Supervisor Don Wagner

While Governor Newsom holds authority to implement a homeless response for the state in the wake of the Grants Pass decision, there is no reason counties and other local governments should follow his lead given his track record. Homelessness has increased dramatically during his tenure, which followed a pandering failed promise to end homelessness within ten years during his tenure as San Francisco's mayor.

Under Newsom’s leadership, California has witnessed an explosion of homelessness, with the situation getting worse, not better. Nearly half of all of the nation’s homelessness is here in California. What does that say about the Governor’s leadership on the issue? In Orange County, we have cleared encampments, seen a growth in homelessness below the state’s rate of growth, and advocated for the Grant’s Pass ruling and a return to local government of the ability to act decisively in response to local situations. We should not give up local control now that we’re freed from the rule of Federal Appellate Courts by turning it back over to Gavin Newsom.

I’m happy that the Governor has decided to not dictate to Orange County how we will address clearing out the homeless encampments in our jurisdiction and allow us to tackle this issue without being micromanaged by the state. We will do what we believe is appropriate for our local communities, both by being compassionate to the homeless, and giving reprieve to the law-abiding citizens who have for far too long been forced to tolerate this unacceptable situation in their neighborhoods and communities.

https://loom.ly/FJy39XM

Gov. Gavin Newsom issues executive order for removal of homeless encampments in California While Newsom cannot order local authorities to act, his administration can apply pressure by withholding money for counties and cities.

The month of June 2024 was declared Alzheimer's Awareness Month to help raise awareness of Alzheimer's and other dementias.

My Field Representative Al Tello, pictured, visited the Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter office in Irvine to thank them to everything they do to help those affected by the disease.

Nearly 7 million Americans aged 65 and over have Alzheimer’s disease. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.

Whatever your age, now is the right time to take actions that help promote a healthy brain. You can get started with these 10 Healthy Habits for your brain: www.alz.org/healthyhabits

For more info, visit www.alz.org/oc

My Field Representative Pat Buttress joined the Orange City Council meeting last night, where she presented certificates of recognition on my behalf to outgoing Design Review Committee members Carol Fox and Robert Imboden, who both spent 12 years serving the City of Orange California - Municipal Government.

Thank you both for your years of service. We wish you success in your next endeavors.

My district Director Scott Voigts presented a certificate of recognition at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Orange County Acting Academy in Mission Viejo.

Orange County Acting Academy’s aim is to cultivate well-rounded artists who not only have exceptional acting skills, but also embody a profound sense of integrity and character that will carry with them into every aspect of their lives.

We wish them many years of success.

A big turnout on Thursday for the Orange County Parks Summer Concert Series at Irvine Regional Park featuring A Thousand Horses. And Team Wagner was there to join in on the fun.

A Thousand Horses is a country music band from Nashville, Tennessee. In 2014, the band released its first single "Smoke", which set a record for the highest debut by a new act when it opened at #28 on the country charts.

In addition to the first-class entertainment, there were a variety of delicious food options available at food trucks and concessions stand, and there was beer and wine available for purchase for those 21 and older. Thank you to our exclusive beverage sponsors and their support of the OC Parks Summer Concert Series: Golden Road Brewing, Cantaritos hard soda and Revelshine Wine.

Join us next Thursday, July 25 as the OC Parks Summer Concert Series continues back at Irvine Regional Park with a performance by No Duh: The Ultimate Tribute to No Doubt and Gwen Stefani!

All concerts are FREE to attend, with free parking beginning at 5 p.m. and the concert starting at 6 p.m. and lasting for about 2 hours.

Visit OCParks.com for details on the entire Summer Concert Series lineup, the Sunset Cinema film series and more.

My field representative Pat Buttress presented certificates of recognition for the outgoing Orange Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Brian Rauso, Mike Yablonka, Angie Catale-Wojdat and Cynthia Quimby.

She also presented certificates to Board Members of the Year Rick Martinez and Rebecca Martinez, Ambassador of the Year Nikki Chin and Chamber Champion Aaron Schulze. Alisa Drisoll was presented with an award for her year as chairman of the board. Legacy Board member Al Ricci was also honored.

Thank you all for your service to the Orange business community!

My field representative Pat Buttress presented a Certificate of recognition to Deputy Mark Castro, selected as the OCSD - Yorba Linda Police Services Deputy of the Year.

According to his Chief of Police Services, Captain De Anne Wigginton, Deputy Castro sets a high standard for all his colleagues with his service to the City of Yorba Linda City Hall community.

Congratulations Deputy Castro!

Wondering where to recycle that old electronics or household items? Look no further than OCRecycleguide.com! OC Waste & Recycling’s comprehensive guide helps you find the right place to dispose items. Reduce waste and recycle right!

Celebrate National Drive Thru Day by safely disposing of your household hazardous waste at OC Waste & Recycling Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers! Open Tues-Sat, 9am-3pm.

You can find the centers at:
-Anaheim - 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, 92806
-Huntington Beach - 17121 Nichols Lane, 92647, Gate 6
- Irvine - 6411 Oak Canyon, 92618
-San Juan Capistrano - 32250 Avenida La Pata, 92675

Visit www.OCLandfills.com/hazardous-waste for accepted items.

Orange Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of The Skin Co. My Field Representative Al Tello presented a certificate to Emma Netty, the proud owner.

The knowledgeable staff of The Skin Co. utilizes natural and holistic approaches for both skin care and whole body wellness. They work to educate clients on natural alternatives to their wellbeing while delivering optimal aesthetic results.

The Skin Co. is located at 1440 E. Chapman Ave, Suite B, in Orange, just off the 55 freeway.

If you want to know more about their services, send an email to Emma Netty at [email protected]

Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce CEO Susan Wan Ross presented a certificate of recognition on my behalf to Edie Israel as the 2024 Business Advocate of the Year.

Edie is a past Yorba Linda Citizen of the Year and has been supportive of the Yorba Linda Chamber for many years. Edie founded Yorba Linda Influential in 2016 to create a unique networking opportunity for the community of Yorba Linda.

Congratulations to Edie on this prestigious award. It is well deserved!

My field representative Pat Buttress presented a certificate of recognition to Bayshire Yorba Linda Senior Living. This beautiful senior living complex provides loving care and facilitates effortless transitions between different levels of care.

They have an on site beauty and barber shop as well as a heated pool. The facility covers five acres with lots of walking paths for the residents.

Yorba Linda Mayor Tara Campbell and councilmembers as well as several Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce board members and ambassador were present.

Congratulations Bayshire on your grand opening!

On Wednesday, my Field Representative Pat Buttress attended the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting of Pedego Electric Bikes Yorba Linda. She presented a certificate of recognition on my behalf for their opening, and congratulated them on this exciting new adventure.

Pedego Yorba Linda is a locally-owned store where they pride themselves on treating you like family. They strive to put you in the perfect electric bike so you will get the most out of it for many years to come.

Also present were members of the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce Board and Ambassador group, Yorba Linda Councilwoman Janice Lim and Yorba Linda Mayor Tara Campbell.

Congratulations on your grand opening!

No doubt you've seen the stickers on gas pumps and grocery store scales, assuring that you are getting what you are paying for.

OC Public Works, through its Weights and Measures Program is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all weighing and measuring devices used commercially in the County. The devices are tested for accuracy and inspected to determine if they are appropriate for their intended use. The Weights and Measures Program also enforces laws and regulations pertaining to quantity control, petroleum products, price accuracy, and investigation of consumer complaints. Their staff manage these programs throughout the entire year to protect consumers.

It's important to be a smart consumer. You think about the products you buy and the amount you can spend. Can I afford this? Is this the best buy? Am I getting my money's worth?

What if you had purchased a can of tomatoes and the can contained a disproportionate amount of liquid? That’s an example to the type of consumer complaint the Weights and Measures Program investigates.

For additional information or if you need to submit a consumer complaint visit us at : https://ocerac.ocpublicworks.com/service-areas/oc-environmental-resources/oc-agricultural-commissionersealer-weights-measures-11

On Wednesday evening, I joined the South Orange County Economic Coalition for its 2024-2025 board installation ceremony where I presented a certificate of recognition to new Chairwoman Adriana Galdamez.

Congratulations to Chairwoman Adriana Galdamez and the new board.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to serving our business community! We look forward to working with you!

Check out my latest op-ed in the California Globe :

Trump is a Threat to Democracy? – California Globe Trump is a Threat to Democracy? It is the Democrat leadership which fears democracy and has threaten it repeatedly over the last few years By Donald Wagner, July 11, 2024 2:55 am 11 Jul 2024 2:55 am Democrats insist Donald Trump threatens American democracy. They fashion themselves as its protectors...

Today is 7/11, which means free Slurpees at 7-11!

My Field Representative, Al Tello couldn’t wait to get his free slurpee and insisted that I share on social media.

Make sure to stop by and get a free slurpee today!

My Community Outreach Director, Saga Conroy, joined the Mission Viejo City Council for a retirement ceremony for Deputy City Manager Keith Rattay.

Keith has been serving the City of Mission Viejo, CA - Local Government for almost 29 years, where he has earned the respect of city colleagues and many project partners, vendors and residents.

The City of Mission Viejo and the greater community have been blessed to have him in this role. Keith’s diligence, creativity and his great influence and relationships throughout the Orange County have made him a valuable partner over the years.

The next Deputy City Manager has big shoes to fill, but I’m confident that Mission Viejo will continue his legacy and standard of work.

Thank you Keith, and have a wonderful retirement!

Check out my latest interview with Jen and Grant on The Morning Answer , as we discussed the state of democracy in America and the upcoming presidential election:

https://loom.ly/8EOStIU

Morning Answer 07-08-24 Chairman Don Wagner Interview - The Morning Answer

Last night, I attended the Large Animal Evacuation and Training meeting in Lake Forest. I have been collaborating with equestrian leaders on large animal evacuations and recently directed County staff to establish a local program.

Residents, who have long volunteered in animal rescues, held the first of two planning meetings to prepare for emergencies like wildfires.

Ensuring both people and animals are safely evacuated is crucial. Thanks to the community for organizing this important event!

On Saturday, my field representatives Pat Buttress and Al Tello attended the Concert in the City of Villa Park, California - Municipal Government held at the Cerro Villa Middle School outdoor amphitheater. I’m proud to have sponsored this event that was organized by the Villa Park Community Services Foundation.

The cover band Radio Royalty was a real crowd-pleaser, performing hits from the 80’s.

My field representative Pat Buttress presented a certificate of recognition to outgoing Orange Rotary President Jim Gilmore.

Orange Rotary Club - Orange, CA raises thousands of dollars a year for the club’s community philanthropic projects.

Under the leadership and enthusiasm of Jim, Orange Rotary has been able to give back to the community hours of Rotarian time and treasure.

His last fundraiser as President was collaborating with the Old Towne Orange Chili Cook-Off group for their first event held at Chapman Crafted last month, which I proudly sponsored.

I joined the City of Tustin - Municipal Government City of Tustin’s 4th of July Celebration on Thursday evening, where we had a Marine Corps Color Guard initiate the event.

I want to thank Mayor Austin Lumbard and the Tustin City Council for inviting me to participate in this celebration of our nation’s 248th birthday!

Yesterday, I participated in the City of Lake Forest - Government 4th of July Parade with Mayor Mark Tettemer, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Voigts, U.S. Representative Young Kim and so many other community members!

I rode in a classic convertible and tossed some team Wagner footballs to passers by!

It was a beautiful day to celebrate our nation’s 248th birthday!

My Community Outreach Director, Saga Conroy, attended the quarterly recognition of City of Mission Viejo, CA - Local Government’s outstanding Marines at a Council Meeting where she presented certificates of recognition to the following Marines on my behalf:

Corporal Jake R. Danieli – Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter

Lance Corporal Vanessa Esquivel – Marine of the Quarter

Thank you Corporal Danieli and Lance Corporal Esquivel for your selfless service to our nation!

It was once again my privilege to give the Flag Salute as the City of Orange California - Municipal Government opened their 3rd of July Celebration. I also presented certificates recognizing seven high schools and one Chapman student for the OC Music scholarships.

This event is always well-attended by the community of Orange and this year was no exception. An outstanding musical presentation by Michael Short and the Community Choir followed by a beautiful fireworks program. Last night, Orange celebrated America’s 248th birthday with community organizations providing information and sponsoring food trucks for all the families. The theme was honoring all Volunteers and the non-profit organizations in Orange. An estimated 8-10,000 people attended.

A big surprise happened during the spectacular fireworks display, with a rocket launch that was shot through the fireworks! What an exciting time for all the spectators!

On this day 248 years ago, the 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming that the Thirteen Colonies were free and independent states and were no longer part of the British Empire.

None of the founding fathers could have ever imagined in that iconic moment the technological, medical, military, cultural and industrial global power that the United States of America would become.

Through their convictions, tenacity and dedication to establishing a republic based on rule of law, these men that ushered in the greatest nation in human history.

God Bless America and Happy Independence Day to all!

Make sure to protect your furry friends during the upcoming 4th of July festivities!

My District Director, Scott Voigts, and Community Outreach Director, Saga Conroy, presented a certificate of recognition to Auto Addiction OC, for supporting StandUp for Kids - Orange County to pursue the goal of ending youth homelessness in Orange County.

I am grateful for all the hard work both organizations put into their efforts to assist young people facing homelessness.