|
Dear Friends and Second District Residents,
Two years ago, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic changed our world as we knew it. As we begin to move forward still navigating a global pandemic we now watch in shock and horror from the safety of our homes as Russia invades neighboring Ukraine. Please keep those in harm’s way in your thoughts and prayers as we hope for peace and the reunification of Ukrainian families.
A Simple Thank You Goes a Long Way
It’s funny how it takes a special holiday or event for us to remember and honor those who make a difference in our lives. Every day someone does something that contributes to our lives in a meaningful way. It can be the co-worker who helps you with a project; an employee who arrives each morning with a positive attitude; the son or daughter who helps around the house without being asked; or a spouse who acts as your biggest cheerleader in life. We all know people who go out of their way to make our lives a little easier.
How often do we take the time to recognize and appreciate people – probably not as frequently as we should. As human beings we often don’t recognize the value of something until it’s gone and unfortunately sometimes it can be too late.
I would encourage all of you to take a moment each day to ponder the many seamless things the people around us do. Small acts of kindness like making coffee for everyone at the office each morning or saying hello to a stranger might make their day.
Take time to truly appreciate the people who put forth that effort to be efficient and to make service a priority. A simple “thank you”, an unexpected card, kudos at a staff meeting, or a small gift can do wonders to make people feel valued as part of an organization. When people feel valued, not only do organizations experience a higher retention rate, they also have a more positive attitude and feel increasingly invested in their daily work.
Strive to live a life without regret – say the important things today and every day, take action where you need to and, most of all, appreciate the contributions that make your life special.
Recognize Someone in Your Community
Next month (April) is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, celebrating the impact volunteers have on our lives and encouraging active volunteerism in generations to come. Most often unpaid, volunteers generously donate their time and talents to do the work that nobody else likes to do — cleaning up after the event, fostering shelter dogs, chaperoning field trips, or helping the librarian. During April, we salute volunteers for their unwavering services to businesses and communities and hold aloft their examples to inspire youth and adults towards volunteerism.
At the Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 26, The Board of Supervisors will be honoring a “Volunteer of the Year” from each of the Five Districts of Riverside County. This is an opportunity to shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve. Please take a moment and nominate an individual or organization that goes above and beyond to improve the quality of life within your community. More information can be found in this newsletter or on our website www.rivcodistrict2.org.
Redistricting Update
I have been asked recently about the new District 2 and want to provide you with an update.
Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, the Board of Supervisors is tasked with reviewing the county jurisdictional boundaries and redrawing the districts, with adherence to specific criteria. Although the supervisorial district boundary maps have been approved and the necessary implementing ordinance has been adopted, they do not go into effect immediately.
California Elections Code section 21506 states in pertinent part: “The term of office of any supervisor who has been elected and whose term of office has not expired shall not be affected by any change in the boundaries of the district from which the supervisor was elected.” The boundary adjustments to District 1 and District 3 will not take effect until the election that is held in 2024 (for elected supervisor taking office in January 2025), and District 2, 4 and 5 will not take effect until the election that is held in 2022 (for elected supervisor taking office in January 2023). As a result, during the elections held in 2022 and 2024 voters will vote according to the new adjusted boundary lines.
Currently District 2 includes the unincorporated communities of Coronita, El Cerritos, Home Garden and Highgrove, and the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and the western half of the City of Riverside. In January 2023 when the New District 2 takes effect, we will lose the City of Riverside and a portion of Jurupa Valley as well as the unincorporated community of Highgrove. The new District 2 will expand to include the cities of Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore and the unincorporated areas of La Sierra, Lake Mathews, Lakeland Village, Temescal Valley, Warm Springs, and Woodcrest.
The Supervisors will work together during this transition. My team and I are committed to continuing to serve you and welcome any questions you may have regarding redistricting.
The Riverside County Second District Supervisor’s office Staff are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to assist you. You can reach my office by calling (951) 955-1020 or by emailing District2@rivco.org and staff will assist you promptly.
I encourage you to stay connected by joining District 2 on Facebook @SupervisorKarenSpiegel or Twitter @SupKarenSpiegel and Instagram @SupervisorKarenSpiegel
I hope you enjoy this e-newsletter. Please reach out to my office if we may be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Karen Spiegel
Second District Supervisor
VETERAN SERVICES
Dear Veteran,
You may be eligible for newly enacted service-connected benefits.
Over the course of the last six months, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun processing service-connected disability claims for six new presumptive conditions related to environmental exposures during military service. We request your help in making more Veterans aware of these newly added presumptive conditions to help them file a claim and obtain any earned benefits. In May 2021, VA started implementing provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), adding bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism to the list of medical conditions presumptively associated with exposure to Agent Orange. A few months later VA added asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis (to include rhinosinusitis) on a presumptive basis based on particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas.
Any Veteran who was previously denied service-connection for any of these six conditions but had symptoms manifest within 10 years of military service would need to file a supplemental claim. Be sure to use VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim when filing. The claim form should include the name of the condition and specify that the condition is being claimed due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards.
VA is committed to assisting Veterans who may have been exposed to hazardous materials during their military service. Be sure to stay plugged in to www.va.gov for the most recent developments around environmental exposures during military service, as VA is constantly conducting research and surveillance as well as reviewing scientific literature for conditions that may be related to exposure during military service. For more information about VA benefits and eligibility, or how to file a claim, Veterans and survivors can visit VA’s website at www.va.gov or call toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.
RTA UPDATES
COMMUNITY EVENTS
There is an urgent need for blood throughout Riverside County. Our local hospitals and blood banks are in critical need of donations. LifeStream Blood Bank has ZERO units of Group O blood on hand, and several patients in the community need blood now. Without blood on our shelves, these patients' lives are at risk.
Make an appointment to donate blood today: call 800-879-4484, visit https://www.lstream.org/, or download the LifeStream app TODAY.
FARMERS MARKETS IN THE AREA
As the summer season heats up, so does the popularity of Farmers Markets. We are pleased to share the following information on Farmers Markets located throughout the Corona, Norco, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley and Riverside areas. Enjoy!
 Looking for some Friday night fun? Come and hang out at the Eastvale Farmers Market, every Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the New Day Christian Church: 7155 Hamner Ave., Eastvale CA 92880.
Fresh produce, farm fresh eggs, freshly baked bread, microgreens, farm fresh honey and MUCH MORE!! For more information or on how to become a vendor, please email: eastvalefarmersmarket@gmail.com
HIGHGROVE MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (MAC) BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS - APPLY NOW!
Are you interested in what’s going on in the community of Highgrove? If you live within the unincorporated community of Highgrove, be sure to apply for two (2) Alternate Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) positions . Get to know your Sheriff Deputies, Code Enforcements Officers, School Board Members, Animal Control Specialists and more! Interested parties may apply online at www.rivcodistrict2.org under Boards-Committees & Commissions.
|
