for the adoption event. Mayor Pro Tem Brad McGirr and Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez came and supported our efforts.
Thank you all.
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SANDBAG AND WATTLE GIVEAWAY FOR CANYON RESIDENTS |
The Sandbag & Wattle Giveaway for Canyon Residents was a big success. All of the wattles were given out! Sandbags and wattles are proactive tools that Canyon residents can take to help minimize or prevent potential impacts during the upcoming rainy season. Their use lessons the risks to life, property, county roads, and other facilities during storms. Many thanks to OC Waste & Recycling, OC Public Works, and Orange County Fire Authority for working with us to make this event possible. And thanks to the Canyon residents who stopped by to say “hello.” |
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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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