The Capistrano Insider

Updates from Supervisor Pat Bates

These items from Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates have some Capistrano-related points of interest:

Public Protection Working Group

In light of the significant financial challenges the County will face in balancing our 2010-11 Budget, I have called for the formation of a working group consisting of the Sheriff, the District Attorney, the CEO, Supervisor Campbell and myself. This group will be charged with the task of developing a fair and comprehensive approach toward solving the significant budget shortfalls that will be faced next year within our public safety departments. By bringing these decision makers together to one table, it is my hope that we will be able to develop a fiscally responsible strategy to preserve fundamental public safety services for the people of Orange County.


Antonio Parkway Widening Project

The Board approved a Cooperative Agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority to define the roles and responsibilities relating to the Antonio Parkway Widening Project. This project includes widening Antonio Parkway from four to six lanes south of Ladera Ranch as well as widening the Antonio Parkway Bridge by one lane in each direction.

The project, which is identified on the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways, will complement ongoing improvements to the adjacent Ortega Highway and planned improvements to La Pata Avenue. Together, these projects will result in significant traffic relief for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods of Ladera Ranch and City of San Juan Capistrano as well as improve overall regional mobility for South County motorists.

State Library Grant

The Board accepted a $58,599 grant from the California State Library to provide adult literary services. The County will apply this grant toward our award winning adult literacy program, Read OC, which serves residents at all Orange County Public Libraries. The program currently utilizes 300 volunteer tutors who provide individualized tutoring in basic literacy skills and workplace literacy programs for local businesses.

For more information about the Read OC Program, please click here.

Capistrano Survives Rain With No Major Incidents

Capistrano city staff reports the following incidents from the storm that rolled through town this week:

Monday, 12/7/09 reported at approximately 3:30pm: Camino Las Ramblas and Via Pescador tree limbs broken and in roadway due to wind. City crews removed limbs.

Monday, 12/7/09 reported at approximately 3:45pm: San Juan Capistrano Library (El Camino Real and El Horno Street) had one Jacaranda tree which fell over due to the wind. This tree fell onto the street and minor damage occurred to a privately parked pickup truck. City crews removed tree.

(photo courtesy of Gia Lugo) 

Monday, 12/7/09 reported at approximately 5:00pm: Mission Bell Park (Ali Paz Street and Calle Jardin) had one California Pepper tree which fell over due to winds. This tree fell in the park and there was no damage reported. City crews returned to removed tree Tuesday, 12/8/09 at approximately 8:30am.

Current status: Public Works crews are presently working on debris removal (limbs and other foreign debris) in roadways, facilities… due to the recent weather.

 

ICE Seizes Exotic Sportscar in Capistrano

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents served a seizure warrant Monday morning at a classic car showroom in San Juan Capistrano, where they took possession of a "one-of-a kind" Italian sports car valued at more than $700,000.

The 1994 Cizeta V16 was loaded onto a flatbed truck and transported to a secure government storage facility. The car is one of fewer than a dozen such vehicles produced by automotive engineer Claudio Zampoli in a joint venture with music composer Giorgio Moroder.

ICE investigators allege Zampoli, who lives in Orange County, violated U.S. customs and environmental laws when he brought the car into the United States in February 2001. According to the affidavit filed in support of the seizure warrant, Zampoli's import agent stated on customs documents submitted when the car entered the country that it was worth $125,000, even though the car originally sold new for approximately $600,000. The import form and related documentation also stated the vehicle was being brought in for temporary use, specifically maintenance and repairs, and had to be exported within one year. In addition to the customs violations, investigators say the car does not comply with U.S. environmental and transportation safety regulations.

"Make no mistake, the illegal importation of gray market vehicles like this is not just a technical violation," said Miguel Unzueta, special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Los Angeles. "Cars that don't meet U.S. standards are outlawed for a reason. These vehicles can pose a real threat to public health and safety."

The Cizeta will remain in storage while authorities seek to have it forfeited to the federal government. If the vehicle is forfeited, it will be offered for sale at a public auction. Since the vehicle does not meet U.S. environmental and safety standards, any domestic buyer would have to export the car following its purchase.

ICE received substantial assistance with the case from the U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sheriff Ducks Us Again

From the city:

Town Hall meeting postponed

The Sheriff's Town Hall meeting scheduled for Nov. 12 has been postponed due to a conflicting event.

The meeting, which was rescheduled from August to accommodate schedules, conflicts with the regional "Is Your Teen At Risk" forum.

The teen forum attracts hundreds of participants from South Orange County for an informative and educational event designed to keep teens safe.

The city is expected to host the Sheriff’s Town Hall meeting in January.

More information will follow when the future date is set.

San Onofre Sirens to Sound: This is Only a Drill ...

On Wednesday, October 21 between 10 am and noon, the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), will conduct an emergency test. Federal regulations require that this test be conducted each year.

Sirens will be heard in Dana Point, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, State Parks, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and throughout the unincorporated areas of Orange County within 10 miles of the plant. Residents will hear a long, steady siren sound. The sirens will be sounded several times for approximately three minutes each time. In some areas, a separate test of the Public Address feature may be conducted. This feature may be used to alert local populations to other emergencies or to provide specific directions.

Remember - This is Only a Test. You do not need to take action and please do not call 911. For additional information on nuclear preparedness, click here.