The Capistrano Insider

Supervisor Bates: Anderson Retiring, SONGS Drill Success

From Supervisor Pat Bates' most recent report:

Thank You Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson

Assistant Sheriff Jack Anderson has announced he will be leaving the Department next month, creating a significant loss for the Sheriff’s Department. Over the course of his 23 year career with OCSD, Jack has provided the Department with steady leadership. His passion for law enforcement and dedication to public service is evident by the enthusiastic manner in which he has carried out his duties on a daily basis.

Perhaps most notable in his service to Orange County was his tenure as Acting Sheriff for five months in 2008. Taking on the task of Acting Sheriff was a challenge, and Jack met that challenge well. At a time when the Department’s reputation had been damaged by the previous administration, Jack took important first steps towards restoring the community’s trust. He initiated significant changes including introducing the concept of staffing our jails with professional correctional officers other than sworn deputies. This is a reform that will ultimately save the taxpayers millions of dollars and has been used successfully in many other agencies. It is with much appreciation that I ask the public to join me in thanking Jack for his dedicated service to protecting public safety in Orange County. He is truly one of OCSD’s finest.

SONGS Exercise

This week, I participated in a training drill at the County’s Emergency Operations Center designed to prepare the County in responding to a potential disaster at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The event was a dress rehearsal for a federally graded drill that will take place next month. The SONGS exercise is particularly significant to the 5th District because of our close proximity to the nuclear plant. Virtually every department in the County, as well as local cities, the Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority, and local school districts were involved in the extensive drill. I am extremely impressed by the professionalism and diligence of all those who participated. Not only as an elected official but as a resident of Orange County, I am comforted in knowing that we truly have a first-rate team that is well-prepared to handle any emergency or natural disaster.

Another City Dealing with Budget Troubles

This from the La Habra Police union. They have their own department there, but San Juan Capistrano officials have joined others who contract with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in an effort to get some cost control. The sheriff's contract is about one-third of the city's general-fund budget of $21 million.

This from La Habra:

LA HABRA, Calif., Aug. 17, 2009 – The president of the La Habra Police Association today publicly praised his membership for agreeing to a deal with the city that will lead to an effective 5 percent pay cut through furloughs (104 unpaid hours) and giving up the opportunity to cash in previously accrued vacation time.

“Although difficult, we commend our members, and other city labor groups, for agreeing to tighten our collective belts in order to help the city through our national recession,” said Jim Tigner, President of the La Habra Police Association. “The men and women of the La Habra Police Association have once again demonstrated their commitment to our community by agreeing to this unprecedented move with city officials.”

State, counties, and cities across the nation have been struggling to cope with the greatest economic downturn in our nation’s history since the Great Depression. The housing bubble that burst hit states like California especially hard. Last year, Vallejo (Solano County) became the largest city in California history to file for bankruptcy.

“With this agreement, and our significant efforts toward passing the critical measure on the General Election ballot last November, city employees have shown our collective dedication in working together to solidify our city’s finances,” said Tigner. “Our members have a special compact with the citizens in La Habra in that we are the ones who agree to lay our lives on the line so people may live in peace. In light of that, taking this cut was very tough for our members to do, but it is the nature of people in law enforcement or our military who put on a uniform, serve their community, state or country to do what is right, first and foremost. The Association Leadership recognizes the sacrifices the men and women of the La Habra Police Association have made to something that they see is much greater than themselves, and how supremely honored I am to represent their interests on behalf of the entire membership.” said Tigner.

Be On the Lookout for a White Truck ...

From Homefront America:

Dear SJC Friends & Neighbors,

This is probably a crazy request, but I thought that maybe you can help to be our ears and eyes as you go about your business in and around SJC.

Sometime between Saturday evening around 6 p.m. and early Sunday morning, one of Art Hasselbrink’s vehicle turned up missing.  The vehicle was parked in front of his house.  It is a 1988 White Chevy Blazer S-10, license plate #5PNX731.  There is also a tow hitch in the back of the vehicle.  While “Betsy” [as she is fondly referred to by her owner] may be “old,” you can’t beat her loyalty, faithfulness, and ability to perform extremely well under pressure.  What more than any guy ask for?  :-)  I can’t tell you how many times she has come through in a pinch for Homefront America events and activities.

While it is believed that her abductor(s) may have taken her across the border, there is a possibility that she may have just been taken out for a “joy ride.”  The vehicle has been reported stolen.  If you happen to see Betsy anywhere in town, please contact the SJC Sherriff’s.  According to the Sherriff who took the report, please do not approach the vehicle, simply make the call and they will send someone out.

Thanks for your help.

Mamie Yong Maywhort, Homefront America, Inc.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN:  54-2178448

www.homefrontamerica.org

Man Convicted of Killing Wife Who was CUSD Trustee Dies

Also posted on Beyond the Blackboard

Richard Overton, who was convicted of poisioning his wife, Jan, in 1988, has passed away at a hospice, where he was moved while serving a life prison term. He was 81. Jan was a trustee for the Capistrano Unified School District at the time.

Janet Overton was taking her son, Eric, on a whale-watching trip when she collapsed and died.

The trial centered on jealousies and read like a dime-store novel, which it ultimately became.

Eric Overton and his wife, Gia, are friends of mine. As salacious as the story is, there's still some loss there.

Click here to see the entire story.

No Humanity: Someone Rips off Habitat

The Habitat for Humanity project at the east end of Calle Rolando off Alipaz was broken into sometime late Friday/early Saturday, with crooks getting away with between $2,000 and $2,500 in tools and equipment.

Habitat officials said they have insurance, but it carries a $1,000 deductible. Plus, they'll have to spend more money to upgrade security at the site. Habitat is building 27 units in San Juan Capistrano, about half of which will house wounded veterans of servicemembers.

For more information about the project, see www.habitatoc.org