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We recently celebrated the first anniversary of the Orange County Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA). The office was created to build a more robust direct service infrastructure that promotes belonging, economic prosperity, and equity for immigrants and refugees.
I was honored to support the creation of the office and have seen firsthand the work that they do to support our County’s vibrant immigrant communities and provide resources that assist immigrants and refugees reach their American dream.
As part of the celebration, local businesses were recognized with the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of immigrant-owned businesses to our communities and celebrates their resilience, innovation, and dedication to enhancing the local economy. I was very happy to recognize two award recipients in the Second District, Headzup Barbershop and Benchmark restaurant.
 Opened in 2019, Benchmark has stood as more than just a restaurant—it’s a gathering place where the warmth of community blends seamlessly with the comfort of home. Founded with heart and vision by Pedro and Duane, Benchmark was created to be an upscale dining destination, with a seasonally inspired, rotating menu that features the freshest regional ingredients, thoughtfully crafted into dishes that celebrate the flavors of the moment.
Since opening its doors in 2020, Headzup Barbershop has become a go-to destination for those seeking fresh fades, sharp cuts, and a place to feel at home. At the heart of it all is Sam, a passionate barber originally from Palestine. He started as a single shop and has now grown into a thriving business with two locations, over a dozen employees, and a loyal client base that keeps growing.
I am inspired by the dedication and commitment of these entrepreneurs. They are making a difference in our communities as they pursue their American dream.
Over sixty public agencies and 350 suppliers participated in the 4th Annual Orange County Supplier Outreach event.
I was glad to welcome the over 1,600 attendees who joined this year’s event, which was held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The day was a great success and was all about building partnerships, supporting local small businesses, and making government procurement more accessible.
 I want to thank the City of Anaheim and Mayor Aitken for their incredible support, and to our county staff and procurement team for making this event possible.
 To learn more about County procurement and becoming a supplier, visit the County’s Procurement Office.
I was proud to present a proclamation to community members recognizing April as Cambodian Heritage Month. During the Board of Supervisors meeting, we honored the rich culture, history, achievements, and invaluable contributions that the Cambodian community has made to our nation and our county.
 The celebration was made even more special this year as we celebrated Cambodian New Year and also marked the 45th anniversary of the Cambodian Family, a Santa Ana-based non-profit serving the needs of the Cambodian community and helping the health and social well-being of the community at large.
 It is great to see the work they do in our community and see them complete 45 years of empowering families and building strong, resilient communities.
CalFresh Healthy Living is a crucial program that supports countless working families by educating and empowering them with essential nutrition knowledge and strategies to stretch their food budgets. Through partnerships within the community, the program helps make healthier choices more accessible and seamlessly integrated into daily life.
 Santa Ana Unified School District culinary program students have embraced this initiative with creativity and enthusiasm and are sharing valuable nutrition and cooking insights through a fun, engaging competition. The teams are working with recipes and food that help CalFresh recipients make nutritious meals for their families while stretching their food budgets.
 This cooking competition is made possible by a partnership between county agencies and the school district. Thank you to SAUSD Board Member Bustos and Social Services Director Tran for their dedication to this partnership and their commitment to promoting Cal Fresh Healthy Living across our communities. Healthier choices lead to improved physical and mental well-being, and we deeply appreciate our Health Care Agency's participation in this great project.
For information on CalFresh and how to sign up, visit the OC Social Services Agency.
On April 24, 2025, Fitch Ratings affirmed the County’s Issuer Default Rating of AAA with a stable outlook. The rating represents the highest credit quality and lowest risk of default in the industry.
The affirmation of the County’s AAA rating reflects the overall strength and outlook for the County’s economy and demonstrates our continued commitment to responsible fiscal governance, which helps us ensure we can efficiently and cost-effectively continue to deliver the essential programs and services that working families, seniors, and vulnerable residents rely on.
This rating continues to highlight the County’s strong budget resilience and low debt. In the face of uncertain federal funding and other challenges, we remain committed to a strategic approach to budget planning and prudent fiscal management.
 More detailed rating information can be found here.
My Policy Advisor, Carlos Valenzuela, was on hand to celebrate the winners of the 2025 William G. Steiner Memorial Police and Fire Awards. The awards are presented annually by the Rotary Clubs of Orange, Orange North, and Orange Plaza to recognize and thank the dedicated officers, firefighters, staff, and volunteers. Marking the 51st edition of this tradition, the afternoon celebration marked the commitment of the Rotary Clubs to honoring public service and strengthening community bonds.
Congratulations to the United Across Borders Foundation for their 6 years of service to members of the community. This year, they hosted a great Easter celebration event for families in need.
 I am proud to support and uplift organizations like UABF, which make a lasting impact year after year. A special thanks to the staff and all the volunteers who made the day a reality and who worked tirelessly to put a smile on children’s faces.
Our intern team is essential to the work of our office. I am always impressed with their talent and dedication. A great deal of their work is focused on our constituents and ensuring our office is responsive to their needs. This past month, they were off-site presenting certificates of recognition to new businesses and their owners, recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit that is so strong across the second district.
Evan Devoy attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the brand-new and state-of-the-art Genesis Ambulatory Surgery Center in Santa Ana. The center provides advanced outpatient procedures and is led by skilled surgeons. Their team is focused on fast recovery times and aims to accommodate patients needing surgery quickly, often within 24-48 hours.
Davis Garcia joined the grand opening of Mornings Coffee in Garden Grove. The owners of Mornings are building a community connected around coffee, cars, and design. From rare single-origin espresso to collaborations with the best in automotive and design, they don’t just serve coffee — they are curating an experience. Check them out on Instagram and grab your first cup.
Nick Kim recently visited Gabe’s Professional Auto Solutions on behalf of our office. He remarked on how inspiring it was to see how the team at Gabe’s is such a tight-knit group, having built their success from the ground up — they are a reminder that hard work les to success. Gabe’s Auto Solutions specializes in electric vehicles, making them look stunning and run flawlessly.
The first OC Streetcar vehicle was safely delivered to OCTA and is now housed at the maintenance and storage facility in Santa Ana. This is the first of eight cars that will operate on the OC Streetcar system.
The delivery of this first vehicle marks a major milestone for the project, and testing of the system is set to get underway in the weeks ahead. Full operation of the OC Streetcars with passenger service is expected to start in the spring of 2026.
Visit OCStreetcar.com for more information.
 
Pledge to bike during May 2025 and join the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Bike Month promotion! Your pledge to ride at least once during the month enters you for a chance to win an e-bike package. This includes an Avant Agile – Commuter – E-Bike valued at $1,499 along with an adult helmet, child helmet, bike lock, and baby seat.
 Bike Month also includes OCTA’s Wednesday, May 28 Bike Rally, which gives you another chance to win prizes along with receiving a free t-shirt (while supplies last), snacks and a chance to listen to our great speakers.
Visit octa.net/bikemonthfor more information.
We continue to address public safety concerns related to people congregating along the riverbed and in flood control channels. We face the dual challenge of expanding access to bike paths while controlling these areas to prevent criminal activity and ensuring we provide services to those in need.
I wanted to share some of the latest before and after images of that ongoing work.
Before After
 Before After
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