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Last Saturday, my office partnered with Orange County Parks for a first-of-its-kind Mother's Day Concert at Haster Basin Park in Garden Grove.
The weather was beautiful, and the community came out to celebrate moms with food, music, and fun. The event was a wonderful opportunity to honor moms while enjoying the music and community connection.
The Selena and Taylor Swift tribute bands energized and entertained the crowd, bringing together multiple generations through music and creating a fun and memorable experience for all to enjoy.
 I want to thank everyone who attended and all the organizations that made this event possible. Thank you to the City of Garden Grove, CalOptima Health, OC Parks, and JFK Transportation. A special thanks to the LDS Church and Lampson Elementary, which generously allowed us to use their parking lots.
It was a truly special and moving day for both the community and our family as Valley High School students honored inspiring and powerful women in the community through art.
For my family and me, the day carried even deeper meaning as students recognized the legacy of my sister, Vicki Sarmiento. Although she was not there in person, her spirit, her fight for justice, and her unwavering voice for our community were reflected in every detail of the artwork.
 Standing there with my family in front of a mural honoring my sister filled me with immense pride, and I was deeply inspired by the creativity and talent of these young artists.
I was grateful to share this meaningful moment with my family and proud to stand alongside the many incredible women leaders who continue to inspire the next generation to stand up, speak out, and lead with purpose.
At our Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 6, we recognized the extraordinary contributions nurses make in our County, as well as the more than 3.9 million nurses serving patients across the nation.
Timed to coincide with National Nurses Week, we were joined for the presentation by Public Health and Nursing Services at HCA, Michael Sean Wright, and volunteer nurses from Wound Walk OC and Nursing program instructors from Chapman University and other local colleges.
 We had the opportunity to recognize the dedication and commitment to service by these professionals and highlight the wide range of settings in which they work, including efforts that bring care to our unhoused neighbors and the compassion they demonstrate every day.
In Orange County, nurses are on the frontlines of care across our communities. Nurses often serve as the critical bridge between complex health systems and underserved patients, ensuring care is not only delivered but delivered in a way that is accessible, culturally responsive, and consistent.
I also want to emphasize the essential role nurses play not only in delivering care, but in building and sustaining trust in our healthcare system. Public health fundamentally depends on that trust.
Earlier this month, I was glad to join the City of Orange in its May Parade celebration on a beautiful day, honoring this cherished tradition. This year, I was joined by Ballet Folklórico Donají, whose energy and joy in sharing their culture were truly inspiring and enjoyed by all.
 A special thank you to the Orange Chamber of Commerce Foundation and all the sponsors for organizing this event and bringing together residents and organizations across the community.
I joined Kona Kai residents during their town hall to hear directly from them about their concerns regarding park conditions and management.
Over the past two years, many seniors in the park have been hit with repeated infraction notices and increasing pressure from management for expensive corrective actions not related to health and safety issues. Many are seniors and long-time residents on fixed incomes.
I was there to listen and to offer my support as residents sought to make their voices heard and meet with park management to address their concerns.
 Residents spoke candidly about the issues related to park conditions and the broader challenge of housing affordability in the city. While the County has no direct jurisdiction over the park, I committed to helping wherever possible to improve communication with park management and support efforts to address the concerns raised. These conversations are important because they help residents navigate barriers, better understand their rights and available resources, and ensure their concerns are not lost in the process.
 Organized by the non-profit VietRISE, the town hall also provided an opportunity for residents to also meet with representatives from Santa Ana's Rent Stabilization Division, who walked through how to submit a tenant petition and what to expect in the process.
This year’s theme, “More Good Days Together,” is a simple but powerful reminder that mental health is shaped not only by clinical care, but by connection, stability, and community support in everyday life. Mental health is essential health, and improving it requires all of us working together across systems, communities, and families.
In Orange County, mental health challenges continue to touch every community, across age, income, and background.
The Supervisors were joined by our Healthcare Agency team, the behavioral services group, as well as clinicians and professionals from across the county to raise awareness and share the resources available.
 Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that improving mental health is not the responsibility of one system; it is a shared community effort. If we stay focused on early support, connection, and access, we can create more stability, more healing, and ultimately—more good days together for Orange County residents.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, please visit OCNavigator.org — our online platform to find mental health and wellness resources across the county or call OC Links at (855) 625-4657 for 24/7 support and connection to behavioral health services.
For the month of March, the Santa Ana River was the most impacted flood control facility in Orange County. During this period, our Operations and Maintenance team completed 376 cleanups across OC Flood Control facilities. Of these, 196 were within District 2, with more than half occurring in the City of Santa Ana, addressing a total of 141 locations.
I also wanted to share some of the before-and-after images of the ongoing work. Thank you to OC Public Works for their great efforts. Click here to request services.
Before After
 Before After
Sabroso! Mexican Kitchen in Garden Grove is a family-owned and operated authentic Mexican restaurant proudly serving traditional Mexican cuisine rooted in generations of family recipes from Guerrero, Mexico.
Our team recently visited to congratulate the family on their culinary success, recognize their hard work, and the positive impact they are having on their community.
 It was a great opportunity for our team to see firsthand the restaurant's new location and get a chance to talk with several generations of the family.
The restaurant has been featured twice on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri and recognized as one of Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants.
E-bike use has grown rapidly across Orange County, and while these bikes offer an affordable and efficient way to get around, recent incidents and fatalities in our region underscore the importance of safety and responsible use.
Parents and riders should be aware that many e-bikes can reach speeds comparable to motor vehicles, and when used improperly, they can pose serious risks—especially for youth and inexperienced riders.
Key safety reminders for parents and riders:
- Know the law and classification: Not all e-bikes are the same. Some models function more like mopeds and may have different rules regarding age limits, helmet requirements, and where they can be ridden. Make sure you understand which class of e-bike you or your child is using.
- Helmet use is essential: Helmets should always be worn, regardless of age or distance traveled. A properly fitted helmet significantly reduces the risk of serious injury.
- Set clear rules for youth riders: Parents should establish expectations around speed, where the bike can be ridden, and whether passengers are allowed. Many accidents involve young riders operating e-bikes beyond their skill level.
- Follow traffic laws: E-bike riders must obey the same rules as bicycles and vehicles, including stopping at red lights, using hand signals, and yielding to pedestrians.
- Be visible and alert: Use lights, reflectors, and bright clothing—especially when riding at dawn, dusk, or night. Avoid distractions such as headphones or phones while riding.
- Avoid modified or illegally upgraded e-bikes: Altering speed settings or motors can make bikes unsafe and illegal for road use.
As e-bike use continues to grow, safety education is critical to preventing further tragedies. Families, schools, and the community all play a role in ensuring that riders stay safe and responsible on the road. For additional information click here.
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