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I recently had the opportunity to meet up with one of our OC Public Works crew as they conducted ongoing maintenance on one of the flood channels in Santa Ana.
 It was great to be able to thank them for their year-round efforts on these clean-ups and for the safety improvements that have been made in the area over the last two years.
Their work makes the channels cleaner and safer, especially when combined with safety improvements, including the installation of taller 4D Fencing along the trails, the installation of safety cameras, and increased vigilance by the OC Sheriff's Department. View short video here.
 The collaboration and partnership between County Public Works, the Sheriff, our contractors, and the City of Santa Ana is making a difference for the residents in the area.
This month, at an opening ceremony at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana, I had the pleasure of welcoming the public to Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries. The exhibit will be open through April 3 and is free to the public.
The exhibit highlights both the beauty of Orange County and the many diverse perspectives that talented local artists bring to our communities. Having a dedicated space at the historic Orange County Courthouse is a great way to honor their work, highlight their passion, and create new connections through art.
 The collection is made up of 110 original paintings from more than 50 local artists featuring unique art depicting diverse scenes of nature and life in Southern California, cityscapes, florals, and more. The exhibit is hosted by OC Parks, in partnership with Southern California Plein Air Painters Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the tradition of plein air painting.
 The exhibit is open to view Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and gallery artwork is available for purchase, with sales going directly to the artists. Parking is available at the on-site lot and is also available at lot P8 (301 W. 5th Street). For information, please visit OC Parks.
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is A Century of Black History Commemorations. This theme honors the 100th anniversary of the first Negro History Week, initiated in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, celebrating a century of documenting and honoring Black life.
At the last meeting of the Board of Supervisors, we recognized the significant commemorations that shaped our community and celebrated with invited guests, including Dorothy “Dottie” Mulkey, Ed Caruthers, Helen “Mother” Shipp, Pastor Pitts, and Johnny Dunning.
 I had the pleasure of highlighting the contribution of Santa Ana resident Dorothy Mulkey who was a pivotal local leader who fought for fairness, equity, and community empowerment. Dorothy Mulkey’s fight for fair housing began in Santa Ana in the early 1960s after she experienced repeated racial discrimination. Her determination and support from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Reitman v. Mulkey, which strengthened protections against discriminatory housing practices and had a lasting impact on fair housing policies in Orange County and across the nation.
 Local faith-based leaders such as Pastor Ivan Pitts and Pastor Johnny Dunning continue this legacy today by bringing the Black community together beyond faith, ensuring visibility, engagement, and advocacy through ongoing outreach and community events.
There is a lot of work that still needs to be done. While this month is a time to celebrate achievements and contributions, it is also a time to confront the challenges that remain and recommit ourselves to equity, justice, and inclusion.
Organized by local community groups and held at the Historic County Courthouse in Santa Ana, the vigil was an opportunity for the community and nursing and medical professionals to remember Alex Pretti and the other victims of violence during immigration rallies and peaceful demonstrations.
The community came together, united in light, to remember Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who devoted his life to helping others and whose life was cut short at the hands of Federal agents in Minnesota. The vigil sought to lift up the light of those who are dedicated to bringing health and healing to all. Recognizing that this is a difficult time for those in the medical community who see the wounds and feel the pain.
 I was proud to join with the community at this peaceful event to remember Alex and all those who speak out against injustice. It was a moment to uplift and support the community as the fight continues.
 WoundWalk.org served as the organizer for the event. They are a community-driven medical outreach organization with over 2,000 medical professionals who volunteer to help heal the wounds of our communities on a nightly basis.
Orange County is home to a diverse population, with nearly a quarter of our residents identifying as Asian, including those with roots in Vietnam, Korea, China, and the Philippines. These communities have shaped culturally vibrant areas such as Little Saigon and the Korean Business District.
At our last Board meeting, we were joined by community members and representatives as we celebrated the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year across many of our communities.
Lunar New Year is not only a celebration of renewal, but also a reminder of the history, resilience, and contributions of our Vietnamese and Asian communities.
 As we enter the year of the horse, a year symbolizing momentum, transformation, and bold progress, Orange County reaffirms its commitment to honoring the diversity, strength, and shared future that define our region.
These qualities strongly reflect the lived experiences of our Vietnamese and broader Asian communities here in Orange County, which is home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam.
 Families joined in celebrating the Lunar New Year at events all over the county, including at a celebration hosted by Advance Beauty College in Little Saigon. The Tết festivities were made possible by the college and the many volunteers and partners that worked to make it a great event.
The County has kicked off the FY 2026-27 Budget development process and is seeking public input on County budget priorities and the allocation of limited discretionary funds through the Community Budget Priorities Survey. Discretionary funds are monies that the County has not yet committed to mandated and/or required essential services.
We value community input and would like your feedback regarding the County’s budget. Feedback allows the County to incorporate your thoughts by ensuring budgeting priorities align with community values.
Submit your input by March 6, 2026.
My public safety policy advisor, Carlos Valenzuela, was on hand to join the welcome and swearing-in ceremony for the City of Anaheim’s 38th Chief of Police, Manny Cid. I look forward to continuing to work with the city and with Chief Cid on community safety issues that affect our residents.
 Chief Cid held supervisory and management roles across operational and administrative units, gaining experience in complex investigations, organizational leadership, and major incident response. In 2020, he was appointed Chief of Police for the Culver City Police Department. He later served as Chief of Police for the Glendale Police Department, where he continued to emphasize partnership-driven policing, modernization, and professional development.
Nick Kim from my team was on hand to present a resolution to mark the retirement of City of Orange Fire Department Chief Sean deMetropolis. The Chief was celebrated at a presentation before the Orange City Council.
 Thank you, Chief deMetropolis, for 30 years of leadership, service, and dedication to the City of Orange Fire Department and our community. From starting as a firefighter/paramedic in 1995 to rising through the ranks, your legacy of courage and mentorship has made Orange stronger and safer. We wish him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement filled with joy and adventure.
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