(Santa Ana, California) — When it comes to tackling homelessness, Orange County isn’t resting on its laurels.
One week after delivering on Supervisor Andrew Do’s promise to open a new homeless shelter within 30 days, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has tapped $1.2 million in state emergency grant funding for homeless shelters and rapid re-housing programs. Continue reading
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is hosting a Town Hall meeting on Oct. 15, 2016 about Homelessness, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the County of Orange, located at 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., in Santa Ana.
In the past year, Orange County has taken major steps to help the homeless and end the cycle of poverty:
• Appointed a New Homeless Czar to Cut Red Tape
• Supported Housing Assistance for Homeless Veterans
• Opened an Emergency Shelter in Santa Ana
• Improved Patient Access to Mental Health Programs
• Broke Ground on the County’s First Year-Round Shelter Continue reading
Transitional Center for Civic Center Homeless Readied for Opening
Comprehensive Civic Center Survey Released
Two contracts for the operation of a round-the-clock transitional center with emergency shelter beds and enhanced services will be considered Tuesday by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which has been renamed “The Courtyard.”
The plan to use the former terminal was proposed by Supervisor Andrew Do at a special Board meeting earlier this month, with a directive to open the center within 30 days providing access to showers, food programs, storage and comprehensive service referrals. Public restrooms have been available at the former bus terminal since 2009; in August, the County installed additional portable toilets. Continue reading
The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved their new Civic Center Safety and Security Program at their meeting last night, according to the O.C. Register.
Two weeks after City Council members declared a “public health and safety homeless crisis” at the Civic Center, they’ve approved a program with the county to enhance safety and security in the area. Continue reading
Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez is hosting a fundraiser for her Supervisorial campaign on Wednesday, September 28th at the law offices of AlvaradoSmith, located 1 MacArthur Place, Suite 200, in Santa Ana.
If you are able to attend this event, please RSVP at Martinez4Supervisor2016@GMail.com or call (310) 505-2619. Continue reading
Orange County Approves $8 Million in Housing for Homeless, Selects Mercy House to Run Shelter
(Santa Ana, California) — Orange County is taking action on homelessness.
Just one week after adopting Supervisor Andrew Do’s plan to transform a Santa Ana bus terminal into a transitional homeless shelter, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved $8 million to provide housing for people who currently living on the streets or at risk of becoming homeless. Continue reading
Santa Ana Council Members Michele Martinez and Vince Sarmiento are hosting a joint Campaign Office Kick-Off on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 414 W. 4th St., in Santa Ana, on Sunday, Sep. 11, 2016, at 10 a.m.
Martinez is running for the First Supervisorial District and Sarmiento is running for re-election in Ward 1. Continue reading
Supervisor Andrew Do Hosts a Free Scam Prevention Seminar
Senior Scam Stopper will Help Stop Crime against Orange County’s Most Vulnerable Population
(Westminster, CA) – Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do and the Contractors State License Board are helping Orange County residents fight back against scam artists and identity theft with a free scam prevention seminar.
On September 8th, the public is invited to join a free Senior Scam Stopper Seminar in Westminster. Continue reading
Santa Ana City Council Member Michele Martinez, who is running for the First District of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, appeared on the John and Ken radio show yesterday afternoon, on AM 640. I don’t think she knew in advance that John and Ken are conservatives – and they only invite politicians onto their show to embarrass them. The interview was hard to listen to as John and Ken yelled at Martinez throughout the interview and barely let her get a word in edgewise. You can hear the interview here.
The issue they were upset about is the homeless problem at Santa Ana’s Civic Center. If you have not been out there recently you will be amazed and disgusted by the situation. Our Civic Center has essentially become a homeless camp with trash and human waste all over the place. The matter has been somewhat improved with the addition of more portable bathrooms but it is still far from optimal and is certainly not safe for those who have business at the Civic Center. Continue reading
Supervisor Andrew Do to Expand Community Service Center Providing Taxpayers with Expedited Services
(Westminster, CA) – Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is making it easier for taxpayers to access county services with the launch of an expanded community service center.
Next Friday, September 2nd, the public is invited to attend the grand opening of the upgraded Orange County Community Service Center. Continue reading
Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez is hosting a kickoff to her campaign for the First Supervisorial District on July 28, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Chapter One: The Modern Local, located at 227 N. Broadway, in Downtown Santa Ana.
Campaign contribution amounts range from $125 to 1,900. RSVP to michelemartinezfundraiser@gmail.com. Continue reading
Santa Ana City Councilwoman Michele Martinez advanced to the November General Election as she made the top two in the Primary Election in the First Supervisorial District, according to the O.C. Voter Registrar.
The incumbent Supervisor in the First District, Andrew Do, came in first place in the Primary Election with 20,730 votes. Martinez was right behind him with 20,530 votes. Do’s fellow Republican, Garden Grove City Councilman Phat Bui, was a distant third, with 11,026 votes. Continue reading
Supervisors Approve Plan to Complete OC Bike Loop
Orange County supervisors have approved a seven-year plan to complete the 66-mile OC Bike Loop, a recreational bikeway and trail system that will allow continuous access along the Coyote Creek-San Gabriel River Trails, the Pacific Coast Highway Corridor, the Santa Ana River Trail and the Union Pacific Right of Way Corridor.
The $52.8 million earmarked for the OC Loop is part of Orange County Public Works’ Seven Year Capital Improvement Program, which identifies priority projects for investing more than $545 million in transportation, flood control and bikeway improvements. Funding for the OC Loop will be provided by OC Public Works, OC Parks and various grant funds sought from the proceeds of a half-cent sales tax collected in Orange County for transportation projects. Continue reading
Supervisor Andrew Do: Homeless Shelter Operator Should Prioritize Innovation, Value for Taxpayers
Santa Ana, California – The County of Orange has opened the bidding process for running the county’s first permanent, year-round homeless shelter. At the Orange County Board of Supervisors May 10th meeting, a unanimous board voted to initiate the next step in its efforts to address homelessness in the county.
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do says that the county should look for a vendor that will deliver the best value for taxpayers and prioritize innovation in addressing homelessness in Orange County. Continue reading
Supervisor Todd Spitzer and Supervisor Andrew Do Demand OCERS to Cut Convicted Felon Carlos Bustamante’s Government Pension After Guilty Plea
(Orange County, CA) – Supervisor Todd Spitzer and Supervisor Andrew Do called on the Orange County Employees’ Retirement System (OCERS) to strip Carlos Bustamante of part of his taxpayer pension in light of his criminal conviction and sentence on three felony counts that include attempted sexual battery by restraint, stalking, and grand theft by false pretenses.
“The public is sick and tired of people like Bustamante and Former Sheriff Carona being convicted of felony conduct while in office and then riding off into the sunset with their full taxpayer paid for pensions,” said Supervisor Todd Spitzer. Continue reading